Frequently asked questions
Q.
Are there any restrictions for foreigners purchasing in Cape Verde?A.
In the developments on this website, there should not be any restrictions imposed.Q.
Will the property be freehold?A.
Yes – all properties we sell in Cape Verde are what we would refer to as ‘freehold’.Q.
On a new development, what is the average deposit required and can I pay in stage payments?A.
You will normally pay a £2,000/ 3,000 reservation fee and 30% as a deposit within four weeks. Most developers offer stage payments, often with a degree of flexibility towards your own personal circumstances. This will be agreed at the time of purchase.Q.
What is the general buying process in Cape Verde?A.
The legal side of buying a property falls into two parts: the preliminary ‘promissory buying and selling’ contract (Contrato de Promessa de Compra e Venda) and the completion contract (Escritura). The promissory contract legally secures the purchase, and is subject to satisfactory searches having been returned. The law protects both parties involved.The signing of the ‘Escritura’ or completion contract can be carried out on your behalf by appointing your Power of Attorney to someone you trust, usually a lawyer. At this stage you must pay the remaining balance of the purchase price, transfer tax (Imposto de Sisa) plus notarial fees to the notary advogado.
Q.
What documents are required?A.
Your passport and tax number.Q.
After I have received the necessary permission to purchase, what happens next?A.
After you have signed the Escritura, you have proper title to the Property. The Deed must be scheduled with a minimum of 30 days notice. You can then register the purchase at the local Land Registry and local Municipal Authority so that title is enforceable against third parties. After signing the Deed, the Notary will prepare and send a report to the local Municipal Authority regarding the transaction. The Municipality will then update its records accordingly and register the new ownership of the property. Generally, this whole process will be handled by your lawyer under your power of attorney.Q.
What additional costs are there in relation to the purchase?A.
If you buy a property in Cape Verde as an individual buyer, you will be required to pay Stamp Duty at the rate of 0.2% of the purchase price. In addition, Transfer Tax at a flat rate of 3% on the attributed value will be paid before the Deed of purchase and sale. The total tax comes to just under 6% of the value stated on the notary document.Q.
Are there many English speaking lawyers in Cape Verde?A.
No, but there are one or two we can introduce. Alternatively, your purchase can be handled by a lawyer in Portugal or a specialist lawyer in the UK.Q.
Is there a good range of banks and are they English speaking?A.
Yes there is a variety of banks, although English is not widely spoken.Q.
Are double taxation treaties in place?A.
There is no double taxation treaty between Cape Verde and the UK. If you are paying tax in Cape Verde on your rental income, you may reduce your UK income tax on this rental income by the amount of Cape Verde tax. The credit for the Cape Verde tax must not exceed the UK tax on the equivalent income.Q.
What is the weather like?A.
Cape Verde has a perfect climate. Classified as dry tropical, the islands have an average temperature ranging between 21°C to 31°C and water temperatures between 22°C and 27°C. There are two seasons, a dry season between November and July and a moderate humid season between August and October. Daily sunshine averages six to seven hours between August and October and ten to twelve hours for the rest of the year. There is also a big contrast in climate between the mountainous regions which are cooler and wetter, and the warm, dry climate on the coast.Q.
What facilities are there on a typical development?A. Owing to the tropical climate, which can get rather hot at times, a swimming pool – communal, private or both – is the main pre-requisite. You will find some offering tennis courts, gymnasiums, spa rooms, water sports and easy access to golf.
Q.
What should I expect to pay in community fees?A.
This can vary from development to development. Your lawyer should look into this for you.Q.
Are there any ongoing taxes?A.
Yes, there are annual ‘council’ taxes.Q.
What about paying for energy and water supplies if my main home is not in Cape Verde?A.
You can arrange direct debits through your local Cape Verde bank account.Q.
Can I rent out my property?A.
Yes. The main season mirrors the general European holiday periods but you will still be able to rent it out over the winter at lower rates. At the height of the summer, you can expect a more than reasonable return.Q.
What about furnishing my property?A.
Most developers offer furniture packs, as almost all furniture has to be imported. You should allow around 10% of the purchase price to furnish your property to a good standard.Q.
Is it necessary to learn the language?A.
No, but as with anywhere in the world, it always brings advantages. The official language is Portuguese and the local language Creole. French, English and Spanish are also spoken in the principal towns.Q.
How do the locals treat foreigners who purchase there?A.
You’ll find Cape Verdeans a very warm, friendly and helpful people. Although quite poor by European standards, Cape Verdeans are well-known for their hospitality towards foreigners.Q.
Are families/children welcome?A.
Most definitely. There is a family-orientated culture in Cape Verde and children are welcome almost everywhere.Q.
How safe is the country?A.
Because of the relatively small population and its isolated position as an island group, crime levels in Cape Verde are low. There is no virtually no violent crime, and you should simply use commonsense as you would in any other country.Q.
What about the healthcare in terms of the standard and costs?A.
There are hospitals on Santiago and Sao Vicente along with medical services on the other islands. What’s more, many of the doctors, dentists, pharmacists and opticians working in Cape Verde are either Cuban or have been trained there. The standard of training in the medical professions in Cuba is highly regarded. The private health clinics, dentists and pharmacies are always open to the paying public. As always, we recommend that you take out private medical insurance before travelling to be on the safe side.Q.
How does the general cost of living compare?A. The level of prices is similar to those at home as far as food, drinks, restaurants and petrol goes. Some prices are higher on some islands due to the small size of the market there and because they are simply so isolated that it costs more to import the goods. A pizza in Cape Verde will cost about £3.80, a small beer in a restaurant about 70p and a half litre jug of wine about £3.
Q.
What about eating out?A.
There are a number of good restaurants on the islands, and this number is increasing all the time. You’ll also find welcoming restaurants in many of the local hotels. The menu will mostly reflect European tastes with dishes based around meat, fish, seafood of course, and vegetables. You should definitely sample some of the Cape Verdean cuisine too. This includes a variety of exotic dishes strongly influenced by African and Creole cooking. One of the most popular national dishes is cachupa, a tasty corn stew.Q.
What are communications like on the islands?A.
You’ll find broadband on Sal, Santiago and Boa Vista, but not yet on Maio. There are also ISDN lines in Praia on Santiago. CV Telecom mobile cards cost about 40 euros and you get 20 euros worth of calls. You can call Cape Verde from the UK on a landline or mobile using Telestunt on 08717 544544 and pay just 6p a minute, cheaper than calling a mobile in the UK. Many mobile networks will roam in the islands and the reception is usually good in most places. You can also buy CV Telecom phone cards for around £5 to use in the public phones.Q.
What television stations can be received?A. Due to its location off the coast of Africa, many European, African and international television stations can be easily received through small satellite receivers. Cape Verde also has its own local television station.
Q.
Can I hire a car there?A.
Yes. You’ll find car hire companies at the airports and in all major cities. You’ll need your driver’s licence or an international driver’s licence which must show your photograph and signature.Q.
If I move to Cape Verde, can I take my dog/cat with me?A.
Yes. You may bring your pets into Cape Verde. You will need a vaccination card to show that your pet is fully vaccinated. You can request the necessary forms from any Cape Verde consulate or from the Cape Verde Embassy.Q.
Can I work there?A.
Yes. To visit the islands, you will need a Tourist Visa which lasts for 90 days. This can be extended at the Serviços de Fronteiras (Frontier Service) for another 90 days. This extension must be requested before the first 90 days have elapsed. The time for processing such a request varies from island to island, the fastest being in Praia and may take up to five days. A fee must be paid in the region of 30 euros. Furthermore, if you wish to stay longer, and are involved in a job or service, you should obtain a Declaraçao de Trabalho (Work Statement) from your employer, which will allow the Visa to be extended up to a maximum period of a year, including the time already elapsed under the initial Tourist Visa.Q.
What is the government system in the country?A.
Cape Verde is a republic which has operated as a functioning, stable democracy since 1975.