Country visa guide
Cabo Verde Digital Nomad Visa 2026: Requirements & How to Apply
Verified Last verified: against the official source below.
Information, not advice
This is general information, not immigration or legal advice. Requirements change — verify with the official government source linked below before applying.
Cabo Verde's digital nomad visa — officially the Remote Working Program — lets remote employees and freelancers who work for companies or clients outside the country live on the islands for six months, renewable once. Unusually, it is not built around a monthly salary: as of 19 July 2026, official and secondary sources describe an average bank-account balance of roughly EUR 1,500 for an individual over the previous six months, with an initial stay of six months.
Who is eligible
The Remote Working Program targets people who earn their income remotely from outside Cabo Verde — either employed by a foreign company or working as a freelancer for clients abroad. As of 19 July 2026, official and secondary sources state the program is open to nationals of Europe, North America (including the United States and Canada), the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS/CEDEAO). Applicants must hold a passport valid for at least six months and carry travel and health insurance for the duration of their stay. The program is designed for remote work only; it is not a route to local employment in Cabo Verde. Dependants and family members can be included, which raises the required bank balance (see below).
Income requirement
Cabo Verde does not set a fixed monthly income figure. Instead, the test is a bank-account balance: as of 19 July 2026, official and secondary sources describe an average balance over the previous six months of about EUR 1,500 for an individual applicant and about EUR 2,700 for a family. You prove this with bank statements covering that six-month window, rather than payslips showing a recurring salary. Because this is a balance rather than an income threshold, keeping funds steady in the account before you apply matters more than the exact month-to-month amount you earn. Figures are widely reported but can change, so confirm the current requirement with the official source before you rely on it.
Required documents
- Passport valid for at least six months, plus recent passport-style photos
- Bank statements showing the average balance over the previous six months (individual or family)
- Proof of remote work — an employment contract with a foreign company, or evidence of freelance clients abroad
- Travel and health insurance covering the stay, including medical evacuation and repatriation
- Proof of accommodation and, where requested, a criminal-record / background check
How to apply, step by step
- Pre-register online through Cabo Verde's official EASE portal (ease.gov.cv) / the Remote Working Program application form and upload your passport, bank statements, insurance and proof of remote work.
- Wait for review — processing is commonly around two weeks — and follow the confirmation instructions sent to you by email.
- Travel to Cabo Verde, pay the airport security tax on arrival, and collect or finalise your permit; apply to renew for a further six months before it expires if you want to stay longer.
Cost
As of 19 July 2026, official and secondary sources report a visa/processing fee of about EUR 20 per person and an airport security tax (TSA) of about EUR 34 per person payable on arrival. Budget for extra costs that are not part of the government fee: travel and health insurance with evacuation and repatriation cover, any document translations, and a criminal-record check if one is requested. These are estimates that change — confirm current amounts on the official source before you pay.
Processing time
As of 19 July 2026, official and secondary sources indicate the application is typically processed in around two weeks, after which you receive next-step instructions by email. Treat this as a guideline rather than a guarantee — timelines depend on the completeness of your documents and current demand. Apply well before your intended travel date and keep digital copies of everything you submit.
Tax implications (overview)
General overview only, not tax advice. Tax residency and treatment depend on your nationality, days present and personal circumstances — confirm with the tax authority or a licensed advisor.
A key attraction of the Remote Working Program is its treatment of foreign income: as of 19 July 2026, secondary sources report that remote workers on the program are not taxed in Cabo Verde on income earned from abroad during the stay. That does not remove your obligations at home — you may still be taxed in your country of tax residence, and long stays or renewals can affect where you are considered resident. Confirm your position with a qualified tax adviser and the relevant authorities before relying on any exemption.
Official source
Always confirm the current rules directly with the issuing authority:
Cabo Verde official tourism board — Remote Working Program ↗
Link opens the official government page. We last checked our figures against it on 19 July 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Does Cabo Verde's digital nomad visa require a monthly income?
No. The Remote Working Program is balance-based, not income-based. As of 19 July 2026, official and secondary sources describe an average bank-account balance over the previous six months of about EUR 1,500 for an individual and about EUR 2,700 for a family, rather than a fixed monthly salary. Confirm the current figure with the official source before applying.
How long can I stay in Cabo Verde on the Remote Working Program?
The permit is issued for six months and can be renewed once for a further six months, for up to about one year in total. You must work remotely for an employer or clients based outside Cabo Verde. Always verify current validity and renewal rules with the official source.