The Republic of Cabo Verde is an island nation consisting of 10 volcanic islands in the central Atlantic Ocean. It is located about 570 kilometers off the coast of West Africa. The archipelago was uninhabited until it was discovered and colonized by Portuguese explorers in the 15th century, becoming the first European settlement in the tropics. Due to its strategic location for the Atlantic slave trade, the islands prospered during the 16th and 17th centuries, attracting merchants, privateers, and pirates. The abolition of slavery in the 19th century brought economic decline and emigration, but Cape Verde later recovered as a key commercial hub and stopover point for shipping routes. The islands were designated an overseas department of Portugal in 1951 and peacefully achieved independence in 1975.

Stable Democracy

Since the early 1990s, Cape Verde has functioned as a stable representative democracy and is widely regarded as one of the most developed and democratic countries in Africa. Lacking significant natural resources, its economy is predominantly service-based, with growing emphasis on tourism and foreign investment. The population of approximately 596,000 (as of 2022) is largely of mixed European and sub-Saharan African descent (mulato) and predominantly Roman Catholic, reflecting its Portuguese heritage. The Cape Verdean diaspora is substantial and slightly larger than the resident population.

Citizenship Legislation

Citizenship law in Cape Verde is based primarily on jus sanguinis (right of blood), not jus soli (right of birth within the territory). Therefore, birth in Cape Verde does not automatically grant citizenship, except in the case of children born to unknown parents. A child with at least one Cape Verdean parent is entitled to citizenship by descent, regardless of country of birth.

Citizenship may also be obtained by naturalization, provided the applicant has resided in Cape Verde for at least five years.

A person who marries a Cape Verdean citizen is immediately eligible for citizenship upon request, even without prior residence in the country.

Dual citizenship is recognized, and there is no requirement to renounce previous nationality.

Citizenship by Investment in Cape Verde

There is no formal citizenship by investment program in Cape Verde. However, the law permits citizenship to be granted without a residency requirement to applicants who make a significant investment in the country. The law does not specify the exact investment threshold. From our experience, an investment of approximately EUR 200,000 is generally considered sufficient for a successful citizenship application. Family members (spouse and children) may also obtain citizenship through the same investment.

The type of investment depends on individual circumstances. A retired applicant may purchase property in Boa Vista, Sal, or Santiago and apply for citizenship. An applicant engaged in business activities would be expected to invest in a project that creates at least 10 local jobs.

Professional Services

Please note that Elma Capital does not offer legal services in Cape Verde. The reason is practical. There are other African countries — such as Botswana, Egypt, Sierra Leone, and São Tomé and Príncipe — where citizenship by investment programs are official, and the required investment amounts are clearly defined rather than left to administrative discretion, as in Cape Verde. Furthermore, investment thresholds in those countries are generally lower (from USD 75,000 to 140,000) while offering passports of similar strength in terms of visa-free travel.

If you require legal assistance in acquiring citizenship, please contact us today.

When sending us an email, please include your citizenship, country of residence, and the age of each family member to be included in the application. This information is necessary to provide you with an accurate estimate of fees and expenses.