Binational Couples.
Whether your partner wants to move to Germany or you want to move to Cape Verde - both directions have clear, but different, legal paths. Here's an overview of both.
Both directions at a glance.
- Legal basis, Germany
- §§ 28, 29 AufenthG
- Language proof
- A1 German skills before entry
- Settlement permit
- Possible after 3 years of residence
- Visa application
- German Embassy Dakar (Senegal) - responsible for Cape Verde, since there's no dedicated German embassy on the ground
- CV family residence
- Valid for 2 years, renewable
- CV processing time
- Approx. 6-8 weeks
- CV marriage certificate
- Consular authentication required
- Citizenship through marriage
- 4 years of marriage/partnership (since the Lei 37/X/2024 amendment)
To Germany or to Cape Verde.
Cape Verdean partner moves to Germany
Spouse reunification with German nationals is governed by §§ 28, 29 AufenthG. If one spouse is a German national habitually resident in Germany, the foreign spouse generally has a legal claim to a residence permit.
Before entry, simple German skills at A1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference must generally be demonstrated - German residence law does, however, provide for exceptions (e.g. where this is demonstrably impossible or unreasonable, such as for health reasons), to be clarified case-by-case with the responsible foreign mission. The visa application is filed at the responsible German foreign mission - since Germany does not maintain its own embassy in Cape Verde, this is the German Embassy Dakar (Senegal), which, according to the Federal Foreign Office, processes national visas (including family reunification) for Cape Verde (as of 18.10.2026 - recheck current status before applying). After three years of residence, a switch to an unlimited settlement permit is possible.
German partner moves to Cape Verde
Spouses of Cape Verdean nationals can apply for a family-reunification residence title. Requirements include, among others, a marriage certificate authenticated by the Cape Verdean consular authority and proof of adequate housing.
The residence title is initially time-limited and renewable every 2 years, with a typical processing time of 6-8 weeks. In addition, Cape Verde generally also offers the possibility of citizenship through marriage - details below, since the source picture on the exact waiting period is contradictory.
Citizenship through marriage.
On the question of how quickly a German spouse can acquire Cape Verdean citizenship through marriage, some consulting sites specializing in "easy citizenships" advertise immediate naturalization with no waiting period at all - a claim typical of marketing offers that should be treated with caution. The actual legal situation: the reform Lei 33/2023 initially introduced a minimum duration of 5 years of marriage or registered partnership, which was reduced to 4 years by the amendment Lei n.º 37/X/2024 (confirmed via the Cape Verdean law firm cmalex.net). No language test or proof of finances is required for this path, as long as there is no final conviction to 3 or more years in prison. Since 2024, the application can also be filed at any civil registry office in Cape Verde or any Cape Verdean embassy/consulate.
Don't be misled by offers promising "guaranteed" or "immediate" citizenship - clarify the actual, currently valid requirements directly with the responsible Cape Verdean authority or a locally licensed lawyer.
Dual citizenship usually not a problem
Both Germany and Cape Verde allow dual citizenship in certain constellations - for EU citizens who marry a Cape Verdean partner, naturalization in Cape Verde is therefore generally possible without losing German citizenship. Still, check your individual case with a specialized lawyer, since detailed rules can change.
Sources & status of this page
- Germany side (general German residence law): §§ 28/29 AufenthG govern spouse reunification, A1 German skills generally required before entry (statutory exceptions possible), settlement permit possible after 3 years of residence - general German law, not Cape-Verde-specific, verified and labeled as such.
- Responsible German foreign mission (corrected 18.10.2026): dakar.diplo.de directly confirms: the German Embassy Dakar (Senegal) processes national visas, including family reunification, for Cape Verde - Lisbon is generally responsible for Cape Verde consular matters, but not for this visa category. Previously, this page only had an unconfirmed guess ("presumably Lisbon").
- Cape Verde side: advogados.cv ("Marriage and Citizenship: Legal Paths for Foreign Spouses") - family-reunification residence title for spouses of Cape Verdean citizens, 2-year validity (renewable), processing time per this single source 6-8 weeks (no official processing statistics found, to be understood as an anecdotal/typical planning assumption).
- One source (libertymundo.com, more marketing in character) contradicted the citizenship-through-marriage figures - weighted/ranked accordingly lower.
Questions about binational couples.
What language skills does my Cape Verdean partner need to move to Germany?
Simple German skills at A1 level must be demonstrated before entry.
How long is family residence valid in Cape Verde?
Initially time-limited, renewable every 2 years.
How quickly can I become a Cape Verdean citizen through marriage?
Since the Lei n.º 37/X/2024 amendment, 4 years of marriage or registered partnership are required (previously 5 years). Some marketing sites unrealistically advertise "immediate" citizenship - that's not correct. Check the current requirements directly with the responsible authority.
Do I lose my German citizenship if I naturalize in Cape Verde?
Generally not - both countries allow dual citizenship in certain constellations, but have your individual case checked.
This page does not replace individual legal advice in immigration and family law. Rules on residence rights and citizenship change - have your specific case reviewed by a specialized lawyer in Germany and/or Cape Verde.
Related Topics.
All Moving Here Topics at a glance.
Back to the Moving Here overview with all 9 topic pages.