International Health Insurance.
Not legally required, but practically essential: a medical evacuation to Portugal can cost a five-figure sum - without evacuation cover, you bear the full risk yourself.
Insurance requirements at a glance.
- For tourists/expats
- Not legally required
- For digital nomads
- Program requirement (incl. evacuation)
- Public system
- Usually chargeable for non-residents
- Evacuation to Portugal
- Per specialist source $15,000-30,000 or more
- Recommended cover
- Emergency treatment + medical evacuation
- Complex treatments
- Often only possible after transfer abroad
Why evacuation cover matters.
Comprehensive health insurance is not legally required for ordinary expats and long-term visitors in Cape Verde - with one important exception: for the Remote Working Program (digital nomad visa), proof of insurance that explicitly covers medical evacuation and repatriation is required as a program condition (per the official program description - we could not directly verify the specific legal provision behind this, see source box).
Regardless of the legal requirement, the practical risk situation clearly argues for insurance with evacuation cover: more complex medical treatments often can't be carried out locally, meaning a transfer to Portugal or another country may become necessary. A specialist source puts the cost of such a medical transfer at $15,000 to $30,000 or more, depending on distance and the severity of the case - sums that would have to be paid out of pocket without insurance.
Checklist for choosing insurance.
Include medical evacuation
The policy should explicitly cover medical transfer/repatriation abroad - not just outpatient treatment on the ground.
Suitable for long-term stays
Classic travel health insurance is often limited to short stays - expats are better served by a dedicated international health policy or expatriate plan.
Proof for the digital nomad visa
If you're entering via the Remote Working Program, you need proof of insurance with explicit coverage for your entire stay - details in the Digital Nomads Guide.
Keep emergency numbers handy
Save emergency numbers and your insurer's contact details offline - details in the Emergency Guide.
The public system is not a safety net
Don't count on simply being treated for free in the public system in an emergency - non-residents and short-term visitors generally have to cover medical costs privately or through insurance. The public system is designed for Cape Verdean citizens and residents, not as a free safety net for visitors.
Sources & status of this page
- Remote Working Program (digital nomad visa), legal basis added 18.10.2026: requires proof of insurance incl. medical evacuation/repatriation - so far only documented via caboverdeexpert.com (Safety, Health & Insurance Guide), no directly viewed specific legal provision found. The program itself currently runs under the general foreign-entry regulation (Lei n.º 66/VIII/2014 of 17 July, implemented via Decreto-Lei n.º 2/2015 of 6 January) - a newer, dedicated legal basis for remote-work residence visas (Lei 27/X/2023, Decreto-Lei 13/2025) already exists, but as of 9.10.2026 was still marked "coming soon" on the DEF immigration portal and thus not yet operative.
- Cost estimate for medical transfer to Portugal: $15,000-30,000 (caboverdeexpert.com, flagged as a single-source estimate). A second, independent source (medical-air-service.com, a specialized air-ambulance provider) confirms that long-distance evacuation flights with specialized equipment can reach up to $50,000.
Questions about health insurance.
Do I need health insurance as a tourist in Cape Verde?
Not legally required, but strongly recommended given the limited medical infrastructure.
Is insurance mandatory for digital nomads?
According to the official program description, yes - for the Remote Working Program, proof of insurance incl. medical evacuation is a requirement. The specific legal provision behind this could not be directly verified.
What does a medical transfer to Portugal cost?
Per a specialist source, $15,000 to $30,000 or more, depending on distance and the severity of the case - a second, independent air-ambulance source (medical-air-service.com) confirms that long-distance flights with specialized equipment can reach up to $50,000, which makes the stated range plausible to conservative.
Can I be treated for free in the public system as a tourist?
Generally not - non-residents usually have to cover medical costs privately or through insurance.
This page does not replace individual insurance advice. Check the specific terms, exclusions, and coverage limits of each policy directly with the insurer before choosing a product.
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