Moving With a Pet.
As an island nation, Cape Verde has strict biosecurity rules for dogs and cats - without a DGASP import permit, your pet won't be allowed into the country. With enough lead time, the process is well plannable. Important: the following information applies to the typical non-commercial import of up to four animals from Germany/the EU (not classified as rabies-infected under disease-control rules) - for larger/commercial shipments or origin from countries classified as rabies-infected, Cape Verde's hygiene regulation (Decreto-Regulamentar n.º 12/2020) imposes additional requirements, up to a six-month pre-export quarantine. Confirm details directly with the DGASP before traveling.
Import at a glance.
- Responsible authority
- DGASP (Cape Verdean veterinary authority)
- Rabies vaccination
- At least 21-30 days before entry (secondary sources, confirm with DGASP before travel)
- Health certificate
- Official veterinary, per secondary sources within 10 days before travel - exact deadline not officially verified
- Import permit
- Required for non-commercial import, fee estimated at approx. CVE 2,000-5,000
- Microchip
- Recommended
- Document language
- Portuguese
- Dogs additionally
- Distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis, hepatitis, deworming
- Quarantine
- Not required for most countries of origin (official source)
Step by step to import.
Microchip & core vaccinations
Your pet should be microchipped and have its core vaccinations - for dogs, additionally against distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis, and infectious hepatitis, plus deworming.
Rabies vaccination with lead time
The current rabies vaccination must have been administered at least 21-30 days before entry - schedule this appointment early, not shortly before departure.
Apply for an import permit from DGASP
The Direção Geral de Agricultura, Silvicultura e Pecuária (DGASP) is the responsible Cape Verdean veterinary authority - the permit is estimated to cost around CVE 2,000-5,000 (approx. $18-45); this figure comes from secondary sources, not a directly viewed official fee schedule. This applies to the non-commercial import of a small number of animals (the usual case for expats) - five or more animals, or commercial shipments, are subject to separate, stricter rules.
Official veterinary health certificate
A health certificate may be at most 10 days old on entry, according to secondary sources - schedule the vet exam accordingly, shortly before departure, but confirm the exact deadline with the DGASP beforehand, since this figure could not be conclusively verified from an official source. Documents should be in Portuguese.
No quarantine for most countries - Germany/EU included
The official Cape Verdean tourism authority (visit-caboverde.com) states clearly: "Cabo Verde não exige um período de quarentena para os animais de estimação provenientes da maioria dos países" - so no quarantine is required for entries from most countries, provided all health requirements are met. Cape Verde's hygiene regulation (Decreto-Regulamentar n.º 12/2020) provides for a strict six-month pre-export quarantine only for animals from countries classified as rabies-infected under disease-control rules - Germany and the EU are not among them. Still, confirm the currently valid rules with both your airline and the DGASP, since classifications and requirements can change.
Sources & status of this page
- Entry requirements (rabies vaccination at least 21 days prior, health certificate within 10 days, DGASP import permit approx. CVE 2,000-5,000, microchip per ISO 11784/11785): catabroad.com ("Cape Verde Is an Island With Strict Bio-Security"), jarniascyril.com ("Moving to Cape Verde with Your Pet"); the 21-day minimum and other key figures independently reconfirmed on 13.10.2026. These sources are travel/expat guides, not official documents.
- Official primary source identified but not fully readable (added 18.10.2026): the underlying hygiene regulation is Decreto-Regulamentar n.º 12/2020 (Boletim Oficial I Série No. 116, 08.10.2020, maa.gov.cv) - it distinguishes non-commercial import (fewer than 5 animals) from commercial/larger shipments and imposes additional requirements (antibody test, 6-month pre-export quarantine) for animals from countries classified as rabies-infected under disease-control rules. The PDF document could not be fully read during our check - the exact fee and the 10-day certificate deadline therefore remain supported only by secondary sources, not directly from the legal text. Confirm both figures directly with the DGASP before traveling.
- No quarantine requirement for entries from most countries (provided health requirements are met): visit-caboverde.com (official Cape Verdean tourism authority, quoted directly via WebFetch: "Cabo Verde não exige quarentena..."). Applies to countries not classified as rabies-infected under disease-control rules - Germany/EU included.
Questions about moving with a pet.
Which authority is responsible for importing pets?
The DGASP (Direção Geral de Agricultura, Silvicultura e Pecuária), Cape Verde's veterinary authority.
How far in advance does the rabies vaccination need to happen?
At least 21-30 days before entry.
What does the import permit cost?
An estimated CVE 2,000-5,000, roughly $18-45.
Does my pet have to go into quarantine?
No, according to the official Cape Verdean tourism authority, no quarantine is required for entries from most countries, provided all health requirements are met. Still confirm the rules with your airline as well.
This page does not replace individual veterinary or official advice. Import rules can change - confirm all requirements in good time before traveling directly with the DGASP or the Cape Verdean embassy/consulate in your country.
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Legal aspects for binational couples.