Visas, residency & nationality.
Germans and other EU citizens can enter Cape Verde visa-free for up to 30 days - with mandatory registration via the EASE portal. For a longer stay, you need a residence permit from the relevant immigration authority, the AAI, which after several years can lead to permanent residency or even Cape Verdean citizenship. This guide walks through every stage - with references to the responsible authorities and legal sources.
Visas & residency at a glance.
- Visa-free entry
- 30 days for EU citizens, passport valid for at least 6 months
- Mandatory registration
- EASE portal, at least 5 days before entry
- Responsible authority
- AAI - Alta Autoridade para a Imigração
- Residence-permit categories
- Work, investment, teaching/research, retirement, family reunification
- Residence-permit validity
- 2 years, renewable in 2-year increments
- Renewal application
- at least 45 days before expiry
- Permanent residency
- possible after at least 5 years with a residence permit, plus proof of means, accommodation, and language skills
- Citizenship
- possible after at least 5 years of lawful residence (Lei 33/2023)
Visa-free for 30 days.
Germans and other EU nationals don't need a visa for tourist stays of up to 30 days - the passport must still be valid for at least 6 months on entry, and a national ID card isn't enough. Despite the visa exemption, online registration via the official EASE portal (ease.gov.cv) is mandatory and should be completed at least 5 days before departure. On entry, there's also an airport tax (TSA), currently around 3,400 CVE (approx. €31) per person for international flights - usually cheaper paid online via EASE than at the counter on site.
Important since January 1, 2026: Cape Verde has abolished visa-on-arrival for nationals of 96 countries - they now need a visa before travel. The 27 EU member states, including Germany, are not affected by this change and remain visa-free for 30 days. This is mainly relevant for binational couples or families with non-European partners/relatives.
TSA exemptions: For flights between the islands (inter-island flights), only a reduced TSA of around 150 CVE (approx. €1.50) applies. Fully exempt are children under 2, holders of a Cape Verdean passport along with their spouse and minor children, and - practically relevant for expats - anyone who already holds a valid Cape Verdean residence permit.
Anyone wanting to stay longer than 30 days, work, or study needs a regular residence permit - this usually has to be applied for before entry at a Cape Verdean embassy or consulate, though in certain cases it can also be filed locally with the AAI.
Five paths to a longer stay.
The responsible authority, the AAI (Alta Autoridade para a Imigração), distinguishes several residence-permit categories - which one applies depends on your situation.
Dependent employment
For employees with an employment contract (or at least a binding job offer) from a Cape Verdean employer - the contract serves as the legal basis for the application.
Investment & business activity
For investors and entrepreneurs, including the Golden Visa via a property purchase from €80,000 or €120,000 - details in our Golden Visa guide.
Teaching & research
For lecturers and researchers at Cape Verdean universities and research institutions.
Retirement & pension
For retirees with verifiable, regular income from a pension or investment returns not earned in Cape Verde.
Family reunification
For family members of people already resident - such as spouses, minor children, or dependent relatives. Details on binational situations in our guide for binational couples.
Remote Working Programme
A dedicated program for digital nomads with foreign income, since December 2020 - initially 6 months, renewable up to a total of 1 year. Full details in our digital nomads guide.
The NIF as your first step
Practically every economic activity in Cape Verde - from a lease to a property purchase to opening a bank account - requires an NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal, tax ID number). If you're not resident in Cape Verde, you'll need a local tax representative for this. Processing takes anywhere from a few hours to several weeks depending on the office. More on the tax system in our NIF & Tax System guide.
From residency to citizenship.
First residence permit
Valid for 2 years, then renewable in further 2-year increments - file the renewal application at least 45 days before expiry each time.
Permanent residency
Anyone who has held a valid residence permit continuously for at least 5 years can apply for permanent residency - the 5 years is just one of several requirements. Per the AAI, you must also show sufficient means, secure accommodation, a clean criminal record, knowledge of the Cape Verdean language(s), and pose no threat to public health or safety - it isn't automatic just from the passage of time.
Citizenship via naturalization
Since the reform under Lei n.º 33/2023 (in force since August 2023), citizenship via naturalization is possible after at least 5 years of lawful, habitual residence - provided you're of legal age, have a clean criminal record, and can support yourself. Periods spent with unlawful residence status explicitly don't count.
Citizenship via marriage or registered partnership
For spouses or registered partners of Cape Verdean citizens, the reform Lei 33/2023 initially set a minimum duration of 5 years - this was reduced to 4 years by the amendment Lei n.º 37/X/2024. Citizenship is granted by declaration ("por declaração") as long as the marriage or partnership still exists - with no language test or proof of means required, as long as there's no final conviction to 3 or more years in prison.
Citizenship via unmarried civil partnership
Under Cape Verdean law, a partnership qualifies as a "União de Facto" under civil law once it has involved at least 3 years of marriage-like cohabitation, and can be recognized at a civil registry office or by a court. The same 4-year threshold as for married couples (reduced by Lei n.º 37/X/2024) then applies for citizenship - the partnership must have existed for at least 4 years in total, not 3 years plus an additional 4. A little-known third path alongside naturalization and marriage.
Since 2024: applications can be filed decentrally
The amendment Lei 37/X/2024 noticeably simplified the bureaucratic process: citizenship applications can now be filed at any civil registry office in Cape Verde, or directly at any Cape Verdean embassy or consulate abroad - previously the process was more centralized. It also made citizenship easier for descendants of Cape Verdean emigrants (even across multiple generations, as long as they're recorded in the civil register).
Special note on this page: immigration and nationality law changes frequently and is assessed case by case by the responsible authority (AAI). This page doesn't replace legal advice - especially when choosing the right residence-permit category and assembling your application documents, we recommend getting early advice from a lawyer specializing in Cape Verdean immigration law.
Author: Michael Krautwald · Last checked: October 13, 2026Sources & status of this page
- EASE, AAI residence-permit categories, Lei 33/2023, Remote Working Programme (since Dec. 2020): aai.gov.cv, official embassy pages, and legal sources.
- Requirements for permanent residency (added 18 Oct. 2026): aai.gov.cv lists, alongside the 5-year minimum, additional requirements of sufficient means, proof of accommodation, a clean criminal record, knowledge of the Cape Verdean language(s), and no threat to public health/safety - previously only the time period was stated here, which could give the impression of a pure automatism.
- Minimum marriage duration for simplified citizenship (reduced from 5 to 4 years, amendment Lei n.º 37/X/2024): cmalex.net (a Cape Verdean law firm), citizenshiprightsafrica.org. Per a summary of the legal text, the same amendment also reduces the duration for "União de Facto" citizenship to 4 years (previously 5) - the civil-law 3-year threshold at which a partnership first qualifies as a União de Facto at all is a separate, non-additive period. Verified October 13, 2026.
- Abolition of "visa on arrival" for 96 countries from Jan. 1, 2026 (Despacho n.º 244/GMAI/2025, not a "Decreto" - corrected 18 Oct. 2026, confirmed directly in Boletim Oficial n.º 223/2025 II Série of 24 Nov. 2025), EU/Germany unaffected and still visa-free: passportindex.org, buch-dein-visum.de, verified October 13, 2026.
- TSA exemption for holders of a valid residence permit: independently confirmed via Cape Verdean news sources (Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs), verified October 13, 2026.
Questions about Visas & Residency.
Do Germans need a visa for Cape Verde?
Not for tourist stays up to 30 days - however, free online registration via the EASE portal is mandatory, at least 5 days before departure.
What is EASE?
The official electronic registration system for entering Cape Verde (ease.gov.cv). It doesn't replace a visa, but it's mandatory for all travelers - including visa-exempt ones.
How long is a Cape Verdean residence permit valid?
The first residence permit is valid for 2 years, then renewable in further 2-year increments. The renewal application must be filed at least 45 days before expiry.
How long does it take to get Cape Verdean citizenship?
Following the 2023 legal reform (Lei 33/2023), at least 5 years of lawful, habitual residence is required for citizenship via naturalization. There's a shorter path for citizenship via marriage to a Cape Verdean citizen: since the amendment Lei n.º 37/X/2024, only 4 years of marriage (previously 5 years).
Can a property investment get me a residence permit?
Yes, via the so-called Golden Visa from an investment of €80,000 (municipalities with below-average GDP) or €120,000 (Santiago, São Vicente, Sal, Boa Vista) - permanent, but with no minimum-stay requirement. Details in our Golden Visa guide.
What is the NIF and who needs it?
The Número de Identificação Fiscal is Cape Verde's tax ID and a basic requirement for practically every economic activity in the country, from opening a bank account to buying property. Non-residents need a local tax representative for this.
How long do you need to be married for citizenship via marriage?
Since the amendment Lei n.º 37/X/2024, 4 years of marriage or registered partnership are required (previously 5 years under the original reform Lei 33/2023). No language test or proof of means is required for this path.
Can you become a citizen through a partnership without marrying?
Yes - a partnership qualifies as a "União de Facto" after 3 years of marriage-like cohabitation and can be recognized. The same 4-year threshold as for married couples then applies for citizenship (in total, not in addition to the 3 years).
Where can I file a citizenship application?
Since the simplification under Lei 37/X/2024, at any civil registry office in Cape Verde or directly at a Cape Verdean embassy or consulate abroad - previously the process was more centralized.
This page doesn't replace individual legal advice. Deadlines, document requirements, and administrative practice can change and may vary case by case. Verify all details before making a decision with an independent lawyer specializing in Cape Verdean immigration law, or directly with the AAI.
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