As an indicative guide, a comfortable retirement in Cape Verde costs roughly £1,600/month for a couple — about £19,200/year (≈ Esc 204,800/month). A modest budget is nearer £1,050; a premium one nearer £2,500.
Roughly where a comfortable £1,600/month goes:
Indicative estimates for a couple, general guidance only — real costs vary by location, lifestyle and exchange rates.
A friendly, safe archipelago off West Africa with reliable year-round sunshine, sandy beaches and a laid-back Creole culture, Cape Verde (Cabo Verde) is a growing sun-seeker's choice within easy reach of Europe.
Foreigners can buy property freehold with few restrictions, and purchases are registered in the buyer's name. Since 2018 a 'Green Card' scheme for real-estate investors has offered tax incentives such as reduced property transfer duty. Using a local lawyer to confirm clear title is advisable. As a general guide only — always confirm the current rules with a qualified local lawyer. Our free ownership checker and the Overseas Property Playbook walk through how ownership works step by step.
Retirees showing passive income of roughly EUR 1,500 a month can obtain a long-stay visa and then a residence permit; buying property can also support a residence application. Visa rules change often, so treat this as a starting point and verify the latest requirements before you plan.
Sal (Santa Maria) is the main expat and tourist hub, Boa Vista offers quieter beaches, Sao Vicente's Mindelo is the cultural capital, and Santiago's Praia is the busy main city.
Healthcare is limited: state facilities are basic and the better private clinics cluster on Sal and in Praia, with serious cases flown to Portugal or the Canaries. Private international insurance is strongly advised and reasonably priced.
Residents are taxed on worldwide income in principle, but a non-habitual-resident style regime can fully exempt foreign pensions and other passive income for qualifying newcomers. The rules and paperwork matter, so take local advice before relying on the exemption.
Warm, dry and semi-arid all year at roughly 24-30C, with plentiful sun and steady breezes that draw watersports fans. Brief rains fall around August to October, so November to June is the pick. Friendly and broadly safe, with the usual care against petty theft in tourist spots; Portuguese and Creole dominate and English is limited outside resorts, and they drive on the right.
Foreigners buy freely once they hold a tax number (NIF); budget around 3% transfer tax (IUP) on resale homes, or 15% VAT on brand-new developer units, plus modest notary and registration fees. Purchases typically complete within weeks to a few months.
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