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Cabo Verde is an Atlantic island nation with Portuguese legal heritage, digital nomad visa program, tax treaties, and growing tourism and services sectors.
Region
AFRICA
Corporate Tax
20%
Setup Time
2 weeks
Currency
CVE
Rising from the Atlantic Ocean some 500 kilometers off the West African coast, Cabo Verde offers something unique: an African island nation with Portuguese legal heritage, strong European connections, and growing appeal for digital nomads. With a currency pegged to the Euro and political stability unusual for the region, Cabo Verde has positioned itself as a distinctive option for location-independent professionals.
Life in Cabo Verde unfolds across ten islands, each with distinct character. Santiago, home to the capital Praia, is the largest. Sal and Boa Vista offer beach tourism. São Vicente provides the archipelago's cultural capital—music, arts, and café culture.
The population of approximately 560,000 is small but culturally significant. Portuguese is official, with Cape Verdean Creole spoken in daily life. English is increasingly common in business.
Healthcare is basic, with serious situations requiring travel elsewhere. Safety is excellent by African regional standards.
Cabo Verde's business environment benefits from Portuguese legal heritage and Special Partnership Agreement with the European Union. The corporate tax rate of 20% is competitive.
The CVE escudo is pegged to the Euro, providing currency stability. The digital nomad visa program (Remote Worker Visa) has attracted location-independent professionals.
Company formation requires no minimum capital for a standard limited liability company. Formation typically takes two to three weeks.
Foreign ownership is permitted at 100% in most sectors. Banking functions adequately for domestic operations, with some currency controls.
Cabo Verde's geographic position creates unique opportunities at the crossroads of Atlantic shipping routes. The Special Partnership Agreement with the EU provides enhanced access. The African Continental Free Trade Area potentially opens continental market access.
The small domestic market limits scale for most businesses. Island logistics add complexity. Infrastructure is developing but limited.
For digital nomads and entrepreneurs seeking an Atlantic base with European legal standards and African market proximity, Cabo Verde offers a distinctive proposition.
Local: Lda
Local: SA
Local: Sucursal
| Corporate Tax Rate | 20% |
| Personal Income Tax Rate | 27.5% |
| VAT / Sales Tax | 15% |
| Capital Gains Tax | 20% |
| Withholding Tax | 20% |
| Reduced Corporate Tax Available | No |
| Non-Resident Withholding Exempt | Yes |
| Tax Treaty Network | Yes |
| Banking Access | MEDIUM |
| Financial Privacy | MEDIUM |
| Currency Controls | SOME |
| Local Bank Account Required | No |
| Non-Resident Bank Account Allowed | Yes |
| Physical Presence for Banking | No |
| Banks Restrictive (High Risk) | No |
| AML Officer Required | No |
| MLRO Required | No |
| Compliance Officer Required | No |
| Data Protection Officer Required | No |
| Local Bookkeeping Required | No |
| Mandatory Audit | No |
No dedicated crypto licensing framework in Cabo Verde. Cryptocurrency activities are permitted but unregulated.
| License Required | Yes |
| Local Director Required | Yes |
| Local AML Director Required | No |
| Local Legal Address Required | Yes |
| Local Physical Office Required | Yes |
| Capital Maintained in Account | Yes |
| Compliance Program Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule Compliance | N/A |
| Business Plan Required | Business plan required |
| Personnel Required | Management team |
| Insurance Required | No |
| Remote Incorporation Possible | No |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | Yes |
| Min. Shareholders | 2 |
| Min. Directors | 1 |
| Shareholder/Director Same Person | Yes |
| Registry Public | Yes |
| Renewal Period | Annual |
| Accounting Filing Required | Yes |
| Accounting Filing Frequency | Annual |
| Financial Statement Required | Yes |
| Financial Statement Frequency | Annual |
| Accounting Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Compliance Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Technical Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Corporate Income Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Dividend Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Capital Gains Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Territorial Tax Regime | No |
| VAT Applicable | Yes |
| Regulators | Gaming Commission or equivalent |
| Licensing Fee Details | Standard gambling licensing |
| Permitted Business Models | Casino, Sports Betting |
| Permitted Activities | Land-based and online gambling |
| Restricted Activities | Varies by jurisdiction |
| Cross-Border Service Allowed | No |
| Physical Inspection Required | Yes |
| Player Fund Segregation | Yes |
| B2B/B2C Separate Requirements | No |
| License Required | Yes |
| Local Director Required | Yes |
| Local AML Director Required | Yes |
| Local Legal Address Required | Yes |
| Local Physical Office Required | Yes |
| Capital Maintained in Account | Yes |
| Compliance Program Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule Compliance | FATF guidelines |
| Business Plan Required | Comprehensive business plan |
| Personnel Required | Qualified management, compliance officer |
| Insurance Required | Yes |
| Insurance Details | Professional indemnity required |
| Remote Incorporation Possible | No |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | Yes |
| Min. Shareholders | 2 |
| Min. Directors | 1 |
| Shareholder/Director Same Person | Yes |
| Registry Public | Yes |
| Registry Access | Central Bank registry |
| Renewal Period | Annual |
| Accounting Filing Required | Yes |
| Accounting Filing Frequency | Annual |
| Financial Statement Required | Yes |
| Financial Statement Frequency | Annual |
| Accounting Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Compliance Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Technical Audit Mandatory | No |
| Corporate Income Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Dividend Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Capital Gains Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Territorial Tax Regime | No |
| VAT Applicable | Yes |
| Regulators | Central Bank |
| Licensing Fee Details | Varies by license type |
| Permitted Business Models | Banking, EMI, Payment Services |
| Permitted Activities | Banking, payment services, lending |
| Restricted Activities | Deposit taking requires full banking license |
| Cross-Border Service Allowed | Yes |
| Physical Inspection Required | Yes |