Cape Verde
Summary
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Cape Verde’s current entry restrictions and requirements. Due to COVID-19, these may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
If you plan to pass through another country on your journey, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides appropriate cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.
Most visits to Cape Verde are trouble-free, but you should take sensible precautions against petty crime. See Crime.
There is a low risk of malaria in the capital city, Praia (Santiago Island). For more information and advice, visit the website of the National Travel Health Network and Centre website. See Health
Many British nationals have experienced serious problems when buying property in Cape Verde. Before buying property anywhere on the islands, you should seek independent qualified legal advice. See our list of English speaking lawyers in Cape Verde.
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Cape Verde, attacks cannot be ruled out. See Terrorism
Consular support is not available from the British government in Cape Verde as there is no British Embassy. However, the British Embassy Lisbon in Portugal can provide consular support to British nationals.
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Cape Verde’s current entry restrictions and requirements. Due to COVID-19, these may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
If you plan to pass through another country on your journey, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides appropriate cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.
Most visits to Cape Verde are trouble-free, but you should take sensible precautions against petty crime. See Crime.
There is a low risk of malaria in the capital city, Praia (Santiago Island). For more information and advice, visit the website of the National Travel Health Network and Centre website. See Health
Many British nationals have experienced serious problems when buying property in Cape Verde. Before buying property anywhere on the islands, you should seek independent qualified legal advice. See our list of English speaking lawyers in Cape Verde.
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Cape Verde, attacks cannot be ruled out. See Terrorism
Consular support is not available from the British government in Cape Verde as there is no British Embassy. However, the British Embassy Lisbon in Portugal can provide consular support to British nationals.
Update history
2024-01-12 13:16
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-11-22 13:29
Information about seismic activity on Fogo and Brava island (‘Natural disasters’ page).
2023-06-22 11:39
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-05-11 11:36
New information about altitude sickness (‘Health’ page).
2023-03-02 09:28
Addition of information on increase in the number of cases of Shigellosis reported by travellers to Cape Verde (‘Health’ page).
2023-03-01 09:50
Addition of information on increase in the number of cases of Shigellosis reported by travellers to Cape Verde (‘Health’ page).
2022-09-28 10:23
Updated information on COVID-19 entry requirements to Cape Verde (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).
2022-08-26 15:46
Updated information on COVID-19 entry requirements for children aged between 13 and 17 (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-08-26 14:38
Updated information on COVID-19 entry requirements for children aged between 12 and 17 (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-08-19 16:21
Updated information on COVID-19 vaccination requirements for entry to Cape Verde, you qualify as fully vaccinated if you have had both doses of the COVID vaccine plus the booster (or one dose of the Janssen vaccine plus the booster) at least 14 days before you travel. Children aged 12 and over are subject to this while those aged 11 and under are exempt from testing and vaccination requirements (‘Entry requirements’ pages).
2022-08-02 11:41
Updated information on COVID-19 vaccination requirements for entry and the lifting of the requirement to complete a health surveillance form when travelling between islands (‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Coronavirus’ pages)
2022-05-16 16:02
Update to information on COVID-19 restrictions (‘Coronavirus’ section) and full review of the ‘Entry requirements’ section.
2022-03-16 12:35
Updated information to provide further clarification on the COVID-19 requirements for inter-island travel and entry to Cape Verde (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-03-11 17:52
Update to vaccination and testing requirements to enter Cape Verde and removal of some public restrictions (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ page)