More than a million Cape Verdeans live outside the archipelago, spread across Portugal, the United States, the Netherlands, France and far beyond. The remittances they send amount to between 12% to 15% of Cape Verde’s GDP, a figure three times higher than foreign direct investment. The government is aware of this and has made a point of rewarding those who wish to put down roots in their country of origin.
If you are a Cape Verdean living abroad, or a foreigner with links to the archipelago, there is now a robust set of tax and financial incentives designed specifically for you. In February 2026, the Ministry of Finance formally presented the package of incentives from the 2026 State Budget aimed at the diaspora, the most comprehensive to date.
In this guide, the S&D Consultancy It explains, in a clear and practical way, what you can take advantage of, how each incentive works and what steps you need to take to benefit from them.
| ⚡ Latest news — 2026 State Budget |
| On 27 February 2026, Deputy Prime Minister Olavo Correia presented the package of incentives |
| the 2026 State Budget, dedicated exclusively to the Cape Verdean diaspora, covering more than 12 sectors |
| of the economy. It is the most comprehensive overview ever for expatriates wishing to invest in Cape Verde. |
Contents
The first step towards accessing most tax benefits is to obtain the Emigrant Investor Certificate, established by the Law No. 73/IX/2020, of 2 March, passed unanimously by the National Assembly.
The regulations apply to:
The application is submitted at the One-Stop Service Centre for Emigrants, and the processing time is 10 working days. You will need to:
Once you have been recognised as an Immigrant Investor, you will have access to a range of significant tax exemptions and reductions.
Any profits and dividends generated by your investment in Cape Verde remain completely exempt from Corporate Income Tax (IRPC) during the first 5 years calculated from the date the investment is registered. After this period, a special reduced rate of 10%, compared with the standard rate of 20% applicable to other companies.
Repayments and interest relating to the financial transactions that make up your investment are also exempt from tax, thereby reducing the actual cost of financing the project.
If you’re planning to build or renovate your first home in Cape Verde, the procurement of finishing materials is exempt from customs duties. It also applies to furniture, household appliances and other goods imported to furnish the property.
The 2026 State Budget introduces cuts of up to 30% in tax collection for investment projects deemed to be significant, which may amount to 50% reduction under special circumstances — namely in municipalities where per capita GDP is below the national average.
| Benefits | Terms and Conditions | Duration |
| IRPC exemption on dividends | Authorised foreign investment | 5 years + 10% later |
| Exemption from capital repayments and interest | Financial transactions relating to the investment | Investment period |
| Exemption from customs duties — housing | First home, building materials | As per the design |
| Tax reduction of up to 30–50% | Significant investment projects | To be determined on a project-by-project basis |
| Reduced IRPC rate of 5% | Young, technology-based start-ups | Duration of the status |
| Reduced IRPC rate of 2.5% | Start-ups in the ICT sector | Duration of the status |
One of the most concrete new measures in the 2026 State Budget is the mortgage scheme for the diaspora, which includes:
This measure addresses one of the biggest barriers faced by emigrants: the difficulty in obtaining a mortgage in Cape Verde when their main income is earned outside the country.
Cape Verde aims to attract talent and entrepreneurial capital from the diaspora. The 2026 State Budget provides for specific benefits for start-ups set up by emigrants:
For younger entrepreneurs, the Government’s Startup Jovem Programme, managed by Pró-Empresa, offers access to funding, mentoring and incubation. Members of the diaspora with innovative projects can even apply from abroad via the Government’s Single Portal.
In addition to general tax benefits, there are specific incentives for strategic sectors. The 2026 State Budget covers:
| Sector | Main incentive |
| Renewable energies | Exemption from anti-dumping duties, VAT and ICE on imports of photovoltaic panels and inverters |
| Sustainable tourism | Tourist Utility Status with exemption from import duties |
| Agriculture and agribusiness | Incentives for agricultural production, exports and modernisation |
| Digital economy / ICT | IRPC rate of 2.5% for start-ups; support for technology transfer |
| Construction and property | Customs exemption for materials for a first home; Green Card for investors |
| Recycling and the circular economy | Incentives for recycling and alternatives to single-use plastic |
| Fisheries and the blue economy | Support for the development of Cape Verde’s blue economy |
Members of the diaspora who invest in an eligible property may obtain a Permanent Residence Card (known as the Cape Verdean Green Card), subject to the following minimum investment amounts:
The card offers exemption from the Single Property Tax (IUP) for 10 years and, in the case of pensioners with income from abroad, the total exemption from tax on such income.
The Digital Nomad visa is one of the government’s initiatives to attract professionals who work remotely. For the diaspora with income from abroad, Cape Verde offers:
| The ecosystem supporting investment by the diaspora |
| Pro-Business — support for business start-ups and formalisation |
| Pró-Garantia — public guarantees to facilitate access to bank credit |
| Pro-Capital — venture capital and co-investment instruments |
| Sovereign Guarantee Fund for Private Investment |
| Single Government Portal — online application and implementation of 100% projects |
| Company of the Day — company registration in 24 hours for just 5,000 CVE (≈ €40) |
One of the diaspora’s greatest fears is double taxation — having to pay tax both in their country of residence and in Cape Verde. To minimise this risk, Cape Verde has double taxation agreements signed with Portugal, the United States and other countries, ensuring legal certainty regarding the repatriation of profits and investment.
S&D Consultoria can help you understand how these agreements apply to your specific situation and structure your investment as efficiently as possible.
The diaspora is, and always has been, the silent driving force behind the Cape Verdean economy. The government recognises this and has been gradually establishing a legal and fiscal framework that makes investment not only more attractive, but also safer and more accessible.
The 2026 package is the most comprehensive to date: it covers housing, start-ups, renewable energy, tourism, agriculture, fisheries, the digital economy and much more. With support schemes such as Pró-Empresa, Pró-Garantia and the Sovereign Fund, there has never been a better time to turn your remittances into structured investment.
Not sure where to start? S&D Consultoria is based in Mindelo, São Vicente, and supports emigrants and investors throughout the entire process: from obtaining a tax identification number (NIF) and Emigrant Investor Status to setting up a company, tax planning and accounting support.
| Ready to invest in Cape Verde? S&D Consultoria helps you make the most of all the available incentives — from the initial assessment through to ongoing support. Book a free consultation at consultancy.cv | 28 William du Bois Street, Mindelo, São Vicente |
Any Cape Verdean expatriate with permanent residence abroad may apply for Emigrant Investor Status. Pensioners receiving an income from their host country and foreign investors with a minimum investment of 50,000 euros are also eligible for specific benefits.
Cape Verde has double taxation agreements with several countries, including Portugal and the United States. These agreements prevent the same income from being taxed twice. S&D Consultoria can assess your specific situation and recommend the most efficient structure.
The minimum investment in property is 80,000 euros on islands with a per capita GDP below the national average, and 120,000 euros on the others. This investment entitles the investor to permanent residence and exemption from the IUP for 10 years.
Yes. With the ‘Empresa no Dia’ service and the Government’s Single Portal, it is possible to start the company registration process remotely. S&D Consultoria can handle the entire process on your behalf, including obtaining your tax identification number (NIF), commercial registration and the declaration of commencement of business.
ICT sector start-ups set up by emigrants can benefit from an IRPC rate of just 2.5%, compared with the standard rate of 20%. Young start-ups in other technology sectors benefit from a rate of 5%.
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