No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
\n\nIf you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
\n\nGlobal Health Insurance Cards (GHIC) are not accepted in Cape Verde.
\n\nThe Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\nThis information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Cape Verde’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in Cape Verde set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Cape Verdean Consulate-General in Rotterdam(in Portuguese) or through the Cape Verde Consular Portal email address (in English).
\n\nTo enter Cape Verde, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.
\n\nCheck with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
\n\nYou will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost, stolen or is damaged.
\n\nWhen returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual Citizenship.
\n\nYou can enter Cape Verde as a visitor for up to 30 days without a visa.
\n\nTo stay longer or to travel for other reasons, you must meet the Cape Verde government’s entry requirements.
\n\nYou must fill in a traveller entry form at least 5 days before you arrive in the country. Complete the pre-registration and pay the airport security fee (‘TSA’) on the official online platform. Bring proof of confirmation to show when you arrive.
\n\nFrom 1 July 2026, if you do not complete the pre-registration or cannot show proof, you will have to pay double the TSA fee at border control.
\n\nIf you’re travelling with a tour operator, check if they can do this for you.
\n\nSee more information on the traveller entry form.
\n\nChildren aged one and under do not need to have a completed form and are exempt from the TSA fee.
\n\nChildren aged 17 and under travelling to Cape Verde alone, or with a person who is not their parent or legal guardian, must carry a letter of authorisation to travel from their parent or guardian. The letter must be in Portuguese and the signature must be certified by a solicitor or notary
\n\nThe letter should include:
\n\nIf you are not the parent or guardian and you bring a child to Cape Verde without a legally certified letter of authorisation, you may be refused entry.
\n\nTo enter Cape Verde, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.
\n\nFor full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations see TravelHealthPro’s Cape Verde guide.
\n\nThere are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Cape Verde. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
\n","slug":"entry-requirements","title":"Entry requirements"},{"body":"There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
\n\nUK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
\n\nAlthough there’s no recent history of terrorism in Cape Verde, attacks cannot be ruled out.
\n\nThe crime rate in Cape Verde is generally low, but can include pickpocketing, bag snatching, burglary and muggings, particularly in the capital city of Praia and on the islands of Sal and Boa Vista. Sexual assaults are rare but have been reported.
\n\nYou can take steps to protect yourself and your belongings, including:
\n\nThere are severe penalties for possessing, using or trafficking drugs. Penalties include fines and long prison sentences.
\n\nBritish nationals have experienced problems when buying property in Cape Verde. Before buying property on the islands, get independent qualified legal advice. See FCDO’s list of English-speaking lawyers in Cape Verde.
\n\nIf you are going into the water, always use beaches where there is a lifeguard on duty.
\n\nTides and currents around the islands are very strong. Take care when walking close to the water’s edge, especially along unsupervised stretches of beach. Waves can be unpredictable and have a strong undertow. Follow the lifeguard’s instructions and respect the warning flags:
\n\nSee water safety on holiday from the Royal Life Saving Society.
\n\nIf you are planning to drive in Cape Verde, see information on driving abroad.
\n\nYou can use a valid UK photocard driving licence to drive in Cape Verde for up to 6 months. If you still have a paper driving licence, you should update it to a photocard licence, or get the 1968 version of the international driving permit (IDP) and carry it with your licence. You will be arrested if you are found driving without a licence.
\n\nIf you hire a car, scooter or quad bike, make sure it’s in good condition and that it’s fully insured. Hire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience, a higher minimum age and holding an IDP.
\n\nQuad biking is considered an extreme sport. It is unlikely that it will be included in your travel insurance policy. Check whether you need additional insurance to cover extreme sports and make sure it covers you for the cost of medical care and repatriation. Medical facilities are very basic in Cape Verde so it is highly likely that following a quad bike accident you will need to be medically evacuated.
\n\nIt’s a legal requirement to wear a crash helmet when riding a scooter or quad bike. Your insurance policy may be invalidated if you have an accident and you’re not wearing a helmet.
\n\nOnly hire authorised taxis from taxi ranks or by asking your hotel to call one. On the islands of Sal and Boa Vista, authorised taxis are coloured blue and yellow.
\n\nIntercity bus services can be dangerous because of poor driving.
\n\nSea conditions around Cape Verde can be dangerous. Follow local advice before travelling by sea. Travel by sea to the southern islands of Brava and Fogo in particular can often be disrupted.
\n\nFind out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
\n\nThe rainy season in Cape Verde is from mid-August to mid-October. Torrential rains on some of the islands can cause floodings and landslides. Monitor local weather reports and expect difficulties when travelling to affected areas during this season.
\n\nSeismic activity and tremors can be felt occasionally, mostly on the islands of Brava and Fogo. This is usually within the bounds of normal activity but can sometimes be dangerous. Check with your travel provider before travelling to the islands of Brava or Fogo.
\n\nSandstorms (‘bruma seca’) can happen between December and February. When intense, they can disrupt air travel, especially on the island of Boa Vista. If a sandstorm happens while you’re on one of the islands, contact your tour operator or airline.
\n\n","slug":"safety-and-security","title":"Safety and security"},{"body":"Before you travel check that:
\n\nThis is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant. Global Health Insurance Cards (GHIC) are not accepted in Cape Verde so it is essential that you have appropriate travel insurance.
\n\nCall 130 and ask for an ambulance.
\n\nContact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
\n\nAt least 8 weeks before your trip:
\n\nSee what health risks you’ll face on Cape Verde, including:
\n\nIf you have an underlying health condition, speak to a healthcare professional before travelling.
\n\nUK Health Security Agency has investigated an increase in cases of Shigella sonnei and Salmonella in travellers returning from Cape Verde. Reported cases have decreased, but there is still a risk of gastrointestinal illness as in other countries.
\n\nYou can reduce your risk by practising good hand hygiene and following food and water precautions. Read more about food and water hygiene on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nThe Cape Verde government has raised the civil protection warning level for dengue on the islands of Santiago, Fogo and Brava.
\n\nAltitude sickness is a risk on the island of Fogo in Cape Verde. Read more about altitude sickness on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nThe legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
\n\nRead best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nChanges to your routine when travelling, such as later nights, coping with heat and changes to your diet can have an impact on your medication. See the Summer Proof Your Health campaign for more information.
\n\nMedication is only available from pharmacies. Find a nearby pharmacy using the list of pharmacies in Cape Verde (in Portuguese).
\n\nIf you take prescribed medication, bring enough for the duration of your visit and keep a few days’ supply in your hand luggage in case your checked baggage is delayed or lost.
\n\nIf you have a UK prescription and run out of medication, ask a pharmacy whether they can supply it. The same medicine, strength or dose may not be available, and some medicines may be in short supply or unavailable in Cape Verde.
\n\nIf you need a repeat prescription, go to the nearest health centre or hospital emergency department. You may have to pay for your medication.
\n\nMedical facilities in Cape Verde are basic and limited, and some medicines are in short supply or unavailable. The largest hospitals are in Praia on Santiago and Mindelo on São Vicente, with smaller medical facilities and clinics located throughout the country. Medical facilities are particularly limited on the island of Boa Vista.
\n\nThe islands of Brava and Santo Antão do not have working airports, so medical air evacuation is extremely difficult.
\n\nFCDO has a list of medical providers in Cape Verde where some staff will speak English.
\n\nRead FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
\n\n","slug":"health","title":"Health"},{"body":"The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
\n\nAmbulance: 130
\n\nFire: 131
\n\nPolice: 132
\n\nContact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
\n\nFor refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
\n\nFind out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
\n\nFCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:
\n\nSee how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
\n\nYou can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
\n\nTelephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
\n\n\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\n