Cabo Verde
Last Updated: 2026-04-02
Official Portal: Government of Cabo Verde — Nationality Services
Embassy Finder: Cabo Verde Embassies Worldwide
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Residency for naturalization | 5 years lawful residence |
| Language requirement | Portuguese (practical knowledge; no formal standardized test) |
| Civics test | None |
| Processing time | 6—18 months |
| Naturalization fee | Administrative fees |
| Dual citizenship | Fully permitted since the 1992 Constitution |
| Citizenship by birth in Cabo Verde | Jus soli applies with conditions |
| Citizenship by descent | Through either parent |
| Governing law | Constitution of Cabo Verde (1992, revised 1999 and 2010); Lei da Nacionalidade (Nationality Law) |
Dual Citizenship
Cabo Verde fully recognizes dual citizenship. The 1992 Constitution eliminated prior restrictions, and Cabo Verdean citizens may hold any number of foreign nationalities without risking loss of their Cabo Verdean citizenship.
This policy reflects a fundamental demographic reality: the Cabo Verdean diaspora significantly outnumbers the resident population. An estimated 500,000 to 700,000 people live in the archipelago, while over 1 million persons of Cabo Verdean descent live abroad — principally in the United States (New England), Portugal, France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Senegal, and Brazil.
Key points:
- Naturalization applicants are not required to renounce their prior nationality.
- Cabo Verdean citizens who acquire foreign nationality do not lose their Cabo Verdean citizenship.
- The diaspora has constitutionally guaranteed representation in the National Assembly through designated “emigration” constituencies.
- Cabo Verde’s special partnership agreement with the European Union (Mobility Partnership) further reinforces the practical importance of dual nationality for its citizens.
Acquisition of Nationality
By Birth (Jus Soli)
Cabo Verde applies a conditional jus soli rule:
- A child born in Cabo Verde to at least one parent who is a permanent resident acquires nationality at birth.
- A child born in Cabo Verde to foreign parents who have been lawfully resident for at least 5 years may acquire nationality.
- A child born in Cabo Verde who would otherwise be stateless is Cabo Verdean at birth.
- A foundling discovered in Cabo Verde is presumed Cabo Verdean.
By Descent (Jus Sanguinis)
Descent is the primary mode of acquisition, reflecting the country’s massive diaspora.
- A child born to a Cabo Verdean father or mother acquires nationality at birth, regardless of place of birth. Gender equality in transmission has been the law since independence (1975).
- There is no formal generational limit, but persons born abroad must register the birth with a Cabo Verdean consulate or civil registry to secure documentation.
- The diaspora provisions in the Nationality Law are deliberately broad, recognizing that more Cabo Verdeans live abroad than at home.
By Adoption
A minor child adopted by a Cabo Verdean citizen acquires Cabo Verdean nationality upon finalization of the adoption under Cabo Verdean law. The adoption must be a full adoption (adocao plena). Simple adoption does not automatically confer nationality.
By Marriage
Marriage to a Cabo Verdean citizen does not automatically confer nationality, but it provides a facilitated pathway:
- The marriage must have existed for at least 3 years.
- The couple must maintain a genuine marital community.
- The foreign spouse applies to the Ministry of Justice.
- There is no separate residency requirement if the couple resides together in Cabo Verde.
- The government retains discretion but approvals are generally straightforward.
By Naturalization
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Lawful residence | 5 years of habitual residence in Cabo Verde |
| Good character | No serious criminal convictions |
| Means of subsistence | Must demonstrate economic self-sufficiency |
| Language | Practical knowledge of Portuguese (assessed informally) |
| Integration | Demonstrated ties to the Cabo Verdean community |
| Fee | Administrative charges |
| Decision | Granted by the government upon review |
Special provisions: Nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries (CPLP member states: Brazil, Portugal, Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Sao Tome and Principe, Timor-Leste) may benefit from reduced requirements under bilateral agreements and the CPLP framework, which aims to facilitate mobility among Lusophone nations.
Crioulo and Portuguese: Cabo Verdean Crioulo (Kriolu) is the lingua franca spoken by virtually the entire population, but Portuguese remains the official language of government and law. The language requirement for naturalization refers to Portuguese, not Crioulo, though practical assessments may accept functional bilingualism.
Diaspora engagement: Cabo Verde’s nationality and naturalization framework is designed with the diaspora at its center. The government actively encourages dual nationality as a means of maintaining economic ties (remittances represent a significant share of GDP) and cultural connections with overseas communities.
Loss and Renunciation
Voluntary renunciation: A Cabo Verdean citizen may renounce nationality by declaration. The renunciation does not take effect if it would render the person stateless.
Involuntary loss: Cabo Verde’s legal framework strongly protects against involuntary loss of nationality.
| Ground | Details |
|---|---|
| Voluntary acquisition of foreign nationality | Does not cause loss of Cabo Verdean nationality |
| Fraud | Nationality obtained by fraud may be annulled |
| Service against Cabo Verde | In extreme cases involving hostile acts against the state |
The 1992 Constitution effectively eliminated most grounds for involuntary loss, making Cabo Verde one of the most permissive countries in Africa on nationality retention.
Restoration of Nationality
Former Cabo Verdean citizens who lost nationality under pre-1992 rules may apply for restoration. Given the constitutional embrace of dual citizenship, restoration applications from diaspora members are treated favorably. The applicant files with the civil registry (Conservatoria dos Registos e Notariado) or through a Cabo Verdean consulate.
Stateless Persons and Foundlings
- A foundling discovered in Cabo Verde is presumed Cabo Verdean until proven otherwise.
- A child born in Cabo Verde to stateless parents acquires Cabo Verdean nationality at birth.
- Cabo Verde has ratified both the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.
Document Checklist
- Completed nationality application form
- Birth certificate (original + certified copy, with Portuguese translation if needed)
- Valid passport or identity document
- Proof of 5 years residence in Cabo Verde (for naturalization)
- Criminal record clearance (certificado de registo criminal)
- Proof of means of subsistence or employment
- Marriage certificate (if applying via marriage — 3 years minimum)
- Two passport-size photographs
- Proof of Cabo Verdean parentage (for descent claims — parent’s birth certificate or nationality certificate)
- Consular registration of birth abroad (for descent claims from diaspora)
Sources
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Constitution of the Republic of Cabo Verde (1992, revised 1999 and 2010) — Nationality provisions. https://www.governo.cv/
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Lei da Nacionalidade — Cabo Verde Nationality Law. https://www.governo.cv/
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Conservatoria dos Registos e Notariado — Civil registry and nationality services. https://www.governo.cv/
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UNHCR Refworld — Cabo Verde nationality law profiles. https://www.refworld.org/
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Global Citizenship Observatory (GLOBALCIT) — Country profile for Cabo Verde. https://globalcit.eu/
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CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries) — Mobility and nationality frameworks. https://www.cplp.org/
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ECOWAS — Economic Community of West African States, free movement protocols applicable to Cabo Verde. https://www.ecowas.int/