Working remotely is hugely popular worldwide these days. Also in Cape Verde. You have the freedom to combine work and travel. For many, this is a dream come true, as it allows you to be flexible in where and how you work. On Cape Verde this way of working offers a unique experience. Here, you can start your working day with a beautiful view of the ocean and immediately relax on one of the beautiful beaches afterwards. The warm Cape Verde climate, the relaxed atmosphere and the opportunity to explore nature and culture make the Cape Verde islands an ideal place for digital nomads and remote workers. And important to mention is that there are good facilities, such as co-working spaces and reliable internet connections. In this article, we share with you everything you need to know about being a digital nomad / remote worker in the Cape Verde islands.
Cape Verde - remote working for digital nomads and expats
Wi-Fi / Internet access Cape Verde
If you work online, reliable Wi-Fi is important. The Wi-Fi and internet infrastructure in Cape Verde is in generally reliable and suitable for working remotely. Hotels, restaurants and cafés often offer free Wi-Fi. Especially in the larger cities or in tourist areas such as Praia, Mindelo and Santa Maria, the internet infrastructure is good. Fibre-optic connections are usually available in these areas, offering fast internet access. Experiences of remote workers show that, for example, video calling via platforms such as Zoom and Teams goes smoothly. Even without fibre. And that if you want to stream in HD (1080p) or 4K this also works just fine. Should you have even higher demands, using Starlink is also an option.
Whether you want to use the Wi-Fi in your apartment, a co-working space or in a café, it does make sense to have a local SIM card as a backup. This will also help you avoid unnecessarily high roaming charges for calls and data usage. SIM cards are offered by internet providers like Unitel T+ (4G) and CV Telecom. Internet prices are reasonable.
For a detailed view of network coverage, you can check the nPerf’s coverage map. This interactive map provides insights into the reach and strengths of 3G, 4G, and 5G networks in Cape Verde from main telecom prodividers. By zooming into specific regions you can also assess the quality of service in urban areas. Please make sure you select the correct carrier in the top left of the platform.
If you work a lot in different places or with personal messages such as emails or bank details, be careful. Make sure your data is well protected by, for example, using a virtual private network (VPN), which hides your online identity and prevents your data from being stolen. This applies anywhere in the world.
Co-working spaces
If you work remotely, a co-working space is an ideal place where you can work and often better suited than at home or in a café. They are often equipped with high-speed internet connections, ergonomic chairs and meeting rooms. And you can easily connect with other remote workers from different fields! In the Cape Verde Islands, there are a number of great co-working spaces. We have highlighted some of them:
- Sal - Santa Maria
GoHub’s coworking space is located in the centre of Santa Maria on Sal Island, near the beach. Here you have a fibre-optic internet connection, various types of workstations with monitors and chairs. - Boavista - Sal Rei
Also on Boavista is GoHub’s coworking space. The coworking space is located in Sal Rei on the main street opposite the petrol station (Shell). The space is well equipped with fibre internet, a 4G internet connection for backup, premium and standard workstations, meeting rooms and privacy pods for video calls.
Co-working space
- Santiago - Praia
Workin’CaboVerde’s coworking space is located in the historic centre of Praia. It offers various subscriptions, including daily and monthly passes. Facilities are fine with flexible workstations, meeting space and fast Wi-Fi. - Santiago - Praia
Another option on Santiago is Prime’s coworking space. There are several flexible workstations in this spacious area. - Maio - Porto Inglês
Located in the Prédio Cor de Rosa building, you will find the coworking space of Maio Business. You can find a quiet workspace with high-speed Internet access here 24 hours a day.
Cost of living
If you plan to work in Cape Verde for a while, the cost of living is an important part of how attractive it may or may not be. Good news! Prices in the Cape Verde islands are a lot lower compared to countries in Western Europe, for example. If you want to stay for a longer period of time (expats) you can also benefit from tax breaks. Prices depend on the location and your own needs. To give a direction you can expect this in Cape Verde:
- Rent
Rent for unfurnished flats varies widely, but assume 150 - 400 euros per month. For a furnished apartment, you will pay between 300 - 900 euros per month. Of course, this depends on the location and type of apartment. Water and electricity costs are around 50 - 100 euros per month. - Food and groceries
Food can be more expensive than you expect. This is due to the fact that many goods have to be imported from the mainland. Grocery prices are slightly lower or at the price level of countries in Western Europe. Eating out is a lot cheaper with meals starting from 5 - 10 euros.
Visa for remote workers
Cape Verde is visa free for travellers from many countries (not all, please check this in advance!) for short stays of up to 30 days. You do need to register online via the EASE platform before departure. If you are not from a visa-exempt country, you must also obtain a visa in advance from a Cape Verdean embassy or consulate – visa-on-arrival is no longer available. Do make sure your passport is valid for at least another six months and that you have sufficient funds. Technically, you are travelling as a tourist and need to comply with the conditions that apply to tourists.
If you want to stay longer in Cape Verde or work for a local company then different rules apply. .
- Cabo Verde Remote Working Program
The Cabo Verde Remote Working Programme offers a temporary work or tourist visa for a period of six months, with the option to extend the visa for another six months. This programme is specially designed for people who can work remotely, such as self-employed people or employees who do not need a fixed office location. The programme is open to everyone: you can come alone or bring your family, depending on your personal situation. Provide proof that you are self-employed or have a job that allows you to work remotely. You will also need to be able to show proof of income (e.g. a pay slip), valid health insurance and passport, among other things. More information can be found on the Cape Verde government website on Remote Working Cabo Verde. - Long-term tourist visa
In some cases, you can extend your tourist visa. You can apply for visas for stays longer than 30 days or you can arrange this on the spot. - Work visa
If you work for a local employer, you will need a work visa. For this, you will need to submit additional documents and the application procedure is more complex. We advise you to contact the consulate / embassy about this.