São Filipe

Passport validity requirements

To enter Cape Verde, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You 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.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual Citizenship.

Visa requirements

You can enter Cape Verde as a visitor for up to 30 days without a visa.

To stay longer or to travel for other reasons, you must meet the Cape Verde government’s entry requirements.

Traveller entry form

You 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.

From 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.

If you’re travelling with a tour operator, check if they can do this for you.

See more information on the traveller entry form.

Children aged one and under do not need to have a completed form and are exempt from the TSA fee.

Travelling with children

Children 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

The letter should include:

• the child’s dates of arrival and departure
• the address where they will be staying
• the name of the adult in Cape Verde who will be responsible for them during their stay
• the full names, passport numbers and contact details of the parent or guardian
• the parent or guardian’s signature and date of issue

If 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.

Vaccine requirements

To 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.

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations see TravelHealthPro’s Cape Verde guide.

Customs rules

There 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.

Customs rules

There 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.

Emergency services in Cape Verde

Ambulance: 130

Fire: 131

Police: 132 

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact 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.

Refunds and changes to travel

For 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.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers, funeral directors and translators and interpreters in Cape Verde
• dealing with a death in Cape Verde
• being arrested or imprisoned in Cape Verde
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

Global Health Insurance Cards (GHIC) are not accepted in Cape Verde.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

There are severe penalties for possessing, using or trafficking drugs. Penalties include fines and long prison sentences.

Buying property 

British 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.