🇨🇻 Cape Verde Citizenship by Descent

AFRICA CITIZENSHIP · West Africa

Cape Verde's 2023 Nationality Law extended citizenship by descent to the 4th generation — children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren of Cape Verdean nationals born abroad all qualify. One of the most generous generation limits globally. Dual citizenship allowed.

Legal Basis
Lei da Nacionalidade (Law No. 33/X/2023, of 22 August 2023, as amended by Law No. 37/X/2024, of 22 March 2024). The 2023 law significantly expanded the generation limit from 1st generation to 4th generation.
Generation Limit
4 generations (great-great-grandparent)
Cost
€37–€200 (€37 application fee + document procurement costs)
Timeline
3–12 months
Presence Required
Zero — done online or at Cape Verdean diplomatic mission
Passport Rank
105th globally (Henley Index 2026)
Visa-Free Countries
~50 countries

Overview

Cape Verde's Lei da Nacionalidade (Law No. 33/X/2023, as amended by Law No. 37/X/2024) is one of the most generous citizenship by descent laws in the world — it extends to the 4th generation (great-great-grandchildren of Cape Verdean nationals). This means that even if your great-great-grandparents were Cape Verdean, you may qualify for Cape Verdean citizenship. Applicants must declare their wish to be Cape Verdean and register their birth with the Cape Verdean civil registry. Applications can be made online via the Consular Portal App or in-person at Cape Verdean diplomatic missions. The Cape Verdean passport provides visa-free access to approximately 50 countries and is an ECOWAS passport providing freedom of movement within West Africa.

Step-by-Step Process

  1. 1: Gather birth certificates for yourself and all Cape Verdean ascendants (up to 4 generations) — Local vital records + Cape Verdean civil registry · 2–8 weeks · $50–$200
  2. 2: Prepare Declaration of Nationality — Cape Verdean Consulate or online portal · 1 week · Free
  3. 3: Submit application online (Consular Portal App) or in-person at Cape Verdean diplomatic mission — Online portal or Cape Verdean Embassy/Consulate · 1 day · €37 application fee
  4. 4: Cape Verdean civil registry processes registration — Praia (processed centrally) · 2–8 months · Included
  5. 5: Apply for Cape Verdean passport — Cape Verdean Embassy/Consulate · 4–8 weeks · ~€50

Advantages

Considerations

Requirements

Tax Considerations

Cape Verde taxes residents on worldwide income. Non-resident Cape Verdean citizens are generally taxed only on Cape Verdean-sourced income. Cape Verde has a territorial tax system for non-residents.

Frequently Asked Questions

My great-great-grandparents were from Cape Verde — do I qualify?

Yes. Under the 2023 Nationality Law (Law No. 33/X/2023), Cape Verde extended citizenship by descent to the 4th generation. You would need to provide birth certificates for yourself and all ascendants in the lineage chain up to your Cape Verdean great-great-grandparents.

Does Cape Verde allow dual citizenship?

Yes. Cape Verde allows dual citizenship. There is no requirement to renounce your foreign citizenship when claiming Cape Verdean citizenship by descent.

What is the value of a Cape Verdean passport?

The Cape Verdean passport provides visa-free access to approximately 50 countries and is an ECOWAS passport, providing freedom of movement within 15 West African countries (ECOWAS Economic Community of West African States). The primary value for most diaspora Cape Verdeans is the right to live, work, and own property in Cape Verde — a stable democracy with a growing tourism economy.

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