Entry: visa-free for Nigerian nationals (30 days)
Remote Work Visa: 6 months, renewable to 2 years
Income threshold: approximately EUR 1,500/month (not a fixed published figure)
Cost of living: EUR 800-1,200/month
Currency: Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE), pegged to Euro
Primary source: Cape Verde Immigration Service (sefcv.gov.cv)
Cape Verde is an archipelago of ten islands in the Atlantic Ocean, 570 kilometres off the coast of Senegal. It is politically stable, Portuguese-speaking, and has been actively positioning itself as a destination for remote workers since 2021. For African remote workers, it offers the lowest cost of living among the three African digital nomad destinations covered on this platform.
Entry - visa-free for Nigerians
Nigerian nationals can enter Cape Verde without a visa for up to 30 days. For longer stays, you apply for the Remote Work Visa.
Remote Work Visa
Cape Verde's Remote Work Visa (Visto de Trabalho Remoto) is issued by the Cape Verde Immigration Service (SEF-CV) for an initial period of 6 months, renewable for up to 2 years total.
Requirements:
- Valid passport
- Proof of remote employment or freelance income sourced outside Cape Verde
- Proof of accommodation in Cape Verde
- Health insurance
- Clean criminal record
Income threshold: Approximately EUR 1,500/month. This is the commonly cited figure - not a fixed published requirement. The SEF-CV assesses sufficient financial means on a case-by-case basis.
What it allows: Living and working remotely in Cape Verde. You cannot work for a Cape Verde-based employer on this visa.
Application fee: Approximately EUR 60-90.
Primary source: https://www.sefcv.gov.cv/
The islands - which to choose
| Island | Best for | Connectivity | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sal | First-time visitors, beach lifestyle | Good | Moderate |
| Santiago (Praia) | Infrastructure, services | Best | Moderate |
| Sao Vicente (Mindelo) | Culture, arts, community | Good | Low |
| Santo Antao | Nature, hiking | Limited | Low |
Cost of living
Cape Verde is the most affordable of the three African digital nomad destinations (Mauritius, Cape Verde, Namibia).
| Item | Monthly cost (EUR) |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment | 300-500 |
| Food and groceries | 200-350 |
| Transport | 50-100 |
| Utilities and internet | 80-120 |
| Total comfortable lifestyle | 630-1,070 |
Currency stability
The Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE) is pegged to the Euro at a fixed rate (1 EUR = 110.265 CVE). This means your EUR-denominated income has predictable purchasing power in Cape Verde - no currency risk.
Time zone
UTC-1 (UTC+0 in summer). Good overlap with West African and European business hours.
Evidence note
All figures sourced from the Cape Verde Immigration Service at https://www.sefcv.gov.cv/, retrieved October 2026. The EUR 1,500/month income threshold is the commonly cited figure and is not a fixed published requirement. Verify current requirements before applying.