Frequently asked questions - 2006

The following are some questions and answers obtained from a local lawyer in Cape Verde in 2006. They include additional queries received by myself, expats or to other persons, so there is a mix! NOTE: Some of the information since 2006, may now have changed or not be relevant.

Please note the information is not to be taken as legal advice and we'll not be able to update this information. Please check for any updates with other sources, ask the same questions or more questions and carry out your own due diligence.

1. Is there any government web site we can use to help us?

a) www.gov.cv

2. What papers do I need to live on Sal and CV?

a) To live in CV you only need to have a valid Visa in your passport......

NOTE: The rules for visa's have changed since 2006! Read more:Visa - General Info

b) To work here is different than just living in CV! For work purposes, in general you need to have a SOCIETY or get permission of Labour Department (This can take between 3-6 MONTHS to obtain via Praia. You cannot get Social Security Support before you have this). NOTE: From 2015 you can visit the local INPS office on many of the islands.

3. What papers do I need if I want to work on Sal?

a) - A valid passport.
- To open a shop you will need an Importation Licence
- A Police Check/Certificate
- A School Certificate
– Check by CV / UK Department

4.- Can I start working on setting up my business prior to moving to Sal?

a) Yes, You could start the process via fax or email.

5. How long does it take to set up a business legally on Sal?

a) For normal services without opening a shop (or other special licence) – 8 DAYS

b) For an individual inscription; for a Society: 15 to 30 days.

6. How many containers can I send over from UK?

a) Depends on the capacity of the boat

How big are the containers?

a) 20' or 40 ‘

Do you know the cost of a container?

a) Check on UK websites – Cargo Exporters to Sal

Note: UK Dispatchers don't always know the taxes you will also get charged by CV Customs when goods arrive in the Port on the Island............. as some ex-pats have discovered!.....there may be other charges for storing or unloading the container.

Note: There are Dispatchers (licenced Importer) in Palmeira and in Espargos that will deal with customs on Sal, there are others on other islands. There are a number of exporters that send goods by air freight and by sea to Cape Verde. You may wish to approach them for advice.

7. Do we need residency before we bring over a Container of personal goods?

a) If you are going to pay taxes, the residence is not necessary, but you must use a local authorised importer who will have a licence.

Can it include a vehicle?

a)You can fit in whatever you want as long as you pay taxes, taxes under de valuation of goods, more transportation costs :-

Transportation costs?

PRICE OF SECOND HAND GOODS ALREADY CERTIFICATED FROM CV UK DEPARTMENT, MORE TRANSPORTATION COSTS

Ex: PRICE OF GOODS IN UK £ 1.000

TRANSPORTATION COSTS £ 200

TOTAL VALUE FOR COST. £ 1.200

OR: If you can prove that you receive a Pension in UK you can move to CV and take your personal goods without payment of taxes; if not you must pay taxes under de valuation of goods = more transportation costs!

8. What are the Visa regulations?

a) It is very simple : If you are a tourist for 2 weeks you will be covered if you or the tour company has paid 25euros......If you are living in a Hotel long term, ask the Hotel to provide you with a Declaration (a document) stating details of your stay;

OR If you rent an apartment you must have an official rental contract ; Inscription in Fiscal department declaration ; 2 photos ; Official bank account.

NOTE: Refer to the Visa - General Information and other FAQ's associated to the Airport Tax introduced in Cape Verde in January 2019.

9. We also wish to bring over our dog - what are the rules on bringing over pets?

a) No problems with dogs just make sure you bring the international documentation which you can research online!

10. Are there any rules for bringing over other animals?

a) I don’t know !

11. Do the laws differ on the other Cape Verde islands, to those on Sal? If so which laws?

a)The law is the same but not the persons that use the law !!!! There are some persons that seem to think they can do what they want !!!!

12. Are there any rules for importing fresh goods i.e. flowers, fruit etc?

a)YES only with ECC certificate.

13. If I wanted to import goods, how do I do this?

a)You can’t, only an official Company with licence ! It could take 6 to 12 months for you to get a licence! and minimal capital outlay of 5.000.000$00! BUT it will be more difficult next year (2006) because they will have a new import law !

14. What do people do for general house insurance for contents and possessions?

a) Normally they don't do anything - they replace fitments and furniture. But you could take out insurance with a local company registered in Cape Verde if you are worried.

15. Do people normally take out buildings insurance?

a) No, its generally cheap enough to get repaired.

NOTE Some Condominium Management companies require owners of properties in buildings they manage to have building insurance.

16. What if there are structural problems later, who is responsible?

a) Get your solicitor/lawyer to check before you buy.

17. Can you tell me what the average Service clean costs would be for an apartment per week/month?

a) 6.000 $00 - Twice a week - 17.000$00, 7 days a week

18. What are the different water service provisions as I understood some older buildings had tanks on the roof and some tanks are in the ground?

a)Mains pipelines may not have been installed to a particular building. The supplier of water may not have the capacity to supply an additional building/development with mains water supply.

Some large developments will build there own desalinistation plants to provide water.

If you are in a building that has a water pump, then it can pump the water from the ground tank, up to other floors.

If there is a roof tank then you don't need a pump.

All tanks should be checked for health safety reasons regularly!!!

There is also a charge by the deliverers of water for collecting the water in Palmeira and delivering it to your building.

Check the water level of your tank before delivery, make sure you are being charged for water they say has been supplied! Also check that the pipe connections are fitted tightly from the tanker, I know its not your job, but many a time I have seen delivery wagons with water seeping out from the connections onto the floor, it didn't reach the particular tank but the buyer will still be charged for it if he wasn't present unless he has monitored the water level/capacity. Some condominium management services will do this for owners as part of their management agreement.

Are there any problems sharing tanked water?

Yes, if the other tenants use more than you on a regular basis or there are no individual meters of usage for each apartment. It provides some difficulties between tennants/owners.

19. Do you know what the minimum measurements per square meter is for T1? T2? T3? Apartments.

a) NO, You must ask an architect.

20. What year was the minimum sq.mtr law introduced?

a) Don't know

21. What is the law regarding how much money you can take out of the islands at anyone time and how do people get around it?

a) ONLY 1.000.000$00 IN CASH IF YOU HAVE A BUSINESS .

22. What are the Tax or Vat benefits for pensioners?

a) If they are importing personal things from their home, they don't pay tax or vat. (Their are conditions though).

Note:You will have to make your own enquiries with you solicitor/lawyers on the island!

23. Is there any standard or rough list of general Construction and Condominium rules I can look at, it will give me an idea of what questions to ask the builder?

a) No ! you must ask each builder/sales agent if they have that , if you don't find out what it included you may buy one Apt , then after some months you could have every kind of business around !!!

Get your Solicitor/Lawyer to check before you sign anything!

24. Could you tell me what the various type of conditions I would need to consider, that maybe included in the contract, before I buy any apartment?

a) - Legal registation

- Legal authorisation from Câmara Municipal

- Apartments are different from Shops ! Must see the construction project and Condominum rules !

-Legal owner.

25. BANKS: Do you find it better to use:

a) Sterling and convert it over there?

No, its best to bring Euros as they charge you commission to change £'s to Euros, then Euros to Escudos (ECV).

b) Sterling Travelers qheques & convert them over there?

No, See above, also with travellers cheques, they only accept them if the numbers are in order (i.e. if you have 1,2,3,4,5, and you use number 3, they will not cash 1 + 2.) stupid I know but thats Cape Verde!!

c) Euro Travellers Cheques and convert them over there?

Euros are better, but see above about travellers cheques.

d) ATM's (Hole in the Wall) ?

The hole in the wall has very high charges, recommend you don't use this facility unless you check the charges yourself prior to use. Not many places accept credit cards.

26. How can I pre-arrange a visa to visit Sal for a holiday?

Either:

- One of the Tour operators: Barracuda, Jumbo, iSi, Turi Travel

- Contact the Cape Verde Consulate in London

- Your Holiday Company

- At the airport on arrival on Sal, in the Visa office.

NOTE: Refer to the Visa - General Information and other FAQ's associated to the Airport Tax introduced in Cape Verde in January 2019.

27. Are there more development now being built on the west side of Sal Island?

a) Yes

28. Is Vila Verde a beach front development?

a) No, it is not beach front development.

29. Do people speak or understand English on Sal?

a) Even some of the hotel staff struggle, some hotels are going to be employing someone to start teaching English to some staff but generally no.

You need to learn some Portuguese, even if it is just to show politeness. Some Spanish or Italian is understood.

30. Where is it best to buy property/land, without hassle, for a good return or for re-sale?

a) As near to the beach! However, investigate what is going to be built around the property and:

- It depends if you want to rent it out or live in it.

- Whether it is an apartment in a small development or in a large one.

- What you can afford

- Whether you need to be living here for business purposes

- What the Development says you are guaranteed for rental income/potential profit

- Depends if the Development has amenities which will attract others to buy.

- how long you want to keep it before re-selling, you may want to do this on signing or keep it a year or longer!.

And a million and one other considerations, some of which are on the other pages of this website. Do your research and find out what is best for your situation.

31. To whom do I enquire about local schools on the island?

a) MINISTERIO DA DUCAÇÃO IN PRAIA - SANTIAGO ISLAND .

32. Is it ok to sign documentation to say we want to buy a property?

Make sure you don’t sign an agreement of any sort in Portuguese/Italian if you don’t know what you are signing, even if they say its just authorising permission to hold the property for you. Ask for the contract to be written in English, for you to read, then send or take to your solicitor/lawyer for comments first, then you can get the contract amended if need be, before signing. It is for your own safety to have the documentation legally checked. If you secure a property or land without using a lawyer you may find that you have let yourself in for other problems. If you use a lawyer they will make sure (hopefully) that your interests and requirements are documented and communicated to the seller, especially where you need additional answers, changes or more work doing before making the final payment.