Cape Verde
Warnings and insurance
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.
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Update history
2025-12-10 13:17
New information about dual nationals returning to the UK (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2025-02-24 15:02
Updated information about the limitations of medical facilities and support in Cape Verde (‘Safety and security’ and ‘Health’ pages).
2024-09-11 10:25
Updated information on the increase in the number of reported cases of dengue on the islands of Santiago, Fogo and Brava (‘Health’ page).
2024-07-30 10:34
Updated information on travelling with children and beach and swimming safety (‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2024-01-12 13:16
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-11-22 13:29
Information about seismic activity on Fogo and Brava island (‘Natural disasters’ page).
2023-06-22 11:39
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-05-11 11:36
New information about altitude sickness (‘Health’ page).
2023-03-02 09:28
Addition of information on increase in the number of cases of Shigellosis reported by travellers to Cape Verde (‘Health’ page).
2023-03-01 09:50
Addition of information on increase in the number of cases of Shigellosis reported by travellers to Cape Verde (‘Health’ page).
2022-09-28 10:23
Updated information on COVID-19 entry requirements to Cape Verde (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).
2022-08-26 15:46
Updated information on COVID-19 entry requirements for children aged between 13 and 17 (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-08-26 14:38
Updated information on COVID-19 entry requirements for children aged between 12 and 17 (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-08-19 16:21
Updated information on COVID-19 vaccination requirements for entry to Cape Verde, you qualify as fully vaccinated if you have had both doses of the COVID vaccine plus the booster (or one dose of the Janssen vaccine plus the booster) at least 14 days before you travel. Children aged 12 and over are subject to this while those aged 11 and under are exempt from testing and vaccination requirements (‘Entry requirements’ pages).
2022-08-02 11:41
Updated information on COVID-19 vaccination requirements for entry and the lifting of the requirement to complete a health surveillance form when travelling between islands (‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Coronavirus’ pages)
2022-05-16 16:02
Update to information on COVID-19 restrictions (‘Coronavirus’ section) and full review of the ‘Entry requirements’ section.
2022-03-16 12:35
Updated information to provide further clarification on the COVID-19 requirements for inter-island travel and entry to Cape Verde (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-03-11 17:52
Update to vaccination and testing requirements to enter Cape Verde and removal of some public restrictions (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ page)