Cape Verde
| Pros |
|---|
| High political stability and low corruption levels compared to regional peers. |
| Strategic Atlantic location and Remote Working Program for digital entrepreneurs. |
| Strong protection of property rights and commitment to democratic governance. |
| Cons |
|---|
| High costs for electricity and water due to limited natural resources. |
| Small domestic market size and logistical challenges between the islands. |
| Relatively high corporate tax rates and complex bureaucratic procedures for business. |
Will Cape Verde tax what you earn?
YES, A LOT. Personal income is taxed heavily in Cape Verde (top marginal rate 27.5%), but the residency test is unusually permissive. The bill is steep; the trick is not to trip into resident status without meaning to.
Will Cape Verde tax what you own?
YES, BUT LIGHTLY. Capital gains are taxed at a low 1% in Cape Verde, but the country also applies an annual wealth tax (top rate 0.1%). Over a long holding period, the recurring charge can outweigh the realisation tax entirely.
Is it easy to run a company in Cape Verde?
YES, BUT TAXED. Corporate tax in Cape Verde is 20%, but the tax isn't where this country hurts. It treats misuse of corporate assets as a criminal offense (the textbook case is the French abus de biens sociaux doctrine: using your own company's money for personal purposes can trigger prosecution, even as sole shareholder, because the company is a distinct legal person and your consent doesn't waive the offense). And it runs public corporate registries: your name as shareholder is queryable by anyone with a browser. For an owner-operator, those two combined are the real friction. Heavier than the rate, and far less negotiable. Running a clean structure is straightforward; running it casually isn't.
Is Cape Verde good for your holding company?
NO. Cape Verde doesn't carry a treaty network, which makes it unsuitable as a holding jurisdiction. Any dividend flowing in or out faces full statutory withholding, and no domestic participation exemption can compensate for missing relief on the source side.
| Country | Status | Dividends | Interest | Royalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| ∅ // no treaties match | ||||
What does it cost to come and go from Cape Verde?
SOME. Cape Verde taxes worldwide income while you're resident, but there's no exit tax on the way out. The cost of leaving is mostly paperwork: unrealised gains follow you to the next jurisdiction untouched.
Will Cape Verde protect your privacy?
PARTLY. Cape Verde has signed most of the standard exchange frameworks and operates a public corporate registry. Financial accounts are reported to your home tax authority, and your shareholdings are visible to anyone. Privacy is shallow on both axes.
Is Cape Verde itself a liability?
NO. Cape Verde carries no entries on any major blacklist, though it sits outside FATF membership. Counterparties may apply light extra due diligence, but no formal stigma attaches to dealing with it.
Will you feel free in Cape Verde?
YES. Cape Verde scores high on press freedom (rank #30) and treats crypto as a taxable but legitimate asset class: regulated, not banned, and no CBDC in the pipeline. Free speech and free markets, with tax compliance.
Other jurisdictions worth comparing
Picked by similarity of strategic profile to Cape Verde. No editorial ranking — neighbours in the same scoring space.