The Cape Verde Property Buying Guide
Expert guidance from Cape Verde Property — established in 2004
Cape Verde Property has been helping buyers and sellers navigate the Cape Verde property market since 2004.
With a UK-based team and a local office in Santa Maria, Sal, we combine accessible UK support with experienced professionals on the ground in Cape Verde. We assist with property searches, viewings, negotiations and sales progression, helping clients move from their first enquiry through to deed completion.
The following guides answer some of the questions most frequently asked by people considering buying a property in Cape Verde.
The information is intended as a general guide. Property transactions differ, and buyers should always obtain independent legal, financial and tax advice before committing to a purchase.
1. How to Buy Property in Cape Verde: A Complete Guide
Buying a property overseas can initially feel complicated. However, when the transaction is properly organised and supported by experienced professionals, the Cape Verde buying process follows a clear series of stages.
Before beginning your search, think carefully about how you intend to use the property.
You may be looking for:- A holiday home for yourself and your family.
- A property that could also generate rental income.
- A permanent or future retirement home.
- A long-term investment.
- Land on which to build.
- A commercial or development opportunity.
A buyer seeking a lively resort with restaurants and year-round activity may prefer Santa Maria in Sal. Someone looking for a quieter setting may consider Murdeira, Boa Vista, Maio or one of Cape Verde’s less developed islands.
Your budget should include more than the advertised purchase price.
Depending on the transaction, additional costs may include:- Independent legal fees.
- Property transfer tax.
- Notary and deed costs.
- Registration charges.
- Translation or interpretation.
- Power of attorney costs.
- Bank transfer and currency-conversion charges.
- Condominium or resort fees.
- Initial utility, insurance and furnishing costs.
Once we understand your requirements, Cape Verde Property can suggest suitable options and answer practical questions about the location, development, condition and ownership status of each property.
Where possible, we recommend viewing a property personally.
Our local team can arrange viewings and explain:
- The surrounding area.
- Access to shops, beaches and restaurants.
- The condition of the building or development.
- Condominium facilities and charges.
- Whether the property is furnished.
- Any known maintenance considerations.
- The local resale and rental market.
When you have selected a property, we will present your offer to the seller.
Your offer may address:
- The agreed purchase price.
- What furniture or equipment is included.
- The proposed deposit.
- The intended completion period.
- Whether the purchase is subject to legal checks.
- Any other conditions agreed between the parties.
We strongly recommend that every buyer appoints an independent Cape Verde lawyer experienced in property transactions.
The lawyer’s role may include:- Confirming the identity and authority of the seller.
- Checking the property registration.
- Reviewing title and ownership documents.
- Identifying registered charges, debts or restrictions.
- Checking relevant tax and municipal documentation.
- Reviewing condominium information where applicable.
- Preparing or approving the CPCV.
- Preparing the transaction for the final deed.
- Arranging registration of the buyer’s ownership.
Once the principal terms have been agreed, the buyer will normally sign a Reservation Agreement and pay a reservation deposit.
The purpose of the agreement is to record the proposed purchase and remove the property from active marketing while the next stage is prepared.The agreement should clearly state:
- The buyer and seller.
- The property being reserved.
- The agreed price.
- The amount of the reservation payment.
- The circumstances in which the payment is refundable or non-refundable.
- The period allowed for the next stage.
- Any conditions attached to the reservation.
The buyer’s lawyer should complete the necessary due diligence before the buyer becomes unconditionally committed.
Once the checks have been completed satisfactorily, the parties may sign a Contrato-Promessa de Compra e Venda, normally referred to as the CPCV.This is the Promissory Contract of Purchase and Sale. It records the binding terms under which the buyer agrees to buy and the seller agrees to sell.
The CPCV normally covers:
- The identity of the parties.
- The full description of the property.
- The purchase price.
- Deposits and payment arrangements.
- The expected completion period.
- Documents to be provided.
- The consequences of a failure to complete.
- Any agreed furniture or contents.
- Any transaction-specific conditions.
Before the deed can take place, a number of matters may need to be completed.
These can include:
- Finalising the legal documentation.
- Obtaining updated property records.
- Confirming the seller’s authority to sell.
- Paying the applicable transfer tax.
- Settling or documenting outstanding property liabilities.
- Arranging certified translations or an interpreter.
- Transferring the completion funds.
- Preparing a power of attorney if either party cannot attend.
- Booking the deed with the appropriate notary or authority.
The final deed is the formal completion of the sale.
The deed records the transfer of the property from the seller to the buyer. Depending on the arrangements, the parties may attend personally or be represented under a valid power of attorney.
A buyer who does not understand Portuguese may require a suitably qualified interpreter or an approved translated version of the documentation.
Following completion, the property must be registered in the buyer’s name.
Your lawyer should confirm:
- That the deed has completed.
- That the ownership has been submitted.
- Which original or certified documents you will receive.
- Whether any further tax or administrative action is required.
Following the purchase, you may need to:
- Transfer electricity and water accounts.
- Notify the condominium or resort manager.
- Arrange property insurance.
- Set up payment of annual property costs.
- Appoint a property manager.
- Arrange maintenance or furnishing.
- Obtain tax advice if you intend to rent the property.
- Prepare a Cape Verde will or review your estate planning.