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Country Guide: Cape Verde

Company Formation in Cape Verde

A complete guide to navigating Casa do Cidadão and Cabo Verde TradeInvest. Learn the requirements, corporate structures, and timelines for establishing a legal entity in West Africa’s most politically stable and fast-growing island economy.

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Casa do Cidadão and TradeInvest

Business registration in Cape Verde has been revolutionized by the Casa do Cidadão (Citizen’s House) and its Empresa na Hora (Company in an Hour) initiative. This One-Stop Shop seamlessly integrates the Commercial Registry, Tax Authority, and Social Security to make incorporation incredibly fast.

For foreign direct investment, Cabo Verde TradeInvest is the primary gateway. Designed to promote the archipelago as a strategic hub between Africa, Europe, and the Americas, TradeInvest facilitates massive incentives for projects in tourism, the blue economy, ICT, and renewable energy.

1 – 3 Days

Average Formation Timeline

22%

Standard Corporate Tax (IRPC)

100% Foreign Ownership

Fully permitted with guaranteed capital repatriation

Types of Companies You Can Register

Cape Verde’s Commercial Code offers modern, Portuguese-influenced corporate structures.

Limited Liability Company (Lda)

The Sociedade por Quotas (Lda) is the most common entity. It can be formed by a single shareholder (Unipessoal Lda) or multiple partners. The statutory minimum capital requirement has been largely abolished (nominally 1 CVE), making it highly attractive for startups and SMEs.

Joint Stock Company (SA)

The Sociedade Anónima (SA) is designed for larger investments and businesses raising public capital. It requires a more formalized governance structure, a minimum share capital, and mandatory statutory auditing.

Branch Office (Sucursal)

Foreign entities can establish a branch office to operate directly in Cape Verde without creating a separate legal subsidiary. The parent company retains full liability, and registration requires translated and legalized corporate records from the home country.

The Formation Process

01

Name Reservation (Certidão de Admissibilidade)

Request a Certificate of Admissibility for your proposed company name through the Commercial Registry at the Casa do Cidadão. If using the “Empresa na Hora” method, you can often select from a list of pre-approved names to bypass this waiting period.

02

Drafting Statutes & Deposit

Draft the Articles of Association (Estatutos). If you are using standard templates provided by the Casa do Cidadão, notarization is often waived or handled internally. The initial share capital must be deposited into a local Cape Verdean bank account.

03

Casa do Cidadão Registration & NIF

Submit the documentation to the One-Stop Shop. They will register the company with the Commercial Registry, publish the incorporation in the official gazette (Boletim Oficial), and automatically generate your Tax Identification Number (NIF).

04

INPS Registration & Municipal Licensing

Following incorporation, you must register the company and any employees with the National Institute of Social Security (INPS). Finally, apply for a municipal operating license (Alvará) from the local Câmara Municipal before commencing trade.

Foreign Investors & TradeInvest

Cape Verde treats foreign and domestic investors equally under the law. Engaging with Cabo Verde TradeInvest is highly recommended to secure an Investment Certificate (Certificado de Investidor).

Projects that meet minimum capital thresholds can qualify for impressive incentives, including complete exemption from customs duties on imported materials, 50% reductions in corporate tax (IRPC) for up to 10 years, and simplified pathways for expatriate residence permits.

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Compliance to Watch

  • ⚠️ Language Requirements: Portuguese is the official language for all legal, administrative, and corporate documentation. Foreign documents must be translated by a certified translator and legalized.
  • ⚠️ Social Security (INPS): Compliance with the INPS is strictly monitored. Employers must declare workers and remit contributions monthly to remain in good standing.
  • ⚠️ Exchange Control: The Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE) is pegged to the Euro. While repatriation of profits is guaranteed for registered foreign investors, transactions must still be processed through authorized local commercial banks adhering to central bank regulations.

Need Professional Assistance?

Navigating the Casa do Cidadão, securing TradeInvest incentives, and managing Portuguese legal drafting requires specialized local expertise. Let our corporate advisors handle the bureaucracy and complete your setup in Cape Verde.

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