How to obtain a Cape Verde NIF Number ?

    Hi,
I will be travelling to Soa Vicente - Mindelo mid November to look at some real estate properties to buy.
To open a Cape Verde bank account I need a NIF number.
How can I obtain or request for a NIF number in Soa Vicente? Address?
Which documents are required?
How many hours / days it will take for processing my request?
Is it possible to request NIF online?
Thanks in advance.
   

    -@Shai Leen

Hello Shai,

You cannot request a NIF online. You need to go to the Cartório (Civil Registry) with your passport. You will receive the NIF on the spot.

Angelo

P.S. Be careful purchasing property in Cape Verde. If you are not familiar with the process, you can lose money or you may end up having to pay the seller's outstanding taxes. So, do NOT make a deposit on unfinished development projects. And if it is a finished property, make sure you go to the Câmara Municipal and confirm that no real estate taxes (IUP) is outstanding. If there if a tax outstanding, you must insist that the owner pays the tax BEFORE you hand over any money.

@Shai Leen I got mine straight away with only my passport at Casa do Cidadão (Platô) in Praia

Thanks a lot for quick response!

@Zylen Xavier-Hendrix

Thanks for the info. They just issued it to you with your passport? Also, do you recommend a bank for non resident of Cabo Verde ? I am planning on buying a property there. Did you also buy a property ?

Julia

@CVAngelo

Thanks Angelo. Do you know if that's also the case for Sale island ? And do you recommend a lawyer that will verify that  the property we want to buy is in order tax wise and legally registered ?

Thanks.

Julia

Good afternoon!

You can now apply for your NIF (tax identification number) and open a bank account in Cape Verde entirely online, with support from E-residence.cv.

Hello team28,

Welcome to Expat.com 😀

Thank you for taking the time to reply.

Do not forget to stop by this thread as well > New members of the Cape Verde forum, introduce yourselves here - 2026

Cheers,

Cheryl

Expat.com team