How to Get Cabo Verde Citizenship

Person is married to or in a de facto union with a citizen for at least 5 years. Grounds for opposition: no effective ties to the national community, no criminal convictions in final instance for crime punishable with prison sentence of 3 years or more, no exercise of political functions or rendering of non-mandatory military service to a foreign state, no celebration of marriage or recognition of de facto union with the sole purpose of defrauding the nationality law, no danger or threat to national security and defence due to involvement in activities related to terrorism, drug trafficking etc.

Descent (born in country)

Person is born in Cape Verde to a citizen.

Descent (born abroad)

Person is born abroad and one parent is a citizen in the service of the state; Person is born abroad and one parent is a citizen from birth.

Person is born in Cape Verde to parents who have been legally resident for at least 3 years and are not in the service of another state, if person does not declare his or her wish not to be Cape Verdean.

Person is a minor or incapacitated child of a person who is acquiring citizenship. Grounds for opposition: no effective ties to the national community, conviction in final instance for crime punishable with prison sentence of 3 years or more, existence of danger or threat to national security and defence due to involvement in activities related to terrorism, drug trafficking etc.

Person is a foreign or stateless minor adopted by a citizen. Grounds for opposition: inexistence of any effective ties to the national community, conviction in final instance for crime punishable with prison sentence of 3 years or more, existence of danger or threat to national security and defence due to involvement in activities related to terrorism, drug trafficking etc.

Person is born abroad and one grandparent, greatgrandparent or great-greatgrandparent is a citizen from birth.

Person is a former citizen who lost citizenship through a declaration made during his/her minority, by effect of law or by renunciation. Opposition grounds: see the rules for ordinary naturalisation; Person who has had Cape Verdean citizenship. Requirement of 5 years legal residence may be waived. Opposition grounds: see the rules for ordinary naturalisation.

Person is a descendant from Cape Verdeans. Requirement of 5 years legal residence may be waived. Other conditions: no criminal convictions in final instance for crime punishable with prison sentence of 3 years or more, and has capacity to make decisions and support him/herself. Grounds for opposition: no effective ties to the national community, no criminal convictions in final instance for crime punishable with prison sentence of 3 years or more, no exercise of political functions or rendering of non-mandatory military service to a foreign state, no celebration of marriage or recognition of de facto union with the sole purpose of defrauding the nationality law, no danger or threat to national security and defence due to involvement in activities related to terrorism, drug trafficking etc.

Foundlings

Person found as a newborn in Cape Verde is presumed born in the country.

Otherwise stateless (born in country)

Person is born in Cape Verde and does not have another citizenship, or both parents are stateless or of unknown citizenship and are resident in Cape Verde.

Person has rendered or may be called to render relevant services to the state and has capacity to make decisions and support him/herself. Other conditions: good moral or civil standing and capacity to make decisions and support themselves. Grounds for opposition: see under the rules for ordinary naturalisation; Athletes who have achieved or are called to achieve relevant services for national sports. Grounds for opposition: see under the rules for ordinary naturalisation; Person with special merits (heroic acts, knowledge promotion, arts and culture, fostering of collaborations with other states and peoples) and with effective ties to the national community as measured by a reasonable knowledge of Portuguese or of the Cape Verdean language, or by the number of stays in national territory. Grounds for opposition: see under the rules for ordinary naturalisation.

Person has made investments or offers guarantees that he/she will make investments that will unequivocally increase the opportunities for employment and contribute to the development of the country. Person is required to demonstrate effective ties to the national community by a reasonable knowledge of Portuguese or of the Cape Verdean language, or by the number of stays in national territory. Grounds for opposition: inexistence of any effective ties to the national community, conviction in final instance for crime punishable with prison sentence of 3 years or more, exercise of political functions or rendering of non-mandatory military service to a foreign state, existence of danger or threat to national security and defence due to involvement in activities related to terrorism, drug trafficking etc.