Documents you need to buy property in Cape Verde

Nine out of ten delays in a Cape Verde property purchase have the same cause: missing or outdated documents. The good news is the list is short — and knowing it in advance avoids nearly every surprise.

Buyer's documents

• ID — Cape Verdean ID card or passport for foreigners;
• Cape Verdean tax number (NIF) — issued by the tax office; foreigners and the diaspora can obtain it through a representative with power of attorney. Quick and cheap;
• Power of attorney — only if you cannot attend in person. Issued at a Cape Verdean consulate or apostilled, expressly covering the powers to sign the promissory contract, purchase and register;
• Proof of income — only if applying for a mortgage.

Property documents (demand these from the seller)

• Land registry certificate — shows the registered owner and any mortgages, liens or usufructs. Ask for a recent one (under 3 months);
• Tax record (caderneta/matriz) — areas, boundaries and taxable value. Compare the stated areas with reality: big mismatches signal unpermitted works;
• Habitation licence — for recent builds, proves municipal approval;
• Proof of paid IUP — property tax debts follow the property, not the owner;
• Floor plan — especially useful for houses and land.

Frequent special cases

Inherited properties

If the seller inherited the property, the inheritance must be settled and registered before the sale — all heirs must agree and sign. It is the most common delay in the Cape Verdean market; if you spot it, build realistic deadlines into the promissory contract.

Land

Add a check of the soil classification at the municipality and the permitted building ratios — see our land buying guide.

Buying from abroad

For the diaspora, everything is solved with a consular power of attorney and a trusted representative — full process in our diaspora buying guide.

Quick checklist before signing

• Registry certificate under 3 months old and free of charges?
• Seller's name matches the registered owner?
• IUP paid up to date?
• Recorded areas match the actual property?
• Your Cape Verdean NIF sorted?

All yes? You are ready to proceed safely. See the full process in our step-by-step buying guide — or talk to us: we verify the paperwork of every property in our portfolio before it reaches the deed.