Cabo Verde Invest- Key Business and Admin Services
Demystifying Cabo Verde's Key Business and Admin Services: A Guide for Foreigners
If you're a foreign investor eyeing opportunities in Cabo Verde—whether it's tourism on Sal, real estate on Boa Vista, or tech startups in Praia—these three initiatives (Casa do Cidadão, Empresa no Dia, and the Balcão Único do Investidor or BUI) can feel overlapping and confusing at first. They're all part of the government's push to cut red tape, inspired by Portugal's efficient models but tailored to an island nation. In simple terms: Casa do Cidadão is your everyday "government mall" for all admin needs; Empresa no Dia (often called "Empresa na Hora" in casual talk, meaning "Company in an Hour/Day") is the express lane for starting a business; and BUI is the VIP lounge for bigger investment projects with perks like tax breaks.
Think of them as a toolkit: Use Casa do Cidadão for basics, Empresa no Dia to launch your company quickly, and BUI if you're scaling up with serious funding. All are foreigner-friendly—no local partner required, English support available via helplines, and digital options to minimize island-hopping. Below, I'll break them down plainly, with steps, locations, and tips for non-Portuguese speakers.
1. Casa do Cidadão: Your All-in-One Government Hub
What it is: Launched in 2007, this is a network of "one-stop-shops" (balcões) that bundle services from various agencies—like civil registry, taxes, and business setup—into single locations. It's like a DMV meets city hall, but friendlier and faster. Great for expats handling paperwork without endless queues.
Why useful for foreigners/investors:
- Handles residency visas (e.g., investor "Golden Visa" via €200,000+ property buys), criminal records for due diligence, and family docs.
- Integrates Empresa no Dia (see below) for on-site business registration.
- Free helpline (800 2008) offers English guidance; online portal for remote requests.
Key services:
- ID/passport certification, birth/marriage certificates.
- Tax ID (NIF) and social security (INPS) enrollment.
- Basic business permits and employee registrations.
How to use it (steps for foreigners):
- Call 800 2008 or visit empresanodia.cv/casa-do-cidadao for appointments (book ahead to skip lines).
- Bring apostilled passport, proof of address, and investment docs (translated if needed—affordable local notaries help).
- Get services in 1-2 hours; digital downloads for certificates.
Locations: Over 50 spots across all 10 islands, often in municipal halls or banks. Hotspots for investors: Praia (Santiago), Mindelo (São Vicente), Espargos (Sal). Mobile vans hit remote areas monthly.
Cost/Time: Mostly free/low-fee (e.g., €5-10 for certs); same-day service.
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2. Empresa no Dia: Fast-Track Company Launch
What it is: A 2010 program for registering businesses in as little as one day (hence "no Dia" or "na Hora"). It's embedded in Casa do Cidadão and banks, focusing solely on incorporation—like getting your company's "birth certificate." Perfect for simple setups like a Sociedade por Quotas (Lda) with minimal capital (€0.01).
Why useful for foreigners/investors:
- No residency rules; 100% foreign ownership allowed in most sectors (e.g., no limits on tourism/hotels).
- Skips multi-office runs: One submission gets you commercial registry, NIF, and INPS.
- Ideal for testing ideas without big upfront costs—many EU/US expats use it for side ventures.
Key services:
- Company name approval, articles of association filing.
- Provisional bank account setup and capital deposit proof.
- Automatic tax/social security activation.
How to use it (steps for foreigners):
- Check name availability online at empresanodia.cv (free, instant).
- Prepare docs: Passport (apostilled), business plan outline, local address (virtual offices OK for starters).
- Submit in person (at Casa do Cidadão or BNU banks) or online; pay fee and deposit 50% capital.
- Walk out with your registration certificate—ready to operate.
Locations: Integrated into 20+ Casa do Cidadão balcões and banks on Santiago, São Vicente, Sal, Boa Vista, Fogo. Online for prep work.
Cost/Time: €45-50 total; 1 day (or 7-14 without the program).
Balcão Único do Investidor (BUI): Investor Project Accelerator
What it is: The "One-Stop Investor Counter," run by Cabo Verde TradeInvest (CVTI) since 2019. It's a dedicated portal/office for vetting and greenlighting investment projects, especially those over €45,000 with export/job-creation potential. Not for basic registration—think of it as the "approval stamp" after Empresa no Dia.
Why useful for foreigners/investors:
- Unlocks incentives: 5-10 year tax holidays, customs duty waivers, land grants for renewables/tourism.
- Coordinates ministries (e.g., environment, finance) so you don't chase approvals island-to-island.
- Tailored advice for FDI (foreign direct investment), including diaspora perks.
Key services:
- Project evaluation and Establishment Conventions (custom deals).
- Incentive applications (e.g., IRPC tax exemption).
- Post-approval monitoring and export support.
How to use it (steps for foreigners):
- Register your company first via Empresa no Dia.
- Submit proposal online at cvtradeinvest.cv/bui (business plan, financials, impact estimates).
- CVTI reviews (60-75 days); negotiate incentives in Praia meetings.
- Get approvals and start—CVTI assigns a case officer.
Locations: CVTI offices in Praia (Santiago), Espargos (Sal), Mindelo (São Vicente); fully digital via portal.
Cost/Time: €45 registration; up to 75 days for full process.
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