Building permits in Cabo Verde
Building in Cabo Verde is governed by the Regime for Urban Operations (Law 60/VIII/2014). The permit is granted by the Municipal Council. Below, the essentials based on the law text.
Indicative information, with source and date. Not legal or tax advice: always confirm with the named authority before acting.
Last updated: 2026-07-23
Which works need a permit?
A municipal permit is needed for, among others, construction, extension or alteration works outside a detailed plan or subdivision, plus subdivision and urbanisation works (art. 4). Interior works not affecting structure, façade or roof may be exempt or need only prior notification (arts. 7, 9). Exemption does not waive planning and technical rules.
Sources
Who grants the permit and how long does it take?
The permit is granted by the Municipal Council. Legal maximum deadlines: decision on the architecture project in 30 days (art. 21); final permit decision in 45 days for construction/subdivision/urbanisation (art. 23); consulted bodies have 20 days, silence counting as agreement (art. 20). A favourable prior opinion binds the Council for 1 year (arts. 17-18).
Sources
How much does the permit cost?
Fees are set by each Municipal Council’s regulation (arts. 105-110), so the amount varies by municipality and is not fixed nationally. Ask your Council for its fee table. The Praia Council publishes the required-document lists in its online store.
Sources
Can I start work once licensed?
Work may only start after the alvará is issued (art. 70), which must be requested within 1 year of the decision and is issued within 30 days of paying the fees (art. 64). A use/occupancy licence is needed once finished (art. 52). The permit lapses if, for example, work does not start within 9 months of the alvará (art. 61).
Sources
What happens if I build without a permit?
Building without the required alvará is an offence punishable by a fine of 50,000 to 10,000,000 CVE for an individual, and up to 30,000,000 CVE for a company (art. 88). The Council President can also stop the works and cut off water, gas and electricity (art. 92), and order demolition (art. 95). Ignoring the measures can be a crime of disobedience (art. 90).
Sources
Can an already-built construction be legalised?
Yes, through the special regime for legalising Illegal-Origin Urban Areas (AUGI), Decree-Law 57/2015. The Municipal Council decides within 90 days. It covers buildings put up without the required municipal licence; "barracas" (non-permanent shacks) are excluded and subject to demolition.
Sources
- Decreto-Lei n.º 57/2015 (legalização AUGI), Boletim Oficial I Série n.º 64 · 2015-10-20official