Cape Verde vs Costa Rica: which nomad visa wins?
Cape Verde is easier to qualify for, and Cape Verdeis cheaper day to day. Here's the full breakdown — then model it with your own income.
Updated June 2026 · figures in USD for a single applicant.
| Metric | 🇨🇻 Cape Verde | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| Income needed (single) | $1,500/mo | $3,000/mo |
| Tax on foreign income | 0% | 0% |
| Special tax regime | — | — |
| Path to citizenship | No residency path | No residency path |
| Comfortable budget (solo) | $1,473/mo | $1,904/mo |
| Visa length | 6 months | 1 year |
| Safety index | 72/100 | 60/100 |
| Internet | 40 Mbps | 80 Mbps |
| English | Low | Moderate |
| Region | Middle East & Africa | Americas |
See it with your numbers
Set your household, how you earn and your income — both countries recompute live.
Optional — unlocks age- and savings-gated visas (retirement, youth-mobility, golden visas).
Live — adjust who's going, how you earn and your income above and both columns update.
Effective tax at different incomes
Approximate all-in rate for a solo employee who becomes tax-resident.
| Monthly income | 🇨🇻 Cape Verde | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| $3,000/mo | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| $6,000/mo | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| $12,000/mo | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Choose 🇨🇻 Cape Verde if…
Atlantic islands on European time, made for windsport lovers — sun-soaked, low-cost and tax-free for a six-month escape.
- Only one to four hours behind Western Europe.
- World-class kitesurfing and year-round sun.
- Low costs and a relaxed pace.
Choose 🇨🇷 Costa Rica if…
Pura vida with a tax exemption: stable, safe and stunning, Costa Rica trades rock-bottom prices for nature, calm and zero tax on what you earn abroad.
- Foreign income is fully tax-exempt.
- Duty-free import of your work gear.
- Stable, peaceful and famously green.
Want the numbers for your income and family, with more countries?
Cape Verde vs Costa Rica: FAQ
Is Cape Verde or Costa Rica better for digital nomads?
Cape Verde has the lower income bar, tax treatment is similar, and Cape Verde is cheaper to live in. Neither nomad visa leads directly to citizenship.
How much income do you need for Cape Verde vs Costa Rica?
Cape Verde requires about $1,500/mo for a single applicant; Costa Rica requires about $3,000/mo.
Do digital nomads pay tax in Cape Verde or Costa Rica?
Cape Verde: Short-stay nomads remain outside the local tax net. — Costa Rica: The DNV grants a clean exemption on foreign-earned income plus duty-free import of work equipment.
Figures are 2026 planning estimates in USD for a single applicant. Confirm details on each country's official source before applying.