Cape Verde vs Philippines: which nomad visa wins?
Philippines is easier to qualify for, Philippines is lighter on tax, and Philippinesis 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 | 🇵🇭 Philippines |
|---|---|---|
| Income needed (single) | $1,500/mo | Flexible |
| Tax on foreign income | 0% | 0% |
| Special tax regime | — | — |
| Path to citizenship | No residency path | No residency path |
| Comfortable budget (solo) | $1,473/mo | $1,327/mo |
| Visa length | 6 months | 1 year |
| Safety index | 72/100 | 55/100 |
| Internet | 40 Mbps | 95 Mbps |
| English | Low | Very high |
| Region | Middle East & Africa | Asia-Pacific |
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 | 🇵🇭 Philippines |
|---|---|---|
| $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 🇵🇭 Philippines if…
A brand-new 2025 visa for the English-speaking, island-hopping nomad: tax-free and ultra-affordable — but still rolling out, so confirm it's live and what it requires before you plan around it.
- English is near-universal — almost no friction.
- Tax-free foreign income and very low costs.
- Thousands of islands and a warm culture.
Want the numbers for your income and family, with more countries?
Cape Verde vs Philippines: FAQ
Is Cape Verde or Philippines better for digital nomads?
Philippines has the lower income bar, Philippines taxes foreign income more lightly, and Philippines is cheaper to live in. Neither nomad visa leads directly to citizenship.
How much income do you need for Cape Verde vs Philippines?
Cape Verde requires about $1,500/mo for a single applicant; Philippines requires about $0/mo.
Do digital nomads pay tax in Cape Verde or Philippines?
Cape Verde: Short-stay nomads remain outside the local tax net. — Philippines: The visa explicitly exempts foreign-earned income from Philippine tax.
Figures are 2026 planning estimates in USD for a single applicant. Confirm details on each country's official source before applying.