Cape Verde
Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV
The categories of restriction are:
- No restrictions on entry or staying.
Restrictions on entry to Cape Verde
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on entry to Cape Verde based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Cape Verde does not have any HIV-related restrictions on entry.
The Government of Cape Verde, through the platform EASE, states that documentation outlined for transit or visit visas does not include any HIV tests or health certificates.
Restrictions on short-term stay in Cape Verde
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on short-term stay in Cape Verde based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS, Cape Verde does not have any HIV-related restrictions on short-term entry.
The High Authority for Immigration provides a list of supporting documents that should be included with a temporary stay application and in most cases there are no requisites in relation to HIV. The temporary permit of residence in special circumstances includes among its requisites that the applicant should not ‘suffer from an illness requiring prolonged medical assistance that prevents them from returning to the country, in order to avoid risks to their own health.’
However, Article 26 of Law No. 19/VII/2007 prohibits entry ban or deportation of a person on the basis of HIV factual or perceived serological status.
Restrictions on long-term stay in Cape Verde
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on long-term stay in Cape Verde based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS, Cape Verde does not have any HIV-related restrictions on long-term entry.
The High Authority for Immigration provides a list of supporting documents that should be included with a permanent residence permit and none of those documents makes reference to HIV.
While it states as a condition to obtain the permanent residence permit that the applicant does not constitute ‘a threat to public health’, Article 26 of Law No. 19/VII/2007 prohibits entry ban or deportation of a person on the basis of HIV factual or perceived serological status.
Historic regulations in Cape Verde
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Cape Verde. There is no evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.
According to the UK Foreign Office Travel Advice page, medical facilities in Cape Verde are limited, and some medicines are in short supply or unavailable. The largest hospitals are in Praia on Santiago and Mindelo on São Vicente, with smaller medical facilities and clinics located throughout the country. Medical facilities are particularly limited on the island of Boa Vista. The islands of Brava and Santo Antão do not have working airports, so medical air evacuation is extremely difficult.
According to Cape Verde Ministry of Health, Nationals and residents in Cape Verde diagnosed with HIV are automatically offered antiretroviral treatment, psychological support and regular viral load testing. The treatment is free and available in all health structures in the country, and some NGOs, such as Verdefam complement the service with treatment.
Migrants have access to government‐funded health services depending on their migration status. Emergency medical care, provided through the National Essential Medical Assistance Package, is free of charge for all, irrespective of nationality. Irregular migrants also have access to public health care, such as treatment for chronic non‐communicable diseases.
Treatment access in Cape Verde
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Cape Verde. There is no evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.
According to the UK Foreign Office travel advice page, medical facilities in Cape Verde are limited, and some medicines are in short supply or unavailable. The largest hospitals are in Praia on Santiago and Mindelo on São Vicente, with smaller medical facilities and clinics located throughout the country. Medical facilities are particularly limited on the island of Boa Vista. The islands of Brava and Santo Antão do not have working airports, so medical air evacuation is extremely difficult.
According to Cape Verde Ministry of Health, Nationals and residents in Cape Verde diagnosed with HIV are automatically offered antiretroviral treatment, psychological support and regular viral load testing. The treatment is free and available in all health structures in the country, and some NGOs, such as Verdefam complement the service with treatment.
Migrants have access to government‐funded health services depending on their migration status. Emergency medical care, provided through the National Essential Medical Assistance Package, is free of charge for all, irrespective of nationality. Irregular migrants also have access to public health care, such as treatment for chronic non‐communicable diseases.
Sources
The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database
Visit the Cape Verde page on the Global HIV Criminalisation Database to see more information about known HIV criminalisation laws in this country, an overview of how the laws are used, and any significant advocacy developments.
UNAIDS Global AIDS monitoring data
This information about access to HIV services comes from UNAIDS https://lawsandpolicies.unaids.org/, a platform to view data on HIV-related laws and policies. This is information provided by national authorities and civil society and may contradict other sources.
Migrant populations
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Migrants are able to access HIV services | N/A |
Refugees and asylum seekers
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
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This site focuses on information about HIV travel. Please also consult your own Foreign Office/Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, or the local consulate of the country you are visiting, to see what restrictions there are specifically for you as a citizen of your country, regardless of your HIV status.
