How should a legal problem be classified under law in Cabo Verde?

Classify it by the relationship and event involved: employment belongs mainly to labor law, entry or residence to immigration law, suspected offences to criminal law, purchases and services to consumer protection, and private relationships such as contracts, property or inheritance to civil law. The classification identifies the relevant rules and institutions.

Which institutions may handle a legal matter under law in Cabo Verde?

The responsible body depends on the issue. Labor matters may involve the Direção Geral do Trabalho or Inspeção Geral do Trabalho; criminal matters may involve prosecutors, police, forensic services and courts; consumer complaints may proceed from the provider or Livro de Reclamações to a regulator, ADECO or a court; civil matters may involve registration authorities, notarial offices, land-registration bodies, courts or legal-aid procedures.

Which legal sources shape rights and duties under law in Cabo Verde?

The sources include the Constitution, codes, regulations, ratified international treaties, collective agreements and contracts, depending on the subject. Employment, criminal and civil matters rely on their respective codes, while an employment contract or collective agreement can add applicable terms within the relevant legal framework.

Law in Cabo Verde

Law in Cabo Verde sets the rights, duties, procedures and remedies that govern relationships between people, organisations, employers, authorities and providers. Its main areas include labor law, immigration law, criminal law, consumer protection and civil law. The applicable rules depend on the situation, the person's status, the authority involved and the documents or contract concerned.

Tip

Start by classifying the issue before contacting an authority, because the correct procedure depends on whether it concerns work, immigration, an alleged offence, a purchase or service, or a private legal relationship. Record the relevant facts, documents, dates and contract terms, then use the institution that handles that specific area. Allow for differences in access between islands, comarcas and digital services.

byClaudia&Luis

Labor law

Labor law in Cabo Verde governs dependent work, including employment contracts, working time, pay, leave, workplace protection, representation, disputes and termination. The main rules come from the Constitution, the Cabo Verde Labor Code, ratified International Labour Organization treaties, regulations, collective agreements and the employment contract. The Direção Geral do Trabalho and Inspeção Geral do Trabalho handle different parts of labor administration and enforcement.

Immigration law

Immigration law in Cabo Verde governs entry, stays, residence, work, study, family reunification, protection, permanent residence and nationality. Foreign nationals generally need a valid passport or travel document, a visa or an applicable exemption, and registration through the required immigration channels. The correct legal pathway depends on the purpose and duration of the stay, the person's nationality and eligibility, and whether the person seeks temporary or permanent status.

Criminal law

Criminal law in Cabo Verde defines criminal offences, personal responsibility, investigations, court proceedings and penalties. The main rules are set out in the Código Penal, amended by Law 72/2026, and the Código de Processo Penal, amended in 2015. The system protects accused persons, victims and other participants while assigning different functions to prosecutors, police, forensic services and courts.

Consumer protection

Consumer protection in Cabo Verde covers private purchases, services, contracts and digital offers from private or public providers, municipalities, public companies and concessionaires. Consumers have rights to clear information, safe and suitable goods and services, protection of their economic interests, compensation for damage and access to courts. The usual complaint process begins with the provider or its Livro de Reclamações and may continue with a sector regulator, ADECO or a court.

Civil law

Civil law in Cabo Verde governs legal relationships among private persons and organisations, including contracts, property, family matters, inheritance, liability and civil court proceedings. The system is formally codified and uses Portuguese legal terminology; the main civil code remains based on Decree-Law 47.344/1966, extended to Cabo Verde in 1967 and reconstituted by Decree-Law 12-C/97. Civil-law services run through civil-status and registration authorities, notarial offices, cadastral and land-registration bodies, courts and legal-aid procedures, with practical access varying by island, comarca and digital availability.

Different legal areas answer different practical questions. Labor law covers employment contracts, working time, pay, leave, workplace protection, representation, disputes and termination. Immigration law governs entry, stays, residence, work, study, family reunification, protection, permanent residence and nationality. Criminal law defines offences, personal responsibility, investigations, court proceedings and penalties. Consumer protection applies to purchases, services, contracts and digital offers and addresses information, safety, suitability, economic interests, compensation and complaints. Civil law covers contracts, property, family matters, inheritance, liability and civil proceedings. The legal sources vary by area. The Constitution, the Cabo Verde Labor Code, ratified International Labour Organization treaties, regulations, collective agreements and employment contracts shape employment matters. The Código Penal, amended by Law 72/2026, and the Código de Processo Penal, amended in 2015, provide the main criminal rules. Civil-law relationships remain based on a formally codified system using Portuguese legal terminology; the main civil code derives from Decree-Law 47.344/1966, its extension to Cabo Verde in 1967 and its reconstitution by Decree-Law 12-C/97. The responsible institution also depends on the matter. The Direção Geral do Trabalho and Inspeção Geral do Trabalho perform different labor-administration and enforcement functions. Immigration cases use the required immigration channels and registration procedures. Criminal matters involve different roles for prosecutors, police, forensic services and courts. A consumer complaint normally starts with the provider or its Livro de Reclamações and may continue to a sector regulator, ADECO or a court. Civil-law services can involve civil-status and registration authorities, notarial offices, cadastral and land-registration bodies, courts and legal-aid procedures. Access may differ by island, comarca and digital availability.