Across most of Cape Verde’s islands, medical infrastructure is fragile and access to medication can be difficult. In the event of a serious injury or illness, repatriation is often the only realistic option. Without insurance, these costs fall entirely on you: this page helps you choose the right cover before you travel.
Get my quoteIs travel insurance compulsory in Cape Verde?
Travel insurance is not a requirement to enter Cape Verde. It is, however, strongly recommended: local medical capacity is limited, transfers to a specialist centre are common, and without cover you would face the full cost of repatriation alone. Travelling without insurance here means exposing your finances to a very real risk.
Why take out travel insurance for Cape Verde?
- Limited medical infrastructure: On most islands, hospitals lack equipment and qualified medical staff are scarce. For anything serious, a transfer to a better-equipped island, or even full repatriation, is often unavoidable.
- Costly medical repatriation: Arranging a medical repatriation from the archipelago is a complex and expensive undertaking. Travel insurance covers it in full as soon as the coordinating doctor deems it necessary.
- Real health risks: Malaria is present on Santiago island, and dengue and Zika circulate in the Sotavento islands during the rainy season (August to October). Without cover, treatment costs remain entirely your responsibility.
- Trip cancellation or curtailment: Illness, a bereavement or severe weather can force last-minute cancellation. Cancellation cover reimburses your pre-paid expenses for the reasons set out in your policy.
- Lost or stolen luggage: Theft at airports or on the beach can add a significant cost to your trip. Baggage cover reimburses your belongings up to your policy limits.
What your Cape Verde travel insurance covers with Yupwego
For a trip to Cape Verde, Yupwego recommends a minimum cover of 500,000 € to be properly protected, particularly for medical costs and repatriation.
- Medical costs and hospitalisation: Yupwego pays the hospital directly, so you never pay upfront, even for urgent treatment on a remote island.
- Medical repatriation: If your condition requires it, the coordinating doctor arranges your return to France, covered in full by your insurance.
- Third-party liability: If you cause damage to a third party in Cape Verde, your insurance covers the costs within your policy limits.
- Cancellation and curtailment: Whether your trip is cancelled before departure or cut short en route, your pre-paid expenses are reimbursed for the reasons set out in your policy.
- Luggage and personal effects: In the event of theft or loss, your belongings are reimbursed up to your policy limits.
Health and healthcare in Cape Verde
Medical facilities in Cape Verde are limited, and access to medication can be restricted, particularly outside the main islands (Santiago, São Vicente, Sal). Malaria is present on Santiago island, dengue and Zika circulate in the Sotavento islands during the rainy season (August to October), and a measles alert has been in place since March 2026. Before you travel, consult a travel medicine specialist for an up-to-date vaccination review: hepatitis A, typhoid and rabies may be recommended depending on your profile and the length of your stay. Without insurance covering repatriation, a transfer to a better-equipped hospital or back to France would be entirely at your own expense.
Cape Verde entry requirements
A valid passport is all you need to enter Cape Verde: no visa is required for stays under 30 days for French nationals. As Cape Verde is not a member of the European Union, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not valid here: your Yupwego travel insurance steps in to cover your medical care across the archipelago. For a longer stay, see our long-stay travel insurance or our expat insurance.
Car hire and road accidents in Cape Verde
Hiring a car is common on the larger islands such as Santiago, Sal and Boa Vista. Before getting behind the wheel, insist on a written vehicle condition report and check that your driving licence is accepted by the rental company. Damage to the rental vehicle itself is not covered by travel insurance: take out CDW (collision damage waiver) cover directly with the rental company to protect yourself on this point. Your medical expenses and repatriation are covered in the event of an accident, and third-party liability may also be included depending on your policy.
