Many of our clients are retired or close to retirement. They have time, they are looking for sunshine and tranquillity, and they often have their children in mind too. It is a stage of life in which an investment should bring peace of mind, not worries. Here is what to consider.
First question: do you want to live there, spend the winter there or invest?
These are three different choices, with different consequences.
Spending the colder months in the sun
This is the most common choice. Boa Vista enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine a year and has flights from Europe. A home of your own lets you spend the winter months in the warmth and return home for the rest of the year. In this case a traditional apartment gives you the greatest freedom of use.
Investing without the hassle
If your main aim is a real asset alongside your savings, without dealing with guests and maintenance, the Apart-Hotel format makes more sense. At The View the suite is registered in your name, management is entrusted to professionals and you can stay there 4 weeks a year. The differences are set out in the comparison between an apartment and an Apart-Hotel.
Moving there
Moving your residence is a far bigger decision: it involves your pension, healthcare, taxes and ties with your home country. You do not need to move to buy a home in Cape Verde. If you are thinking about it, the tax, pension and legal aspects must be checked with a professional. For Italian citizens, there is more detail in the guide residence in Cape Verde and Italian pensioners on Boavista2000.com.
Second question: how much of your savings do you want to invest?
In retirement, income is more predictable but also less flexible. For this reason:
- do not invest everything: keep a reserve for health, family and the unexpected;
- bear in mind that a property cannot be sold overnight;
- choose a sum that, if the investment went worse than expected, would not change your standard of living.
On Boa Vista there are properties from €50,000, and suites at The View start at €90,000: budgets that let you invest part of your savings, not necessarily all of them. Concrete examples in how much a home costs on Boa Vista.
Third question: who will look after the home?
Over the years, managing rentals, guests and repairs from a distance can become a burden. Ask yourself honestly how much time and energy you want to devote to management, today and in a few years’ time.
If you would rather not deal with it, a property run by professionals, as is already the case at the White Hotel (4 stars, 69 suites sold, fully operating), is the simplest solution.
Fourth question: health and services
Before spending long periods on the island, find out about:
- the healthcare services available on Boa Vista and the nearby islands;
- health insurance cover valid abroad for the periods you will spend there;
- the medicines you take regularly and how to bring or obtain them.
These checks need to be made case by case, with your doctor and your insurer.
Fifth question: what will you leave to your children?
Many clients also choose Boa Vista to build up assets that can be used for holidays and passed down. A property registered in your name can be left to your heirs; at The View you buy the suite, not a share in a fund (see registered ownership or a share).
Inheritance rules between your home country and Cape Verde must be checked with a professional. Involving your children from the start helps you make a shared decision.
The value of having someone on the spot
For a retiree, what often makes the difference is trust. Our group has been operating on Boa Vista for more than 25 years, has built and sold more than 350 properties and supports clients after the purchase too, with staff on the island.
Before deciding, also read a second home by the sea abroad and the risks and how to reduce them. Then, if you like, let’s talk it over calmly or request the presentation of The View.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to move my residence to Cape Verde to buy a home?
No, you can buy a property while remaining resident in your home country. Moving your residence is a separate choice, with tax and pension consequences to be checked with a professional.
Is there an upper age limit for investing in Cape Verde?
There are no age limits tied to the investment itself. What matters more is choosing a format that matches the energy you want to devote to management.
Can I receive my pension in Cape Verde?
It depends on your pension situation and the rules in force. It should be checked with your pension provider and with a professional.
For a retiree, is an apartment or an Apart-Hotel suite better?
If you want to spend long periods on the island, an apartment offers more freedom. If you want an investment without management, with a few weeks’ holiday a year, an Apart-Hotel is simpler.
Would you like to talk it through with a person?
Book a video call or message us on WhatsApp: we will answer your questions about Boa Vista and The View.
