Emergency Numbers & Access
Call 130 for ambulance. Hospital Agostinho Neto (Praia) is the main facility. Sal and Boa Vista tourist islands have basic hospitals — complex cases transfer to Praia by inter-island flight. Diving injuries on Sal: no hyperbaric chamber — evacuation to Canary Islands.
Response time: 15-30 minutes on main islands. Variable on smaller islands.
Cost: Public ER: very affordable (ECV 500-2,000/$5-20). Private clinic: ECV 2,000-5,000 ($20-50). Medical evacuation abroad: $15,000-40,000.
Healthcare System
Cape Verde (Cabo Verde) has basic but functional healthcare on the two main islands. Hospital Agostinho Neto (Praia, Santiago) is the main referral hospital. Hospital Baptista de Sousa (Mindelo, São Vicente) is the second-largest. Sal and Boa Vista (main tourist islands) have basic hospitals/health centres — serious cases transfer to Praia or abroad. Medical evacuation to Lisbon, Dakar, or Canary Islands is common for complex cases. Most doctors are Portuguese-trained or Cuban-trained.
Designed for: Cape Verdean residents. Tourists use public hospitals and limited private clinics.
GP Access & Costs
Public health centres and limited private clinics. Portuguese language essential. Resort hotels may arrange doctor visits.
Typical wait: Public: 1-4 hours. Private: same-day.
Availability: Adequate on Santiago (Praia) and São Vicente (Mindelo). Basic on Sal and Boa Vista. Very limited on other islands.
GP Visit
Public: ECV 500-1,000 ($5-10)
Private GP
ECV 2,000-5,000 ($20-50)
ER Without Insurance
ECV 2,000-10,000 ($20-100). Evacuation: $15,000-40,000.
Medication
Very limited pharmacy stock, especially on tourist islands (Sal, Boa Vista). Bring ALL medications from home. Basic medications available but selection is poor.
Pharmacy & Medication
Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-7pm typically. Very limited hours on smaller islands. No 24-hour pharmacies.
OTC: Limited range. Bring what you need.
Controlled substances: Carry prescriptions for all medications.
Practical Tips
- Hospital Agostinho Neto (Praia, Santiago) — main referral hospital for all Cape Verde
- Bring ALL medications, sunscreen, and first-aid supplies — pharmacy stock limited
- Medical evacuation insurance is CRITICAL — nearest advanced care is Canary Islands or Lisbon
- Portuguese language skills or translation app essential for medical interactions
- Sal and Boa Vista: ask your hotel about doctor-on-call services
- Dengue prevention: use insect repellent, especially during rainy season (Aug-Oct)
Who can get care in Cape Verde?
Emergency care for anyone
Emergency departments in Cape Verde treat everyone regardless of residency or insurance status. Charges can still apply afterwards.
Public system for visitors
Visitors get partial public cover — usually emergencies only, with routine care paid privately.
Seeing a Doctor as a visitor
Public health centres and limited private clinics. Portuguese language essential. Resort hotels may arrange doctor visits. Typical cost: Public: ECV 500-1,000 ($5-10). Private: ECV 2,000-5,000 ($20-50). Typical wait: Public: 1-4 hours. Private: same-day.
Insurance needed for entry or visa
Not a formal entry requirement, but medical cover is strongly recommended. Emergency care without cover: ECV 2,000-10,000 ($20-100). Evacuation: $15,000-40,000..
Documents worth having ready
- Passport
- Travel insurance with MEDICAL EVACUATION coverage
- Prescriptions
- Medications from home (limited pharmacy stock)
Local contacts in Cape Verde
Emergency services
130 (ambulance) / 132 (fire) / 131 (police)
Call 130 for ambulance. Hospital Agostinho Neto (Praia) is the main facility. Sal and Boa Vista tourist islands have basic hospitals — complex cases transfer to Praia by inter-island flight. Diving injuries on Sal: no hyperbaric chamber — evacuation to Canary Islands.
Pharmacies
Mon-Sat 8am-7pm typically. Very limited hours on smaller islands. No 24-hour pharmacies.
Limited range. Bring what you need.
What is the emergency number in Cape Verde?
130 (ambulance) or 132 (fire) or 131 (police) in Cape Verde. Call 130 for ambulance. Hospital Agostinho Neto (Praia) is the main facility. Sal and Boa Vista tourist islands have basic hospitals — complex cases transfer to Praia by inter-island flight. Diving injuries on Sal: no hyperbaric chamber — evacuation to Canary Islands.
How much does a Doctor visit cost in Cape Verde?
Public: ECV 500-1,000 ($5-10). Private: ECV 2,000-5,000 ($20-50). Private consultations: ECV 2,000-5,000 ($20-50).
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Sources: Cape Verde Ministry of Health, WHO Cape Verde, CDC Travelers' Health — Cape Verde 2024
Last reviewed: March 2026 by ViscaCare