The 4 mandatory documents
To pick up a rental car in Cape Verde you need, without exception:
- Valid driving licence
- Passport (or national ID for residents)
- Credit card in the driver's name
- Booking voucher (email, PDF or app)
Missing any of these means pickup is denied — even with the reservation paid. Worth double-checking before heading to the counter.
Driving licence — accepted types
Most Cape Verde agencies accept licences issued by:
- ECOWAS countries
- European Union and the UK
- Brazil, USA, Canada
- PALOP countries
For other origins, an International Driving Permit (IDP) may be required alongside the national licence.
Minimum licence age: most companies require that you've held your licence for at least 1 year. Premium categories may require 2-3 years.
Minimum age and surcharges
- Legal minimum: 18 years
- Some companies/categories: may require 21, 23 or 25 years
- Premium categories: may require more licence history
Young driver surcharge (when applicable): +500 to 1,500 CVE/day at some companies. Check at booking.
No general upper age limit, but drivers 70+ may find restrictions at specific companies.
Credit card — why it's mandatory
Cape Verde follows the global standard: the deposit is held on the credit card (not charged) and released after a clean return. This covers:
- Insurance excess in case of claim
- Traffic or parking fines
- Missing fuel
- Damage to the vehicle
Typical deposit holds:
- Economy: 30,000-50,000 CVE
- Compact / Sedan: 50,000-70,000 CVE
- SUV / 4x4: 70,000-100,000 CVE
- Premium: 100,000+ CVE
Debit cards: accepted at some agencies but with a higher held amount. Bring credit if possible.
Prepaid, virtual, or third-party cards: rejected. Must be physical, in the primary driver's name.
Additional driver
If someone else will drive, they must be registered on the booking. They'll need:
- Valid driving licence (same rules)
- ID document
Typical fee:
- Free at some companies
- 500-1,000 CVE/day at most
- Waived for spouse with marriage document
Driving without being on the booking voids the insurance.
Insurance and excess
At pickup you'll be offered insurance options:
- Basic / third-party (included): covers damage to others. Your vehicle has high excess (1,000-1,500 €).
- CDW (optional): reduces excess to residual values (50-200 €).
- Super CDW (optional, premium): removes excess on most claims.
If you have Visa Gold/Platinum or American Express, check if rental insurance is already included — may skip CDW.
Special cases
Children on board: car seat required for kids up to 12. Book in advance (500-800 CVE/day).
Pets: allowed at most companies in a proper carrier. Request in advance.
Inter-island travel: not allowed. Rental stays on the pickup island.
Unpaved roads: check the contract. Some companies exclude coverage on non-paved roads — only homologated SUVs/4x4s are fully covered.
Checklist before the counter
- Valid driving licence, held 1+ year
- Passport (within validity)
- Physical credit card in my name, with enough limit for deposit
- Booking voucher
- Additional driver docs (if applicable)
- IDP if licence isn't from a standard country
- Category/age/licence-age match the company's requirements
FAQ
What if my card limit is too low for deposit? Pickup is denied. Raise the limit temporarily with your bank before travel.
Can I pay with one card and give deposit on another? Yes at most agencies, as long as both are in the driver's name.
Is the deposit charged and refunded? Not charged — authorised (held). Doesn't show as a transaction. Released 2-10 days after return.
Is a digital licence (phone) valid? Some accept, others require physical. Bring the physical one to be safe.
All set? See the available fleet and book in one place.
