Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs (MFA) refreshed its travel advisory for Cape Verde on 19 April, keeping the overall risk level at “exercise normal caution” but adding new language on rising street crime in the tourist hubs of Sal and Boa Vista. The update, posted in the ministry’s Matkustustiedotteet portal, is part of a wider spring review cycle aimed at catching up with post-pandemic tourism rebounds in smaller island states. Although Cape Verde has long marketed itself as a safe, laid-back destination, visitor arrivals from Finland jumped 38 % year-on-year in Q1 2026 as charter capacity returned. Finnish consular staff in Lisbon, who also cover the archipelago, told the MFA that police reports of pick-pocketing and evening-time muggings had doubled in the first quarter. The advisory therefore recommends travellers avoid isolated beach areas after dark, secure valuables in hotel safes and keep copies of passports separate from originals. For corporate mobility teams, the tweak is modest but worth flagging. Renewable-energy firms and telecom contractors have increased rotational deployments to Cape Verde as the islands move ahead with wind- and subsea-cable projects. Employers should brief technicians on basic street-safety measures and ensure travel-insurance policies cover theft of specialised equipment outside work sites.
![Foreign Ministry updates Cape Verde travel advisory, urges vigilance against petty crime]()
Travellers who prefer outsourced support for securing the mandatory Cape Verde e-visa can tap VisaHQ’s Finnish portal (https://www.visahq.com/finland/). The platform streamlines the application process, provides real-time status updates and gives corporate travel managers a dashboard to track multiple employees’ visa requests, freeing mobility teams to focus on on-site safety briefings rather than paperwork.
No COVID-19-related entry rules remain, but the MFA reminds travellers that Cape Verde still requires a prepaid e-visa or airport fee on arrival plus proof of onward travel. Staff posted longer than 30 days must register with the local immigration police. The advisory also reiterates that Finland has no embassy in Praia; consular assistance is handled by the Portuguese or Spanish missions under EU consular-protection rules. Companies arranging leisure extensions for relocating staff should insert the updated advisory link into pre-departure packs and encourage completion of Finland’s online travel notification so that consular officials can reach citizens quickly if security conditions deteriorate.
Travellers who prefer outsourced support for securing the mandatory Cape Verde e-visa can tap VisaHQ’s Finnish portal (https://www.visahq.com/finland/). The platform streamlines the application process, provides real-time status updates and gives corporate travel managers a dashboard to track multiple employees’ visa requests, freeing mobility teams to focus on on-site safety briefings rather than paperwork.
No COVID-19-related entry rules remain, but the MFA reminds travellers that Cape Verde still requires a prepaid e-visa or airport fee on arrival plus proof of onward travel. Staff posted longer than 30 days must register with the local immigration police. The advisory also reiterates that Finland has no embassy in Praia; consular assistance is handled by the Portuguese or Spanish missions under EU consular-protection rules. Companies arranging leisure extensions for relocating staff should insert the updated advisory link into pre-departure packs and encourage completion of Finland’s online travel notification so that consular officials can reach citizens quickly if security conditions deteriorate.
