Cape Verde Gay Travel Index 2026
Score = Legal 44/60 + Scene 19/40 = 63/100
Updated 7 Oct 2026 · release 2026.3.
A live score, not an annual report — it recomputes as laws, rulings and the scene itself change. See what moved in 2026.
Legal composite · Legal milestones · Scene on the ground · Plan your trip · Frequently asked questions
Legal composite — 44/60 points
| Criminalization | Legal |
|---|---|
| Partnership | ● No not recognised |
| Anti-discrimination | ● Yes |
| Gender recognition | Not possible — no legal gender recognition |
| Enforcement reality | Protective — the state actively protects LGBTQ+ people |
Research note: Hate-crime law 2015; top global public acceptance — GayOut Index 2026.3 legal research (ILGA World / Human Dignity Trust / Rainbow Europe / Equaldex).
Legal composite, five components
Fulfilment per component (100 = maximum). Weights: criminalisation 35% · partnership 20% · enforcement 20% · anti-discrimination 15% · gender recognition 10%.
Legal milestones
Background, not travel advice — how the current status came to be. For planning a trip, rely on the current score, tier and scene sections above; 2026 movements are tracked in the sourced change log.
- 1886The Portuguese colonial Penal Code criminalized so-called unnatural acts across Cape Verde. ↗
- 2004Cape Verde decriminalized homosexual conduct and set an equal age of consent for all. ↗
- 2008Labour Code amendments banned employment discrimination based on sexual orientation. ↗
- 2013Mindelo hosted the country's first pride parade, and a national gay association was established. ↗
- 2015Hate crime laws were expanded to cover sexual orientation and gender identity. ↗
- TodayCape Verde stood among Africa's most LGBT-friendly nations with broad acceptance, though same-sex marriage remained unrecognized. ↗
Sources: ILGA World · Human Dignity Trust · Equaldex. Each milestone links to a reference source ↗.
Scene on the ground — 19/40 points
Detailed scene metrics (for researchers)
| Gay bars per million | 0 |
|---|---|
| Saunas per million | 0 |
| Events per million | 0 |
| Coverage grade | A |
| Scene score | 19/40 (raw scene index 48/100) |
Frequently asked questions
Is Cape Verde safe for gay travellers?
Cape Verde is rated Some caution on the GayOut Gay Travel Index 2026, scoring 63/100 overall with a legal safety component of 44/60. On enforcement reality, the state actively protects LGBTQ+ people.
Is same-sex marriage legal in Cape Verde?
No. Same-sex marriage is not legal in Cape Verde. Overall legal status: Legal.
Does Cape Verde have a gay scene?
Yes. GayOut lists 13 LGBTQ+ venues in Cape Verde, including 0 dedicated gay bars, across 1 cities with a scene, and tracks 1 Pride parades there.
Which city in Cape Verde has the biggest gay scene?
Praia has the largest documented LGBTQ+ scene in Cape Verde, with 5 venues listed in the GayOut directory.