By Massimo Boavista2000, Boavista2000: on Boa Vista since 1998, more than 250 apartments built and sold with Daniele Rampini.
Published on 24 October 2026
In shortTo call home from Cape Verde, dial 00 (or +) followed by your country code, for example +44 for the UK, +353 for Ireland or +49 for Germany, and then the number; to call Cape Verde from abroad, dial +238 (or 00 238) and the 7-digit number. Cape Verde is not in the EU, so «roam like at home» does not apply, and UK roaming deals usually do not cover it either: to spend little, get a Cape Verdean SIM from Alou or Unitel T+, or an eSIM, and call on WhatsApp.
Dialling codes
How to call, both ways
- From Cape Verde to home+44, +353…Or 00 and your country code (UK 44, Ireland 353, Germany 49, Netherlands 31), then the number. In most countries you drop the first 0 of the number: a UK mobile 07700 900123 becomes +44 7700 900123.
- From your country to Cape Verde+238Or 00 238, then the 7-digit number.
- Between two Cape Verdean numbers7 digitsJust dial the number, with no code.
Watch the time when you call home: Cape Verde is UTC−1 all year round, with no daylight saving, so it is 1 hour behind the UK in winter and 2 hours behind in summer. All the details on time zone and currency.
Staying connected
Three ways to use your phone on Boa Vista
Cape Verde is not in the European Union: EU «roam like at home» rules do not apply, and the roaming packages of UK networks usually cover Europe but not Cape Verde. With your home SIM, calls and data are charged separately, at your provider’s rates. Check its offers for this destination before you leave.
The cheapest choice if you are staying more than a few days. You buy it in Sal Rei at the operators’ shops and put it in place of your home SIM (or in the second slot). With data you can call and message on WhatsApp just as you do at home.
If your phone supports it, you can buy it online before you leave home and land already connected, without changing card. Unitel T+ sells it on its website: 10 GB for 10 days at €10. Alou also sells it online. International eSIMs for travellers cost more (for example €28 for 5 GB over 7 days).
Handy for a few days or to receive calls and texts (for example security codes from your bank), but the rates depend on your provider and can be high: check before you leave.
The operators
Alou and Unitel T+: the mobile operators of Cape Verde
Cape Verde has two mobile operators. Both have 4G in Sal Rei and over most of the island; in the most remote areas of the interior and on some beaches there may be no signal.
- Alouformerly CVMóvelThis is Cabo Verde Telecom, which since 2023 includes the former CVMóvel. Shop in Sal Rei on Avenida 4 de Julho (tel. +238 251 80 92). Website: alou.cv.
- Unitel T+eSIM tooThe second operator. Shop in Sal Rei on Avenida 4 de Julho (tel. +238 530 31 40). Website: uniteltmais.cv.
- How much data costsfrom €2.70Prices from October 2026 on the operators’ websites: 2 GB for 7 days about €2.70 (300 escudos), 5 GB for 30 days about €6.35 (700 escudos), Unitel T+ eSIM 10 GB for 10 days €10.
Step by step
How to get a Cape Verdean SIM
- Unlocked phoneBefore you leave, check that your phone accepts SIMs from other networks (almost all phones bought SIM-free do).
- At a shop in Sal ReiGo to an Alou or Unitel T+ shop (both are on Avenida 4 de Julho) with your passport: they give you the SIM already cut to the right size and activate it on the spot. Don’t count on finding one at Boa Vista airport.
- Choose your bundleFor a week: with Alou, 2 GB for 7 days at about €2.70, or 5 GB for 30 days at about €6.35 if you use a lot of data. That is enough for WhatsApp, maps and photos. Top-ups are also sold in supermarkets and local shops.
- Call on WhatsAppWith data switched on, you can make voice and video calls home without paying for the call. The SIM usually sets itself up: you don’t need to change any settings.
- Keep your home SIM safePut it somewhere safe (or leave it in the second slot) until your flight home.
Practical tips
- Almost all hotels, bars and restaurants in Sal Rei have wi-fi: ask for the password.
- Download offline maps of Boa Vista before your trips into the interior.
- If you use your home SIM, turn off data roaming and use wi-fi.
- Bring a car charger or a power bank for days out on a quad bike or a boat.
Emergency numbers
- 132 Police
- 130 Ambulance
- 131 Fire brigade
- For health care on the island: hospitals and clinics on Boa Vista.
Before you go
Everything else for your trip
Documents and EASE, money and exchange, what to pack: the complete checklist for a stress-free departure.
Frequently asked questions about phones in Cape Verde
How do I call the UK from Cape Verde?
Dial 00 44 (or +44), then the UK number without its first 0. For other countries use their code instead: +353 for Ireland, +49 for Germany, +31 for the Netherlands.
What is the dialling code for Cape Verde?
+238 (or 00 238), followed by the 7-digit Cape Verdean number.
Does my roaming allowance work in Cape Verde?
Usually not. Cape Verde is not in the European Union, so EU «roam like at home» does not apply, and UK networks’ roaming packages generally cover Europe only. Calls, texts and data with your home SIM are charged at your provider’s rates for this destination: check them before you leave.
Is a Cape Verdean SIM worth it?
Yes: with a SIM bought in Sal Rei you spend about €2.70 for 2 GB valid for 7 days, or about €6.35 for 5 GB valid for 30 days, and you call home on WhatsApp. If you want to land already connected, the Unitel T+ eSIM costs €10 for 10 GB valid for 10 days (October 2026 prices).
Does CVMóvel still exist?
The brand no longer exists: since 2023 CVMóvel has been part of Cabo Verde Telecom, which uses the Alou brand. The other operator is Unitel T+.
Information updated October 2026. Sources: websites of the operators Alou and Unitel T+ (prices read on 24 October 2026; €1 = 110.265 escudos), Cabo Verde Telecom press release on the merger with CVMóvel (2023). Offers change often: check them in the shop. Roaming conditions depend on your own provider: ask it before you travel.