A Portuguese-speaking country between Senegal and Guinea
Guinea-Bissau's capital is Bissau and its official language is Portuguese, while Kriol serves as the everyday common language. The country also includes the Bijagós archipelago and inland towns such as Bafatá and Gabú.
Bissau-Guinean marriage: the missing data
Our verified notes publish neither the legal age of marriage in Guinea-Bissau, nor the rules on polygamy, nor the procedure for marrying a foreigner. In every case, insist on adulthood at 18 and free consent.
Guinea-Bissau's Civil Code and equality within the couple
According to the World Bank in 2024, a wife is not required to obey her husband, but she cannot be head of household as a man can, under Article 1674 of the Civil Code. The country scores 60 out of 100 on the Marriage indicator.
Divorce possible, remarriage unequal in Bissau
The WBL 2024 snapshot states that a woman can obtain a divorce as a man can, Article 1792 of the Civil Code, but does not have the same right to remarry, Article 1605. Details are on our divorce page for Guinea-Bissau.
A law against domestic violence since 2014
Guinea-Bissau has specific legislation on domestic violence, Law No. 6/2014, the World Bank notes. If a relationship becomes threatening, this law exists; contact a local association or your embassy to be pointed in the right direction.
A WBL score on the rise, without recent reform
Guinea-Bissau's overall Women, Business and the Law score reaches 51.9 out of 100 in 2024, compared with 42.5 in the 2022 regional profile. The World Bank nevertheless records no reform between October 2022 and October 2023.
Dating apps that work in Bissau
No verified site specifically targets Guinea-Bissau. Tinder, available in more than 190 countries, and Bumble require a minimum age of 18; Muslima is aimed at Muslims worldwide. The share of internet users in the country could not be verified.
Safety in Bissau: theft rather than scams
The British FCDO, in its update of 10 December 2025, mentions no romance scams for Guinea-Bissau; it cites pickpocketing and theft of bags and phones in Bissau. Keep your smartphone out of sight on a date.
Online fraud: vigilance is still needed
The absence of a British warning offers no protection from a fake profile claiming to be Bissau-Guinean. According to the FBI, "Confidence/Romance" scams caused nearly 929 million dollars in reported losses in the United States in 2025. Never send money.
LGBT+ people in Guinea-Bissau
The UK government states that same-sex relations are not criminalised in Guinea-Bissau, but that society remains conservative. See our LGBT+ page on Guinea-Bissau for the precautions to take and the apps available.
The Bissau-Guinean diaspora and Senegalese neighbours
A relationship with someone from the Bissau-Guinean diaspora, in Portugal, France or elsewhere, follows the same rules of caution. For an approach to the neighbouring country, read our advice on dating in Senegal, where the legal situation differs.
Three more guides on Guinea-Bissau
For a man-woman relationship and the steps towards marriage, open heterosexual couples in Guinea-Bissau. Older people, widowed or retired, will find an update on pensions and fraud targeting the elderly on Bissau-Guinean seniors.
Sources and tools for Guinea-Bissau
- Banque mondiale, fiche WBL 2024 Guinée-Bissau: Summary of women's rights: divorce, remarriage, head of household, domestic violence and retirement, with the legal articles cited.
- FCDO, sécurité en Guinée-Bissau: British advice updated on 10 December 2025 on crime in Bissau and the LGBT+ situation.
- Tinder: Global app for those aged 18 and over, available in more than 190 countries and 40 languages.
- Muslima: Cupid Media group site for Muslims worldwide, registration from age 18.
Getting off to a good start with someone from Guinea-Bissau
- Choose an app that displays a minimum age of 18 and check your contact's real age.
- Chat in Portuguese, French or English depending on the languages you share, without rushing the relationship.
- Make a video call before travelling to Bissau or inviting the person to your home.
- Arrange your first date in a public place during the day, phone put away and bag closed.
- Ask your embassy about the required documents before any marriage plans.
- Refuse any request for money, whatever the reason, even after several months of exchanges.
What the sources say about Guinea-Bissau
| Key point | What the source says | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Legal age of marriage | Not published in our notes | Not verified |
| Divorce initiated by the wife | Yes, Civil Code Art. 1792 | WBL 2024 |
| Same right to remarry | No, Civil Code Art. 1605 | WBL 2024 |
| Same-sex relations | Not criminalised | FCDO, 10 December 2025 |
| Overall WBL score | 51.9 out of 100 | WBL 2024 |
| Internet use | Not published | Not verified |
Documents to plan for a couple project in Bissau
- Valid passport with a visa suited to the stay
- Recent birth certificate, translated into Portuguese if necessary
- Certificate of capacity to marry or certificate of no impediment, depending on your nationality
- Divorce judgment or death certificate of the previous spouse
- Contact details of your embassy or consulate covering Guinea-Bissau
Missteps to avoid with Guinea-Bissau
- Sending money to a Bissau-Guinean correspondent you have never met, even for a ticket or medical costs.
- Showing off your phone and valuables on a date in Bissau, where the FCDO reports thefts.
- Assuming that a marriage celebrated in Guinea-Bissau gives a right to a European visa without applications or transcription.
- Ignoring the unequal remarriage rule in the Civil Code when preparing a union with a divorced woman.
- Arranging a first date in a private home instead of a busy café or restaurant.
Meeting someone in Guinea-Bissau: your questions
Which language is spoken when dating in Guinea-Bissau?
Portuguese is the official language and Kriol the everyday common language. On an app, suggest the language you genuinely share and do not hesitate to use a translator at first, making sure the person clearly understands your intentions.
Which dating site works in Guinea-Bissau?
There is no verified platform built specifically for the Bissau-Guinean market. Global apps such as Tinder or Bumble, reserved for adults, can be used there, and Muslima is aimed at Muslims worldwide. Always verify identity with a video call.
Can women get divorced in Guinea-Bissau?
Yes. The World Bank stated in 2024 that a woman can obtain a divorce as a man can, under Article 1792 of the Civil Code. However, she does not have the same right to remarry, under Article 1605.
Is Guinea-Bissau safe for a first date?
The FCDO mainly cites pickpocketing and theft of bags or phones in Bissau, without mentioning romance scams. Choose a public place during the day, keep your valuables out of sight and let someone close know.
Useful platforms and organisations
Meetic – Rencontres sérieusesMeetic page dedicated to serious dating for French-speaking singles seeking a lasting relationship, including within the diaspora.
eDarling – Conseils pour une relation sérieuseAdvice published by eDarling, a personality-test-based dating site, on building a serious and lasting relationship.
Action Fraud (UK) – Romance fraudUK national fraud reporting centre, with an awareness campaign dedicated to romance scams and their warning signs.
IRCC Canada – Fraude au mariageOfficial Canadian warning about fraudulent marriages entered into to obtain immigration status.
Indicative list: AfriqueRencontres.com has no commercial link with these organisations. Never send money to someone you only know online.
Information up to date as of October 2026. AfriqueRencontres.com does not arrange meetings and never asks for money: never transfer money to someone you know only online.