Recruit
Background screening is legal in Angola but is not compulsory for most roles. Employers have reasonable freedom to verify a candidate, provided each check is relevant to the job and the candidate knows it is happening.
What employers can check
Employment history and academic qualifications can be verified without particular restriction, and confirming both is worthwhile because qualification fraud is a recognised problem in the local market. Identity and right to work checks matter too, especially for foreign nationals, who need the correct work visa in place before they start.
Criminal record checks
Criminal record screening is permitted where it is pertinent to the position rather than as a blanket policy. It is normally expected in banking and insurance, security roles, teaching, positions involving children or vulnerable people, and jobs handling sensitive government information. The candidate obtains a Certificado de Registo Criminal from the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights and provides it to the employer. Allow time for this, as processing can be slower outside Luanda.
Medical checks
Pre-employment medical examinations are common and are required in some sectors, particularly oil and gas, mining, and construction, where occupational health obligations apply. Testing should be limited to fitness for the specific role rather than general health screening.
Data protection
Angola’s personal data protection law, supervised by the national data protection authority, restricts employers to information that is relevant to the position. Written consent is needed before approaching third parties such as former employers or universities, and candidates must be told what is being collected and why. Credit and social media checks are possible where genuinely relevant, but the same principles apply.
Practical guidance
Set out the checks clearly in your offer process, apply them consistently across candidates for the same role, and keep evidence of consent. If you are hiring in Angola without a local entity, an employer of record can handle screening and the work visa process together.
