Cuba — Complete Emigration Guide 2026
9,748,007 people · Capital: Havana · Caribbean
Updated H2 2026 · Compiled from official government sources, re-checked on a rolling basis
Overview
Cuba is located in Caribbean, with a population of 9,748,007. Its currency is the Cuban peso. Our database tracks 15 visa pathways for Cuba, each linked to a named source.
See also: Cuba country profile
Compiled from official government sources, re-checked on a rolling basis. See our methodology and data sources.
Visa Pathways (15)
Investment / Golden Visa (3)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inversionista Ley 118/2014 (Foreign Investor — Joint Venture / ZEDM) | — | €534 | 12 mo | 60d |
| Inversores y de Negocios — Diáspora Cubana (DL 117/2026, Cuban Diaspora Investor) | €18/mo | €125 | 12 mo | 37d |
| Residente de Inmobiliarias (Real Estate Resident — Tourist Complex Owner) | — | €193 | 12 mo | 60d |
Study (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residente Temporal — Estudiante / Becario (Student / Scholarship) | — | €534 | 12 mo | 15d |
Research & Academia (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residente Temporal — Técnico / Científico Contratado (Skilled Worker) | — | €534 | 12 mo | 15d |
Family Reunification (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residente Permanente por Reunificación Familiar (Family Reunification PR) | — | €193 | — | 180d |
Spouse & Partner (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ciudadanía por Matrimonio con Cubano (Naturalization via Marriage) | — | — | — | — |
Birthright (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ciudadanía por Nacimiento (Birthright — Jus Sanguinis / Jus Soli) | — | — | — | — |
General Residence (3)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aplication for Residency in Cuba | — | — | — | — |
| Other visas | — | — | 1 mo | — |
| Residente Temporal — Representante Comercial / Agente Negocios | — | €534 | 12 mo | 15d |
Naturalisation & Citizenship (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ciudadanía por Naturalización (Naturalization — General Route) | — | — | — | — |
Religious Workers (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residente Temporal — Religioso (Religious Worker) | — | €534 | 12 mo | 15d |
Media & Journalists (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign Journalist Visa (D-6) | — | — | — | 15d |
Tourism & Short Stay (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarjeta de Turista / e-Visa (Tourist Card / e-Visa) | — | €534 | 3 mo | 10d |
Cost of Living
| Item | Cuba | W. Europe Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR) | €450 | €1,200 | -62% |
| Rent (3BR) | €950 | €2,000 | -52% |
| Groceries | €150 | €350 | -57% |
| Transport | €25 | €80 | -69% |
| Utilities | €70 | €150 | -53% |
| Dining (meal) | €8 | €15 | -47% |
Salary & Employment
| Sector | Median (gross, €/yr) |
|---|---|
| Construction | €6,500 |
| Education | €5,500 |
| Engineering | €9,500 |
| Finance | €11,000 |
| Healthcare | €7,000 |
| Hospitality | €5,000 |
| IT | €12,000 |
| Retail | €4,000 |
Shortage Occupations
- Medical Professionals (Healthcare)
- Software Developers (Information Technology)
- Skilled Trades (Construction)
Tax
Healthcare
Education
| University | QS Rank | English Progs | Tuition (Intl) |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Havana | — | 28 | €0 |
| Central University of Las Villas | — | 18 | €0 |
| University of Santiago de Cuba | — | 15 | €0 |
| University of Oriente | — | 12 | €0 |
| Agrarian University of Havana | — | 10 | €0 |
Practical Info
Banking
Driving
Phone & Internet
Credentials
Quality of Life
Official sources
The visa data on this page is compiled from official government sources — 15 of the 15 pathways link directly to the government page they were verified against, and 13 financial requirements below carry the exact quote from the official source. Values that fail verification are removed, not guessed — see the live verification freshness index.
- gacetaoficial.gob.cu · 8 pathways · verified 2026-06-23
- gacetaoficial.gob.cu · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-08
- gacetaoficial.gob.cu · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-08
- misiones.cubaminrex.cu · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-23
- cubaminrex.cu · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-24
- gacetaoficial.gob.cu · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-22
- evisacuba.cu · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-08
- cpi.cubaminrex.cu · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-20
Verified requirements — exact official citations
Each figure below was verified verbatim against the official page linked, on the date shown.
Inversores y de Negocios — Diáspora Cubana (DL 117/2026, Cuban Diaspora Investor) · 2 verified requirements
Requirement: “Resolución 93/2026 (citada por elToque): 'El impuesto sobre documentos fijado para la solicitud de la condición migratoria Inversores y de Negocios es 3 500 CUP'. 3500 CUP × 0.0358 EUR/CUP (FX oficial junio 2026) = €125.” — gacetaoficial.gob.cu
Minimum investment: “Artículo 1. Instituir la condición migratoria de Inversores y de Negocios... Artículo 1.1 [Decreto 150]: ...cumplen los requisitos y formalidades siguientes: a) Presentar la solicitud por escrito, donde se fundamente la petición; y b) aportar un aval del órgano, organismo de la…” — gacetaoficial.gob.cu, 2026-07-07
Residente de Inmobiliarias (Real Estate Resident — Tourist Complex Owner) · 2 verified requirements
Requirement: “USD 208 = €193 carnet residencia.” — gacetaoficial.gob.cu
Minimum investment: “Artículo 44. La clasificación migratoria de residente de inmobiliaria comprende a los propietarios o arrendatarios de viviendas en complejos inmobiliarios o construcciones independientes destinadas a estos fines... Artículo 139.1.d) demostrar solvencia económica mediante el…” — gacetaoficial.gob.cu, 2026-07-07
Residente Temporal — Estudiante / Becario (Student / Scholarship) · 2 verified requirements
Requirement: “USD 575 visa D-2 + USD 208 carnet = USD 783 = €727.” — gacetaoficial.gob.cu
Savings / proof of funds: “En la subclasificacion de estudiantes y becarios, se encuentran los extranjeros admitidos en la Republica de Cuba a cargo de un centro de estudio, investigaciones o adiestramiento, conforme a los programas de intercambio, cooperacion y colaboracion extranjera en materia…” — gacetaoficial.gob.cu, 2026-07-06
Residente Permanente por Reunificación Familiar (Family Reunification PR) · 2 verified requirements
Requirement: “USD 208 = €193 carnet Residencia Permanente per MINREX aranceles 2026.” — gacetaoficial.gob.cu
Minimum income: “Artículo 49. Pueden solicitar la clasificación migratoria de residente permanente los extranjeros que se encuentren en alguno de los supuestos siguientes: a) Tener constituida una familia ... con ciudadana o ciudadano cubano que tenga residencia efectiva en el país ... b) ser…” — gacetaoficial.gob.cu
Inversionista Ley 118/2014 (Foreign Investor — Joint Venture / ZEDM) · 1 verified requirement
Minimum investment: “ARTÍCULO 21.1.- La aprobación para efectuar inversiones extranjeras en el territorio nacional se otorga atendiendo al sector, la modalidad y las características de la inversión extranjera, por los órganos del Estado siguientes: a) el Consejo de Estado; b) el Consejo de…” — gacetaoficial.gob.cu, 2026-07-07
Ciudadanía por Nacimiento (Birthright — Jus Sanguinis / Jus Soli) · 1 verified requirement
Requirement: “Inscripción de nacimiento es gratuita; formalidades consulares para nacidos exterior tienen tasa mínima (~USD 50) pero no es 'fee' migratorio.” — gacetaoficial.gob.cu
Tarjeta de Turista / e-Visa (Tourist Card / e-Visa) · 1 verified requirement
Requirement: “USD 575 = €534 (FX 0.93). Tarjeta MINREX 2026 per directoriocubano.info + cubatramite.com.” — evisacuba.cu
Residente Temporal — Religioso (Religious Worker) · 1 verified requirement
Requirement: “USD 575 visa D-6 + USD 208 carnet = USD 783 = €727.” — gacetaoficial.gob.cu
Residente Temporal — Técnico / Científico Contratado (Skilled Worker) · 1 verified requirement
Requirement: “USD 575 (visa D-3) + USD 208 (carnet residencia temporal) = USD 783 = €727 total. Componentes separados en fee_components.” — gacetaoficial.gob.cu
Frequently Asked Questions
How many visa pathways does Cuba have?
Our database tracks 15 visa pathways for Cuba across 11 categories, the largest being Investment / Golden Visa, General Residence, Naturalisation & Citizenship. Each entry links to a named source — 75% direct to an official government portal, the rest to a named embassy or professional reference while we complete direct verification.
What is the minimum income for the Inversores y de Negocios — Diáspora Cubana (DL 117/2026, Cuban Diaspora Investor)?
The Inversores y de Negocios — Diáspora Cubana (DL 117/2026, Cuban Diaspora Investor) lists a minimum income of EUR 18 per month, according to the official source (last checked 2026-06-08).
What is the average salary in Cuba?
The average gross salary in Cuba is EUR 40 per month. The statutory minimum wage is EUR 75 per month.
How much does rent cost in Cuba?
A one-bedroom apartment in Cuba averages EUR 450 per month, and a three-bedroom apartment averages EUR 950 per month.
What is the top income tax rate in Cuba?
The top personal income tax rate in Cuba is 50%.
How long does it take to qualify for citizenship in Cuba?
Among the pathways we track, the Ciudadanía por Matrimonio con Cubano (Naturalization via Marriage) lists 2 years to citizenship. Timelines vary by route and personal circumstances — check the official source for your case.
Start Preparing for Cuba
Still shortlisting? See our data-driven ranking of the best countries to move to in 2026 — Top 10 overall plus picks for digital nomads, retirees, skilled workers, families, and low-cost living.