Permanent and provisional residence under the new Ley 173 de Extranjería
The new Ley 173 creates a two-step system: provisional residence, a step towards citizenship, and permanent residence. Grounds for permanent residence go well beyond marriage to a Cuban. They include being a parent of a Cuban by birth who lives in Cuba, more than five years' residence with proven ties, and recognised high qualifications or international prestige. Significant assets or bank accounts in Cuba also qualify. Permanent residents can work without a work permit.
1 entry rule for Cuba based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Yellow fever certificate needed after a stay in countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (WHO list)
Travellers aged 9 months and over arriving from a yellow fever risk country (or after more than 12 hours' airport transit in one) need a valid yellow fever certificate.
WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1: Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring proof of vaccination against yellow fever (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) WHO ITH Country List: Vaccination requirements and WHO recommendations for international travellers, 2022 edition (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) Checked October 19, 2026
Life in Cuba
Money
2
Currency
Cuban Peso
CUP
Cuban Peso
Tax
5–50%
Income tax (national)
Sales tax 10% · social security 5%
Annual sworn-declaration scale (self-employed, artists, etc.): 5% up to CUP 25,000 rising to 50% above CUP 1,000,000; salaried workers pay the tax on wages through withholding under separate rules.
Living
1
Happiness
#2 of 2 countries
World Happiness Report 2011
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Long-term foreign residents, parents of Cuban citizens, highly qualified professionals, and foreigners with significant assets in Cuba.
Eligibility
Parents of Cubans
Parents of Cuban citizens by birth who have effective residence in Cuba.
Long residence
Foreigners who have lived in Cuba more than five years and can show ties (arraigo).
Qualifications or prestige
People with higher qualifications, expertise or international prestige in science, sport, culture or the arts, endorsed by state bodies.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementAssets
- Document checklistApplication under Ley 173 and Decreto 137 de 2025
- FeesResidence fees (documentary stamp tax)
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 2 more requirements
- 1 document
- 1 fee
- 3 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Cuba
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
