Cuba

Caribbean

Caribbean

A low-cost Caribbean nation with a 5-year citizenship path and low university tuition, but serious economic and political risk, a weaker passport and high taxes.

–
Overall score
Insufficient data · 76% data coverage
Language
Spanish
Currency
CUP
Citizenship
5 years (discretionary)
Personal tax
Progressive; rates vary by income type
Cost of living
$700 / mo (single; availability varies)

Rules change often. Confirm any immigration, tax or legal decision with a qualified professional.

Score breakdown
32
Access
17%
34Residence12%
28Citizenship and passport5%
–
Earning power
25%
–Salary and work12%
–Buying power13%
41
Business and wealth
20%
45Taxes7%
31Business8%
50Investment5%
71
Daily life
25%
70Quality of life18%
74Education7%
24
Rights and institutions
13%
15Freedom6%
32Rule of law7%

Rights and institutions (24) is below the 30 floor, so the overall score cannot be finalised yet.

Pros

  • A 5-year citizenship path
  • Low university tuition

Cons

  • Serious economic and political risk
  • A weaker passport
  • High taxes

Best for

Students

Score profile

Access
Residence
34
Citizenship
22
Passport
49
Earning power
Salary & work
–
Buying power
–
Cost of living
52
Economy
45
Business and wealth
Taxes
45
Personal tax
45
Corporate tax
0
Business
31
Investment
50
Wealth building
–
Daily life
Safety
65
Healthcare
84
Environment
94
Infrastructure
53
Education
74
HDI
76
Rights and institutions
Freedom
15
Rule of law
32
How the scores are calculated

Access

Residence
Openness to residents
Limited
34
Migrant stock0.0% of population (2024)
Regulatory quality-1.44 (−2.5 to 2.5) (2024)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Main pathways
EmploymentStudyFamily reunificationBusiness or investment where eligible
StudentRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
WorkRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
Self-employedRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
PermanentRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
Citizenship
Citizenship accessibility
Low
22
Years required5 years (discretionary)
Dual allowedNo
LanguageCheck the current naturalisation rules for the selected route
ResidenceTypical headline route: 5 years (discretionary); qualifying residence and absence rules apply
NotesRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
Passport
Passport power
Moderate
49
98 / 198
Mobility
#53
Global rank
Yes
Biometric
  • Visa-free53
  • On arrival40
  • eTA5
  • Visa required100

Placeholder estimates for 2024 to 2025. Check entry rules with each destination before travelling.

Earning power

Salary & work
Labour-market strength
Data not available
–
Unemployment1.7% (2025)
Participation52.2% of 15+ (2025)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Tech salary (estimate)Varies substantially by city, seniority, and employer
FreelanceMarket access depends on language, sector, and work authorisation
Job marketUse current local vacancy and salary data for role-specific decisions.
Buying power
Purchasing power score
Data not available
–
Cost of living
Affordability
Moderate
52
RentVaries substantially by city and neighbourhood
Monthly$700 / mo (single; availability varies)
CitiesHavana, Santiago de Cuba
Economy
Economic strength
Moderate
45
Output & income
GDP$107.4B (2020)
GDP / person$9,605 (2020)
GDP growth-1.1% / yr (2024)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Stability & labour
Unemployment1.7% (2025)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Sector composition
Agriculture1.2% of GDP (2024)
Industry23.8% of GDP (2024)
Services73.4% of GDP (2024)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Main industries
TourismSugar & tobaccoNickel miningPharmaceuticals & biotechMedical services
Top exports
Medical servicesNickelTobacco (cigars)SugarRum
TypeLower-middle-income, state-led economy
Key sectorsTourism, Biotech & medical-service exports, Nickel mining
SummaryA centrally planned economy reliant on tourism, medical-service exports, nickel and a notable biotech sector.
CurrencyCuban peso (multiple rates; chronic shortages)

Business and wealth

Taxes
Tax friendliness
Moderate
45
PersonalProgressive; rates vary by income type
CorporateGenerally 35%
Capital gainsTreatment varies by asset, holding structure, residence, and treaty position
DividendsRates and withholding depend on residence and treaty eligibility
Exit taxCheck current domestic rules before changing tax residence
Foreign companiesManagement, permanent-establishment, CFC, and reporting rules may apply
Personal tax
Personal tax
Moderate
45
PersonalProgressive; rates vary by income type
FreelanceRegistration, immigration permission, tax, and social contributions may apply
Capital gainsTreatment varies by asset, holding structure, residence, and treaty position
DividendsRates and withholding depend on residence and treaty eligibility
Exit taxCheck current domestic rules before changing tax residence
Corporate tax
Corporate tax
Low
0
CorporateGenerally 35%
Capital gainsTreatment varies by asset, holding structure, residence, and treaty position
DividendsRates and withholding depend on residence and treaty eligibility
Foreign companiesManagement, permanent-establishment, CFC, and reporting rules may apply
Business
Business friendliness
Limited
31
Regulation & bureaucracy
Regulatory quality-1.44 (−2.5 to 2.5) (2024)
Government effectiveness-0.27 (−2.5 to 2.5) (2024)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Operating rules
Foreign companyGenerally possible, subject to sector, registration, tax, and substance rules
Local companyAvailable company forms and capital requirements vary
FreelanceRegistration, immigration permission, tax, and social contributions may apply
Investment
Investing environment
Moderate
50
Capital gainsTreatment varies by asset, residence, holding period, and treaty position
DividendsData not available yet
ETFs & fundsData not available yet
Wealth taxCheck current national and subnational rules
BrokersLocal and international availability varies by residency and compliance checks
Foreign accessData not available yet
Tax-advantagedData not available yet
Wealth building
Wealth accumulation
Data not available
–
Salary & work
Data not available
–
Business
Limited
31
Investment
Moderate
50
Tax friendliness
Moderate
45
Cost of living
Moderate
52

Daily life

Safety
Safety & stability
Good
65
Personal safety
Homicide rate4.5 per 100,000 (2019)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Institutions & stability
Control of corruption-0.23 (−2.5 to 2.5) (2024)
Political stability0.32 (−2.5 to 2.5) (2024)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Check current government travel and security advice before relocating.

Healthcare
Healthcare score
Excellent
84
Outcomes
Life expectancy78.3 years (2024)
Under-5 mortality8.6 per 1,000 births (2024)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Capacity & resourcing
Physicians9.54 per 1,000 (2021)
Hospital beds4.33 per 1,000 (2023)
Health spending$2,575 PPP / person (2023)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

System & costs
SystemPublic/private mix varies by eligibility and residence status
InsuranceCheck residence-permit and local coverage requirements
Average costDepends on eligibility, income, insurer, and chosen coverage
Environment
Environment score
Excellent
94
Environmental pressure
PM2.5 exposure9.4 μg/m³ annually (2023)
Water stress23.9% (2022)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Infrastructure
Infrastructure score
Moderate
53
Digital infrastructure
Internet use70.5% (2024)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Utilities
Electricity access100.0% (2023)
Grid losses18.7% of output (2023)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Transport
Transport quality2.20 / 5 (2022)
Rail density48.9 km / 1,000 km² (2007)
Air connectivity155 departures / million people (2023)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Education
Education score
Good
74
Attainment
Expected schooling13.9 years (2023)
Mean schooling10.6 years (2023)

Source: UNDP Human Development Report 2025

Participation & investment
Tertiary enrolment43% gross (2024)
Education spending8.4% of GDP (2022)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

TuitionPublic system; access depends on status
Public universityVaries by institution, programme, and student nationality
LanguagesSpanish
Student workRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
HDI
Human development score
Good
76
HDI0.762 (2023)

Source: UNDP Human Development Report 2025

Long & healthy life
Life expectancy78.1 years (2023)

Source: UNDP Human Development Report 2025

Knowledge
Expected schooling13.9 years (2023)
Mean schooling10.6 years (2023)

Source: UNDP Human Development Report 2025

Standard of living
GNI / person$8,415 PPP (2023)

Source: UNDP Human Development Report 2025

Rights and institutions

Freedom
Freedom score
Low
15
Freedom in the World11 / 100 (Not free)
Freedom on the Net21 / 100 (Not free)
Sources
Rule of law
Rule of law score
Limited
32
Rule of Law percentile32 / 100
Sources
Resources
Official references
UN Statistics: M49 country and area codesunstats.un.orgPwC: Worldwide Tax Summariestaxsummaries.pwc.comUNDP Human Development Report 2025hdr.undp.orgWorld Bank World Development Indicatorsdata.worldbank.org
Quick links
Cuba visa & immigrationgoogle.comCuba tax residency rulesgoogle.comCuba citizenship requirementsgoogle.comCost of living in Cubagoogle.com

Data is illustrative. Not legal or tax advice.