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How to buy a house in Cuba if you live abroad

Updated 19 October 2026 · 6 min read

More and more Cubans living in Miami, Madrid or any other city want a home on the island: for the family, to return to one day or as an investment. You can start from far away, but it needs to be done in the right order. These are the steps and precautions we recommend.

First things first: who can buy?

It depends on your situation. Cubans resident in Cuba and foreigners with permanent residence can buy a home. If you live abroad, the conditions vary with your migration and residence status, and many families handle it through a relative who lives in Cuba. Each option has different legal consequences, so check with a Cuban notary before sending any money.

The new Housing Law 187 refers to sales between "Cuban or foreign" persons (article 89) and allows up to two homes per person, plus one holiday home. It is a brand-new law: confirm with the notary how it applies to your specific case before committing.

Watch out for the new Migration Law: Law 171 on Migration comes into force on 1 November 2026. Time abroad is no longer measured with the old 24-month limit: "effective migratory residence" is introduced instead. It is recognised, for example, for people who spent more than 180 days in Cuba in the previous year, and people with more than 120 days of presence and ties to the country — such as family or a property — can apply for it. Those who were already emigrants do not lose that status automatically and can apply for "resident abroad" status. Since residence is key to buying, confirm your situation with the consulate or a notary.

If you live in the United States, also bear in mind that OFAC rules generally restrict people under US jurisdiction from buying or leasing real estate in Cuba without an authorisation.

Step by step

1. 1
   Define what you are looking forArea, budget and what you want it for: living in, renting out or a place for the family. That way you quickly rule out what doesn't fit.
2. 2
   See the house even from far awayAsk for photos of every room and a live video call walking through the home: facade, ceilings, bathrooms, kitchen, wiring and water.
3. 3
   Check that the seller is the ownerTitle deed and Property Registry certificate in the seller's name, with no charges or disputes. Full list of documents.
4. 4
   Decide how you will buyIn person, in the name of a relative who lives in Cuba, or through a power of attorney. Confirm it with the notary before committing.
5. 5
   Payment always without cash and before a notaryFrom 21 October 2026 the law requires payment with a bank instrument or any other means that is not cash (Law 187, article 90). Agree with the notary how it will be done and how it will be proven before moving the money.
6. 6
   Signing and registrationThe deed is signed before a notary in the province where the home is located and the sale is entered in the Property Register. In Habana Vieja and Centro Habana, within the area of the City Historian's Office, its authorisation may also be needed.

What affects the price most

• The exact location: neighbourhood, street and nearby services.
• Its real condition: roof, structure, wiring and water.
• The real square metres, including yard, terrace or roof.
• Whether the paperwork is in order: a house with a clear legal status holds its value better.

This guide offers general information and is not a substitute for legal advice from a notary. Conditions depend on each buyer's situation and on the property; always confirm your case before paying or signing.