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Power of attorney: how to sell your house in Cuba without travelling

Updated 19 October 2026 · 6 min read

Thousands of Cubans living abroad have unfinished business on the island: selling the family home, handling an inheritance, finishing paperwork left half-done when they emigrated. Going back to Cuba for every step isn't always possible — and that's where a power of attorney comes in.

What is a power of attorney?

It is a legal document through which one person (the grantor) authorises another (the attorney-in-fact) to act on their behalf before Cuban institutions. With a power of attorney that includes the necessary authority, the attorney-in-fact can sell, buy, donate or carry out any other procedure on a property, as if they were the owner.

Where to get it if you live abroad

If you live outside Cuba, you cannot grant the power of attorney from the island: it must be done at the Cuban consulate in your country of residence, or before a foreign notary with the document later legalised in Cuba. This applies even if you travel to Cuba on a visit — if your migration status is that of an emigrant, the procedure is done abroad.

From 1 November 2026, under Law 171 on Migration, the migration categories change: "effective migratory residence" is introduced, and people who are emigrants today will be able to apply for "resident abroad" status. Before granting the power of attorney, check with the consulate how your case is affected.

Documents you will need

• Your identity document (ID card or valid passport).
• The documents for the specific matter the power of attorney covers — for example, the title deed of the home you want to sell.
• The full details of the person you will appoint as your attorney-in-fact.

Steps in the process

1. 1
   Check with the notary's office in CubaExactly which powers the document needs before you grant it.
2. 2
   Go to the Cuban consulateIn your country of residence, with your ID and the property documents.
3. 3
   The power of attorney is drafted and signedBefore the relevant consular or notarial officer.
4. 4
   Legalisation, if applicableSince 7 January 2026, under Notary Law 175, powers of attorney signed at a Cuban consulate no longer need to be legalised to be used in Cuba. If you sign it before a foreign notary, it does need to be legalised.
5. 5
   Your attorney-in-fact acts in CubaOnce the power of attorney is valid, they can present it at the notary's office and move the process forward.

General or special power of attorney

A power of attorney can be limited to a single specific act (for example, selling a particular home) or cover a wider range of matters. The more specific it is, the clearer it will be for the notary in Cuba what your attorney-in-fact can and cannot do.

Mistakes that most often complicate this process

• Granting a power of attorney that is too general, without the specific powers a sale requires.
• Appointing someone who can't go to the notary's office in Cuba when needed.
• Not legalising the document when it was issued outside a Cuban consulate.
• Waiting until you have a buyer before starting the power of attorney.

This guide offers general information and is not a substitute for legal advice from a notary or the relevant consulate. Requirements, fees and procedures may vary by country and consulate; always confirm current conditions before starting the process.