Cuba — Tax Guide, Residency & Cost of Living for Expats

North America · CaribbeanUpdated 2026

Tax Score

20/100Worldwide

Tax Data

Income Tax15% – 50%
Corporate Tax35%
Capital Gains0%
VAT/GST
Wealth TaxNo
Inheritance TaxNo

Residency & Visas

Golden VisaNo
Digital Nomad VisaNo

Cost of Living & Quality of Life

Cost of Living Index35
Safety6/10
Internet5 Mbps
Healthcare7/10
Gasoline$1.94/L

Tax Overview

Cuba applies a worldwide tax system with high progressive rates. Residents are taxed on their global income, which can represent a significant burden for high earners.

Personal Income Tax

Personal income tax in Cuba ranges from 15% – 50% progressively. The top marginal rate is high by regional standards.

Corporate & Capital Gains

The corporate tax rate is 35%, relatively high. There is no capital gains tax — ideal for investors.

Indirect Taxes & Wealth

There is no wealth tax. There is no inheritance tax.

Crypto & Digital Assets

Cuba has an unfavorable crypto tax regime (score 1/5). Rates are high and/or regulations are restrictive.

Compare with other countries

Residency Guide

Relocating to Cuba is possible but with limited options. Visa options are more limited, but residency is achievable through standard pathways.

Visa Options

Cuba does not currently offer a digital nomad visa or golden visa. Foreigners can explore work, investment, or family reunification visas.

Practical Considerations

As a Latin American destination, Cuba offers the advantage of cultural and linguistic proximity for Spanish speakers. Processing costs tend to be lower than in Europe or Asia, and many procedures can be handled with affordable local legal support.

Also consider: Cayman Islands, Bermuda, Bahamas

Lifestyle

Cuba offers a low cost of living, enabling a comfortable lifestyle on a moderate budget.

Cost of Living

With an index of 35 (reference: 100 = New York City), Cuba is significantly cheaper than major world cities. An expat can live comfortably at a fraction of what it would cost in the US or Western Europe.

Safety & Infrastructure

A safety score of 6/10 indicates a generally safe environment, with normal precautions recommended. Internet speed of 5 Mbps — may be limiting for video calls and intensive remote work.

Healthcare

A healthcare score of 7/10 indicates a decent healthcare system. Private health insurance is recommended to supplement public services.

Quality of Life

Cuba has a Human Development Index of 0.764 (classification: high). This reflects good overall standards, though with areas for improvement.

Data: 2026 · Source: manual

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • No capital gains tax
  • No wealth tax
  • No inheritance tax
  • Very low cost of living (index 35)
  • High-quality healthcare system (7/10)
  • Excellent value: affordable and safe

Cons

  • Worldwide tax system — global income taxed
  • High top income tax rate (50%)
  • Unfavorable crypto regime (1/5)
  • Slow internet (5 Mbps)
  • High corporate tax rate (35%)

Frequently Asked Questions

Cuba operates under a worldwide tax system: taxes residents on worldwide income, regardless of where it is earned. The top personal income tax rate is 50%.

About this guide

Researched and maintained by the TuLugar team, based in Asunción, Paraguay.

Data sourced from PwC, Numbeo, UNDP, and Ookla.

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