Cuba entry requirements for Belgium passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 17, 2026·View sources
eVisa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Belgian passport holders need an eVisa to visit Cuba. The application is done entirely online before you travel. This requirement is in place for 2026, so plan ahead.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| eVisa application Apply before departure | You need a Cuban Tourist Card (eVisa) before you fly. Apply at the Cuba Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal — the process takes about 5 minutes and costs around $85 USD. Print the approval and carry it with your passport; airlines check this at check-in.Apply for eVisa | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for your entire stay | Your Belgian passport must be valid for the full duration of your trip. Cuba does not enforce a 6-month validity rule, but airlines sometimes do — check with your carrier before departure. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Required for entry | Immigration officers at Havana Airport always ask for proof of onward travel. Have a printed or digital copy of your return flight or a ticket out of Cuba ready. Without it, you may be denied boarding or entry. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Recommended to carry | Officers rarely ask for hotel bookings, but having a printed reservation for your first few nights helps if questioned. If you're staying at a casa particular, the host's name and address are usually enough. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Recommended to carry | You are not required to show a specific amount, but carrying around $200–$300 in cash (EUR or USD) covers the typical 30-day stay. Credit cards from US banks do not work in Cuba — bring cash. | Recommended |
eVisa is mandatory — no exceptions
Belgian passport holders cannot enter Cuba without an approved eVisa. There is no visa-on-arrival option. Apply well in advance to avoid last-minute issues.
Keep digital copies of everything
Save your eVisa approval, passport, and return ticket as PDFs on your phone and in cloud storage. In case you lose your phone, you'll still have access.
What happens at the border
1
Apply for the eVisa
Go to the official Cuban eVisa website (or the embassy's designated portal). Fill in your personal details, passport info, and travel dates. Pay the fee (typically around €30-50, depending on processing speed). Submit and wait for approval — usually takes 3-5 business days, but apply at least 2 weeks before your trip.
2
Prepare your documents
Print or save digital copies of your eVisa approval, passport, return ticket, and accommodation booking. Keep them in a folder or on your phone for easy access at check-in and immigration.
3
Arrive at the airport
At Brussels Airport or any other departure point, show your eVisa approval at check-in. You'll also need your passport and return ticket. Board your flight to Havana (HAV) or other Cuban airports.
4
Go through immigration in Cuba
At Havana's José Martí International Airport (or Varadero, etc.), join the foreign passport queue. Present your passport, eVisa approval, and return ticket. The officer may ask about your accommodation — have the address ready. They'll stamp your passport and you're in.
Download Cuba Entry Checklist
PDF · Belgium Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 17, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist Visa (single entry)
Max stay30 days, extendable 30 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost€30 (~$33 USD)
Standard option for tourism; apply online or at embassy.
Tourist Visa (multiple entry)
Max stay30 days per entry, extendable
Validity6 months
Cost€60 (~$66 USD)
For frequent visitors; must show travel history.
Business Visa
Max stay30 days, extendable
Validity3 months
Cost€50 (~$55 USD)
Requires invitation letter from Cuban entity.
work visa
Work Visa (Residencia Temporal por Trabajo)
1 year, renewable
~€100 (~$110 USD) + fees
For those with a job offer from a Cuban employer. Requires contract and approval from Ministry of Labor.
student visa
Student Visa (Residencia por Estudios)
Duration of studies, renewable annually
~€50 (~$55 USD)
For enrollment in a recognized Cuban educational institution. Requires acceptance letter.
investor visa
Investor Visa (Residencia por Inversión)
2 years, renewable
~€500 (~$550 USD)
For significant investment in Cuban business or real estate. Minimum investment amount varies.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist eVisa (single entry)Required for Belgian passport holders; apply online before travel. | €30 (~$33 USD) |
| TDAC (Travel Declaration) feeMandatory pre-arrival health form; pay online. | €20 (~$22 USD) |
| Stay extension (per 30 days)Possible at immigration offices; subject to approval. | €25 (~$27 USD) |
| Overstay fine (per day)Maximum cap of €200 (~$220 USD). | €10 (~$11 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete documentation20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Cuba
No transit visa needed
Belgian passport holders transiting through Cuba do not need a transit visa if staying airside and not passing through immigration.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
- If leaving the airport or staying overnight, a tourist visa is required.
Transit hubsJosé Martí International Airport (HAV) · Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport (VRA) · Antonio Maceo Airport (SCU)
Health & vaccines for Cuba
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedTetanus-diphtheria-pertussisEssentialMeasles-mumps-rubellaEssentialCOVID-19Essential
Health risks
DengueModerate risk
Mosquito-borne; use repellent and avoid standing water.
ZikaLow risk
Risk is low but present; pregnant women should take precautions.
Traveler's diarrheaModerate risk
Common due to food/water contamination; drink bottled water.
Malaria risk: low
Risk is low in most tourist areas; prophylaxis not routinely recommended but consult a doctor.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Havana
Dirección de Inmigración y Extranjería
Calle 22 No. 105, Vedado, Havana
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30
Main office for extensions; bring passport, visa, and proof of funds.
Varadero
Oficina de Inmigración Varadero
Calle 60, Varadero
Mon–Fri 09:00–16:00
Smaller office; expect longer wait times.
Practical information for BE travellers
Country basics
CapitalHavana
LanguageSpanish
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US driver's license for up to 30 days.
Money
CurrencyCuban Peso (CUP)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 24 CUP
Time zone
Local timeUTC-5
vs New Yorksame timezone
vs Los Angeles+3h
Electricity
Voltage110V / 60Hz
Plug types
A,BTwo flat parallel pins (Type A) or two flat pins with a round grounding pin (Type B), same as US/Canada.
✓ No adapter needed for US plugs
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; stick to bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
Typically 3-5 business days, but it can take up to 2 weeks during peak travel seasons. Apply at least 2 weeks before your departure to be safe.
The fee varies by processing speed — usually around €30 for standard processing and up to €50 for express. Check the official eVisa portal for the exact amount in euros.
No, the eVisa does not allow extensions. You must leave before your authorized stay expires. If you need more time, you'd have to apply for a different visa type before traveling.
If you're staying airside and not passing through immigration, you don't need a visa. But if you leave the transit area (e.g., to take a connecting flight the next day), you need the eVisa.
Renew your passport first. The 6-month validity is counted from your entry date into Cuba. If your passport expires sooner, you'll be denied boarding or entry.
No, the eVisa is entirely online. You don't need to visit the embassy. The application is submitted through the official portal, and you receive the approval by email.
Your passport (valid 6+ months), the eVisa approval (printed or on your phone), your return ticket, and proof of accommodation for your first night. Have them ready in a folder.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 17, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.