Cuba to implement new migration laws and faces shifting internal demographics

Cuba is set to implement a new migration framework on November 1, 2026, following the publication of Laws 171, 172, and 173. This legislation replaces the previous ‘24-month rule,’ which categorized Cubans as emigrants after two years abroad. Under the new system, status will be determined by ‘effective migratory residence,’ based on the number of days spent in Cuba annually.

The new laws affect how citizens living abroad interact with the island, including passport usage, property ownership, and investment capabilities. While the laws were approved in July 2024, they remained unpublished until May 2026. Currently, only the provisions regarding investor and business status are in effect.

Simultaneously, internal migration patterns in Cuba show a continued trend of movement from eastern to western provinces. Havana remains the primary destination, seeing a net gain of over 21,000 people in 2025. Provinces such as Granma, Santiago de Cuba, and Holguín are experiencing significant population losses. Recent data also indicates an increase in the mobility of elderly populations, with over 21% of internal migrants in Havana and Villa Clara being over the age of 60.