[REVISION HISTORY]

Cuban legislative reforms in labor and housing

3 recorded revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-15 03:38 UTC → 2026-10-15 12:51 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Cuba has introduced new legislative measures to address socioeconomic changes and property rights. In September 2026, the government published Law 189, a new Labor Code designed to modernize the legal framework. This code formally recognizes remote work, including working from abroad, and removes administrative barriers for holding multiple jobs. It also extends coverage to the non-state sector, such as private enterprises and cooperatives, while introducing protections against discrimination and establishing compensation for job terminations due to structural reasons. Following this, the National Assembly of People's Power enacted Law 187, the new Housing Law, to regulate the access, construction, use, and transfer of real estate. This legislation aims to address the national housing deficit by integrating public, private, and cooperative management models. It establishes specific criteria for determining legitimate occupants of properties left behind by emigrants, focusing on kinship, length of residence, and existing property titles. Under Law 187, ~~individuals are~~ individuals—including foreign nationals—are permitted to own up to two residential properties, with exceptions for properties officially designated as vacation homes. The law also introduces mechanisms for owners to grant the free use of homes through formalized contracts and promotes mediation for disputes between titleholders. To enforce these limits, municipal housing directors may initiate proceedings if an individual exceeds the two-property threshold; if an infraction is proven, authorities may seize the most recently acquired property. Scheduled to enter into force on October 21, 2026, Law 187 updates the 1988 General Housing Law to expand property rights and modernize real estate management. Key updates include the elimination of property confiscation for citizens leaving the country permanently and the removal of certain administrative requirements for transferring property, such as rooftop expansions or vacant lot transfers.

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