Cuba Business Registration Guide 2026

Overview — Business Registration in Cuba

Cuba's business registration landscape has transformed significantly since the economic reforms of 2020–2021, which expanded the private sector beyond self-employment to include small and medium-sized enterprises (PYMEs) and non-agricultural cooperatives. Business registration involves multiple government agencies depending on the business form. The Registro de Entidades at the Municipal Administration handles entity registration, while ONAT handles tax registration. The Ministry of Economy and Planning (MEP) and the Chamber of Commerce also play roles for certain business types. Cuba has made efforts to streamline the registration process, but bureaucracy and administrative delays remain challenges.

Business Structures

The main business structures available in Cuba are:

• State Enterprise (Empresa Estatal) — state-owned enterprise operating under a state budget or self-financing regime. Still dominates the economy.
• Private SME (PYME) — small and medium-sized private enterprise introduced under the 2021 reforms. Can be individual or collective ownership. Most common form for new private businesses.
• Non-Agricultural Cooperative (Cooperativa No Agropecuaria) — worker-owned cooperative in sectors such as construction, transport, services, and manufacturing.
• Agricultural Cooperative (Cooperativa de Produccion Agropecuaria) — agricultural production cooperative with preferential tax treatment (15% CIT).
• Self-Employed (Trabajador por Cuenta Propia) — individual economic activity under a licenced trade or profession. Most common form with over 600,000 licence holders.
• Joint Venture (Empresa Mixta) — foreign investment vehicle under Law 118/2014 with Cuban state partner.
• International Economic Association (AEI) — contractual joint venture without separate legal personality.

Registration Process — PYME (Private SME)

The typical registration process for a private SME (PYME) involves:

• Step 1 — Define activity — determine the economic activity code (CNAE) from the approved list of permissible private sector activities
• Step 2 — Prepare documents — draft bylaws (Estatutos Sociales), identify shareholders and management, and prepare business plan
• Step 3 — Register with Municipal Administration — submit documents to the Registro de Entidades at the local Municipal Administration. Processing time 7–15 days.
• Step 4 — Obtain NIT — register with ONAT to obtain the Tax Identification Number (NIT). Required documents include registration certificate, bylaws, and identity documents of shareholders.
• Step 5 — Open bank account — open a business bank account at a state bank (Banco de Credito y Comercio or Banco Metropolitano)
• Step 6 — Register for social security — register employees with INSS for social security contributions
• Step 7 — Obtain operating licence — sector-specific licence if required (e.g., health, food service, transport)

The total cost for registering a PYME is approximately CUP 5,000–15,000 including registration fees, notary fees, and legal costs.

Tax Registration — ONAT NIT

After entity registration, all businesses must register with ONAT for tax purposes. Requirements include:

• Obtaining a Tax Identification Number (NIT) for the business
• Registering for corporate income tax (CIT)
• Registering for Sales and Services Tax if turnover exceeds CUP 500,000
• Registering for PAYE withholding if employing staff
• Registering for social security contributions

Tax registration must be completed within 30 days of entity registration. There is no fee for initial tax registration. The NIT is required for all tax filings, payments, and correspondence with ONAT.

FAQs

Can a foreigner register a company in Cuba?

Foreigners can invest in Cuba through joint ventures (Empresas Mixtas) with Cuban state partners or through international economic associations. Direct foreign ownership of PYMEs is generally not permitted. Foreign investment is governed by Law 118/2014 and requires approval from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment (MINCEX).

How long does the full registration process take?

Entity registration: 1–3 weeks. Tax registration: 1–3 days. Bank account opening: 1–2 weeks. Total: 3–6 weeks with professional assistance. The process can be slower outside Havana.

What are the annual compliance requirements for a Cuban company?

Annual tax return by 30 June, monthly PAYE returns (if employing staff), monthly/quarterly Sales and Services Tax returns (if registered), quarterly self-assessment instalments, annual financial statements, and annual renewal of operating licences.

Disclaimer

This guide provides general information about business registration in Cuba for 2026. Laws, fees, and procedures may change. Always consult with a qualified Cuban corporate lawyer or the relevant registration authority for advice specific to your situation. InvestmentKit does not provide legal advice.