Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Relocating long-term with your dog or cat to Cuba isn’t as simple as buying a plane ticket and booking accommodation. Between strict health regulations, airline constraints, the on-the-ground veterinary reality, and finding truly pet‑friendly housing, a relocation project with pets requires planning several months in advance.
This article is based on available data concerning import rules, airline practices, veterinary services, and cost of living to provide you with a concrete guide for organizing your pet’s departure under the best possible conditions.
Understanding the General Framework: What Cuba Accepts (and What It Doesn’t)
Before even discussing vaccines or plane tickets, you must check if your pet is eligible to enter the country. Cuba does not accept all pets, and some profiles are automatically excluded.
Concretely, Cuban authorities only recognize dogs, cats, and birds as importable pets. Cuban veterinary services consider that other species (reptiles, rodents, rabbits, amphibians, invertebrates, tropical fish, ferrets, etc.) are subject to specific regulations, sometimes very restrictive or even prohibited under a standard private import framework.
Wolf‑dog hybrids and Savannah or Bengal cats from recent generations (less than 5) are prohibited. Although Cuba does not have an official list of banned dog breeds, airlines often apply their own restrictions for breeds considered dangerous or brachycephalic, which can jeopardize a relocation project with a pet.
The table below summarizes the main outlines of accepted and non-accepted animals for a private individual.
| Animal Type | Status for Private Entry to Cuba |
|---|---|
| Domestic Dog | Permitted, under strict health conditions |
| Domestic Cat | Permitted, under strict health conditions |
| Birds (Pet) | Permitted, with a specific health certificate |
| Ferrets | Generally not admitted under the “pet” framework |
| Rodents, Rabbits | Not covered by the standard regime, subject to other rules |
| Reptiles, Amphibians, Invertebrates | Possible only via special regimes, often complex |
| Tropical Fish | Specific regime, not part of the “dog/cat” channel |
| Wolf‑Dog Hybrids | Prohibited |
| Savannah / Bengal Cats < 5th generation | Prohibited |
| CITES-Protected Species (turtles, parrots…) | Possible only with CITES permit + special authorizations |
For a standard family relocation project, it is therefore strongly recommended to focus on dogs and cats, or on certain clearly authorized birds, and to avoid exotic or protected species.
Import Procedures: Your Pet’s “Passport” for Cuba
In Cuba, people often refer to a “pet passport“, but it is not the official European passport. The Cuban “passport” is actually a dossier composed of several documents: vaccination certificates, an international health certificate, anti-parasitic treatment attestations, and, where applicable, CITES permits or specific justifications.
Rabies Vaccination: The Absolutely Essential Element
Cuba classifies rabies risk as high and therefore applies a strict requirement for rabies vaccination for dogs and cats over three months old.
Your companion must have received a rabies vaccine:
– at least 30 days before entry into Cuban territory
– and less than 12 months prior to arrival
Proof of this vaccination can take several forms, as long as it is official and legible for the authorities: a rabies vaccination certificate, a vaccination booklet issued by a public veterinary authority, or the duly completed “rabies” section of a European passport.
What’s important to understand is that a serum titer (rabies antibody test) or a veterinarian’s exemption letter never replaces proof of vaccination. Cuba does not exempt an animal from being vaccinated against rabies for entry, even if medical contraindications are cited.
Since Cuba is officially classified as a high-risk rabies country by international bodies like the World Organisation for Animal Health and the US CDC, your country of return might require a rabies titer test. For a relocation project, it’s advisable to plan for this procedure before your departure.
Microchip: Not Mandatory, But Highly Recommended
Unlike the European Union, Cuba does not make microchipping mandatory for pet entry. However, animal mobility specialists strongly recommend identifying your dog or cat with an electronic microchip compliant with ISO standards 11784 / 11785 (15 digits).
In practice, this identification offers four major advantages for the expatriate:
– Securing the link between your pet and its health certificates
– Preparing for a potential later departure to the European Union, where the chip is essential
– Facilitating traceability, especially in case of loss or theft
– Harmonizing documents if you transit through countries that require the chip
Once the chip is implanted, remember to include its number on all documents (vaccination certificate, health certificate, export forms) and to register it in an official database or with the manufacturer.
International Health Certificate: The Central Document
Beyond the rabies vaccine, Cuba requires an international health certificate written and signed by an authorized veterinarian in the country of origin. This document must be issued shortly before travel (common practice is around ten days prior) and contain a number of mandatory pieces of information:
Essential details required for the official veterinary certificate for export to Cuba.
Full identity of the owner. Precise description of the animal: species, breed, sex, date of birth, color, and microchip number if applicable.
Animal’s country of origin and declared destination country: Cuba.
Complete vaccination history, notably against rabies, with administration dates and expiry dates.
Details of recent internal (deworming) and external anti-parasitic treatments, with dates and products used.
Official attestation that on the date of examination, the animal is clinically healthy, fit for transport, and not carrying contagious diseases.
For expatriates coming from the United States or Canada, it is highly advised to use the APHIS 7001 form, completed by a veterinarian accredited by the USDA or the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), and then obtain the official endorsement from these bodies.
From other countries, the certificate must be endorsed by the national veterinary authority competent for animal export (Ministry of Agriculture, State Veterinary Service, etc.).
An often overlooked point: the certificate must be translated into Spanish before the official authentication step, otherwise you risk difficulties during the arrival check.
Anti-Parasitic Treatments and Health Status
Even if Cuba does not detail every single vaccine expectation, Cuban veterinary doctors expect an imported animal to be properly protected against major diseases and parasites. International operators specialized in animal transport recommend recent treatments against internal and external parasites, performed by a veterinarian, as well as a heartworm (Dirofilaria) screening and enrollment in a flea‑tick prevention program.
When issuing the Cuban export certificate (for a later departure from the country), the veterinary services, in fact, require that the animal:
– is clinically healthy
– has no recent wounds or healing lesions
– is not affected by any infectious or contagious disease
– is not in very late-term pregnancy, if a female
Trauma-related disorders (lameness, neurological sequelae from an accident) are not in themselves grounds for refusal if the animal remains fit to travel.
Import Permit and Role of Cuban Authorities
All major procedures must be completed in the country of origin. Upon arrival, the Cuban authorities, via the border veterinary service, only verify the documents and the animal’s clinical state.
The import permit itself is issued upon arrival, after inspection. If the papers are in order and the dog or cat appears healthy, the agents provide a “Certificado de Liberación” authorizing entry into the territory. Otherwise, several scenarios are possible: quarantine (if facilities exist), return to the country of origin, or euthanasia as a last resort. In any case, the costs generated by non-compliance with the rules are the importer’s responsibility.
An old text mentions the obligation to have all certificates endorsed by the Cuban consulate in the country of origin and mentions a quarantine of up to two weeks, free of charge. However, more recent sources indicate that there is no quarantine for compliant animals, which seems to be the dominant practice today.
Flights and Airlines: How to Get Your Pet to Cuba
Even if Cuba authorizes you to enter with your pet, you still need an airline willing to transport it. And it is always the conditions of the airline physically operating the flight that apply, not those indicated on a ticket issued by another airline.
In practice, there are three main modes of transport: cabin, checked baggage hold, and air cargo. Their availability depends on the animal’s weight, the airline’s policy, and the type of aircraft used.
Cubana de Aviación: Particularities of the National Airline
The national airline Cubana de Aviación, based at José Martí Airport, applies a particularly restrictive policy for the transport of pets in the cabin. With some exceptions, it does not accept live animals in the cabin. Only two cases are tolerated: duly trained assistance dogs and Yorkshire Terriers, which must travel in an approved carrier or crate placed under the seat.
Holders of these dogs or assistance dogs cannot reserve seats in emergency exit rows or in the bulkhead, and must present themselves at the check‑in counter with their pet at least 30 minutes before the usual check‑in time. Assistance dogs travel free of charge in the cabin, provided that:
To travel with a dog on a bus, the company must be notified at least 48 hours before departure. The animal must be properly harnessed or on a leash, able to stay at its owner’s feet without obstructing the aisle, and behave appropriately in the vehicle.
For flights involving the United States, specific Department of Transportation (DOT) forms must be completed and submitted at least 48 hours before departure. Assistance dogs must also satisfy all international health requirements, like standard pets.
Aside from these special cases, Cubana transports dogs and cats in the hold, as accompanied checked baggage, provided the animal is accompanied by an adult, in a crate compliant with International Air Transport Association (IATA) standards. The hold that carries animals is pressurized and maintained at a temperature comparable to that of the cabin.
The airline, however, refuses all transport if the actual or forecast temperature at any airport on the route exceeds 29.4°C (85°F) or falls below 7.2°C (45°F). A tolerance may be granted between 7.2°C and 20°C (68°F) if an acclimation certificate is provided, but no transport is possible if the temperature falls below -6.6°C (20°F). These thresholds become even more critical for brachycephalic breeds (short-nosed), even though Cubana does not publish a precise list.
To book the transport of an animal in the hold with Cubana, you must contact its sales offices directly by phone or via the dedicated email address. For a cargo shipment, it is mandatory to go through an agent approved by the airline. If you don’t have such an agent, specialized platforms can help you find one.
General Rules of Major Airlines: What This Means for a Flight to Cuba
Many major European and American airlines transport pets, but with sometimes complex rules, especially for transit to or from high-risk rabies countries like Cuba.
Some, like KLM or Iberia, allow a small pet in the cabin if the total weight (animal + carrier) is less than 8 kg (17.6 lbs) and if the crate dimensions remain below a certain threshold (approximately 45–46 cm / 18 in length by 24–28 cm / 11 in height). Others, like Copa Airlines or American Airlines, strictly limit the number of carriers in the cabin per flight and impose strict rules on minimum age (often 8 weeks, or even 15 weeks on international routes depending on rabies requirements).
Brachycephalic breeds (pugs, French or English bulldogs, Pekingese, some Persian cats, etc.) pose a particular problem: many airlines refuse to transport them in the hold year‑round, or at least during hot periods, due to an increased risk of respiratory distress. Some accept them only in the cabin, provided weight and size limits are respected.
Starting this year, the United States requires an import form, a microchip, a minimum age, and a specific vaccine for dogs coming from high-risk rabies countries like Cuba.
For an expatriate, this means that the most difficult part is not always entering Cuba, but planning for subsequent round trips or a move to a third country. It is therefore crucial to check not only Cuban rules, but also those of transit and ultimate destination countries.
Cabin, Hold, Cargo: Choosing the Right Travel Mode
The three transport modes each have their advantages and constraints. The cabin offers obvious psychological comfort, as your pet stays near you in a suitable carrier placed under the seat. But this option is only accessible for small sizes and subject to the number of pet spots available on the flight.
The checked baggage hold is the most common solution for medium or large-sized dogs. Reputable airlines (including Cubana) maintain pressure and temperature conditions in this area close to those in the cabin. The main risk factor remains travel stress, hence the importance of getting the animal accustomed to its crate several weeks or months in advance.
Finally, transport as cargo is often the only option for complex itineraries or animals too large to travel as checked baggage. But it is also more expensive, and Cuba currently refuses certain non‑accompanied cargo imports in some cases, which pushes expatriates to travel on the same flight as their companion.
Travel Crate: IATA Requirements and Animal Preparation
An IATA-approved crate must allow the animal to stand up without touching the ceiling, turn around easily, and lie down in a natural position. Acceptable materials are rigid plastic, metal, fiberglass, welded wire mesh, or solid wood/plywood.
The crate must include:
Essential elements to respect to ensure the safety and well-being of animals during their transport.
Sufficient ventilation grilles to ensure a constant and adequate air supply.
A secure closure for the container to prevent accidental opening.
Clearly visible “LIVE ANIMAL” labels on the packaging.
Include a shipping declaration with watering and feeding instructions.
For brachycephalic breeds, specialists recommend a crate one size larger than usually recommended, to facilitate breathing.
Acclimation to this crate is a central point: it can sometimes take several weeks, even months, of gradual work (positive association, play, meals taken in the crate, time with the door closed) for the animal to enter it serenely. The longer the flight (and a transatlantic flight to Cuba often is), the more this acclimation is determinant for limiting stress.
Cost of Living and Pet Expenses in Cuba: What to Expect
Relocating your pet also means ensuring you can maintain it properly once on the ground. However, the Cuban economic context is very particular, with an extremely low average salary level, high inflation, and heavy dependence on imports.
Available data indicates that the average monthly salary is around 150 dollars, with a legal minimum that can drop to around 9 to 33 dollars per month depending on the period. Veterinarians earn on average the equivalent of 20 dollars per month, reflecting the structural underfunding of the sector.
Average monthly budget in dollars for a pet, including food, basic care, and grooming.
The following table illustrates the order of magnitude of the cost of living and pet budget.
| Expense Item | Order of Magnitude / Indicative Range |
|---|---|
| Average Monthly Salary (Cuba) | ≈ 150 USD |
| Average Veterinarian Salary | ≈ 20 USD per month |
| Average Monthly Budget per Pet | ≈ 85 USD (range 30–180 USD) |
| Private Veterinary Consultation | ≈ 80 USD in some cases |
| Imported Industrial Food | ≈ 2 USD / kg for kibble (when available) |
| 1‑Bedroom Housing in Central Havana | ≈ 251 USD / month on average |
| 3‑Bedroom Housing Outside Center | ≈ 556 USD / month on average |
It is important to keep in mind that these figures are sensitive to inflation and exchange rate variations between local currencies and foreign currency. In practice, your pet’s quality of life will largely depend on your ability to access imported products, via your own stocks, shipments from relatives, or purchases in the tourist circuit.
Veterinary Care in Cuba: Quality, Resources, and On‑the‑Ground Realities
The quality of veterinary care in Cuba is generally described as satisfactory in terms of human skills. The country has over 6,800 veterinary professionals, trained in four veterinary schools and several technical and research institutes. Many have received part of their training abroad, and the profession is structured around bodies like the Cuban Veterinary Scientific Council or the National Association of Veterinary Medicine.
Access to modern equipment and medications (antibiotics, anti-parasitics, anesthetics, surgical materials) is a major challenge. It is limited in rural areas by funding and import problems, and remains irregular even in major cities, often forcing veterinarians to improvise.
The country also relies on alternative medicine approaches: since the 1990s, the Ministry of Public Health has encouraged the use of phytotherapy in human medicine, and acupuncture is part of the curriculum of veterinary schools. Due to insufficient quantities of analgesics or anesthetics, acupuncture is sometimes used as a pain management tool or as an alternative for certain minor surgical procedures.
For an expatriate, the consequences are twofold:
Medically, it’s preferable to arrive with a pet in good health, properly vaccinated and monitored, and to bring a small stock of basic medications, while taking precautions regarding customs. On a practical level, it’s useful to identify one or two reference veterinary clinics near your future place of residence in advance, especially if your pet requires close follow‑up (chronic illness, advanced age, specific treatment).
The capital and major cities like Santiago de Cuba have several clinics, while a national effort aims to equip each provincial capital with at least one well‑equipped facility. On the other hand, finding an English‑speaking veterinarian can be difficult; however, some practitioners who studied abroad have sufficient language skills. Platforms like VetFinder or PetMD, as well as contact with the Cuban National Association of Veterinary Medicine, can help identify these profiles.
Canine Culture and Animal Welfare: Integrating Without Putting Your Pet at Risk
The relationship with pets in Cuba is marked by a strong contrast. On one hand, purebred dogs are seen as status symbols, with a craze for certain “fashionable” breeds like the Siberian Husky, Chow‑chow, or Dachshund, the latter being considered typically Cuban. The Havanese is even recognized as the national dog. Dog shows and an informal puppy trade, sometimes very expensive (up to 500 USD per puppy), have developed in major cities.
The majority of dogs are mixed-breeds called ‘satos’ and many are strays. They often carry parasites (mange, fleas, ticks) and are not spayed/neutered. Sterilization is costly for the local population and commercial pet food is scarce. Dogs are often fed table scraps or inexpensive meat, like beef at about 0.80 USD/kg, when possible.
Animal protection associations exist, like AniPlant, authorized to operate in Havana and very active in the sterilization of stray animals (over 5,000 operations in a recent year). The animal welfare law, spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture, is an advance, but activists consider fines still too low to deter mistreatment, and the euthanasia of stray dogs was long practiced brutally.
In this context, an expatriate must adopt certain reflexes to protect their pet:
It is crucial to limit contact with stray dogs to avoid bites and diseases. Monitor hydration and heat closely, especially for long‑haired or short‑muzzled breeds. Partial grooming can be beneficial for thick‑furred dogs, respecting their needs. Research the neighborhood: the presence of satos, guard dogs, or informal activities should influence your choices for walks and housing.
The government has also implemented original projects, such as dogs adopted by institutions in Old Havana, fed by local restaurants during the day and assigned to guard public buildings at night. They are generally well tolerated, but remain free‑roaming dogs, potentially carrying parasites.
Pet‑Friendly Housing: Finding a Roof for You and Your Pet
The supply of accommodations accepting pets in Cuba is significantly more abundant than one might imagine. Booking platforms list nearly 1,000 “pet‑friendly” hotels and guesthouses on the island, not counting Airbnb‑type rentals.
The majority of these accommodations are “casas particulares” – rooms or apartments in a local’s home – often managed by families who themselves own pets. Policies vary from one establishment to another: some accept a small, well‑behaved dog without an extra fee, others apply a fixed fee, per night or per stay, sometimes with the first pet free.
Overview of the order of magnitude of accommodations accepting pets.
A significant share of hotel establishments now offer rooms adapted for travelers accompanied by their pets.
Cottages, apartments, and rental houses represent a large part of the pet‑friendly supply, often with outdoor spaces.
Many campgrounds and leisure parks welcome pets, offering a stay in nature.
Accommodations in private homes are often open to pets, allowing for a warm and personalized welcome.
| Accommodation Type | Example Price / Indications |
|---|---|
| Simple Casa particular | 20 to 60 USD / night depending on the city and comfort level |
| Pet‑friendly Hotels (range) | ≈ 43 to 311 CAD / night on some portals |
| Pet‑friendly Motels | Starting at 30 C$ (local peso) / night according to sources |
| Long‑stay Shared Accommodations | ≈ 200 to 400 USD / month per person for a room |
| 1‑Bedroom Apartment for Rent | ≈ 251 USD / month in central Havana |
For a relocation, it is advisable to negotiate a medium or long‑term rental contract directly with the owner, clearly indicating the presence of a pet. Many hosts are open to this option, especially if you pay in hard currency and your pet is clean and calm.
Accommodations that declare themselves “pet‑friendly” often offer a few practical amenities, such as easy‑to‑clean flooring, secure outdoor spaces, or even bowls and beds. Some, more oriented towards international clientele, even offer pet‑sitting or grooming services via local partners.
Leaving Cuba with Your Pet: Anticipating Return or the Next Country
A point many expatriates discover too late is the complexity of procedures when leaving Cuba, particularly for the European Union or the United States, due to its status as a high‑risk rabies country.
To obtain a Cuban export certificate, you will need to contact the competent veterinary services: in Havana, the quarantine clinic near the Carlos III veterinary clinic or the Almiquí veterinary center in Playa; in other provinces, the provincial directorates of the Institute of Veterinary Medicine.
Export conditions impose, notably: customs regulations, safety standards, and necessary certifications for products.
To travel with an animal, several health conditions are required. These include a clinical inspection attesting to the animal’s good health, a multiple vaccination (e.g., pentavalent, hexavalent, or octavalent for dogs), an up‑to‑date rabies vaccination, internal and external anti‑parasitic treatments, and the absence of near‑term pregnancy for females. These measures aim to ensure the safety and well‑being of the animal during transport.
For the European Union, two additional requirements are added: the mandatory ISO microchip and a rabies titer test performed at least 30 days after vaccination, in an EU‑approved laboratory. You must then respect a waiting period of at least three months between the date of blood sampling and entry into the EU. This means, in practice, you need to start preparing the return at least four to five months in advance.
For the United States, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) impose, since Cuba’s inclusion on the high‑risk list, a reinforced procedure for importing dogs. This includes: a specific import form, proof of compliant rabies vaccination, a raised minimum age for the animal, and sometimes mandatory routing through specific airports only.
Exporting an animal from Cuba therefore requires close coordination with local veterinary services, the embassy or consulate of the destination country, and sometimes with an international animal transport company. Providers like Air Animal, which operate to over 165 countries, offer packages for the Caribbean, including microchipping, health certificates, logistical organization, and terminal handling, with rates ranging from about 1,495 to over 6,000 dollars depending on the complexity of the case.
Insurance, Unexpected Events, and a Plan B for Your Pet
Cuba has a universal human healthcare system, but this does not extend to expatriate pets. Public veterinary care, even if it exists, does not provide free care for expatriates’ animals, and the quality depends on available medication stocks.
For a long‑term stay, subscribing to international health insurance including a veterinary component, or at a minimum setting aside a dedicated emergency fund for pet emergencies, is useful. Private consultations can cost 50 to 80 dollars, and more serious procedures are limited by a lack of equipment, sometimes necessitating finding solutions abroad for certain specialized surgeries.
In a crisis, evacuation means organized by a foreign state do not guarantee the care of pets. It is therefore prudent to have a specific plan for your pet.
– Arrange for a trusted person on‑site who can temporarily care for your pet if you had to leave without it
– Keep the health file, copies of certificates, and identification up to date to be able to extract the pet later
– Stay informed of your embassy’s guidelines regarding pets in case of a crisis
For assistance dogs, most countries and airlines have specific provisions and strive to evacuate them with their owner, but absolute priority remains human safety.
In Summary: A Possible Relocation, But Demanding in Preparation
Relocating to Cuba with your pet is perfectly feasible provided you anticipate three blocks of constraints: Cuban health rules (rabies vaccine within the correct timeframe, international health certificate, anti‑parasitic treatments), the sometimes restrictive policies of airlines (weight, dimensions, breeds, temperatures), and finally, the local reality (irregular access to pet care and food, large stray dog population, high cost of imported veterinary products).
Cuba has a competent veterinary network, an active canine culture, increasingly pet‑accepting housing, and associations committed to animal welfare. To ensure your dog’s comfort and safety, it is essential to structure your project before departure, during your stay, and by anticipating the conditions for a return or a new relocation.
The key lies in preparation: a clear schedule for vaccines and tests, regular exchanges with your vet at home and Cuban authorities, a good understanding of costs and local constraints, and a solid dose of flexibility to deal with the uncertainties of a country where improvisation often remains the rule.
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Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
