This procedure comes from Cuba’s laws published in 2026 and is not yet in force on October 24, 2026: each of the three laws says it enters into force 180 days after its publication in the Gaceta Oficial. They were published in Gaceta Oficial No. 39 Ordinaria of May 5, 2026. A MINREX article dated July 21, 2026 says the Migration, Foreign Nationals and Citizenship laws take effect in November.

What the law says

Ley 172, Article 50, requires acceptance by the competent authority and the corresponding pronouncement for renunciation to become effective. A declaration alone does not suffice. Acceptance is by presidential decree or resolution, as applicable.

Ley 171, Article 55, says that after acceptance the person is considered a foreign national, subject to the Migration, Foreign Nationals and Citizenship laws and their regulations. The person cannot identify as a Cuban citizen in Cuba; entry and exit are subject to the corresponding foreign passport, visa requirement and travel documents. A person with several citizenships identifies and leaves with the same passport used to enter.

Ley 172, Article 57, allows recovery “once” (our translation), subject to its requirements. Article 58 requires proof of deprivation, loss or renunciation through a presidential decree, resolution or Citizenship Register certification, and legally reasonable evidence that the causes no longer exist or have been removed. Letter c says “up to five years” from approval (our translation).

Who it covers

Ley 172, Article 46, lists the requirements for Cuban citizens: being over eighteen; proving another citizenship; being abroad; having no monetary debts to the Cuban state or its institutions; and not serving a custodial or substituted criminal sentence or being pursued for an offense in Cuba or abroad.

Where and how the request is made

Ley 172, Article 48, places filing abroad at the Cuban consular office in the applicant’s country of residence. Article 47 requires a written request accompanied by:

  • A sworn declaration before a notary expressly formalizing the renunciation request and declaring no monetary debts to the Cuban state.
  • Certification of citizenship of another country, issued by the corresponding authority.
  • Certification of residence in the country of the consulate where the request is filed.
  • Criminal-record certificates from Cuba and the country of residence.

Fees, forms and time limits

Ley 172’s renunciation articles (46 to 50) do not set a fee or a form. Resolución 24/2025 (Citizenship Register regulation, in the same Gaceta) keeps existing document taxes and consular fees for citizenship procedures in force until the competent authorities issue new regulations.

Ley 172’s general procedure, which Article 63 applies to renunciation requests, sets the time limits. Article 64.1 says the request is made in writing and states the citizenship authority addressed; the applicant’s or representative’s full name, identity number and address; the request with its facts and grounds; the contact channels for notices and appearances; and the place, date and signature. Article 65 gives up to fifteen calendar days to correct an incomplete request, after which it is treated as withdrawn. Article 66.1 gives the consulate twenty days to forward the request to the citizenship office of the Dirección de Identificación, Migración, Extranjería y Ciudadanía, and Article 66.2 sets ninety days to prepare the file, which the head of that Directorate can extend by the same term. Article 67 says the decision is a presidential decree or a resolution of the Interior Minister, and Article 68 gives the consulate fifteen calendar days from receipt to notify it. Article 13 counts these periods in working days unless the law says calendar days.

Who decides: Ley 172, Article 21(c), gives the Interior Minister the power to accept renunciation, except where citizenship was granted under the President’s power; Article 20(c) gives the President the power to accept renunciation of citizenship by naturalization granted that way.

Sources

Last verified: 2026-10-24. This is general information, not legal advice. Consult an attorney for your specific situation.