Quick answer
- Cuba requires every visitor, including US citizens, to have medical insurance valid in Cuba. This rule has been in force since May 2010.
- If you fly from the US on a US airline, a basic Cuban medical policy has typically been bundled into the airfare. Keep your boarding pass or ticket receipt as proof.
- That bundled policy is minimal. It does not cover medical evacuation to the US, trip cancellation or baggage.
- Many US travel insurers exclude Cuba because of sanctions, so check the destination list before you buy.
- Americans still need to travel under one of the US government’s authorized travel categories. Pure tourism is not permitted under US law.
Cuba is one of the few popular destinations where travel insurance is a genuine legal entry requirement. It is also one of the trickiest places for Americans to insure, because US sanctions limit which companies can pay claims there. This guide explains the rule, what typically comes bundled with your ticket, and how to close the gaps.
Is travel insurance mandatory for Cuba?
Yes. Since May 1, 2010, the Cuban government has required all foreign visitors, and Cubans living abroad, to hold a medical insurance policy that is valid in Cuba. Immigration officers can ask to see proof when you arrive. Standard US domestic health insurance and Medicare do not satisfy the requirement, because they do not pay for care in Cuba.
If you arrive without acceptable proof, you can generally be required to buy a policy on the spot from Asistur, the Cuban state-linked assistance company, at the airport before you are admitted.
The policy included with US airline tickets
US carriers that fly to Cuba have generally included a basic Cuban medical insurance policy in the ticket price, issued by a Cuban insurer. Your boarding pass or e-ticket receipt typically serves as proof. Before you fly:
- Check your fare breakdown or ask the airline to confirm that Cuban medical coverage is included on your specific ticket.
- Print your itinerary and receipt and carry it with your passport.
- If you are flying a non-US carrier or through a third country (Mexico, Panama, Canada), assume nothing is included and buy coverage yourself.
Why the bundled policy is not enough
The airline-bundled policy exists to meet the legal entry rule, not to protect you. It is designed for basic treatment inside Cuba. The biggest risks for an American are elsewhere:
- Medical evacuation. If you need care that is not available locally, flying you to Miami or another US city by air ambulance can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Travel advisers commonly recommend at least $100,000 of evacuation coverage for Cuba because of the distance and cost of medical flights.
- Shortages. Cuba’s hospitals have faced serious shortages of medicine and supplies. Being able to leave quickly matters more than in most destinations.
- Trip costs. Flight cancellations, hurricanes (June to November) and power outages can disrupt plans. The basic policy does not reimburse prepaid travel.
Finding a US travel insurer that covers Cuba
This is where most people get stuck. Several well-known travel insurers do not cover Cuba at all for US residents because sanctions prevent them from paying providers or assisting customers there. Others do offer Cuba coverage. Comparison marketplaces let you filter plans by destination, and some list more than a dozen providers that include Cuba.
When you compare plans, check these points in the policy wording, not just the sales page:
- Cuba is not on the excluded-countries list.
- The insurer’s assistance company can actually arrange care and evacuation in Cuba.
- Emergency medical limit of at least $50,000, and evacuation of at least $100,000.
- Whether the policy pays providers directly or expects you to pay and claim later. In Cuba, expect to pay up front in many cases.
Cost of travel insurance for a Cuba trip
A travel medical-only plan for a one-week trip usually costs far less than a comprehensive plan, because it does not include trip cancellation. Comprehensive plans are priced at a percentage of your insured trip cost and rise with age. Because so few insurers write Cuba coverage, compare at least three quotes for your exact age and dates.
Other entry rules Americans should know
- US travel category. US law still prohibits travel to Cuba for tourism. You must qualify under one of the authorized categories set by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and keep records of your activities. Rules have changed several times in recent years, so check current US government guidance before booking.
- Cuban tourist card or visa. Usually sold by the airline or online after booking.
- D’Viajeros form. Cuba’s online arrival form, completed before travel.
- Bring cash. US-issued debit and credit cards generally do not work in Cuba. Budget your whole trip, including possible medical deposits, in cash.
Bottom line
The ticket-bundled policy gets you through immigration. A separate travel medical plan with strong evacuation coverage from an insurer that genuinely operates in Cuba is what protects you if something goes wrong.
Sources
- US Department of State, Cuba international travel information.
- US Department of the Treasury, OFAC Cuba sanctions program guidance.
- Cuban government entry requirements for medical insurance (in force since May 2010), as reported by Havana Times and travel insurers.
- World Nomads, statement on Cuba coverage for US residents; InsureMyTrip, Cuba destination guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is travel insurance mandatory for Cuba?
Yes. Since May 2010 Cuba has required all visitors to hold medical insurance valid in Cuba, and proof can be requested on arrival. Visitors without it can be required to buy a policy from Asistur at the airport.
Do US airlines include Cuban health insurance in the ticket?
US carriers flying to Cuba have generally bundled a basic Cuban medical policy into the airfare, and the boarding pass or receipt serves as proof. Confirm with your airline, and buy your own coverage if you fly a non-US carrier or via a third country.
Why do some travel insurers not cover Cuba?
US sanctions restrict payments and services in Cuba, so several insurers, including World Nomads for US residents, exclude the country. Others do cover it, so filter plans by destination before buying.
Does Medicare cover me in Cuba?
No. Medicare and standard US health plans do not pay for care in Cuba and do not meet Cuba’s entry insurance requirement.
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