Travellers to Cuba should carry proof of medical insurance and confirm hospitalization, medical evacuation and emergency assistance before departure.
Travel medical insurance is required to enter Cuba. Travellers should carry proof showing that the policy is valid for the entire stay and includes medical expenses. A digital copy is useful, but a printed copy and an offline screenshot are safer when airport Internet or mobile service is unreliable.
Is travel insurance mandatory for Cuba?
Yes. Cuban authorities require travellers arriving from abroad to have insurance that covers medical expenses during their stay. Proof may be requested when entering the country. A traveller who cannot provide acceptable proof may be required to purchase a Cuban policy at the point of entry, and that policy may offer more limited coverage than a policy arranged before departure.
What proof should you bring?
- A certificate or letter showing your full name
- The insurance company’s name
- Your policy number
- The exact coverage dates
- Confirmation of emergency medical coverage
- The insurer’s 24-hour assistance number
- Instructions for contacting the insurer from Cuba
Keep the document in three forms: printed, saved offline on your phone and stored in a secure cloud account. Travellers using credit-card insurance should obtain a formal insurance certificate rather than relying only on a credit-card booklet.
Coverage that matters most in Cuba
A cheap policy is not automatically a useful policy. Cuba’s current shortages of medicine, equipment, fuel and electricity can complicate treatment and transportation. Review the following coverage carefully:
- Emergency medical care: physician visits, tests, treatment and hospitalization
- Medical evacuation: transportation to another facility or country when appropriate
- Repatriation: return transportation following a serious medical event
- Prescription medication: emergency replacement or treatment-related medication
- Trip interruption: additional accommodation and transportation after an emergency
- Pre-existing conditions: written confirmation that the stability requirements are met
Medical bills and payment problems
Do not assume that an insurance card means every clinic will bill the insurer directly. Depending on the provider and situation, travellers may need authorization from the insurer, may be asked for a payment guarantee, or may need to pay eligible expenses and request reimbursement later.
Cuban authorities may prevent a traveller from leaving the country while medical debts remain unpaid. Ask the insurer in advance how it handles direct billing, payment guarantees and emergency cash advances in Cuba.
Before departure: call the insurer
Contact the insurance company and ask specific questions rather than assuming Cuba is treated like every other destination:
- Is Cuba covered under this policy today?
- Does the current Government of Canada advisory affect coverage?
- Is prior authorization required before treatment?
- Which assistance company handles cases in Cuba?
- Is medical evacuation included, and what is the limit?
- How are pre-existing conditions evaluated?
- Which expenses require original receipts?
- Can the insurer issue a payment guarantee directly to a Cuban facility?
Request the answers in writing whenever possible.
What to do during a medical emergency
- Seek immediate help when delaying treatment would be unsafe.
- Contact the insurer’s emergency assistance line as soon as possible.
- Record the case number and the representative’s name.
- Keep every medical report, prescription, invoice and payment receipt.
- Photograph documents before handing over originals.
- Notify the tour representative or accommodation when practical.
- Do not arrange an expensive evacuation or private transfer without insurer approval unless the situation is immediately life-threatening.
Medication and health preparation
Bring enough prescription medication for the full trip plus a reasonable delay. Keep it in your carry-on bag in its original labelled packaging. Bring a copy of the prescription and a short medical summary for serious conditions.
Medication availability can be limited in Cuba. Travellers should not expect to replace a specific brand, dose or device locally. Review the healthcare and medication guide for Cuba and the Cuba packing list before departure.
Insurance for power outages and shortages
Standard travel insurance does not automatically reimburse inconvenience caused by a blackout, reduced hotel services or shortages. Coverage normally depends on a defined insured event. Read the trip interruption, delay and accommodation sections carefully.
Prepare practical backups using the Cuba power outage guide, especially when medication requires refrigeration or a medical device requires reliable charging.
Insurance and entry documents
Insurance is only one part of the entry process. Travellers must also verify passport validity, the Cuban eVisa or applicable travel authorization, the D’Viajeros declaration and airline requirements. Use the complete Cuba entry requirements guide and the English D’Viajeros guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy insurance after arriving in Cuba?
A Cuban policy may be available at the point of entry when acceptable proof is missing, but coverage may be limited. Buying appropriate coverage before departure is safer.
Is credit-card travel insurance enough?
It may be, but only when all eligibility conditions are met. Confirm trip-payment rules, age limits, coverage duration, exclusions and pre-existing-condition requirements. Obtain a written certificate.
Does insurance cover a cancelled trip because conditions in Cuba worsen?
Not automatically. Cancellation coverage depends on the policy wording, the reason for cancellation and when the policy was purchased.
Should I carry the insurance proof on paper?
Yes. Carry a printed copy and save an offline digital copy because connectivity and electricity can be unreliable.
Official references
- Government of Canada travel advice for Cuba
- Cuba Travel: health and insurance information
- Cuba Travel official frequently asked questions
Related English guides
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