13 kol Cuba eVisa Requirements for European Travellers
Yes. Most European travellers visiting Cuba for tourism need a Cuba Tourist eVisa before they fly. The eVisa is issued as a code sent by email. It’s separate from, but connected to, the D’Viajeros digital form you complete closer to your travel dates. This guide walks you through who needs it, what you’ll need to apply, and what happens after you receive it.
Key facts
| Who needs it | European passport holders travelling to Cuba for tourism |
| What you receive | A Cuba Tourist eVisa code, sent by email |
| When to apply | Before departure, once your travel dates and flights are confirmed |
| What comes next | Completing the D’Viajeros form and downloading your entry QR code |
| Last reviewed | 12 August 2026 |
Who this guide is for
This guide is for European passport holders travelling to Cuba for tourism, recreation, or a holiday. It’s not for business, study, or long-term stays, which follow a different process. It applies whether you’re travelling directly from Europe or connecting through a third country, though your route can affect which steps apply to you. More on that below.
If your journey involves the United States, for example a connecting flight through a US airport, your situation needs a closer look before you apply, since routing can affect eligibility. We cover this separately in our guide on flying to Cuba through the United States.
What the Cuba eVisa actually is
Cuba’s entry process has gone through a few name changes over the years. Older sources sometimes refer to a “Tourist Card,” or even historical “pink” and “green” cards issued at travel agencies and airports. These physical documents have been phased out for most tourist applications. Today, the relevant document for most European tourists is the Cuba Tourist eVisa: an online application that results in a visa code delivered to your email, rather than a paper card.
If you’ve seen older travel advice referencing a physical card, treat it as outdated. The eVisa is what you’ll need to apply for now, and the process is entirely online.
That code is not the final step. Closer to your travel dates, you’ll also complete D’Viajeros, Cuba’s digital entry form, where you enter your eVisa code along with your travel and accommodation details. D’Viajeros generates a QR code, and it’s that QR code, not the eVisa code alone, that you’ll typically be asked to show at check-in and on arrival.
Two different documents, two different jobs: the eVisa establishes that you’re permitted to travel; D’Viajeros confirms the specifics of your trip closer to departure and produces what you’ll actually present. We explain this handoff in detail in our guide on Cuba eVisa vs D’Viajeros: what’s the difference.
What you’ll need before you apply
Before starting your application, it helps to have the following ready:
- A valid passport. You’ll need your full passport details, entered exactly as they appear on the document. Airlines and immigration also apply their own passport validity rules, so check your passport’s expiry date against your airline’s requirements before you fly.
- Confirmed or planned travel dates. You don’t need finalised bookings to apply, but you will need accurate travel dates for your application and, later, for D’Viajeros.
- Your flight route. Whether you’re flying directly from Europe or connecting elsewhere can affect which steps you need to follow.
- A way to receive email. Your eVisa code is delivered by email, so double-check the address you provide.
- Travel insurance with medical coverage. Cuba requires travellers to hold insurance that covers medical costs during their stay. It’s worth arranging this before you apply, since you may need to reference it later in D’Viajeros.
How long you can stay
Cuba’s tourist eVisa generally allows a stay of up to 90 days, with the possibility of requesting an extension for a further period while you’re in the country. Extension requests are handled locally in Cuba, not as part of the initial application. If you think you might need one, plan ahead rather than assuming it will be straightforward to arrange last minute.
This tourist stay allowance applies to leisure travel. If your trip involves work, study, or a longer-term stay, you’re outside the scope of the tourist eVisa altogether, and you’d need to look into Cuba’s other visa categories instead. Those typically involve direct contact with a Cuban consulate rather than an online application.
Why the details matter more than the speed
It’s tempting to treat a visa application like any other online form: fill it in quickly, move on. With Cuba’s eVisa, the opposite approach serves you better. Immigration and airline checks compare your eVisa, D’Viajeros submission, and passport against each other, so consistency across all three matters more than how fast you submitted the first one. Taking a few extra minutes to double-check names, numbers, and dates against your actual passport is the single most useful thing you can do at this stage.
Step by step: from application to travel-ready
- Check your eligibility. Confirm your passport qualifies and that your route doesn’t involve complications (like US connections) that need extra attention.
- Submit your traveller details. Enter your passport information and travel details carefully. Accuracy here matters more than speed.
- Complete payment.
- Receive your eVisa code by email.
- Closer to your travel dates, complete D’Viajeros using your eVisa code, and download your travel QR code.
Each step depends on the accuracy of the one before it, which is why we’d rather you take an extra minute checking a passport number than rush the form.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Entering passport details from memory instead of the document itself. A single mismatched digit or letter can cause delays.
- Applying with a passport that’s due to expire soon. Even if it’s technically valid on your travel dates, airlines may have their own stricter rules.
- Leaving D’Viajeros until the last moment. It’s a separate step from the eVisa, and it needs to be done in its own window before travel, not on arrival.
- Assuming the eVisa alone is enough to enter Cuba. You’ll also need your passport, travel insurance, and your D’Viajeros QR code at check-in and on arrival.
- Not checking your specific route. Travellers connecting through certain countries may face additional considerations that a straightforward Europe-to-Cuba itinerary wouldn’t.
Special situations
A few situations are worth a second look. Children usually need their own eVisa, separate from a parent’s application, so check the requirements for each child when you’re applying for a family trip. If you hold two passports, apply using the one you intend to travel on, and keep your travel documents consistent throughout the trip.
Route matters too. If you’re connecting through the US or another third country, your eligibility and process can differ, so read our route-specific guidance before applying rather than assuming a standard application covers your case. And if your passport number has changed since you last travelled, perhaps because you renewed it, make sure every document tied to your trip, including your eVisa, D’Viajeros submission, and flight booking, uses the same, current details.
What to do next
Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility and gathered your passport and travel details, you’re ready to start your application. If anything about your situation feels uncertain, such as an upcoming passport renewal, a connecting flight, or a family application, check with us before you submit rather than after.
Često postavljana pitanja
Do all European citizens need a Cuba eVisa?
Most European passport holders travelling to Cuba for tourism need a Cuba Tourist eVisa. Requirements can vary slightly by nationality and route, so check your specific situation before applying.
Is the Cuba eVisa the same as the old Tourist Card?
The eVisa has replaced the physical Tourist Card for most tourist applications. If you’ve seen references to a “Tourist Card,” it’s describing the same underlying requirement (an entry visa for tourism) through an updated, digital process.
How is the eVisa different from D’Viajeros?
The eVisa is your entry visa, issued as a code by email before you travel. D’Viajeros is a separate digital form you complete closer to your travel dates, where you enter your eVisa code and receive a QR code for arrival. You need both.
Can I apply if I live outside the country on my passport?
Yes, in most cases. Eligibility is based on the passport you hold, not your country of residence, but check your specific situation if anything about it feels unusual.
What happens if I make a mistake on my application?
Contact support as soon as you notice. Depending on what’s incorrect and how far along your application is, corrections may be possible. The earlier you flag it, the more options you’ll have.
Do I need travel insurance to apply for the eVisa?
You’ll need travel insurance with medical coverage to enter Cuba, and you may be asked to reference it in D’Viajeros. It’s sensible to arrange this before or during your eVisa application rather than leaving it until the last minute.
Why use a visa assistance service instead of applying directly?
You’re welcome to apply directly. Where a service like ours adds value is in reviewing your details before submission, explaining what each step means in plain language, and being reachable if something about your specific situation doesn’t fit the standard case, such as a connecting flight, a dual passport, or a family application.
Can I still apply if I’m travelling in the next few days?
Possibly, but you should confirm your options before applying rather than assuming standard timelines will work. If you’re travelling soon, get in touch first so we can talk through what’s realistic for your dates.
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Last reviewed: 12 August 2026. Reviewed by the CubaVisa.travel Entry Support Team. Entry requirements can change. This guide reflects our understanding at the time of review; always confirm current requirements before you travel.
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