Day of changes in the Cuban informal market: the price of the dollar and the euro rises this weekend.
Especially striking this weekend is the record held by the euro, which on Saturday, July 26 reached its highest value in recent months, according to the independent media elTOQUE.
At dawn on this July 26 (a rate that remains this Sunday, the 27th), the European currency climbed to 440 CUP, three pesos more than the previous day, when it was valued at 387 CUP.
The dollar, on the other hand, remains at the same cost of 390 CUP that it showed on July 24th.
Exchange Rate Evolution
The MLC has also remained stable since it suddenly dropped by five points to stand at 220 CUP.
The median for the last 24 hours indicates 442.50 CUP for selling the euro and 425 for buying. Meanwhile, the same price of 390 is displayed for both buying and selling the dollar.
Exchange rate today 07/27/2025 - 11:00 am in Cuba:
Exchange rate of dollar USD to CUP according to elTOQUE: 390 CUP.
Exchange rate of the euro EUR to CUP according to elTOQUE: 440 CUP.
Exchange rate of MLC to CUP according to elTOQUE: 220 CUP.
Equivalence of United States Dollar (USD) to Cuban Peso (CUP), according to the exchange rates of July 27:
1 USD = 390 CUP.
5 USD = 1,950 CUP.
10 USD = 3,900 CUP.
20 USD = 7,800 CUP.
50 USD = 19,500 CUP.
100 USD = 39,000 CUP.
Equivalence of Euro (EUR) banknotes to Cuban Peso (CUP):
1 EUR = 440 CUP
5 EUR = 2,200 CUP
10 EUR = 4,400 CUP
20 EUR = 8,800 CUP
50 EUR = 22,000 CUP
100 EUR = 44,000 CUP
200 EUR = 88,000 CUP
500 EUR = 220,000 CUP
Last week, the Cuban Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero Cruz, announced before the National Assembly of People's Power (ANPP) that a new “management, control and currency allocation mechanism” will be implemented in the second half of 2025, as part of the so-called “Government Program to correct distortions and revitalize the economy.”
According to Marrero, the new model will include the transformation of the official exchange market, the consolidation of financing schemes, and the supposed more efficient redistribution of the foreign currency generated by state-owned enterprises.
Meanwhile, the informal market continues to set the trend, the Cuban peso is worth less and less, and remittances from emigrants are the lifeline for millions of households.
Cubans continue to be forced to buy dollars on the street to purchase food, medicine, or pay for immigration procedures.
For a long time, experts have warned that any attempt to reorganize the currency system without an inclusive policy will only serve to deepen inequality. Without genuine access to foreign currencies, the population is trapped in a parallel economy that punishes the most vulnerable.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Informal Currency Market in Cuba
What is the current exchange rate of the euro and the dollar in the Cuban informal market?
The current exchange rate in the Cuban informal market is 440 CUP per euro and 390 CUP per dollar. These values represent a recent increase in the case of the euro, while the dollar has maintained its value consistently in recent days.
Why has a record high in the value of the euro been reached in Cuba?
The euro has reached a historic high of 440 CUP due to the low availability of foreign currency in Cuba and fluctuations in the informal market, which continues to set the trend in light of the inefficacy of the official exchange system. The lack of access to foreign currency for the population increases demand in the informal market, driving up the value of foreign currencies.
What measures does the Cuban government plan to implement in the official currency exchange market?
The Cuban government has announced a new "management, control, and currency allocation mechanism" that will be implemented in the second half of 2025. This program aims to transform the official exchange market and improve the redistribution of foreign currency generated by state-owned enterprises. However, experts warn that without an inclusive policy, these measures could exacerbate economic inequality.
How does the Cuban economy's lack of access to foreign currency affect it?
The lack of access to foreign currency in Cuba forces citizens to turn to the informal market to buy dollars and euros, which are necessary to obtain basic goods such as food and medicine. This situation exacerbates inequality and keeps the population trapped in a parallel economy, where the national currency constantly loses its purchasing power.
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