Starting a micro, small, or medium-sized enterprise (mipyme) in Cuba in 2026 requires fulfilling several procedures with municipal authorities, banks, notaries, the Commercial Registry, and the ONAT. The new regulations modify the process for establishing private enterprises and the requirements for obtaining business licenses.
The , updated the rules for private companies.
Resolution 2/2026 of the National Institute of Non-State Economic Actors (INAENE) regulates its establishment, while the , outlines the procedure for obtaining business licenses.
Who can open a small and medium-sized enterprise in Cuba?
Cuban citizens over 18 years old, both residents in Cuba and abroad, as well as foreigners with permanent residency in the country, can participate in the creation of a small or medium-sized enterprise, provided they meet the legal requirements.
There are restrictions for certain officials, individuals with outstanding debts, and other cases of incompatibility established by the regulations.
Companies are classified according to the number of people employed, including their partners:
- Microenterprise: from 1 to 10 people.
- Small business: from 11 to 35.
- Medium-sized business: from 36 to 100.
The 2026 reform also allows for the establishment of private companies with more than 100 employees. However, micro, small, and medium enterprises still maintain their limit of 100 occupied persons; companies that exceed this number belong to a different category.
Step 1. Check that the activity is allowed
Before starting the paperwork, the entrepreneur must define what business they want to develop and verify that the activity is authorized for the private sector.
The corporate purpose must outline the activities that the company will undertake. Some of these may require additional permits from the relevant authorities, so their inclusion in the application does not guarantee that they can be carried out without further authorizations.
Step 2. Prepare the documents and define the capital
Those interested must determine the name of the company, its domicile, the activities it will carry out, the identity of the partners, and each person's contributions to the capital.
Private SMEs are established as limited liability companies and can have one or more partners.
Capital can be contributed in the form of money, goods, or economically valuable rights, but not through labor or services. The regulations do not specify a general minimum capital for establishing a micro, small, or medium-sized enterprise.
Step 3. Submit the creation application
The application is submitted through the Economic Actors Platform (PAE), directed to the relevant Municipal Development Directorate.
The municipal authority has up to 20 working days to decide on the application. Once a decision is made, the Municipal Development Directorate must inform the Municipal Administration Council within a period of 72 hours. The applicant receives the notification through the platform.
In the event of prolonged interruptions in electricity or connectivity, in-person processing may be exceptionally authorized. This alternative requires municipal approval and is not automatically available.
Step 4. Deposit the capital and go to the notary
After approval, the next step is to open the account designated for the deposit of the monetary capital. The bank has up to five business days to open it, and the partners have another five business days to make the deposit, counted from its opening.
Afterward, the constitution is formalized through a public deed. The Provincial Directorate of Justice is involved in the appointment of the notary, although the interested parties can choose one based in the location where the company will have its domicile.
According to Article 21 of Resolution 2/2026, the public deed must be authorized within a period of up to 20 days, counted from the receipt of the digital file.
Step 5. Register with the Mercantile Registry and the ONAT
Once the deed is granted, the company must register in the Mercantile Registry, which has up to 15 business days to issue the corresponding certification.
The National Office of Tax Administration (ONAT) carries out the registration in the Taxpayer Registry within a period of up to 10 business days from the moment it accesses the digital file.
The company must also complete the opening of its bank account as a legal entity. This account is a prerequisite for registering with the Central Commercial Registry.
Step 6. Obtain the business license, when necessary
The establishment of a company does not, by itself, authorize all commercial activities. Businesses subject to the Central Commercial Registry require the appropriate license before starting those operations.
To request it, they must prove that the activity is authorized, that the company is established, and that they have electronic payment channels available. They must also submit a responsible declaration regarding the technical conditions of the establishment.
The Central Commercial Registry has up to 10 calendar days to process the application. The license can have a maximum validity of three years.
The authorities verify the technical conditions within 60 calendar days following the issuance of the license. If they detect any noncompliance, they may revoke it.
If documentation is missing, the applicant has 10 calendar days to correct the deficiencies required. If this is not done, the application may be denied. Legal administrative appeals may be submitted against a denial.
How much does it cost to obtain a business license?
The Resolution 25/2026 establishes the following maximum rates in Cuban pesos for the services of the Central Commercial Registry:
- Entry and processing of the file: 200 CUP.
- Initial registration: 1,300 CUP.
- Registration Update: 600 CUP.
- Certifications: 700 CUP.
For the entities authorized to conduct business in foreign currency, Resolution 195/2026 sets maximum fees of 70 USD for filing the application and 500 USD for registration or re-registration.
These amounts correspond to commercial procedures. They do not represent the total cost of establishing a micro, small, or medium-sized enterprise, which may include notary, registration, and banking fees.
What happens if the business already existed?
MIPYMES that are created from pre-existing businesses, including those run by self-employed workers, may retain the licenses and permits already granted if they continue the same activities, according to Resolution 2/2026 from INAENE.
When it is time to renew a commercial license due to expiration, the re-registration application must be submitted 15 days prior to expiration.
How long does it take to open a micro, small, or medium enterprise (mipyme) in Cuba?
There is no single timeframe that guarantees when it will be ready to operate. Municipal approval, capital deposit, notarial deed, commercial registration, and tax procedures each have different deadlines.
In addition, some activities require specific permits. Therefore, before submitting the application, it is advisable to check the required authorizations for the chosen business and gather all the necessary documentation.
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