What should you know before traveling to Europe?

If you are Cuban and planning to travel to Europe, whether for tourism, to enjoy an academic program, or because you have a job opportunity on the Old Continent, then we have some very useful information for you, which you should know before traveling to Europe.

Our recommendation is that you pay attention to these details, which will be of great convenience to you:

Documentation and Visa for travel

Regardless of the reasons and length of your trip to the Old Continent, you should keep in mind that, as a Cuban, you must have a visa to travel to any country in Western Europe.

The Schengen visa is available for several European countries. The Schengen Area countries operate as a single country in terms of migration, as they maintain a common border policy. The Schengen Area comprises 26 European countries that have agreed to eliminate all internal border controls. Consequently, it is not necessary to obtain a separate visa to visit each of these countries. The short-stay European visa or Schengen visa is valid for all signatory countries of the Schengen Treaty. Cubans require a Schengen visa to enter any of the countries in this area, as Cuba does not have a visa exemption agreement with the members of this treaty.

Check here All information regarding the Schengen Visa and the countries that comprise this area.

Generally speaking, traveling to Europe from Cuba requires a visa.

You must also have a valid passport, sufficient financial resources to cover your stay, round-trip tickets, proof of a reservation or accommodation, medical insurance, and supporting documentation for your trip.

Check here All the information regarding processing a tourist visa to enter Europe from Cuba.

Currency exchange options

Regarding this matter, it's important for you to keep in mind that traveling with our currency and exchanging it upon arrival in Europe isn't a very favorable option, unless you're carrying your money in dollars. One of the most convenient options, both for its cost-effectiveness and security reasons, is traveling with your money on cards.

Efficient and cheap communication services

There's a communication option for tourists: the Orange Holidays SIM card. For 15 days and a price of €15, it gives you access to 40 countries and 1.5 GB of data. It allows you to communicate with your family without relying on the hotel's Wi-Fi network.

Meanwhile, if you plan to stay longer in the Old Continent, you should know that you'll be able to enjoy an efficient communications system. Internet, telephone, and even television services, when you consider the price-performance ratio, are affordable. Prices for fiber optic and telephone service are around $30 or $40 in European countries.

Process the residence card soon

If you plan to stay in Europe for a while, keep in mind that you should act quickly and begin your green card process as soon as possible. We recommend that you start this process as quickly as possible, as many foreigners are often completing the same procedures as you. For this reason, it may take several days before you get your appointment to submit the application. In most cases, the established timeframe for completing this legal procedure is the first month of your stay in the European country, starting from the date of your arrival.