Spanish Consulate in Havana to Open on Weekends in October: Here's Why

The Spanish Consulate in Havana has announced it will remain open on several weekends throughout October. This initiative aims to assist Spanish citizens residing in Cuba or those temporarily on the island with certain procedures, offering extended hours and deadlines that must be adhered to.

This decision is tied to the upcoming elections for the Spanish Congress of Deputies and Senate, scheduled for November 29, 2026, as stated in a communication from the Spanish Consulate in Havana.

The special weekend hours will be on Saturday, October 17, Sunday, October 18, Saturday, October 24, Sunday, October 25, and Saturday, October 31, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Understanding the Election Procedures

However, not all procedures will be available on these dates, so it’s crucial to know which services apply to different groups of citizens.

On the weekend of October 17 and 18, Spanish residents in Cuba can verify their registration on the electoral roll and file complaints if they discover errors, improper exclusions, or need to update specific data.

This process is part of the CERA system (Census of Absent Residents), which includes Spanish citizens living outside Spain who are registered for electoral purposes.

The extraordinary period for checking the census began on October 12 and will conclude on Monday, October 19. Individuals needing to verify or correct their registration should do so within this timeframe.

Where and How to Verify Registration

In-person consultations can be done without an appointment at the Palacio de Velasco, the Spanish Consulate’s headquarters located at 2 Zulueta Street, corner of Cárcel, in Old Havana.

During weekdays within this period, the office hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., while on October 17 and 18, it will operate from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Citizens who prefer not to travel can also check their registration online through the National Institute of Statistics of Spain’s electronic office, provided they have the Cl@ve electronic identification system.

If a correction is necessary, the individual must use the official form provided by the Consular Office and submit it with the appropriate documentation.

Acceptable documents include a photocopy of the Spanish DNI, passport, or Spanish driver’s license. Those without these can present a Spanish nationality certificate or a registration certificate from the Consular Registration.

Procedures for Temporary Residents

The dates of October 24, 25, and 31 are set aside for another process targeting Spanish citizens temporarily in Cuba but who maintain their regular residence in Spain.

This group uses the voting system known as ERTA (electors temporarily absent residents).

To vote from Cuba, these individuals must appear in the electoral census of residents in Spain and be registered as non-residents in the Consular Registration.

Those yet to complete this registration can do so alongside the request for electoral documentation, using the appropriate official form.

The Consulate will allow both procedures during weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and on the special weekend days of October 17, 18, 24, 25, and 31, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The deadline for requesting electoral documentation through this process is October 31, 2026.

Key Differences Between CERA and ERTA

It’s imperative to distinguish between the two scenarios: Spanish residents in Cuba listed in the CERA do not need to pre-request their vote, whereas those temporarily in the country using the ERTA process must request the documentation within the specified period.

For CERA-registered voters, the Electoral Census Office will send initial documentation between October 24 and 30 to the address on their registration. Subsequently, ballots will be dispatched between November 4 and 8, unless candidate challenges delay the procedure.

Residents in Cuba can mail their vote to the Consular Office until November 24 or submit it in person at the Palacio de Velasco from November 21 to November 26, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Meanwhile, voters temporarily in Cuba who have completed the ERTA process must send their vote via certified mail to the appropriate electoral table in Spain, no later than November 25.

Consular authorities recommend following the official guidelines for each voting method, as requirements and deadlines differ.

This exceptional weekend opening aims to assist Spanish citizens unable to visit the Consulate during regular hours.

For Cubans with Spanish nationality residing on the island, this information is particularly relevant if they are registered in the Spanish electoral roll or need to verify their data before the claims deadline.

Nonetheless, the announced special attention is specifically for these electoral procedures and does not imply that the Consulate will offer all its usual services, such as passports, nationality, or visas, on these weekends.