During the first half of 2025, an impressive total of 5,551 Cubans successfully validated their university degrees in Spain. This significant number was reported by Diario de Cuba, citing data from Spain's Council for Transparency and Good Governance.
With these figures, Cubans have taken the lead in degree validations in Spain for the first half of 2025, surpassing previous years' totals—1,401 in 2022, 2,154 in 2023, and 2,749 in 2024—highlighting the scale of the ongoing migration wave.
The information further reveals that Cuba has overtaken Colombia, Venezuela, and Argentina, which previously held the top spots. Although specific breakdowns by profession were not disclosed, it is noted that doctors are at the forefront of these validations, followed by nurses, dentists, industrial technical engineers, and telecom engineers.
However, 66 unfavorable resolutions were issued to Cubans in the first half of 2025, mainly due to deficiencies in specific competencies or insufficient study hours as per Spanish law requirements.
Between 2022 and 2024, there was also a notable number of validations granted to public works technical engineers and physiotherapists, as reported by Diario de Cuba.
Nevertheless, the Free Cuban Medical Guild in Spain has raised concerns about delays in medical degree validations, which can extend up to four years. These delays are attributed to "forged consular seals" and a backlog in the services of Spain’s Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities.
Stories of Cuban professionals achieving degree validation success in Spain are becoming increasingly common on social media platforms. In November, for instance, Cuban doctor Leyanis C. Urrutia, known as @leyanis__cubanayole on social media, shared her joy in a video after resuming her medical practice in Spain following a long validation process and personal struggle.
“The wait is over. Today, I return to work as a doctor in this country,” she expressed at the beginning of the video, which she shared with her followers.
While the law stipulates a maximum of six months to resolve these cases, in reality, the process can stretch over several years. In October 2024, the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, announced a migration reform aimed at speeding up the validation of university degrees, including those of foreign professionals already residing in the country.
That same month, the Madrid Medical Association allowed Cuban doctors to register without needing the certificate of non-disqualification, a document that Cuban authorities have not been issuing, marking a significant step forward amidst bureaucratic challenges.
Impacts of Cuban Degree Validations in Spain
Why are Cuban professionals seeking degree validation in Spain?
Many Cuban professionals pursue degree validation in Spain to improve their career opportunities and living conditions, driven by the island's economic and social challenges.
What challenges do Cubans face in the validation process?
Cubans face obstacles such as lengthy delays, the need for specific academic competencies, and bureaucratic hurdles involving the non-issuance of certain required documents by Cuban authorities.