In 2026, the process of purchasing foreign currency through CADECA will incorporate a new floating exchange rate, estimated to hover around 409-417 CUP per dollar and approximately 491 CUP per euro. This will be combined with an expanded network of offices and mandatory appointments via the MiTurno feature on Transfermóvil. Despite these changes, access to foreign exchange will remain limited and challenging for most Cuban wage earners.
The Transformed Currency Exchange Framework
Starting December 18, 2025, a "transformed currency market" will be in place, featuring a third segment with a floating rate published daily by the Cuban Central Bank (BCC). By the end of the year, CADECA's exchange rates are expected to range from 409-417 CUP per dollar and around 491 CUP per euro. These rates are still below the informal market but significantly higher than the previous 120 CUP.
Expanded Office Network for 2026
In 2026, CADECA will introduce 20 new branches to facilitate currency sales to the public. These branches will be distributed across Havana, Matanzas, Villa Clara, Camagüey, Santiago, Guantánamo, Pinar del Río, Mayabeque, Artemisa, and Sancti Spíritus, among other locations. Officials have indicated that this expansion will be gradual and "controlled," with additional offices potentially opening in the coming weeks, depending on the availability of foreign currency.
Digital Appointments and Real Access
Access to purchasing currency will primarily be managed through the MiTurno system within Transfermóvil, which now includes these 20 new offices. Appointments must be booked via mobile, with a reservation fee of 10 CUP. Users can manage multiple appointments but often face months-long waits or fail to purchase the full amount due to high costs.
Implications for Cubans
The combination of more offices and digital appointment systems offers logistical improvements over physical queues. However, the primary bottleneck remains the scarcity of foreign currency and the disconnect between wages and the exchange rate. In practice, even if appointment availability improves, purchasing 100 USD at over 400 CUP means spending more than 40,000 CUP—a sum unattainable for most monthly incomes in Cuba.
Outlook for 2026
As long as this framework persists, CADECA is likely to continue operating with a floating rate close to the informal market, limited quotas per person, mandatory digital appointments, and gradual office expansion. There are no official indications of a complete unification or significant reduction in exchange rates in the short term; the current design aims to attract foreign currency to the formal system without abruptly eliminating the gap with the street market.
Understanding the 2026 CADECA Currency Sales System
What changes will occur in CADECA's currency sales system in 2026?
In 2026, CADECA will implement a floating exchange rate system with rates approximately between 409-417 CUP per dollar and 491 CUP per euro, alongside an expanded office network and a digital appointment system through MiTurno on Transfermóvil.
How will the new office network impact currency access in Cuba?
The introduction of 20 new CADECA branches across several regions will improve logistical access to currency, but the overall availability will still be limited by the supply of foreign exchange and economic challenges faced by Cuban citizens.
What are the main challenges Cubans will face with the new currency system?
The main challenges include the high cost of purchasing foreign currency relative to Cuban wages and the limited availability, resulting in long waits and difficulty securing needed amounts despite the expanded infrastructure.