Cuban doctors in Spain complain of bureaucratic hurdles in Cuba that limit their ability to practice abroad

Professionals, like Cuban doctors in Spain, reported being "trapped" in the European country due to Cuba's bureaucracy and being unable to practice their profession outside the island. They reported this to Spanish media.

Hundreds of Cuban doctors residing in Spain face a bureaucratic maze that prevents them from practicing their profession, despite having their degrees recognized.

The Cuban government refuses, according to the report, to issue the certificate of no disqualification, a key requirement for registering in Spain, turning these professionals into administrative hostages and limiting their right to work.

The situation of Cuban doctors in Spain is becoming increasingly alarming. Although many have managed to homologate their degrees —a process that can take up to five years and does not include specialization— they cannot practice due to an unexpected obstacle: the lack of a certificate of no disqualification that can only be issued by the Cuban Ministry of Public Health.

This document is essential for registering and working in the Spanish healthcare system.

However, the Cuban government refuses to issue this certificate to professionals who left the island without authorization, as a form of punishment and deterrence. This refusal has left more than 300 Cuban doctors licensed in Spain in a state of professional limbo.

According to Guillermo Ponce, president of the Cuban Doctors Association in Spain, "it's a form of pressure to prevent doctors from leaving the country."

The background of this measure is linked to the so-called medical missionsa healthcare services export program that has reported over 108 billion dollars to the regime between 2009 and 2022.

In these missions, the Cuban government receives between 3,000 and 5,000 euros per month for each doctor, but only gives the professional about 600 euros, split between immediate payments and a blocked account in Cuba, which can only be accessed if the doctor returns.

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Doctor Gaylor Márquez, a specialist in pediatric intensive care, is one of the many professionals who decided to seek a future in Spain.

After a mission in Equatorial Guinea, he arrived on the mainland, but being considered a "deserter from the healthcare system," he was denied the certificate to register.

The Cuban Doctors Association in Spain has attempted to mediate with the General Council of Official Medical Colleges (Cgcom), proposing alternatives such as a sworn statement and criminal background checks to allow for registration.

However, eight months after the meeting with their president, Tomás Cobo, they have not received a response.

In response to this lack of solutions, some communities like Madrid have implemented palliative measures. Since October 2024, they have allowed for temporary registration based on a responsible declaration, providing a temporary solution for those affected.

Meanwhile, most of these doctors still cannot practice despite the shortage of professionals in the Spanish healthcare system.

They take away all our freedoms. We have no right to choose our destiny, lamented Dr. Márquez.