Cuando can be used with both the present indicative and the present subjunctive, but they'll be referring to different types of actions.
Difference between using cuando with the indicative and cuando with the subjunctive in Spanish
Cuando (When) is followed by a verb in the subjunctive mood to express a future event still to happen.
Read and listen to these examples:
Cuando estemos de vacaciones no usaré el móvil.When we are on holidays I won't use the mobile phone.
Cuando is followed by El Presente de Indicativo when it expresses that something actually happens.
See these two similar examples, one with indicative and one with subjunctive:
In this sentence the going on holidays to Tenerife really happens.
In this next sentence the going on holidays to Tenerife has not happened. It is a future idea. Notice that the future tense follows the subjunctive here.
Note that this rule also applies to other time phrases that are synonyms of "cuando", for example: "cada vez que" or "en el momento en que":
The actions above do happen.
The examples above refer to future actions.
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Learn more about these related Spanish grammar topics
Examples and resources
Cuando voy de vacaciones a Tenerife me hospedo en el hotel Olimpia.When I go on holiday to Tenerife I stay at the hotel Olimpia.
Cuando vaya de vacaciones a Tenerife me hospedaré en el hotel Olimpia.When I [will] go on holiday to Tenerife I will stay at the hotel Olimpia.
Cuando estemos de vacaciones no usaré el móvil.When we are on holidays I won't use the mobile phone.
Cuando lleguen ustedes al hotel, deben entregar todos los documentos.When you arrive at the hotel, you must hand in all the documents.
Cada vez que veo a Luisa me acuerdo de su hermana.When/every time I see Luisa I remember her sister.
Te acordarás de Paula cada vez que veas a Luisa.You'll remember Paula when/every time you see Luisa.
En el momento en que llego al trabajo, mis compañeros me saludan cordialmente.When/the moment I arrive at work, my colleagues greet me cordially.
En el momento en que llegues al trabajo, saluda a tus compañeros cordialmente.When/the moment you arrive at work, greet your colleagues cordially.
