Argentina Citizenship - Requirements and Process

Citizenship in Argentina offers a wide range of options and opportunities. If you want to relocate to Argentina and plan to obtain Argentinian citizenship, you can rely on the services of our immigration lawyers in Argentina. This article presents information on the citizenship process.

Quick Facts
Nationalities accepted (EU/Non-EU)	Both EU and non-EU citizens can apply for citizenship in Argentina.
Business investment option (YES/NO)	YES
Real estate investment option	Not available
Methods available to get citizenship	naturalization, by descent, by investment
Conditions to obtain citizenship by investment in Argentina	A 'relevant investment' under Decree 366/2025 and Decree 524/2025; amounts announced by the Government on 2 October 2026 (implementing rules not yet published): a non-refundable USD 350,000 contribution to the Treasury or a USD 800,000 special government bond (applications from Q4 2026).
Institution issuing the Argentine passport	RENAPER (National Registry of Persons, Ministry of the Interior); Argentine consulates abroad
Direct immigration with family members	The main candidate can apply for family members too when immigrating to Argentina.
Family members allowed to join the program	– spouse, – children (for the investment route: spouse, children aged 18-25 and minor children, each with an additional contribution)
Citizenship processing time (approx.)	A few months
Additional financial requirements for family members	Specific fees must be paid at the time the citizenship application is made.
Naturalization process	For foreigners over 18 who have lived in Argentina continuously and legally for the 2 years immediately before applying (Decree 366/2025; this change is being challenged in the courts and an appeal is pending before the Supreme Court)
Dual citizenship permitted (YES/NO)	YES
Reasons to choose Argentina	– a great standard of living, – varied business opportunities, – powerful passport
Personal income tax rate	Ranging from 5% to 35%
Visa-free travel to other countries (approx. number of countries)	Around 169 (Henley Passport Index 2026)

Who is eligible to apply for citizenship in Argentina?

EU and non-EU citizens are eligible to apply for citizenship in Argentina.

What are the main paths to citizenship in Argentina?

Naturalization,
Birth or descent,
Marriage,
Investments.

How is citizenship by birth/descent in Argentina obtained?

if one of the parents is Argentine, you can claim citizenship,
if you were born in Argentina, you automatically become citizen of this country.

How do I obtain citizenship in Argentina by marriage?

Marriage is not a separate route: a foreign spouse of an Argentine can obtain residence through family reunification and must then meet the naturalization rule, i.e. 2 years of continuous legal residence (Decree 366/2025; this change is being challenged in the courts and an appeal is pending before the Supreme Court).

Below is an infographic on this subject:

What are the conditions to get citizenship by investment in Argentina?

Through the Citizenship by Investment program (CBI) in Argentina, with new conditions for 2026. Applicants should:

make a 'relevant investment' – announced by the Government on 2 October 2026 (implementing rules not yet published) as a non-refundable USD 350,000 contribution to the Treasury or a USD 800,000 special government bond (applications from Q4 2026),
apply with the Citizenship by Investment Program Agency,
obtain clearance from the Ministry of Security, the National Registry of Reoffenders, and the Financial Information Unit in Argentina.

NOTE! This is a direct citizenship path in Argentina for which there is no need to reside here for at least 2 years.

What are the documents required for Argentine nationality?

valid ID/passport,
birth certificate in translated and apostilled form,
clear criminal records,
proof of financial means,
proof of basic Spanish knowledge,
tax ID (CUIL or CUIT).

Can family members be included in the citizenship application in Argentina?

Yes.

How do minors apply for citizenship by descent in Argentina?

If they are under the age of 18, yhey will be required to provide these documents:

a birth certificate with an apostille.
certified copies of the birth certificates of both Argentina-born parents (one copy of the birth certificate if you have only one Argentina-born parent).
national identification documents of both parents if both are from Argentina; in the case when only one parent is from Argentina, he’she should provide the national identity document of one parent only.
consent of both parents.

Here is a video presentation with information about Argentine citizenship:

What is the processing time for a citizenship application in Argentina in 2026?

6-18 months.

What are the steps for obtaining an Argentine passport?

the Argentine passport is issued if all personal documents are submitted to RENAPER (National Registry of Persons), which issues passports in Argentina; abroad, applications go through Argentine consulates.
the National Identity Document, the proof of marital status, and the birth certificate must be presented to the Civil Registry, where the passport application process starts.

What is the validity of the Argentine passport?

10 years.

Is dual citizenship permitted in Argentina?

Yes.

In what situations can the application for citizenship in Argentina be refused?

There are cases in which the citizenship application of foreigners can be rejected. For example, if the applicant does not have a clear criminal record or if he has served a prison sentence of at least 3 years in the last 5 years, the application may be rejected.

What are the advantages of Argentine citizenship?

visa-free travel to about 169 destinations (Henley Passport Index 2026),
with an Argentine citizenship, you can apply for Spanish nationality after only 2 years of legal residence in Spain (instead of 10),
access to healthcare services and education,
protection in cases of immigration changes, etc.

Contact our law firm in Argentina if you are planning to get Argentine citizenship in 2026.