Four ways to obtain Argentine citizenship in 2025

Argentine citizenship appeals to relocators for the many advantages it opens up. The country is known for its rich culture, striking landscapes and affordable cost of living. Here are all the routes to an Argentine passport.

Naturalization

To qualify for citizenship, you must live in the country for two years. A criminal record or income from illegal sources can be grounds for refusal.

Marriage

The spouse of an Argentine citizen is entitled to a passport without any residency requirement.

Birthright

A child born on Argentine soil is entitled to citizenship under jus soli, regardless of the parents' nationality. In turn, the newborn's parents and relatives gain the right to permanent residency and to a fast-tracked Argentine passport.

Descent

Anyone with at least one Argentine parent is entitled to citizenship by descent.

The advantages of Argentine citizenship

• Visa-free access to 163 countries, including the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom and Japan.
• A fast route to citizenship.
• The right to hold dual citizenship.
• An affordable cost of living: a single person needs roughly 700 dollars a month to cover expenses and rent a one-bedroom apartment.
• High-quality healthcare.

An alternative: Paraguayan citizenship by investment

One of the most attractive citizenship-by-investment options is Paraguay - a strategically located, outward-facing land of opportunity. Paraguayan citizenship by investment gives foreigners and their families a rare chance to obtain permanent residency for an investment from 70,000 US dollars, then a passport no earlier than three years of living in the country as a permanent resident, and enjoy all its benefits: visa-free travel to 145 countries, including the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom and Singapore; eligibility for the US E-2 visa; tax optimization at a 10 percent rate; and life in a country with a high standard of living and a favorable climate.

Argentine citizenship in 2026: what changed

On 29 May 2025, Argentina's government changed naturalisation by Decree 366/2025. The decree moved citizenship decisions from federal courts to the National Directorate of Migration, required two years of legal residence immediately before applying with no departures from the country, and created a separate route for those making significant investments.

On 30 June 2026, the National Electoral Chamber declared the decree null: the judges held that citizenship is tied to voting rights and cannot be changed by decree. Naturalisation is again decided by a federal court under Law 346. The government is appealing and the Supreme Court has not yet ruled, so we check the procedure on the date of application.

How naturalisation through the court works

The application is filed with the federal court for the applicant's place of residence in Argentina. The court checks that the applicant:

• is an adult and has lived in the country for at least two years;
• has a lawful source of income;
• has no criminal record in Argentina or in previous countries of residence.

The file includes a passport, birth certificate with apostille and sworn Spanish translation, the Argentine identity card, criminal record certificates, and proof of address and income. The judge may call the applicant for an interview and request information from migration, police and other agencies. Timing depends on the court's workload, so documents collected and translated in advance save months. After the court decision the applicant takes an oath and then receives the identity card and passport of an Argentine citizen.

A child born in Argentina and the parents' path

A child born in Argentina is Argentine by birthright regardless of the parents' citizenship. Parents of an Argentine child are entitled to permanent residence under the migration law and can then apply for naturalisation. Parents do not get citizenship automatically: each goes through the court procedure. See giving birth in Argentina.

Citizenship by investment: announced but not launched

On 2 October 2026, Argentina's economy minister announced a citizenship by investment programme: from $350,000 as a non-refundable contribution to the treasury or an $800,000 government bond. Separate contributions apply to family members. Applications are promised in the fourth quarter of 2026, but as of publication there is no regulation setting out the procedure, and payment alone does not guarantee citizenship: applicants are screened for security, criminal record, wealth and source of funds. Citizenship by investment does not in itself make a person an Argentine tax resident. See Argentine citizenship by investment.

Which route to choose

Why courts refuse naturalisation

• Gaps in residence. The court may treat long absences as breaking the period, so plan trips around the filing date.
• No proof of income. A contract, tax payments or other documents of lawful income in Argentina or from abroad are needed.
• A criminal record or open cases in Argentina or the previous country of residence.
• Inconsistent documents: different spellings of the name in the passport, birth certificate and Argentine ID, or wrong translations.
• Migration breaches, such as an expired residence permit.

Citizens' rights and duties

Argentines, including naturalised citizens, vote in elections: voting is compulsory for citizens aged 18 to 70, and failing to vote without a valid reason leads to a fine. Argentina has no compulsory military service. Argentina does not require giving up a previous citizenship, but within the country a naturalised citizen uses only the Argentine passport and identity card. Under the Southern Common Market residence agreement, an Argentine citizen obtains residence in Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and other member countries on simplified terms, without a separate ground such as work or study.

How we help

We arrange residence, prepare court documents with apostille and sworn translation, and handle the case through to the oath and the Argentine passport. We follow the decree appeal and the investment programme and file under the procedure in force on the date of application. Current conditions are on the Argentine citizenship page. Write in the chat and a manager will review your case and calculate the cost.

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