Argentina Citizenship by Investment: New Programme Details

Requirements for Argentina’s citizenship-by-investment programme

Argentina intends to start accepting citizenship-by-investment applications by the end of 2026. Economy Minister Luis Caputo and Chief of Cabinet Diego Santilli presented the programme terms at the Argentina Week investment forum in Paris on 2 October.

Investors will have two options:

1. A non-refundable contribution of at least $350,000 to the National Treasury;
2. A minimum $800,000 investment in government bonds created specifically for the programme.

Family members can be included in the application. The additional contribution is $100,000 for a spouse and $25,000 for each child under 18. Unmarried children aged 18 to 25 with no children of their own can be included for $100,000 each.

For a family of four — the main applicant, a spouse and two minor children — the minimum contribution will be $500,000.

Applicants will not need to live in Argentina before applying. They will, however, undergo due diligence covering their identity, source and traceability of funds, financial position, criminal record, reputation and immigration history ^[1] Source: Government of Argentina, Official announcement of the citizenship-by-investment programme terms .

A citizenship decision must be made within 30 working days after the immigration authority receives the assessment from the Citizenship by Investment Programmes Agency. The total processing time, including the initial due diligence checks, has not yet been set ^[2] Source: Decree No. 524/2025, Article 4 setting the decision deadline .

5 benefits of Argentine citizenship

1. Greater travel freedom. Argentine passport holders can travel to 174 countries destinations without obtaining a visa in advance. This includes the Schengen Area, where they can stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Travel to the UK requires an Electronic Travel Authorisation, or ETA.

2. Easier relocation within South America. Five years after naturalisation, Argentine citizens become eligible for a simplified residence permit process in other Mercosur countries, including Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Argentine citizenship itself serves as the basis for residency, so applicants do not need to prove employment, enrolment in education or investment.

To obtain a temporary residence permit, applicants must provide a passport, birth certificate, proof of naturalisation and criminal record certificates. The permit is valid for up to two years, after which they can apply for permanent residency by demonstrating a lawful source of income

3. Keeping existing citizenship. Argentina allows dual and multiple citizenship. Investors can retain their original citizenship as long as the laws of their country of origin also allow it.

4. Varied climate and landscapes. Argentina has several distinct climate zones. Buenos Aires has four seasons, with hot summers, cool winters and mild spring and autumn weather. The north stays warm for most of the year, and Patagonia has a colder climate, with snow in the mountains during winter.

5. Travel and outdoor activities. Argentina offers skiing in Bariloche, wineries in Mendoza, Atlantic beaches and national parks across Patagonia. Its best-known natural landmarks include Iguazu Falls and the Perito Moreno Glacier. The country has 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

How Argentina’s citizenship-by-investment plan developed

Argentina began discussing citizenship as a way to attract foreign investment in 2024. Economy Minister Luis Caputo said the idea emerged after President Javier Milei met technology entrepreneurs in Sun Valley, United States ^[3] Source: El País, Background to Argentina’s citizenship-by-investment initiative and comments from Economy Minister Luis Caputo .

In May 2025, the president signed Decree No. 366, allowing foreign nationals who make a significant investment to apply for citizenship without first living in Argentina ^[4] Source: Decree No. 366/2025, amendments to Argentina’s citizenship legislation .

In July 2025, the government approved the application procedure and created a dedicated agency within the Ministry of Economy to oversee the programme. The investment amounts were not announced until October 2026 ^[5] Source: Government of Argentina, Citizenship-by-investment application procedure .

Why Argentina’s citizenship-by-investment programme is controversial

Argentina plans to launch the programme by the end of 2026, but its legal basis is still being challenged.

The courts questioned the new rules before the investment requirements were announced. On 30 June 2026, the National Electoral Chamber ruled Decree No. 366 invalid, finding that the president had exceeded his authority by changing citizenship rules without approval from Congress ^[6] Source: Argentina’s Public Prosecutor’s Office, National Electoral Chamber ruling on citizenship matters .

The case concerned an ordinary naturalisation application rather than citizenship by investment. However, the ruling affected the same decree that underpins the new programme. The government said it would appeal and continued preparing for the launch ^[7] Source: Chequeado, Analysis of the court rulings and their implications for citizenship by investment .

After the October announcement, lawmakers from the opposition coalition Unión por la Patria introduced bills seeking to repeal the new rules. One proposal, submitted by former Chief of Cabinet Agustín Rossi, would prohibit granting citizenship in exchange for money, investments or the purchase of securities ^[8] Source: Chamber of Deputies of Argentina, Bill No. 5254-D-2026 .

Critics have also raised concerns about money laundering risks and the potential impact on the international standing of the Argentine passport. The government says applicants will undergo source-of-funds and background checks in line with international standards set by the Financial Action Task Force, FATF, and the OECD ^[9] Source: Government of Argentina, Due diligence measures for citizenship-by-investment applicants .

Other citizenship-by-investment programmes

São Tomé and Príncipe grants citizenship in return for a non-refundable contribution from $90,000 to the National Transformation Fund. The money supports energy, education and infrastructure projects. Citizenship can be obtained in as little as 6 months.

Nauru offers citizenship through a non-refundable contribution to a government fund. The standard investment is $115,000, but a reduced minimum of $90,000 applies until 31 December 2026. Applications are processed in 3 months, and applicants do not need to visit the country.

In Vanuatu, wealthy foreign nationals can qualify for citizenship through either a government contribution or a private investment. The minimum is $130,000 for a non-refundable contribution or $157,000 for an investment in a private fund financing cocoa and coconut oil production. The citizenship process usually starts at 3 months.

Egyptian citizenship is available to investors who choose one of four qualifying options, starting at $250,000:

1. A non-refundable contribution from $250,000.
2. Property purchase from $300,000.
3. Business investment from $350,000, plus a $100,000 non-refundable contribution.
4. Bank deposit from $500,000.

Applicants can obtain citizenship in 12 months.

Turkey allows foreign investors to obtain citizenship through several investment options. The property route starts at $400,000. Other qualifying options include:

• a bank deposit from $500,000;
• government bonds or investment fund units from $500,000;
• business investment from $500,000.

Turkish citizenship is usually granted from 12 months after applying.

Passportivity helps investors obtain residence permits and second citizenship by investment. Book a free consultation with our experts.