Argentine citizenship by investment: how the new program works

What is Argentine citizenship by investment?

The program was officially announced in spring 2025 by Decree No. 524/2025 and published in the Boletín Oficial de la República Argentina. It is part of President Javier Miley’s policy of radically simplifying immigration and investment policies.

The concept is simple. Instead of waiting 2 years for naturalization, foreigners need only invest at least USD 500,000 in the country’s economy and pass a due diligence check. Thus, a foreigner can obtain a passport without long-term residency.

However, there are several important details:

• The Ministry of Economy determines which projects are eligible for the program through a specialized agency.
• Previously, Argentine citizenship was granted by the courts, but now, this process is being transferred to the immigration service. While simplifying the system, the change requires new regulations.
• The program is still in the preparatory stages. The legal framework is being developed, and the first real cases will be possible in 2026.

Argentina is essentially trying to replicate the success of Caribbean countries, but on a new level. It’s not just «buying a passport», but rather investing in the real economy, including energy, agriculture, tourism, and technology.

Requirements to obtain citizenship by investment

The Argentine program is still new, but the basic rules are already known.

Investment amount. The minimum investment threshold is USD 500,000. This is almost twice as expensive as Caribbean programs and significantly higher than Turkey’s. However, the Argentine authorities are open about their goal: not the “mass sale of passports,” but rather the attraction of significant capital to the economy.

Where to invest. The government has established several priority industries:

• Agriculture (Argentina is one of the largest exporters of meat and soy, so the market is stable).
• Energy and “green projects” (the country is actively developing renewable energy, including solar power plants in the north and wind turbines in Patagonia).
• Tourism (especially infrastructure for international travelers).
• Technology and startups (Buenos Aires is striving to become a fintech hub in the region);
• Infrastructure (roads, transportation, and logistics).

Unlike in Turkey or Greece, purchasing real estate is not an option. The government believes that money should work for the economy, not be wasted on speculation.

Investor requirements. It’s important both to invest funds and to prove your credibility:

• Prove the legal origin of the capital.
• Present an investment plan (don’t just «show the money»).
• Pass a criminal record and sanctions check.

In essence, this involves a comprehensive due diligence process for the applicant, which should improve the program’s standing.

Benefits of an Argentine passport

Investors don’t just choose a «document»; they choose a set of opportunities. In this regard, Argentina is truly competitive.

Visa-free countries. An Argentine passport opens the door to over 160 countries, including:

• The Schengen Area (the entire EU).
• The United Kingdom.
• Japan and South Korea.
• South American countries and most of Latin America.

It is one of the most powerful passports in the region, significantly superior to Caribbean alternatives.

Dual citizenship. Argentina officially recognizes dual citizenship. This means that investors do not have to give up their original passport, which is a significant advantage compared to countries that require renunciation.

Social and economic opportunities:

• Free education and access to public healthcare.
• Social benefits and protection.
• Opportunity to live and work in Mercosur countries, such as Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay. Essentially, one passport opens up 4 markets.

Alternative paths to Argentine citizenship

If USD 500,000 is too high or if you want to be on the safe side before the program launches, an investor may consider other options.

Naturalization through residence. It’s enough to live in Argentina for 2 years with a residence permit. This is one of the shortest naturalization periods in the world. For comparison, it’s 10 years in Spain and 5 years in Portugal. The downside is that the naturalization process is interrupted by any departure from the country.

Birth of a child in Argentina. The child immediately becomes a citizen. The parents receive a residence permit and can apply for a passport after a few months. This is essentially the cheapest option, requiring only the cost of airfare and living expenses in Argentina.

Marrying an Argentine citizen. Grants the right to a residence permit and, subsequently, citizenship.  Although it functions as a standard migration path, it requires specific personal circumstances.

Legal issues and risks

Any investment citizenship program must undergo a sustainability test. Is it legally compliant, and how reliable is it for investors? In Argentina’s case, there are several points worthy of note.

The program is still under development. Although the presidential decree has been signed, the regulatory framework has not yet been fully approved. This means that the rules regarding the amount, investment areas, and timeframes may still change. Experience in Caribbean countries shows that such adjustments are common, so investors should plan for “legal turbulence.”

«Significant investment» is a flexible concept. Currently, the lower threshold is set at USD 500,000, but the Ministry of Economy will make the final decision. It’s possible that one USD 500,000 project will be approved while another will not.

Checks and compliance. Investors are required to prove the legal origin of their funds. Any suspicious activity may result in refusal. Additionally, due diligence is conducted to ensure the investor has no criminal record, is not subject to sanctions, and has no open cases. The government reserves the right to revoke citizenship if the investment is found to be fraudulent or violates the rules.

Step-by step guide for investors

1. Document preparation.

   The initial filter is transparency. Argentina only wants “clean” investors. Therefore, collecting documents is not a formality, but a key step. These include passports, police clearance certificates, bank statements, and tax returns. Be prepared for in-depth questions about the origin of the funds. Ideally, it would be best if you already had an audit or confirmation from an international bank.

2. Project selection.

   The most promising areas are energy and agriculture. For instance, investing in solar power plants in the northern part of the country or soybean export production could be seen by the authorities as contributing to the strategic economy.

3. Agency approval.

   Your project will be sent to an agency under the Ministry of Economy. The agency will check not only the amount, but also its actual benefit to the country.

4. Identity verification.

   The Migration Service conducts due diligence on the investor. This process is similar to those in Caribbean countries, but with an emphasis on long-term reliability.

5. Investment and monitoring.

   After approval, funds are transferred to the project. Unlike “purely financial” programs, there is oversight of the business plan.

6. Citizenship

   Once the investment is confirmed and the verification process is complete, the investor receives citizenship and a passport. The processing time remains approximate at 12 to 18 months.

Comparison with other investment programs

Investors always have several alternatives to choose from. Argentina is entering a market where Caribbean programs and Turkey have been operating for decades. To understand its competitiveness, let’s look at a comparison.

Conclusion: Argentina isn’t for those looking for a «quick and cheap» deal. Its target audience is businesspeople who value a strong passport and access to new markets. Many investors find that a mix of options (for example, a child plus a business investment) is strategically advantageous.

If the investment amount seems too high, there is another option: obtaining citizenship through the childbirth in Argentina. This way is more accessible and guarantees a passport for the entire family.