How to Get Argentine Citizenship in 2025

The main paths to Argentine citizenship

• Naturalization — 2 years of continuous legal residence with no exits.
• Citizenship by birth (Jus soli) — automatic for anyone born in Argentina.
• Citizenship by descent (Jus sanguinis) — for children of parents with Argentine nationality.
• If you were born abroad to at least one Argentine parent, you can obtain citizenship by option (por opción) through a consulate or local registry. No residence period is required.
• Citizenship by investment — newly introduced in 2025, details pending.
• A dedicated track based on a “relevant investment.”

Citizenship by naturalization

Any adult foreign national may apply for citizenship through the naturalization path if the conditions are met. There are different sub-routes, but the basic requirements are as follows:

• Age 18+
• Two years of continuous, lawful residence in Argentina (no exits during the period)
• Clean criminal record and compliance with local laws.

“Continuous” now means uninterrupted—leaving the country restarts the two-year count.

Applications are filed with the National Migration Directorate (DNM), including via its online platform.

Required documents:

• Passport;
• Birth certificate with apostille/legalization and sworn Spanish translation;
• Criminal record checks (Argentina and, where relevant, former countries of residence);
• Proof of residence status and address, and—where applicable—proof of lawful income.

Note: You can qualify for the two-year residence via different statuses (e.g., work, study, family reunification, rentista/passive income). The key is to keep the status valid and remain in Argentina without exits.

Citizenship by investment (2025)

In 2025, Argentina introduced a standalone citizenship-by-investment route separate from the standard two-year naturalization track.

To qualify, you need to make a “relevant investment,” with the exact categories and thresholds set by the government and subject to updates.

The two-year rule does not apply to the investment track.

This path is aimed at entrepreneurs and high-net-worth applicants who can document the lawful source of funds and pass due-diligence checks.

Citizenship by birth and descent

Birth in Argentina (jus soli)

Any child born in Argentina automatically acquires citizenship under the jus soli principle (with diplomatic exceptions). The parents typically receive permanent residence (residencia permanente) through family reunification and may later pursue citizenship via naturalization after two years of continuous lawful residence.

Children of Argentina citizens (por opción)

Children born abroad to Argentine citizens can apply at a consulate or a local civil registry with no residence requirement. The two-year rule does not apply.
Note: The “by descent” route does not extend to distant relatives. If your relative in Argentina is a grandparent, an aunt/uncle, or a cousin, this path is not directly available (a two-step strategy via your parent may be possible, but that’s another matter).

  Marriage

Marriage to an Argentine citizen is a family reunification route. The foreign spouse typically receives permanent residence and can apply for citizenship after 2 years of continuous residence (with no exits). Marriage itself does not grant citizenship and does not shorten the residence requirement.

Step-by-step: How to get Argentina citizenship

1. Enter Argentina. Many nationalities can enter visa-free for short stays (typically up to 90 days).
2. Obtain and maintain legal residence. Based on the correct category (work, study, family, rentista, etc.) obtain a resident permit (residencia precaria) via DNM. Wait for the confirmation of temporal or permanent residence. For work, study, and rentista purposes, you will obtain residencia temporaria; for spouses of Argentine citizens and parents of children born in Argentina, residencia permanente applies. You will need a DNI—Argentina’s national ID card; without it, the citizenship process is not possible. After the two-year naturalization period, you can apply for Argentina citizenship.
3. Fulfill 2 years of uninterrupted residence. Under 2025 rules, any exit resets the clock.
4. Prepare all documents. Secure apostilles/legalizations and sworn Spanish translations for foreign documents.
5. Submit the application to DNM. Filing is now possible online from within Argentina.
6. Receive Argentina passport. After approval, you’ll receive your passport as a citizen of Argentina.

Benefits of Argentina citizenship

Dual citizenship allowed. Argentina permits multiple nationalities.
Visa-free/VOA to 160+ countries. Strong mobility across the Americas, Europe, and Asia.
Mercosur advantage. Easier residence/work options across Mercosur and associated states.
Expanding travel access. Recent bilateral arrangements have improved short-term travel to select countries.
Self-reliant country. Argentina is largely self-sufficient in food and is a major agricultural producer.
Job opportunities. The country offers plenty of jobs across multiple sectors: agriculture, construction, services, logistics, and the creative industries.
Path to Spanish citizenship. Argentine citizens can obtain Spanish citizenship through a simplified route (two years of residence instead of ten).

Risks and pitfalls in 2025

Exiting during the two-year period resets the clock. The interpretation of “continuous” is literal.
Investment criteria are evolving. Confirm current thresholds and eligible assets before committing funds.
From courts to Migraciones: Many older resources still point to court-based processes, but DNM now handles applications and offers an online filing option.