Argentina has set the price of its citizenship by investment program. On October 2, 2026, the government announced two routes for a main applicant: a non-refundable contribution of $350,000 to the National Treasury, or the purchase of an $800,000 government bond created for the program. Applications are due to open in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Economy Minister Luis Caputo and Cabinet Chief Diego Santilli presented the program in Paris during the government's Argentina Week roadshow. Bloomberg Línea described it as the second program of its kind in Latin America, after El Salvador's. It arrives while its legal basis is being challenged in court and in Congress.
Key takeaways
- A main applicant can contribute $350,000 to the Treasury or buy an $800,000 bond, reported as a zero-interest bond with a seven-year term.
- Spouses and some adult children pay $100,000 each, and children under 18 pay $25,000 each.
- A new agency leads the vetting, with intelligence, financial intelligence, security and interior bodies involved, and the migration directorate makes the final decision.
- A court has declared the decree behind the program null in one case, and opposition lawmakers have filed bills to ban it.
The two investment routes
The official announcement, as reported by Bloomberg Línea, describes two options. The first is a direct, non-refundable contribution of $350,000 to the National Treasury. The second is a subscription of $800,000 in a public bond issued specifically for the program. Caputo described it as a zero-rate bond, and Bloomberg Línea reports a seven-year maturity.
Other details of the bond, such as whether it can be sold or pledged before maturity, had not been published by the time of writing. The government says the money raised will go toward strengthening Argentina's fiscal and financial position.
What family members pay
Family members can join the main application if they prove the relationship. Each pays an additional contribution to the Treasury.
| Family member | Additional contribution |
|---|---|
| Spouse | $100,000 |
| Child aged 18 to 25, unmarried and without children | $100,000 |
| Child under 18 | $25,000 |
On the contribution route, a couple with two children under 18 would pay $500,000 in total, according to the government's own example. The figures exclude any application, due diligence or agent fees, which have not yet been published.
How applications will be vetted
Applications go to the Agency for Citizenship by Investment Programs, a body attached to the Ministry of Economy. According to the announcement, the State Intelligence Secretariat (SIDE), the Financial Information Unit (UIF), and the Ministries of Security and the Interior will take part in the review.
The checks cover identity, the traceability and lawful origin of funds, assets and finances, jurisdictional risk, criminal and reputational records, and migration history. The agency then sends a recommendation to the National Directorate of Migration, which approves or rejects the application. All payments must pass through the formal financial system, and the government says its standards follow OECD and Financial Action Task Force recommendations. For what these checks usually involve, see our guide to source of funds checks.
The legal basis and the court challenge
The program rests on Decree of Necessity and Urgency (DNU) 366/2025, signed on May 28, 2025 and published on May 29, 2025. It amended Citizenship Law 346 to allow naturalization for foreigners who make a relevant investment, regardless of how long they have lived in Argentina, and created the agency. Decree 524/2025, published on July 31, 2025, set out the procedure.
That basis is now in question. On June 30, 2026, the National Electoral Chamber declared DNU 366/2025 null in the case of an individual applicant, on the ground that the Constitution bars the president from using emergency decrees in electoral matters, and citizenship is tied to the right to vote, Perfil reported. The ruling was made in one case, but the court ordered it sent to all federal judges with electoral jurisdiction.
After the price announcement, opposition lawmakers filed bills in the Chamber of Deputies to ban citizenship by investment, adding to a Senate bill filed in August. These are proposals, not law. We cover them in Argentina's opposition bills to ban CBI.
How the price compares
At $350,000, Argentina is more expensive than the five Caribbean programs, which run from $200,000 to $250,000 before fees, and cheaper than Turkey's $400,000 property route. Local press had speculated about a $500,000 entry price before the announcement.
Argentina's passport gives visa-free access to the Schengen Area and the United Kingdom. Caputo said it is accepted in more than 140 countries. For many applicants, the comparison will be with the Caribbean passports, which offer similar European access at a lower price but face growing pressure from the EU, the UK and the US. Our comparison of the best citizenship by investment programs and the Caribbean citizenship by investment guide set out the alternatives.
What is still unknown
- Exact launch date: The government has said only "fourth quarter of 2026."
- Fees and agents: Application fees, due diligence fees and rules for authorized agents have not been published.
- Bond terms: Transfer rules and treatment at maturity are not yet public.
- Legal durability: It is not clear how the courts or Congress will treat citizenships granted under the decree if the challenges succeed.
Citizenship alone does not make someone tax resident in Argentina. Tax residence depends on where a person lives and on Argentine and foreign rules, which people in this position often review with an adviser.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Argentine citizenship by investment cost?
The main applicant pays either a $350,000 non-refundable contribution or $800,000 in a special government bond. Spouses and eligible adult children add $100,000 each, and children under 18 add $25,000 each.
When does Argentina's citizenship by investment program open?
The government says applications will open in the fourth quarter of 2026. No exact date had been announced as of October 10, 2026.
Do I have to live in Argentina?
The decree allows naturalization for a relevant investment regardless of how long the applicant has lived in Argentina. The government has not announced a residence requirement for the program, though the final rules may add conditions.
Is the program legally secure?
Not yet. A court declared the underlying decree null in one case in June 2026, and opposition bills to ban the program are in Congress. The outcome may depend on the Supreme Court and on future votes in Congress.
Important: This article is general information, not tax, legal or financial advice. Rules change often and depend on your personal circumstances. Speak with a qualified professional in each relevant country before you act.