Argentine citizenship in 2026: every route and the changes to the law

Argentine citizenship in 2026 at a glance

In short: in 2026 Argentine citizenship is acquired by birth, by option, by naturalisation and, from Q4, by investment. The rules for naturalisation and for the investment route depend on the Supreme Court's decision on Decree 366/2025.

The timeline explains why sources contradict each other. Articles from 2025 describe the rules of Decree 366/2025: two years without leaving the country, decisions by the immigration service, the end of the simplified route for parents. Articles written after June 2026 say the courts have restored the previous procedure. And since October 2026 the main news has been the announcement of the citizenship by investment programme. All of this is true, only on different dates.

BRIDGES follows the changes and updates its materials. This article gives the picture as of 10 October 2026. If you are reading it later, check the dates against the latest news on the Supreme Court's decision.

All routes to citizenship in 2026

In short: birth in Argentina, option of citizenship by children of native-born citizens, naturalisation after two years of residence, simplified naturalisation for spouses and parents of citizens, and the investment programme.

The table shows that citizenship by birth has changed least, while naturalisation and the investment route have changed most. Each ground is covered in detail in the article how to obtain Argentine citizenship.

By birth

Article 1 of Citizenship Law No. 346 enshrines the right of the soil: anyone born on Argentine territory is a citizen of the country, regardless of the parents' nationality. This rule did not change in 2025-2026. Searches such as "Argentina has abolished citizenship by birth" stem from a different change: Decree 366/2025 removed the simplified route to citizenship for the parents of an Argentine child, not the child's own citizenship.

By option

A child of a native-born Argentine citizen who was born abroad opts for citizenship at a consulate or at RENAPER. This procedure operates under Decree 3213/84 as amended in 2004 and did not change in 2025-2026.

Naturalisation: two regimes at once

In short: under Decree 366/2025 naturalisation is handled by the immigration service and requires two years without leaving the country and permanent residence. Since the ruling of the National Electoral Chamber, some courts apply the law in its previous wording: two years of residence and a decision by a federal judge.

Before 2025 a foreigner applied for citizenship to a federal judge after two years of residence, while spouses and parents of native-born citizens could apply with no residence period at all. Decree 366/2025 changed the procedure: decisions passed to the National Directorate of Migration, the two years of residence must be lawful, continuous and without departures, and permanent residence is required at the time of filing. Exemptions from the residence period were narrowed to military service and a significant business that has operated in the country for at least eight years.

On 18 June 2026 the Civil and Commercial Court of Appeals declared the decree unconstitutional as far as citizenship is concerned, and on 30 June the National Electoral Chamber declared it null and returned decisions to federal judges. The government appealed, the appeal was admitted on 24 September, and the dispute moved to the Supreme Court. Formally the decree has not been repealed, so two regimes operate in the country. More detail in the article the legal basis and the court case over Decree 366/2025.

Citizenship by investment: the main news of 2026

In short: on 2 October 2026 the government announced the terms: a $350,000 contribution to the Treasury or an $800,000 bond, $100,000 each for a spouse and children under 25, $25,000 for each child under 18. Applications open in Q4 2026.

Argentina became the first country in South America with a citizenship by investment programme. The programme was announced in Paris by Economy Minister Luis Caputo and Cabinet Chief Diego Santilli. Applications are received by the Citizenship by Investment Programmes Agency; checks are carried out by the security services, the financial intelligence unit and the registries, and the immigration service issues a decision within 30 working days of the recommendation. Residence in the country is not required.

The amounts have been announced but not fixed by a resolution, the bond terms and fees have not been published, and the legal basis is Decree 366/2025, which is being challenged in court. So the programme has been announced, but its future depends on the Supreme Court or a law passed by Congress. More detail in the articles the cost of Argentine citizenship and on the programme page. You can work out the amount for your family with the Argentine citizenship cost calculator.

Parents of children born in Argentina

In short: the child remains a citizen from birth. For the parents, Decree 366/2025 removed naturalisation with no residence period, but since the chamber's ruling the courts apply the previous rules.

For years the route for families looked like this: the child is born in Argentina and becomes a citizen, and the parents apply under Decree 3213/84 for naturalisation with no residence period as parents of a native-born citizen. Decree 366/2025 closed this route: parents naturalise on general terms, with two years of lawful residence without departures and permanent residence. The media described the change as the end of "passport tourism".

Since the ruling of the National Electoral Chamber, the courts that follow it apply Decree 3213/84 again. But the Supreme Court will settle the question. Families planning to give birth in Argentina would be wise to plan for the conservative scenario: the child becomes a citizen immediately, while the parents receive residence and citizenship after years of living in the country. More detail in the article giving birth in Argentina after 2025.

What has changed for foreigners in the country

In short: Decree 366/2025 allowed charges for public healthcare and universities for foreigners without permanent residence and tightened the conditions of entry and stay for people with criminal records.

Beyond citizenship, Decree 366/2025 amended the migration law: temporary residents must now have health insurance, provinces and universities were given the right to charge foreigners without permanent residence, and the grounds for refusing entry and stay were widened. These changes are also being challenged: the National Electoral Chamber declared the entire decree null, and the government argues in its appeal that such a ruling affects healthcare and education.

For a family moving to Argentina the practical conclusion is simple: a temporary resident takes out health insurance and checks the charges for healthcare and education with the province and the institution. On relocation, see the articles moving to Argentina and Argentine residence permit.

Changes in taxes and banking that matter to new citizens

In short: from 2026 income from the sale of property is exempt from income tax, personal assets tax rates are falling, foreigners without a DNI receive a CUIT instead of a CDI number, and currency controls for residents have largely been lifted.

The laws of 2024-2026 have changed the tax environment. Law 27,743 gradually lowers the personal assets tax to a single rate of 0.25% in 2027. Law 27,802 exempted income from property sales from 1 January 2026. A simplified return has been introduced for compliant taxpayers. Since April 2025 residents have been able to buy dollars without the former limit, and since 2 March 2026 foreigners without a DNI receive a CUIT tax number instead of a CDI.

For a new citizen who does not live in the country, the tax changes matter if they hold property or accounts in Argentina. More in the articles taxes in Argentina and opening a bank account in Argentina.

What this means for citizens of Russia and the CIS

In short: for Russian citizens, Argentina's programme is the only open programme with visa-free Schengen access. For citizens of Kazakhstan any second citizenship means losing Kazakh citizenship, and for citizens of Ukraine Argentina is not on the dual citizenship list.

With the Caribbean programmes closed to citizens of Russia and Belarus, the announcement of Argentina's programme became the main news of 2026 for these families. As of the announcement date the programme does not restrict applications by nationality, but the checks take country risks into account. Citizens of Kazakhstan and Ukraine must take their own citizenship laws into account. More in the articles for Russians, for citizens of Ukraine, for citizens of Belarus and for citizens of Kazakhstan.

What has changed for travel on an Argentine passport

In short: according to the BRIDGES index, the Argentine passport opens 168 destinations. Argentina is negotiating its return to the US Visa Waiver Program, and the EU is preparing to launch ETIAS.

In July 2025 Argentina and the United States signed a statement on starting Argentina's return to the Visa Waiver Program, but in 2026 no date has been set, and Argentine citizens still need a B1/B2 visa. The EU is preparing the ETIAS system for visa-exempt travellers: visa-free Schengen access will remain, but an online form will be added. Since September 2025 US visa applicants file in their country of citizenship or residence, so an Argentine citizen can apply in Buenos Aires. More in the articles the Argentine passport and the US and visa-free countries for the Argentine passport.

What to expect in the coming months

In short: the Supreme Court's decision on Decree 366/2025, a Ministry of Economy resolution with the programme terms, the Agency's regulations and possible bills in Congress.

• The Supreme Court. It will decide whether Decree 366/2025 is in force as regards citizenship. Naturalisation, the parents' route and the investment programme all depend on this.
• Ministry of Economy resolution. It will fix the amounts, the bond terms and the fees.
• Agency regulations. They will set the filing procedure, the moment of payment and refunds in case of refusal.
• Congress. It may pass a law that enshrines the investment ground and removes the dispute over powers.
• US Visa Waiver Program. Talks on Argentina's return continue with no date.

BRIDGES updates its articles and the programme page as news comes in. Until the court case and the regulations are clear, families prepare their documents and the path of their funds, and take payment decisions once the rules are published.

Where the news gets confused

In short: people believe that citizenship by birth has been abolished, that the decree has been finally repealed or that the programme is already accepting applications.

1. "Citizenship by birth has been abolished." No, only the parents' route has changed.
2. "The decree has been finally repealed." No, the dispute is before the Supreme Court, and formally the decree is in force.
3. "The programme is already running." No, applications open from Q4 2026, and there are no regulations yet.
4. "You can live there for two years and still travel." Under the decree departures interrupt the period, and under the previous practice long absences also count against you.
5. "Citizenship will be granted for buying property." No, the programme provides for a contribution or a bond.

What to check before deciding

In short: the date of the source, which ground you are relying on, which regime the court where you file applies, and whether the programme regulations have been published. The scope of services and how we work are shown on the page Argentine citizenship with BRIDGES.

• The date on which the source you are reading was written.
• Which ground suits your family: residence, marriage, a child or investment.
• Which procedure the court or authority where you will file applies.
• Whether the programme's resolution and regulations have been published.
• What the Supreme Court has decided.