Argentina, Uruguay or Paraguay: where to get a second passport

Argentina, Uruguay or Paraguay: the short version

In short: only Argentina offers a passport without relocating. For a family ready to live in the region, Uruguay offers a calm life and tax incentives, Paraguay a low-cost entry and zero tax on foreign income, and Argentina a short naturalisation period.

The table shows the key difference: in Uruguay and Paraguay citizenship is granted only for years lived in the country, and no amount of money shortens that period. In Paraguay an investment speeds up only residence, and in Uruguay residence is obtained on the basis of income. Argentina remains the only country in the region where citizenship can be obtained without relocating.

If the family is relocating, the choice depends on lifestyle and taxes. Montevideo is quieter and safer, Asuncion is cheaper, and Buenos Aires is bigger and livelier. Each country is examined in detail below.

Uruguay: citizenship after 3 or 5 years

In short: under Article 75 of the Constitution, a foreigner with a family in Uruguay obtains citizenship after 3 years of residence, and one without a family after 5 years. Income in the country, good standing and Spanish are required. The decision is made by the Electoral Court.

Uruguay's Constitution requires "habitual residence": absences cannot last more than 6 consecutive months, otherwise the clock restarts. The applicant proves a source of livelihood in Uruguay: employment, a pension, their own company or rental income. Witnesses confirm that they have known the applicant throughout those years. A foreigner whose native language is not Spanish must understand and speak Spanish, otherwise the application is not accepted.

Uruguayan citizenship has a peculiarity. A naturalised foreigner becomes a "legal citizen", and for many years the nationality field in their passport showed their country of birth, which caused questions at borders. In 2025 the field was renamed and Uruguay's code added, but a law that would explicitly call such citizens Uruguayan by nationality is still under discussion. In addition, legal citizenship is lost if the person later naturalises in another country. The right to vote comes 3 years after citizenship is granted.

Paraguay: fast residence, a passport years later

In short: Paraguay grants temporary residence for 2 years, then permanent residence, and citizenship after 3 years of permanent residence. The 2026 Investor Pass gives permanent residence straight away for an investment from $70,000.

The standard route in Paraguay starts with two-year temporary residence under Law 6984/22. Since January 2026 migration service Resolution No. 081/2026 has required spending at least 12 months of those two years in the country, otherwise temporary status is extended for another two years. Permanent residence is then issued, and only from that date does the three-year naturalisation period begin.

Since April 2026 the Investor Pass has been in force under Ministry of Industry and Commerce Resolution No. 0283/2026. It grants permanent residence immediately, without the temporary stage, for an investment from $70,000 in a Paraguayan company with a 10-year plan and local hiring, for property or financial instruments from $200,000, or for a tourism project from $150,000. This shortens the route to a passport to roughly 3.5-4 years, but does not remove the need to live in the country.

Naturalisation in Paraguay is reviewed by the Supreme Court. The applicant sits a written exam on history, geography and the Constitution and must demonstrate Spanish or Guarani, good standing and ties to the country: employment, business, housing and tax returns. The court expects proof that the person actually lived in Paraguay rather than merely visited.

Argentina: the programme and naturalisation

In short: the investment programme grants citizenship without residence for a contribution from $350,000 or an $800,000 bond. Standard naturalisation takes 2 years of living in the country.

The programme was announced on 2 October 2026: applications are expected to open in the fourth quarter, the Agency vets the applicant, and the migration service decides within 30 working days. A family of four contributes $500,000. The programme's legal basis, Decree 366/2025, is being challenged: the National Electoral Chamber declared it invalid, and the dispute is before the Supreme Court. More in our articles how much Argentine citizenship costs and the programme's legal basis.

Standard naturalisation in Argentina requires 2 years of living in the country, lawful income and a hearing in a federal court. This is shorter than in Uruguay and Paraguay, but court processing times vary. More in our article how to obtain Argentine citizenship.

Timelines and steps

In short: without relocating, Argentina's programme is the fastest. With relocation, Argentina and Uruguay give a passport in about 3 years, and Paraguay in 3.5-4 years with the Investor Pass or 5-6 years by the standard route.

Processing time is added to every timeline. In Uruguay the Electoral Court books appointments according to its schedule, in Paraguay the Supreme Court schedules the exam and the oath, and in Argentina federal courts operate under different workloads. So real timelines are usually several months longer than the minimums.

The table shows that each country counts time in its own way. In Uruguay the clock starts when you begin living in the country, but a long absence resets it. In Paraguay temporary residence does not count towards the period, so the Investor Pass saves two years. In Argentina the general route requires 2 years, while the programme requires only the time for vetting and a decision. How we handle an application from due diligence to passport is described on the Argentina programme support page.

How much the route costs in each country

In short: in Argentina the main outlay is a contribution from $350,000 without relocating. In Uruguay and Paraguay residence is inexpensive, and the main cost is 3-5 years of living in the country.

Argentina's programme is calculated as follows: a $350,000 contribution or an $800,000 bond for 7 years, $100,000 for a spouse and for each child aged 18 to 25, and $25,000 for each child under 18. A family of four with two children under 18 contributes $500,000. On top of this come due diligence, government fees, translations and professional support. Details in our article how much Argentine citizenship costs.

In Uruguay residence is obtained on the basis of proven income, employment or one's own company, and for Mercosur nationals under simplified rules. Fees and translations are inexpensive, but living in Montevideo is among the most expensive in the region: rent, a private school and insurance for a family over 3 years add up to a sum comparable to Argentina's contribution.

In Paraguay standard residence requires proof of means of subsistence, and the Investor Pass an investment from $70,000 in a local company with a 10-year plan. Life in Asuncion is noticeably cheaper than in Montevideo and Buenos Aires. But here too the main cost is not fees but years of living in the country, which money cannot replace. The exact amount for your family composition is shown in the Argentine citizenship cost calculation.

Banks and accounts

In short: Uruguay is known for a stable banking sector and dollar deposits. In Paraguay an account is opened after obtaining residence and a tax number. In Argentina a foreigner needs a CUIT.

Uruguayan banks handle dollars as freely as pesos, and banking secrecy and stability have made the country a financial centre for its neighbours. But source of funds checks are strict: the bank will ask for documents on income and tax residence. In Paraguay accounts are opened by residents with an RUC tax number, and banks require proof of the origin of funds under financial supervision rules.

In Argentina, since March 2026 a CUIT has been required to open an account; everyday expenses are paid in pesos and large transactions in dollars. Currency controls for individuals were lifted in 2025, but inflation in Argentina is higher than in neighbouring countries. More in our article opening a bank account in Argentina.

Passports: what each one opens

In short: all three passports open the Schengen area without a visa and Mercosur countries on a national ID card. The Argentine passport opens 168 destinations according to the BRIDGES index and comes with a US investor visa treaty.

The Argentine and Uruguayan passports are close in strength and open Schengen, the United Kingdom and Japan. The Paraguayan passport is weaker, with about 145 destinations. Citizens of all three countries need visas for the US. Argentina and Paraguay both have E-1 and E-2 investor visa treaties with the US, but US law allows those who obtained Argentine citizenship by investment to apply for an E-2 only after three years of living in Argentina.

Within the region all three passports work the same way: Mercosur nationals live and work in each other's countries under simplified rules. So an Argentine citizen can live in Uruguay or Paraguay, and a Uruguayan citizen in Argentina. More in our article where you can travel visa-free on an Argentine passport.

Taxes

In short: Paraguay does not tax foreign income. Uruguay gives new residents incentives on foreign investment income. Argentina taxes the worldwide income of tax residents, but an investor who does not relocate does not become a resident.

Paraguay applies the territorial principle: tax is paid only on income from Paraguayan sources, and the personal income tax rate is up to 10%. For people with income from abroad this is the main argument in Paraguay's favour.

Uruguay taxes income from local sources and offers new tax residents a choice between an 11-year exemption on foreign dividends and interest or a reduced 7% rate with no time limit. Argentina taxes residents' worldwide income on a scale from 5% to 35% and levies a tax on worldwide assets, with rates falling to 0.25% by 2027. More in our article taxes in Argentina.

Where life is better

In short: Uruguay is a small, calm country with a high cost of living. Paraguay is an inexpensive country with a hot climate. Argentina offers a big city, culture and universities, but higher inflation.

Uruguay, with a population of about 3.5 million, is known for its stability among Latin American countries: sound institutions, predictable laws and a developed banking sector. Living in Montevideo and Punta del Este is more expensive than in neighbouring countries. Paraguay attracts people with low prices, a simple tax regime and fast residence, but the climate is hot and the choice of schools and healthcare is narrower than in the neighbouring capitals.

Buenos Aires is the largest city of the three countries, with European architecture, strong public universities, theatres and a large Russian-speaking community. Argentina's economy is less predictable, but dollar prices are lower than in Uruguay. On life in Argentina, see our article living in Argentina.

Children: citizenship by birth

In short: a child born in any of the three countries acquires that country's citizenship from birth, regardless of the parents' citizenship.

Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay recognise birthright citizenship: birth in the country confers citizenship with no conditions on the parents' status. A Uruguayan child by birth becomes a "natural citizen" and keeps that citizenship even on naturalising in another country, unlike parents with legal citizenship. For the parents, the birth of a child in Uruguay counts as "family in the country" and shortens the period for their own citizenship from 5 to 3 years.

In Argentina, Decree 366/2025 removed the simplified route for parents of an Argentine child, but following the National Electoral Chamber's ruling the courts apply the previous rules, and the final answer will come from the Supreme Court. More in our articles giving birth in Argentina and where to give birth in Latin America.

Dual citizenship

In short: Argentina and Uruguay do not require giving up your previous passport. Paraguay's Constitution allows multiple citizenship under international treaties.

Article 149 of Paraguay's Constitution allows multiple citizenship on the basis of an international treaty between countries. In practice foreigners obtain a Paraguayan passport without renouncing their own, but the procedure for a specific country should be checked before applying. Uruguay lets you keep your previous citizenship, but Uruguayan legal citizenship is lost on later naturalisation in a third country. Argentina does not require renouncing your previous passport.

For citizens of Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan, their own countries' rules on second citizenship apply whatever the choice: Kazakhstan prohibits dual citizenship, and Belarus requires notification. More in our articles for citizens of Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan.

Which option suits whom

In short: Argentina for a passport without relocating and fast naturalisation. Uruguay for a calm life and incentives on capital. Paraguay for inexpensive residence and zero tax on foreign income.

• A passport without relocating. Argentina, the investment programme.
• The family is relocating and wants a passport in 2-3 years. Argentina or Uruguay.
• Income from abroad and low taxes. Paraguay, or Uruguay with its incentives for new residents.
• Fast residence on a small budget. Paraguay.
• Predictable laws and a calm life. Uruguay.

Where people go wrong when choosing

In short: they confuse residence with citizenship, underestimate the requirement to live in the country and do not check the dual citizenship rules.

1. They treat Paraguay's Investor Pass as a passport. It is permanent residence; citizenship comes after 3 years of living there and an exam.
2. They leave Uruguay for long periods. An absence of more than 6 consecutive months resets the clock.
3. They buy Paraguayan residence and do not live in the country. The court checks actual residence.
4. They overlook the language. All three countries require Spanish, and Paraguay an exam.
5. They do not check the legal basis of Argentina's programme. Decree 366/2025 is being challenged in the Supreme Court.

What to check before deciding

In short: whether the family is ready to live in the country for 2-5 years, where its income comes from, whether a passport without relocating matters and whether your country recognises dual citizenship.

• How many years the family is ready to live in South America.
• Where the income comes from: the country of residence or abroad.
• Whether you need a passport without relocating.
• Your country's rules on second citizenship.
• The cost of Argentina's programme for your family: the calculation.