Argentina’s proposed citizenship by investment program remains legally uncertain after court rulings against the decree that introduced it and the cancellation of a tender intended to build the program’s operating framework. As of early July 2026, no legislation has been passed to formally establish the program.
Court rulings against the decree
Argentina’s proposed CBI program was first introduced through presidential decree in 2025.
On June 30, 2026, Argentina’s National Electoral Chamber, the country’s highest electoral court, ruled on the legal basis for citizenship reforms tied to the program. The court found that the decree could not stand because citizenship includes the right to vote. The court held that a right of constitutional weight cannot be granted by executive decree alone and requires legislation passed by Congress.
The June 30 ruling followed an earlier decision on June 18, 2026, from a federal appeals court in Buenos Aires. That court reached a similar conclusion, finding that the decree lacked the genuine urgency required to bypass the ordinary legislative process.
No law has yet been passed to formally establish the CBI program. There are also no confirmed updates on:
- Biometrics
- Due diligence procedures
- Operational timelines
The Argentine government is expected to appeal the ruling, but the program’s direction remains unclear.
Tender cancellation
Argentina’s Ministry of Economy annulled the international public tender that was intended to establish the program’s operational framework. The cancellation was made through Resolution 522/2026.
The stated reason was to allow more time to develop the regulatory and strategic framework before the program is ready to accept applications.
Together, the court rulings and tender cancellation indicate that the proposal remains at an early and unsettled stage legally, procedurally, and operationally.
Risks for prospective investors
The main risk is not only delay, but legal durability.
Even if the program is later passed by Congress and placed on a proper legislative basis, any framework built on the original decree could face uncertainty because courts have found the decree constitutionally unsound.
Until the program passes through Congress and receives a stable legal basis, applicants should treat any circulating commitments, timelines, or investment thresholds as provisional.
Prospective investors should seek independent legal counsel in Argentina before making any commitments.
Source article: knightsbridge.ae
