Argentina will introduce a citizenship‑by‑investment (CBI) program in the fourth quarter of 2026. The scheme offers two investment pathways and sets the base contribution at US $350,000, far below the US $500,000 figure that circulated in earlier reports.
Investment options
| Route | Main requirement | Cost for principal applicant | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non‑refundable contribution | Direct payment to the national treasury | US $350,000 | Funds are transferred immediately; no return of capital. |
| Government bond | Purchase of a purpose‑created Argentine bond | US $800,000 (7‑year, zero‑interest) | Capital is locked for seven years with no interest; final terms have not been published. |
Both routes require an additional non‑refundable contribution of US $150,000 for dependents (spouse and children). The bond route does not include a bond purchase for dependents; they only pay the contribution amount.
Family add‑on costs
- Spouse: US $100,000
- Child under 18: US $25,000 each
- Child 18‑25 (unmarried, no children): US $100,000 each (must never have been married)
Example – family of four (principal, spouse, two children under 18):
- Contribution route: US $350,000 + $100,000 + 2 × $25,000 = US $500,000
- Bond route: US $800,000 + $150,000 = US $950,000
Application assessment
The Agency for Citizenship by Investment (APCI) conducts a rigorous due‑diligence process in cooperation with:
- State Intelligence Secretariat
- Financial Information Unit
- Ministry of Security
- Ministry of the Interior
Assessments cover identity verification, source of funds, asset profile, jurisdictional risk, criminal and reputational records, and immigration history. APCI forwards its recommendation to the National Directorate of Migration, which must issue a decision within 30 business days and provide detailed reasons for any rejection. All due‑diligence follows OECD and FATF standards, and payments must pass through the formal financial system to meet anti‑money‑laundering and counter‑terrorist‑financing requirements.
Legal backdrop
The program is based on Decree 366 of 2025, an emergency decree that amended Argentina’s citizenship law without a congressional vote. In June 2026 a federal appeals court ruled the decree unconstitutional for a regular naturalisation applicant, stating the executive lacked authority to bypass Congress. The ruling applies only to the parties involved; the decree remains in force for the CBI scheme, and the government may appeal to the Supreme Court. Legal experts note the decision does not automatically invalidate the investment pathway, but the underlying legal foundation remains contested.
Program design partners
A consortium named Amigo (Argentina Mobility for Investment and Global Opportunity) assisted the government. Members include:
- Arton Capital
- Latitude Group
- Passport Legacy
- AIM Global
- Apex Capital Partners
The consortium provided technical advice on age limits, dependent provisions, application structure, and investment thresholds at no cost to the state.
Expected economic impact
Industry forecasts suggest the program could attract over US $2 billion in foreign capital. For context, Argentine wine exports were about US $661 million in 2025; the CBI inflows could be three to four times that amount.
Benefits of Argentine citizenship
- Visa‑free or visa‑on‑arrival access to 140‑169 countries (figures vary by source).
- Preferential residence rights throughout Mercosur and other South American agreements, allowing holders to live, work, study, and start businesses across much of the continent.
- No residency requirement for maintaining the passport.
Practical considerations for prospective applicants
- Liquidity and opportunity cost: The contribution route ties up cash permanently, while the bond locks capital for seven years with no interest. Applicants should compare the cost of lost investment returns against the lower upfront price of the contribution route.
- Family composition: Children aged 18‑25 must be unmarried and childless; their eligibility hinges on the age assessment date, which has not yet been clarified.
- Legal risk: The program rests on a decree that has faced constitutional challenges. Applicants should monitor the outcome of any appeals to the Supreme Court before committing funds.
- Due‑diligence readiness: Applicants must be prepared to provide comprehensive documentation on identity, source of wealth, and financial history to satisfy the multi‑agency review.
Overall, Argentina’s CBI program offers a relatively low entry price for a G20 nation, but the choice between a permanent contribution and a long‑term, interest‑free bond, combined with unresolved legal questions, requires careful financial and legal analysis.
