New Argentina Citizenship-by-Investment Program Planned

Argentina is preparing to roll out a groundbreaking policy that would link citizenship to investment for the first time, offering a new route to a second passport in one of Latin America’s most dynamic economies.

Sources within the Argentine government have indicated that a dedicated agency will be created to manage the program for those willing to make a minimum investment of US$500,000 in qualifying projects.

The new agency, which is to be overseen by the Ministry of the Economy, will evaluate and certify eligible investment projects, promote the program internationally and work closely with the Ministry of the Interior and the National Directorate of Migration.

Taking a lead from the United State’s EB-5 program and drawing inspiration from models such as SelectUSA, the program will target high-impact sectors such as technology, tourism, renewable energy, and agribusiness.

Unlike passive capital placement seen in some other programs, Argentina’s approach will see sweeping changes favouring productive job creation initiatives and longer-term merit-based initiatives that align with national development goals.

The citizenship programis to be introduced as part of a broader immigration reform framework under a raft of emergency decrees which are currently under legal review. 

The move comes amid a broader tightening of conventional immigration pathways, signalling a shift by President Javier Milei’s government toward attracting wealth creators and long-term contributors to the country’s ongoing economic recovery.

Speaking to Argentine TV news channel TN, Government spokesperson Manual Adorni said illegal immigration would be targeted while ‘legal and meaningful’ investment in Argentina would be ‘welcomed with the opportunity of citizenship’.

Part of President Milei’s open-market vision, the move reflects Argentina’s recent pivot toward global capital and looks set to position the country as an emerging contender in the citizenship-by-investment space.

Sweeping Changes to Argentine Immigration 

Until now, Argentina has not had a citizenship-by-investment program. Its laws have only allowed applicants the change to obtain Argentine citizenship through birthright, descent or naturalisation. 

The proposed introduction of a new CBI program is even more intriguing given that Javier Milei’s government has also just announced an immigration crackdown on foreign residents.

With new fees and restrictions, Milei’s administration issued an emergency decree on May 14, 2025, overhauling the country’s immigration system.

These changes represent a fundamental shift in how Argentina approaches immigration, residency and citizenship, akin to that of US President Donald Trump. 

Echoing the US President’s famous call to arms to his MAGA supporters, government spokesperson, Manuel Adorni, said the move was intended ’to honour our history and make Argentina great again’.

These changes could have massive implications for expats, digital nomads and anyone else considering Argentina as their next home. 

Pros and Cons of Argentine Citizenship 

Argentina is a safe and beautiful country. It feels more European than other Latin countries and has the highest English language proficiency. 

However, it also has potential drawbacks.

Pros:

• Mobility: Argentine passport holders can enter 162 destinations – either visa-free, through a visa on arrival, or via an electronic travel authorisation. These include Schengen, the Mercosur countries, and most of South America.  
• Liveability: Argentina is a vast, diverse, cosmopolitan country with cities, mountains, beaches, excellent cuisine, wine, and culture, and an affordable, high standard of living. 
• Access to Healthcare: Argentine nationals have access to the public healthcare system, a right that is being withdrawn for temporary residents, tourists and those with irregular status. 

Cons:

• High Taxes: If you are considered a tax resident of Argentina (by living there for more than 12 months), you will be subject to 35% income tax on higher incomes, progressive corporate income tax rates up to 35% and taxes on foreign income. 
• Bureaucracy: Like much of South America, Argentina is known for its complex bureaucracy, which can be challenging.
• Economic Instability: Argentina has experienced wide-scale economic instability, hyperinflation and currency fluctuations.

Citizenship by Investment in Argentina: Why Now?

Argentina has long been known as one of the most welcoming countries in Latin America, with a relatively straightforward immigration process.

So why change now? 

According to government figures, approximately 1.7 million people have entered Argentina without proper documentation over the past two decades.

This, it is claimed, has placed significant pressure on public services, particularly health care. In response, these measures, timed to coincide with key elections for the Buenos Aires City Legislature, will see a robust crackdown on public services ‘freeloading’. 

With stricter entry requirements, anyone with a criminal record may be barred from entering the country and not just those with serious criminal convictions, as before. 

This shift aligns Argentina more closely with countries like the United States and Australia in their approach to immigration screening. 

Those seeking Argentine citizenship must now declare their intentions on arrival and commit to making what the decree calls a relevant minimum investment in the country.

Though details on what qualifies remain vague, permanent residency requirements have also tightened. 

Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial means to support themselves and maintain a clean criminal record. 

This aims to ensure new residents won’t become a burden on public services, and the most controversial changes involve health care and education. Temporary residents, tourists, and those with irregular status must now pay for health services. 

Additionally, all visitors must show proof of medical insurance upon arrival. While primary and secondary education remains free for all residents, as guaranteed by the constitution, national universities can now establish tuition fees specifically for temporary residents. 

The deportation criteria have also expanded. Before, only those sentenced to more than five years in prison faced deportation. Now, anyone who commits a crime in Argentina could be deported regardless of the severity. 

If you’re already in the process of applying for residency or citizenship, you should consult with an immigration attorney to understand how these changes affect your specific situation. 

The question remains – in the midst of an immigration crackdown and tighter rules for foreign residents, why is citizenship by investment in Argentina now on the table?

The short answer is money. 

Argentina wants to attract more high-net-worth individuals. Estimates suggest it could raise as much as US$2 billion for the Argentine economy through a CBI program. 

At a time when the economic policies of Javier Milei have slashed public spending, ushered in austerity and forced more Argentinians into poverty, the country needs investment. 

Despite stricter immigration controls, Argentina is very much open to those bringing capital into the country. 

And it has a lot to offer in return. 

Argentina Citizenship by Investment: FAQs

The Perfect Plan-B Citizenship?

Argentina has offered residency by investment for some time. It has established routes for foreign investors, entrepreneurs and pensioners to move there and stay for extended periods. Some of these can lead to citizenship, so the country is not rigid about foreigners getting its passport. 

What has changed is that citizenship by investment is now part of the conversation. The US$500,000 minimum investment is not cheap, especially compared to the much-heralded Caribbean offerings and those in smaller European island countries.

Europe’s top CBI programs, such as those in Malta and Cyprus, were shut down some time ago. With Malta’s replacement scheme (MEIN) now officially declared illegal by the European Union, Argentina looks set to become a viable alternative for many investors.

The offshore world is in constant flux. 

Golden Visa residence programs are also tightening, as seen in Spain, where the property investment route was first eliminated and then the entire program was formally terminated. 

So, the potential addition of the Argentine CBI is significant. After all, Argentina is a mainstream nation, highly connected, geopolitically safe, and the eighth-largest country in the world.

Argentina is an exciting option for those who baulk at the idea of small island cabin fever, albeit without some of the tax advantages. 

Of course, as a citizen, you don’t have to live there full time, or trigger tax residence, so the high taxes don’t have to come into play. 

With an entire continent waiting to be explored, a low cost of living and an exciting, vibrant lifestyle, Argentina offers an ideal Plan B.

But you need to stay tuned in because all eyes are on this Argentine citizenship by investment route and when it opens, demand will be high.

Trying to decode complex legal jargon at that point may mean losing out on the potential benefits without the right advice, especially when dealing with cross-border obligations and global income.

Done properly though, a second passport is more than just a travel document – it’s a strategic asset offering lasting freedom and security.

You didn’t build your success by settling for less – and you shouldn’t start now. With the right planning, you can live in a country that rewards ambition, respects privacy and gives you the leverage to grow on your own terms.

Instead of spending countless hours reading through complex legal jargon and trying to figure out how to obtain citizenship or dual citizenship on your own, let our team at Nomad Capitalist help you. 

We assess your personal needs and goals with you to execute a well-thought-out plan to help you go where you’re treated best. Get in touch today.