Argentina became the first South American nation to launch a citizenship by investment programme when President Javier Milei signed Decree 524/2025 in July 2025. With a minimum strategic investment of USD 500,000, the programme grants full Argentine citizenship — and access to one of the strongest passports in the Americas, with visa-free travel to approximately 169 countries including the Schengen Area and the United Kingdom.
- Table of Contents
- Decree 524/2025: Legal Framework for Argentina CBI
- Eligibility Requirements: Who Qualifies?
- Investment Routes & Qualifying Sectors
- Costs & Fee Structure
- Passport Benefits & Visa-Free Travel
- The Mercosur Advantage: Live and Work Across South America
- Dual Citizenship: Fully Permitted
Argentina CBI Eligibility Requirements 2026: Decree 524/2025 Complete Guide
Last updated: March 2026
Argentina became the first South American nation to launch a citizenship by investment programme when President Javier Milei signed Decree 524/2025 in July 2025. With a minimum strategic investment of USD 500,000, the programme grants full Argentine citizenship — and access to one of the strongest passports in the Americas, with visa-free travel to approximately 169 countries including the Schengen Area and the United Kingdom.
This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the Argentina CBI eligibility requirements, qualifying investment routes, the application process under Decree 524/2025, and how Mirabello Consultancy can assist investors in securing Argentine citizenship.
Table of Contents
- Decree 524/2025 Overview
- Eligibility Requirements
- Investment Routes & Qualifying Sectors
- Costs & Fee Structure
- Passport Benefits & Visa-Free Travel
- Mercosur Advantage
- Dual Citizenship
- Application Process & Timeline
- Comparison With Other CBI Programmes
- Frequently Asked Questions
Decree 524/2025: Legal Framework for Argentina CBI
Decree No. 524/2025 amends Argentina's Nationality Law (Ley de Nacionalidad) to establish a formal citizenship by investment framework. The programme is administered by the newly created Agency for Citizenship by Investment Programs, operating under the Ministry of Economy with multi-agency vetting that includes Argentina's National Intelligence Agency and the Financial Crimes Unit for AML/CFT compliance.
This multi-agency approach reflects Argentina's commitment to thorough due diligence — a critical factor for programme credibility and long-term sustainability. The involvement of intelligence services in the vetting process positions Argentina's CBI among the most rigorously screened globally.
Key legal points:
- Legal basis: Decree No. 524/2025, amending the Nationality Law
- Administering body: Agency for Citizenship by Investment Programs, Ministry of Economy
- Vetting agencies: National Intelligence Agency, Financial Crimes Unit, National Migration Authority
- Programme type: Full citizenship (not residency) — granted upon approval
- Dual citizenship: Fully permitted under Argentine law
Eligibility Requirements: Who Qualifies?
To qualify for Argentine citizenship by investment under Decree 524/2025, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Primary Applicant Requirements
- Age: Minimum 18 years of age
- Criminal record: Clean criminal background — verified through international and Argentine databases
- Source of funds: Documented proof that investment capital originates from legitimate sources
- Investment commitment: Minimum USD 500,000 in qualifying strategic sectors
- No nationality restrictions: Open to all nationalities (enhanced due diligence may apply for certain jurisdictions)
- Good character: No involvement in terrorism, money laundering, or serious criminal activity
Family Inclusion
Spouses and dependent children are expected to be included under a single family application, though exact surcharges and dependent definitions have not yet been officially published. Based on comparable programmes, applicants should anticipate additional government and due diligence fees per dependent.
Due Diligence Process
Argentina's vetting is among the most comprehensive in the CBI industry. The multi-agency approach includes:
- National Intelligence Agency: Security screening and background verification
- Financial Crimes Unit: Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing checks
- National Migration Authority: Immigration history and documentation verification
- International databases: Cross-referencing with Interpol and other global watchlists
Investment Routes & Qualifying Sectors
The primary investment route under Decree 524/2025 is the Strategic Productive Investment, requiring a minimum of USD 500,000 directed into qualifying economic sectors.
| Route | Minimum | Type | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strategic Productive Investment | USD 500,000 | Business / Productive | No |
| Government Bonds (unconfirmed) | USD 500,000 | Bond | Yes (at maturity) |
Qualifying Strategic Sectors
The Ministry of Economy has designated the following sectors as qualifying for CBI investment:
- Agribusiness and agriculture: Argentina is one of the world's largest agricultural exporters
- Renewable energy: Solar, wind, and lithium extraction projects in Patagonia and the northwest
- Technology and innovation: Start-ups, fintech, and digital infrastructure
- Tourism infrastructure: Hotels, resorts, and tourism-related developments
- Infrastructure development: Transport, logistics, and urban development
- Other strategic sectors: As designated by the Ministry of Economy
Unlike donation-based Caribbean programmes, Argentina requires investments to be productive — meaning they must generate economic activity, create employment, and contribute to national development. This is not a passive contribution model.
Costs & Fee Structure
The total cost of Argentina CBI includes the investment amount plus government processing and due diligence fees:
- Minimum investment: USD 500,000
- Government processing fees: Not yet officially published
- Due diligence fees: Applied per adult applicant (amount to be confirmed)
- Legal and advisory fees: Professional representation through a licenced advisory firm
At USD 500,000, Argentina is positioned as a premium CBI programme — significantly more expensive than Caribbean options starting from USD 200,000 (Dominica) or emerging African programmes from USD 75,000 (Botswana). However, the Argentine passport's exceptional travel freedom — approximately 169 visa-free countries — provides substantially higher mobility value.
Passport Benefits & Visa-Free Travel
The Argentine passport is one of the strongest in the CBI world, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 169 countries, including:
- Schengen Area: All 27 EU member states — 90 days within any 180-day period
- United Kingdom: Visa-free entry for up to 6 months
- Japan, South Korea, Singapore: Full visa-free access
- Russia: Visa-free access (90 days)
- Turkey, Israel, UAE: Visa-free entry
- Mercosur nations: Right to live and work (see below)
This positions Argentina alongside Grenada (which adds US E-2 treaty access) as one of the highest-mobility CBI passports globally. For investors prioritising travel freedom, Argentina's passport strength is a major differentiator compared to lower-cost CBI options.
The Mercosur Advantage: Live and Work Across South America
Argentine citizenship includes membership in Mercosur (the Southern Common Market), granting the right to live, work, and establish businesses across member and associate states:
- Full members: Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay
- Associate members: Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Suriname, Peru, Bolivia
This means Argentine citizens can access the entire South American continent for residence and employment — a unique benefit not available through any other CBI programme. For business owners and entrepreneurs, Mercosur membership opens the second-largest economic bloc in the Americas after USMCA.
Dual Citizenship: Fully Permitted
Argentina fully permits dual citizenship. Unlike Botswana (which must amend its Citizenship Act), there is no legislative barrier to holding Argentine citizenship alongside one or more other nationalities. This makes Argentina's programme immediately accessible without the risk of losing existing citizenship.
Application Process & Timeline
The anticipated processing timeline for Argentina CBI is 30 business days from complete application submission — which would make it among the fastest CBI programmes globally. The process follows these stages:
- Preliminary assessment: Eligibility screening and document collection with Mirabello Consultancy
- Application submission: Full application to the Agency for Citizenship by Investment Programs
- Multi-agency vetting: Intelligence, financial crimes, and immigration screening
- Investment execution: Upon conditional approval, complete the qualifying investment
- Citizenship grant: Official approval and issuance of Argentine identity documents
- Passport application: Apply for Argentine passport through standard channels
The 30-business-day target has not been independently verified and may prove aspirational during the programme's early phase. Mirabello Consultancy monitors processing times closely and provides clients with realistic timeline expectations based on actual case data.
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Argentina CBI vs Other Programmes
| Programme | Min. Investment | Processing | Visa-Free | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | USD 500K | ~30 business days | ~169 | Schengen + Mercosur |
| Grenada | USD 235K | 6 months | ~148 | US E-2 treaty |
| Antigua | USD 230K | 4–6 months | ~151 | UK visa-free |
| Egypt | USD 250K | 2–4 months | ~101 | Arab League access |
| St Kitts | USD 250K | 4–6 months | ~157 | Oldest CBI programme |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the eligibility requirements for Argentina CBI?
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, hold a clean criminal record, demonstrate legitimate source of funds, and invest a minimum of USD 500,000 in qualifying strategic sectors designated by Argentina's Ministry of Economy.
What is Decree 524/2025?
Decree 524/2025 is the presidential decree signed by President Milei in July 2025 that amends Argentina's Nationality Law to create the first South American citizenship by investment framework. It establishes the Agency for Citizenship by Investment Programs under the Ministry of Economy.
Does Argentina allow dual citizenship?
Yes. Argentina fully permits dual citizenship with no restrictions. CBI applicants retain their original nationality alongside their new Argentine citizenship.
How long does the Argentina CBI process take?
The target processing time is 30 business days from complete application submission. This would make Argentina among the fastest CBI programmes globally, though actual processing times may vary during the programme's early phase.
What can I do with an Argentine passport?
The Argentine passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 169 countries, including the entire Schengen Area, United Kingdom, Japan, and Russia. Mercosur membership also grants the right to live and work across South America.
Which sectors qualify for Argentina CBI investment?
Qualifying sectors include agribusiness, renewable energy, technology and innovation, tourism infrastructure, and infrastructure development. Investments must be productive and contribute to Argentina's economic development.
The Argentine passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 169 countries, including the entire Schengen Area, United Kingdom, Japan, and Russia. Mercosur membership also grants the right to live and work across South America.
Qualifying sectors include agribusiness, renewable energy, technology and innovation, tourism infrastructure, and infrastructure development. Investments must be productive and contribute to Argentina's economic development.
