Argentina citizenship by naturalization is accessible to many foreign residents thanks to one of Latin America’s most flexible legal frameworks.
Foreigners can apply for Argentine citizenship after just two years of continuous legal residence, opening the door to permanent legal status, expanded travel rights, and access to public services.
Here’s what we will cover in this guide:
- How to get Argentina citizenship by naturalization?
- How long does it take to naturalize in Argentina?
- Is dual citizenship in Argentina allowed?
- What are the benefits of dual citizenship in Argentina?
- Is Argentina a powerful passport?
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La información contenida en este artículo es meramente orientativa. No constituye asesoramiento financiero, jurídico o fiscal, ni una recomendación o solicitud de inversión. Algunos hechos pueden haber cambiado desde el momento de su redacción.
Is it easy to get Argentina citizenship?
Yes. By global standards, Argentina is considered one of the most accessible countries for acquiring citizenship through naturalization.
Its process is straightforward, and the legal residency requirement is significantly shorter than in many other countries, where five to ten years is the norm.
Unlike jurisdictions that impose complex exams, high fees, or language proficiency tests, Argentina maintains relatively minimal formal barriers to citizenship.
Applicants aren’t required to prove financial self-sufficiency or meet stringent integration quotas.
In practice, Argentina’s courts have shown a notable degree of flexibility, often prioritizing a person’s genuine ties to the country over rigid documentation.
In some cases, even undocumented immigrants have successfully obtained citizenship by demonstrating community roots, steady work, and family life within Argentina.
While judicial discretion means outcomes can vary, the overall process is widely regarded as one of the easiest naturalization pathways in Latin America, particularly for those who have integrated into Argentine society and maintained a clean legal record.
What Do You Need to Become a Naturalized Citizen of Argentina?
- Legal residency for at least 2 continuous years: You must have lived in Argentina with valid immigration status for a minimum of two uninterrupted years before applying. Tourist stays or irregular residence do not count toward this requirement.
- Be at least 18 years old: Only adults are eligible to apply for citizenship by naturalization.
- Clean criminal record: You must demonstrate good conduct and provide police clearance certificates, both from Argentina and your country of origin.
- Basic integration into Argentine life: While there’s no formal test, judges often consider whether the applicant has a life rooted in Argentina; this could include employment, family, community ties, or language skills.
- Application through the federal courts: Citizenship applications are submitted and processed through the Argentine federal judiciary. Each case is evaluated individually by a judge, who ultimately grants or denies citizenship based on the evidence presented.
Unlike many countries, Argentina does not require language tests or citizenship exams, but it does emphasize genuine residency and good character.
Argentina Citizenship Processing Time
The average processing time for Argentina citizenship by naturalization ranges from 6 to 24 months, depending largely on the jurisdiction in which the application is filed.
Since citizenship applications are handled through the federal courts, and not by a centralized administrative agency, timelines can vary significantly from one region to another.
Applicants in cities with overburdened courts, such as Buenos Aires, may experience longer wait times due to judicial backlogs, while those in smaller provinces might see faster results.
Another key factor is the completeness of documentation. Missing or inconsistent paperwork can result in delays or requests for additional evidence.
While Argentina’s naturalization system is more accessible than many, the decentralized nature of its court-based process means there’s no guaranteed timeline, and individual experiences can differ widely.
Does Argentina Allow for Dual Citizenship?
Yes, Argentina permits dual citizenship.
The country does not require applicants to renounce their original nationality when acquiring Argentine citizenship.
This inclusive stance reflects Argentina’s historically immigrant-friendly policies and its constitutional commitment to integration.
Dual nationals enjoy full rights in Argentina, including voting, healthcare, and the ability to hold public office.
However, it’s essential to consider the laws of your home country as some nations, such as Austria or Japan, restrict or prohibit dual nationality.
In such cases, acquiring Argentine citizenship could potentially lead to automatic loss of your original citizenship.
Before applying, it’s advisable to consult your country’s foreign ministry or consulate to understand any potential consequences of holding dual nationality.
Can Naturalized Argentinians Renounce Citizenship?
Yes, naturalized Argentine citizens can voluntarily renounce their citizenship if they no longer wish to maintain it.
The process must be initiated through a formal legal request, typically submitted to Argentine federal authorities or through an Argentine consulate abroad.
To renounce, the applicant must:
- Provide a written declaration of intent,
- Submit valid identification and proof of other nationality,
- State a legitimate reason for renunciation, often related to dual citizenship restrictions in their country of origin.
Argentina Citizenship Benefits
- Full civil and political rights, including the ability to live and work permanently in Argentina, vote in national and local elections, and run for public office.
- Access to Argentina’s public services, such as free or low-cost healthcare, public education (including universities), and retirement benefits through the national pension system.
- Right to transmit citizenship to children, whether born in Argentina or abroad, ensuring generational continuity of nationality.
- MERCOSUR mobility privileges, allowing Argentine citizens to live, work, or study in other member countries like Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay with simplified residency processes.
- Strong constitutional protections, including freedom of expression, labor rights, and access to justice as guaranteed under Argentina’s legal framework.
These benefits make Argentine citizenship attractive for long-term residents and regional migrants seeking stability, mobility, and access to social services.
Argentina Passport Visa-Free Countries
Argentine passport holders enjoy broad global mobility, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 163 countries.
This makes the Argentine passport one of the most powerful in Latin America.
Key highlights include:
- Full access to the EU Schengen Area, allowing travel throughout most of Europe without a visa for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
- Access to countries like Russia, South Korea, Japan, the UK, and Israel without a prior visa in most cases.
- Favorable treatment in regional mobility schemes, including simplified visa processes in Latin American and Caribbean nations.
According to recent global rankings, the Argentine passport consistently places in the top 10–25 globally in terms of travel freedom, offering significant advantages for both tourism and business.
Conclusión
Argentina offers one of the most accessible paths to citizenship by naturalization, with a relatively short residency requirement and minimal bureaucratic hurdles compared to other countries.
For those who have lived in Argentina for at least two years and meet basic eligibility criteria, the process is straightforward and backed by judicial precedent.
With Argentina’s acceptance of dual citizenship, naturalized citizens can often retain ties to their original nationality while gaining the rights and privileges of an Argentine passport.
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Adam es un autor reconocido internacionalmente en temas financieros, con más de 830 millones de respuestas en Quora, un libro muy vendido en Amazon y colaborador de Forbes.
