residence qualification:
2 YEARS
physical presence
rulatam
Argentine Citizenship in 2026: Legal Standard
A complete analysis of the naturalization procedure based on the reform DNU 366/2025. Current rules for obtaining status through the Migration Service.
Citizenship and passport
How to obtain citizenship and passport in Argentina?
Through statutory naturalization after meeting residency and applicant requirements. Two years of continuous residence and DNI. DNU 366/2025 has changed the rules - let’s look at what’s relevant.
ProblemNaturalization
CheckDuration and accommodation
SolutionAuthorized body
What to check before deciding
- Check the legal basis, minimum period and residency requirements.
- Gather evidence of connection to the country and compliance with the conditions.
- Treat the citizenship decision and the subsequent passport application as separate steps.
issuing authority:
DNM
migration service
second passport:
without giving up the first
renunciation of citizenship:
IMPOSSIBLE
constitutional norm
ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS DNM
(update 02/2026)
Decree DNU 366/2025 radically changed the process architecture. Citizenship applications have been moved from the judiciary to the executive branch (DNM). However, there is still no official regulation for the issuance of citizenship by the migration service, so the actual issuance of citizenship is carried out only by the courts according to the old procedure for those who managed to apply before the end of May 2025, as well as for those who applied to the court later by declaring the reform unconstitutional.
Features of Argentine citizenship
Legal and economic aspects
Methods of obtaining
Naturalization is possible after 2 years of actual residence. For children born in Argentina, the principle of Jus Soli (law of the soil) applies. Parents and spouses of Argentines are no longer eligible for expedited legalization.
Settlement qualification
Citizenship can be obtained after 2 years from the date of obtaining temporary or permanent residence. This period is reset at the moment of leaving the country, even for one day. After returning, it starts counting again.
Citizens' rights
Citizenship gives unlimited rights to travel and work in all Mercosur countries. Free healthcare and higher education (UBA, etc.) in 2026 are tied exclusively to the status of a citizen or permanent resident.
Responsibilities of citizens
Participation in elections is compulsory for all citizens under the age of 70. The army is recruited on a voluntary basis; there is no compulsory conscription. Citizens may be selected for jury duty by lot.
Argentine citizenship and taxes
The mere presence of a passport does not oblige you to pay taxes. Fiscal obligations arise only for tax residents - those who are in the country for more than 183 days a year. Taxes are paid on all world income and property (there is a tax-free minimum).
Second passport
Argentina recognizes dual citizenship. Renunciation of your first citizenship is not required at any stage. The Argentine Foreign Ministry will most likely notify your country's Foreign Ministry that you have been granted citizenship. There are agreements on dual citizenship with Spain and Italy.
Deprivation of citizenship
Citizens by birth (ciudadanos naturales) have absolute immunity from deprivation of citizenship. Naturalized persons can be deprived of their status only in case of proven fraud (fake documents) when applying for a residence permit or passport.
Inalienability
Constitutional principle: Argentine citizenship cannot be renounced. This status is for life. There is no legal procedure for renunciation of citizenship, even at consulates.
Freedom of movement
Argentina's passport is consistently ranked in the top 20 in the world. Visa-free access to the Schengen area, UK, Japan and Singapore. Expected entry into the VWP program for travel to the United States.
Marital status
For family members of naturalized citizens (spouses, children and parents), accelerated naturalization procedures no longer exist: they undergo the standard naturalization path (2 years).
Real estate and permanent residence in Argentina | RULATAM
Legalization through the purchase of real estate: tracks, conditions and connection with migration status.
Support for an Argentine citizenship case | RULATAM
Continuation of an already begun case in federal court CABA. Review the expediente, strategy, control of lawyers.
Compare all jurisdictions RULATAM
Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Panama, Costa Rica - conditions, terms and routes nearby.
What does an Argentine passport look like?
FAQ for naturalization in Argentina
No. According to the current DNM regulations of 2026, the period of stay in the country in the status of “Digital Nomad” is “transit” and is not counted towards the two-year residency requirement for applying for citizenship.
No. According to the current DNM regulations of 2026, the period of stay in the country in the status of “Digital Nomad” is “transit” and is not counted towards the two-year residency requirement for applying for citizenship.
In Brazil, the basic qualification is four years of residence, but this is reduced to one year for parents of Brazilian children or spouses of Brazilian citizens. Uruguay requires three years for married applicants (gender and nationality of spouses do not matter) and five years for single applicants. In both cases, actual residence is taken into account, and not the formal presence of a residence permit: entry/exit, tax and household connections are needed.
Content OwnerKirill Makoveev
Editorial StatusSources verified 06/04/2026
VersionCurrent Version
How we check materials