# How to Get Argentine Citizenship: Every Route Explained

The ways to become an Argentine citizen in 2026: by birth, by descent, by naturalisation after two years, and by investment, with what each one asks.

Facts last checked: 2026-10-14

**Short answer:** there are four ways to Argentine citizenship today. You are Argentine **by birth** if born in Argentina. Children of Argentines born abroad can take **citizenship by option**. Foreigners can **naturalise** after two years of continuous legal residence. And from the fourth quarter of 2026, foreigners can naturalise **by investment**, with no residence, for USD 350,000 or USD 800,000.

## Quick summary

| Route | Who it is for | Residence | Cost | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| By birth | People born in Argentina | Not applicable | None | In force |
| By option | Children of Argentine citizens born abroad | Not required | Administrative fees | In force |
| Naturalisation | Foreigners living in Argentina | 2 years, continuous, no trips abroad | Administrative fees | In force, under court review |
| By investment | Foreigners making a relevant investment | None | USD 350,000 or USD 800,000, plus family amounts | Announced, opening Q4 2026 |

## By birth

Ley 346 recognises as native citizens people born in Argentine territory. The sources reviewed for this guide show no change to this rule by DNU 366/2025.

## By option

Children of native Argentines born abroad can opt for Argentine citizenship. The process runs through consulates and the national registry. Confirm the current steps with the consulate where you live.

## Naturalisation after two years

DNU 366/2025 rewrote the ordinary route. A foreigner over 18 who has lived in Argentina continuously and legally for the two years before applying can apply to the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones. Two changes matter:

- **Continuous means no trips abroad.** Any departure in the two years breaks the period, according to reporting by elDiarioAR and Chequeado.
- **The DNM decides, not a judge.** Before the decree, federal judges handled naturalisation, and the law offered other grounds, such as having Argentine children. The decree removed most of them.

In June 2026 an appeal court found these changes unconstitutional in one applicant's case and ordered her ordinary naturalisation to resume under the old rules. The government has appealed.

## By investment

The investment route grants naturalisation "whatever the length of residence" for a relevant investment, under the amended Ley 346. The Ministry of Economy set the amounts on 2 October 2026. Read [the golden passport](/guide/argentina-golden-passport/) and [the cost breakdown](/guide/argentina-cbi-cost-breakdown/).

## Which route fits

| Your situation | The route |
|---|---|
| An Argentine parent | By option |
| You can live in Argentina for two years without leaving | Naturalisation |
| You want citizenship without relocating | By investment |
| You are a Mercosur citizen planning to move | Mercosur residence, then naturalisation |

## Frequently asked questions

### How long does it take to become an Argentine citizen?

By naturalisation, at least two years of continuous residence plus processing. By investment, no residence period, and processing times are not yet published.

### Can I keep my current citizenship?

Argentina does not require you to give it up. Check your current country's rules. See [dual citizenship](/guide/argentina-dual-citizenship/).

### Does marrying an Argentine give me citizenship?

Marriage is not by itself a route to citizenship. A spouse can apply for residence and then naturalise, or join an investment application for USD 100,000.

### Do I need to speak Spanish?

No language requirement has been announced for the investment route. Check the rules for ordinary naturalisation with the DNM.

## Sources

- [DNU 366/2025, Boletín Oficial](https://www.boletinoficial.gob.ar/detalleAviso/primera/326096/20250529), 29 May 2025
- [Chequeado: why the courts question the programme](https://chequeado.com/el-explicador/ciudadania-argentina-por-inversion-de-que-se-trata-el-programa-de-milei-para-extranjeros-y-por-que-la-justicia-lo-cuestiona/), 9 October 2026
- [Ministry of Economy announcement](https://www.argentina.gob.ar/noticias/luis-caputo-anuncio-la-puesta-en-marcha-del-programa-de-ciudadania-por-inversion-de), 2 October 2026