By TheDailyNewsHub News Desk | October 2, 2026
Argentina has announced a new citizenship-by-investment programme that will allow eligible foreign investors to apply for Argentine citizenship through a financial contribution of at least $350,000 or an investment of $800,000 in a government bond.
The programme was unveiled on Friday, October 2, by Economy Minister Luis Caputo during Argentina Week, an investment promotion event in Paris, France. Chief of Cabinet Diego Santilli also participated in the announcement.
According to the Argentine government, applications are expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2026. The initiative is designed to attract foreign capital, strengthen the country’s financial position and encourage international investment under President Javier Milei’s administration.
Under the first option, applicants will make a non-refundable contribution of $350,000 to Argentina’s national treasury. The alternative is to purchase a government security created specifically for the programme, valued at $800,000. The investment option requires applicants to hold the bond for seven years, according to details reported by The Associated Press.
The programme also provides for eligible family members to apply alongside the main applicant, subject to additional financial contributions. A spouse and qualifying children between the ages of 18 and 25, provided they are unmarried and have no children, can apply through a contribution of $100,000 each. Children below 18 are eligible through a contribution of $25,000 each.
The government estimates that a family consisting of a principal applicant, a spouse and two minor children would require a total contribution of $500,000 under the programme.
However, payment alone will not guarantee citizenship. The Argentine government says applicants will undergo background and financial checks designed to establish their identities, the legitimate origin of their funds and whether they present security or reputational risks.
The evaluation will be coordinated by Argentina’s Agency for Citizenship by Investment Programmes, with input from agencies including the Financial Information Unit, the national intelligence service and the security and interior ministries. The agency will submit its recommendation to the National Directorate of Migration, which will make the final decision to approve or reject each application.
The government says the screening process will cover criminal records, financial history, migration records, the source and traceability of funds, and potential money-laundering or terrorism-financing risks. It also says transactions must pass through the formal financial system.
The announcement formalises a policy framework introduced in 2025. Through Decree 366/2025, Argentina amended its citizenship legislation to allow foreigners who make qualifying significant investments to seek naturalisation without first completing the usual two-year continuous residence requirement. Decree 524/2025 subsequently established the procedure for evaluating such applications and created the Agency for Citizenship by Investment Programmes.
The new programme now provides specific financial routes through which the investment-based citizenship policy can operate.
Argentina is seeking additional sources of foreign currency as the Milei government pursues economic reforms and attempts to strengthen its financial position. The country faces substantial foreign-currency debt payments in 2027, with The Associated Press reporting that the Treasury has nearly $25 billion in payments coming due that year.
The Argentine government has presented the initiative as part of its broader effort to attract international capital and improve the country’s investment climate. Reuters described it as South America’s first citizenship-by-investment programme.
Such arrangements, often referred to as golden passport programmes, allow eligible foreign nationals to obtain citizenship through qualifying financial contributions or investments. They differ from golden visa schemes, which generally provide residency rights rather than citizenship.
While the proposed programme could provide Argentina with another channel for attracting international funds, its implementation will depend on the application process, security checks and the government’s ability to maintain confidence in the integrity of its citizenship system.
With applications expected to begin before the end of 2026, prospective investors will have to wait for the operational procedures and detailed requirements before submitting formal applications.