Other Ways to Argentine Citizenship: Naturalisation, Birth, Descent and Dual Citizenship

Investment is not the only way in, and for some families it is not the best one. Here are the other routes as I read them in the amended law and in the Wikipedia summary of Argentine nationality law.

Naturalisation through residence

After Decree 366/2025, Article 2 of Citizenship Law No. 346 requires foreigners over 18 to have lived in Argentina continuously and legally for the two years before the application. The decree defines continuous strictly: the person must have stayed in the country for the whole period without any trip abroad. The application now goes to the National Directorate of Migration instead of a federal judge. Wikipedia notes that since October 2025 the procedure is digital and asks for proof of occupation or means of support.

Note the court case: the Electoral Chamber ruling on the same decree also concerns who decides naturalisation. I describe it in the guide to the legal basis.

Birth in Argentina

Argentina follows birthright citizenship: a person born on its territory is Argentine, with an exception for children of people in the service of a foreign government, such as diplomats.

Children of Argentines born abroad

A child born abroad to a native Argentine parent can opt for Argentine nationality, at a consulate or in Argentina. For a minor the parents make the choice; after 18 only the person can. Wikipedia notes that this right does not extend to spouses or other relatives.

Dual citizenship

Argentina accepts dual nationality, and naturalisation does not normally require renouncing another citizenship. Several countries have reciprocity agreements with Argentina, including Spain and Italy. Whether your current country allows a second citizenship is a separate question, and for some passports it is the deciding one.

Can it be renounced?

According to Wikipedia, Argentine nationality cannot be renounced; in 2009 the Electoral Chamber refused a request to do so. It can be revoked if obtained by fraud. I mention this because a family should take the decision knowing it is for life.

Spain: a common misunderstanding

Many people hope that an Argentine passport opens a two-year route to Spanish citizenship. Article 22 of the Spanish Civil Code gives two years of residence to nationals “of origin” of Ibero-American countries. BRIDGES reads this as not covering a naturalised Argentine, who falls under the general rule of ten years. If Spain is your real goal, check this before you choose the route.