Argentina — Residency: Citizenship

Why this matters

Argentina's 2-year naturalization threshold is unusually fast compared to most countries (which typically require 5-10 years), making it a major draw for relocators planning a long-term move -- but the 2025 rule change means even spouses/parents of Argentine citizens must now complete the full temporary-residence-then-2-year path rather than an expedited route.

Key facts

• Under Law 346, Article 2, foreign nationals 18 or older who have held continuous, legal residence in Argentina for at least 2 years may petition for naturalization.
• As of the Decree 366/2025 reform (effective Oct 6, 2025), the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones (DNM) holds exclusive authority to receive, evaluate, and grant naturalization -- previously certain applications went through federal courts.
• The 2-year residence period must be continuous; under the same reform, a departure from Argentina can reset the count.
• Marriage to an Argentine citizen or having an Argentine-born child no longer bypasses the 2-year residence requirement -- applicants must still obtain temporary residence first and complete 2 uninterrupted years.
• Argentina permits dual and multiple citizenship, so naturalizing does not require renouncing an existing nationality.

Steps

1. Step 1: Complete 2 years of continuous legal residence — Hold valid temporary or permanent residence in Argentina for at least 2 uninterrupted years. Extended absences can reset this count under the current rules.
2. Step 2: Gather Required Documents — Applicants must provide a valid passport, proof of legal residence/DNI, proof of lawful income, and other supporting documents such as a marriage or birth certificate where relevant.
3. Step 3: Submit the Application to DNM — As of the Oct 2025 reform, naturalization applications are filed with and processed by the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones (DNM), which holds sole authority over the process. Processing times vary and applicants may be required to attend an interview.
4. Step 4: Take the Oath of Citizenship — Once approved, applicants take the oath of citizenship and receive their citizenship documentation, the final step in the naturalization process.

Costs

• Application fee: varies
• Translation and legalization fees: varies

Timelines

• Processing time: varies

Required documents

• Valid passport
• Proof of residence
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Birth certificate (if applicable)
• Police record
• Income certificate
• Housing certificate

Common mistakes

• Applicants may experience delays in the processing of their application due to incomplete or inaccurate documentation.
• Language barriers may pose a challenge for non-Spanish speakers, although translations may be available for some documents.

AI confidence note (remove before publishing)

The information provided is based on general knowledge and may not reflect the most up-to-date or accurate information. Official sources, such as government websites and embassy information, should be consulted for the most current and reliable information.