Eligibility quiz
Was one of your parents an Argentine citizen from birth?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Argentine passport and ID
Argentine citizens can get a passport and ID.
A regular passport lasts 10 years for adults and five years for minors.
Live in Argentina for life
Argentine citizens can enter and live in Argentina permanently without immigration permission.
They can also move around and leave Argentina, and their citizenship does not expire.
Live and work in 9 countries
Study in Argentina
Argentine citizens can study for free at public primary and secondary schools and in public higher education.
Work in Argentina
Argentine citizens can work in Argentina without immigration permission.
Get help abroad
Argentine consulates can help citizens abroad with emergencies, detention, vulnerable children and documents.
They can issue passports and IDs, and certify documents, but do not pay medical, legal or other expenses.
Vote in elections
Citizens born in Argentina or citizens through a parent can vote from age 16.
Naturalized citizens can vote from age 18, though some legal restrictions can prevent citizens from voting.
Use public healthcare
Argentine citizens can use public healthcare on the same terms as permanent residents.
Care is not always free, and access to particular services can depend on enrolment, work, income or programme rules.
Receive family payments
Argentine citizens may qualify for child and family payments, depending on work or benefit status and the child's circumstances.
One child payment generally requires the child and parents to be Argentine citizens living in Argentina; naturalized people generally need two years' residence.
How to apply
Applying at a consulateApplying at a consulate
Find your consulate
Find the Argentine consulate that serves the area where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Argentine consulate handles Opción de nacionalidad argentina for people living in your city?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate.
See required documentsStart your application
Follow your consulate’s instructions to start the application and arrange an appointment. You may need to email the consulate or send documents by post first.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I start an Opción de nacionalidad argentina application at the Argentine consulate serving your city?”
Go to your appointment
Bring your documents and attend in person as the consulate instructs; for a child, the parent or legal representative attends as instructed. Ask how to pay the consular fee and pay it as directed.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I attend an Opción de nacionalidad argentina appointment and pay the fee at the Argentine consulate serving your city?”
Wait for registration
Wait while the consulate reviews and registers the application. Answer any questions or requests for more documents from the consulate.
See what happens nextSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens after an Opción de nacionalidad argentina appointment at an Argentine consulate?”
Receive your DNI
Follow the consulate’s instructions for receiving your Argentine identity card, called a DNI. You can then use it as your Argentine identity document.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I receive my DNI after Opción de nacionalidad argentina at the Argentine consulate serving your city?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Bring your original birth certificate and a certified copy of your Argentine parent's birth record. Get your parent's record from the civil registry that registered the birth; a simple birth certificate is not enough for an application in Argentina.
Parent's citizenship records *
Bring your Argentine parent's valid Argentine DNI. Your parent's birth record must also show that they are Argentine by birth.
* Only if you apply at a consulate or are under 18 and your Argentine parent accompanies you in Argentina.
Parent's death certificate *
Bring the death certificate of the parent who has died. Get it from the office that registered the death.
* Only if your Argentine parent has died or a parent's death is why the other person can act for you.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Tax residence abroad
Argentine citizens are generally treated as tax residents until they become permanent residents abroad or spend 12 continuous months abroad.
Exceptions apply, and tax residence can affect income tax.
Possible military service
Under the military rules, men may be called up for service, but women are not conscripted.
People already serving or in the reserves may also have duties if lawfully called.
Voting duties and limits
Citizens aged 18 to 70 must vote or give a valid reason; otherwise, a fine and a one-year limit on public procedures while it is unpaid can apply.
Voting abroad is optional, but without an overseas address on your ID, you may need to justify not voting.
Some convictions, fraudulent bankruptcy or unauthorised foreign public jobs or honours can restrict political rights.
Citizenship can be lost
Exceptional grounds for loss include certain disloyal acts, foreign political jobs or honours without permission, and foreign military service without prior permission.
Refusing military service when legally required can also be a ground for loss.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Русскоговорящие в Аргентине 🇦🇷 Rusoparlantes en Argentina🇦🇷
Facebook group for people interested in Argentinian citizenship and visas (Russian & Spanish)
Join on FacebookArgentinian Citizenship and Residency.
English Facebook group for people interested in Argentinian citizenship and visas
Join on FacebookCiudadanía Argentina
Spanish Facebook group for people interested in Argentinian citizenship
Join on FacebookConsultation
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