Argentina launches cash-for-citizenship scheme

Argentina's government launched a scheme it hopes will attract wealthy investors and simultaneously "further strengthen the Argentine Republic's fiscal and financial position," offering people the chance to apply for citizenship via investment and thus bypass the more typical procedures. 

Economy Minister Luis Caputo and Cabinet chief Diego Santilli launched the citizenship-by-investment program amid the "Argentina Week" business event in Paris, saying it would start accepting applications during the fourth quarter of 2026. 

"This announcement is part of Argentina's drive toward international openness and integration, accompanied by reforms aimed at strengthening the investment climate and attracting capital," the Economy Ministry said in a statement. 

Argentina's President Javier Milei has tried to portray himself as a cost-cutting pro-business leader restoring stability to one of the world's most fragile economies, which has defaulted on or restructured parts of its national debt multiple times just this century. Its most recent emergency loans scheme from the IMF and World Bank was approved last April. 

What are the details of the citizenship-by-investment program? 

The program plans to offer "two simple and transparent mechanisms" to the primary investors seeking citizenship for themselves and perhaps for their immediate family. 

The first is "making a direct, non-refundable contribution of $350,000 (roughly €310,000) to the National Treasury," the Economy Ministry said. The other higher risk, higher reward approach will be "subscribing to a $800,000 public bond created specifically for this program." 

The principal applicant's spouse and children aged 25 or under can then also apply, albeit themselves having to pay smaller fees. Spouses and childless children aged 18-25 would be charged $100,000 each, and minors would have to contribute $25,000 each. 

"Under this scheme, a typical family unit consisting of a principal applicant, their spouse, and two minor children could apply for Argentine citizenship for a total of $500,000," the ministry said, referring to a sum equating to well over a century earning Argentina's nominal median wage. 

Argentina loses 33 companies a day under Javier Milei

Argentina said it would incorporate recommendations from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to ensure the adoption of international best practices and "comply with applicable standards regarding the prevention of money laundering, terrorist financing, and financial transparency." 

"We continue working to strengthen Argentina's ties with the world, project the value of our citizenship internationally, and consolidate the country as an open and reliable nation," Economy Minister Caputo said online. 

Edited by: Zac Crellin

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