Argentina will launch South America's first citizenship-by-investment programme in the fourth quarter of 2026, offering foreign investors a route to citizenship through a non-refundable contribution of $350,000 or an $800,000 investment in government bonds, Reuters reported on Friday, citing Economy Minister Luis Caputo and the economy ministry.
The programme is part of President Javier Milei's broader push to attract foreign capital as his government seeks to stabilise the economy and strengthen dollar reserves. The economy ministry said the scheme would accompany other measures aimed at improving Argentina's investment climate.
Under the programme, applicants can obtain citizenship by either making a non-refundable contribution of $350,000 to the government or purchasing $800,000 worth of public bonds, according to the ministry statement cited by Reuters.
Family members will also be eligible under separate contribution thresholds. A spouse and children aged 18 to 25 who are single and do not have children of their own can apply by contributing $100,000 each to the treasury. Children under 18 can apply with a $25,000 contribution.
The initiative builds on changes introduced by Milei's government in 2025 that allowed foreigners making a qualifying "relevant investment" in Argentina to apply for citizenship. The government subsequently established an agency to evaluate such applications before they are considered by the country's immigration authorities.
Part of wider investment push
Argentina has been trying to position itself as a more attractive destination for foreign investment under Milei, who took office in December 2023 and has pursued deep spending cuts and other austerity measures.
The government has also relied on the Régimen de Incentivo para Grandes Inversiones (RIGI), or Incentive Regime for Large Investments, to attract large-scale domestic and foreign projects.
The citizenship programme is being presented as part of that wider effort to open the economy to international investors. "The announcement is part of Argentina's ongoing process of opening up and international integration," the economy ministry said, according to Reuters.
