Living in Argentina
Information forabout British citizens moving toto, living or livingretiring in Argentina,Argentina – including guidancevisas, onworking, residency, healthcare and driving.
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Help forfrom Britishthe citizensArgentine government
For any questions about moving to or living in Argentina.Argentina, Readyou aboutmay howbe ourable embassyto inget Buenoshelp Airesfrom can help.the:
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Professional help in Argentina
SupportYou forcan Britishalso Nationalsget Abroadhelp from English-speaking professionals setsin outArgentina, howincluding:
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Help nationalsfrom canthe stayUK safegovernment
Read abroadthe andtravel howadvice for Argentina to understand the FCDOrisks canyou helpmay face if you dolive getin intoor difficulty.visit Argentina. This includes the latest information on:
- visas and entry requirements
- laws and cultural differences
- safety and security
Read generalour guidance on movingmoving, living or retiring abroad..
ToGet stayhelp upfrom to date: follow the BritishUK Embassygovernment Buenos Aires on Facebookabroad, Instagramincluding andin X.an emergency.
BeforeVisas, youresidency goand citizenship
SeeMake oursure travelyou advicemeet the entry requirements for Argentina forbefore up-to-dateyou informationtravel.
Visas onand entryresidence requirements,permits
Check localwhich lawsvisa andor customs,residence safetypermit andyou emergencies.need to live in Argentina.
Coronavirus
You can get a visa to:
- work
- study
- retire
FollowFor themore adviceinformation, ofread guidance from the Argentine governmentNational andDirectorate yourfor localMigration authority.(in Spanish), part of the Ministry of National Security.
You canmay alsoneed readto ourprovide travela advicecopy forof Argentinayour forpolice ourrecords latestas guidance.
Visaspart andof a visa or residency
Check theapplication. entryYou requirementscan get fora Argentinapolice certificate inonline. ourYou travelwill advice.
Forneed visato andget residencyit requirementslegalised by youthe mustLegalisation visitOffice in the ArgentineUK governmentbefore immigrationsubmitting authority’sit websiteto Direcciónthe NacionalArgentine de Migraciones.authorities.
Identity card
ForYou informationmay onneed obtainingto get an identity card known(‘Documento as Documento Nacional de IdentidadIdentidad’ (DNI),or you‘DNI’). mustRead visit the Argentine governmentMinistry Interiorof Ministry’sthe website.Interior’s DNI information (in Spanish).
Permanent residency
You canmay getbe aable policeto certificate,apply for permanent residency in Argentina if you havemeet beenthe askedArgentine government’s criteria.
To find out if you’re eligible and how to provideapply, aread copythe Argentine Ministry of yourNational policeSecurity’s recordsresidency asguidance part(in ofSpanish).
Citizenship
Argentina arecognises visadual orcitizenship. residencyThis application.means Thethat Britishyou Embassydo cannotnot issuehave anyto typegive ofup certificate(renounce) inyour relationBritish citizenship to personalbecome informationan whichArgentine mightcitizen. be
To heldfind aboutout youif inyou’re eligible for Argentine citizenship:
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UK.ArgentineOnceNationalyouDirectoratehaveofobtainedMigrationyour(inpoliceSpanish) - contact
certificatetheyouArgentinemustConsulategetGeneralitinlegalisedLondon
Find out more and apply for citizenship by following the LegalisationMinistry Officeof National Security’s online application process (in Spanish).
Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications
The British Embassy in Buenos Aires cannot help with Argentine visa, residency or citizenship applications.
For any questions or issues, contact:
- the
UKArgentinebeforeNationalsubmittingDirectorateitoftoMigration (in Spanish) - the Argentine
authorities.Consulate General in London - an English-speaking lawyer in Argentina
Passports and traveltravel
YouRead canour guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- apply for
orarenewBritish passport from abroad - travel urgently without your British passport
Dual fromcitizens Argentinatravelling to the UK
When travelling to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. Read guidance on dual citizenship.
Resident children travelling without a parent or legal guardian
CheckRead the entry requirements for Argentina for information on letters of authority for resident children travelling without a parent or legal guardian.
For more information read guidance from the Argentine government on travel adviceauthorisation for passportminors validity(in requirements.Spanish).
Healthcare in ArgentinaArgentina
SeeRead our travelguidance adviceon formoving, Argentinaliving or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- plan your healthcare
- take medicine abroad
ThereArgentina isdoes nonot have a reciprocal healthcarehealth agreement betweenwith Argentina and the UK.UK.
MedicalMake facilitiessure areyou good,have butappropriate health insurance to cover any healthcare costs. You can beget expensive.insurance Publicfrom hospitalsArgentine tendand international providers.
To find out how to beget crowded.medical Maketreatment:
- contact
sureyouryouinsurancehaveprovider - read
adequateguidancetravelon healthinsuranceinandArgentina - find
accessibleEnglish-speakingfundsmedicaltofacilitiescoverandthedoctorscostforofBritishanynationalsmedicalintreatmentArgentina
Working abroadin andArgentina repatriation.
NOTE:Read UKour Travelguidance insuranceon providersmoving, willliving notor generallyretiring coverabroad. yourThis healthcarecovers costsworking ifabroad, including documents you livemay overseas.need from the UK government.
Medicine
IfTo work in Argentina, you aremay onneed a prescriptionwork forpermit anyor medicationwork youvisa.
The shouldArgentine ensuregovernment youexplains havewhat ayou supplyneed ofto it,do orto arework ablein toArgentina obtain(in itSpanish).
To whenapply infor Argentina.a Certainjob, medicinesyou may notneed beto availableprovide:
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invalidArgentinapassport - a
(includingcriminalmajorrecordbrandscheckreadilyforavailabletheinpastthe3UK),years - certificates, degrees and
youothermayacademic documents
All documents must be prohibitedlegalised, fromapostilled takingand themaccompanied intoby thean country.official Youtranslation shouldif consultnot yourin GPSpanish. beforeRead travellingour toguidance Argentinaon todocuments findfor outBritish aboutpeople anyabroad alternativefor medication.more information.
Recognition of qualifications
ReadIf theyou guidancewant ifto work in Argentina, you may need to travelget withyour medicinesforeign qualifications recognised (in Spanish).
WorkingDriving in ArgentinaArgentina
IfRead youour areguidance planningon tomoving, moveliving toor Argentinaretiring andabroad. work,This youcovers mayhow needto:
- drive
aabroadvisa.legally - take
ReadyourtheUKArgentinavehiclegovernment’sabroad - get driving licence letters
The Argentine government offers guidance on workingdriving in Argentina aswith a foreign nationaldriving licence (in Spanish).
Read andour howinformation toon getapplying afor visaan international driving permit.
Studying inbefore Argentina
you leave the UK.
IfThe youArgentine planNational toRoad studySafety Agency (in Spanish) provides information on driving in Argentina, youincluding musthow meetto:
- get
allavisanewrequirementsArgentine driving licence (in Spanish) - travel
beforewithyouthetravel.correct documentation in the vehicle (in Spanish)
ContactFor themore relevantinformation, higherread educationabout providerroad travel in Argentina, in safety and security in the travel advice for Argentina.
Disabled drivers
You may be able to checkapply whatfor feesan Argentine disabled parking card (in Spanish).
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Argentina, you must return it to pay.the original UK issuing authority.
TaxTax
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Argentina so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.countries.
Contact Ask the relevantArgentine taxPublic authorityRevenue yourSecretariat questions(in aboutSpanish) doublefor taxationany relief.questions.
YouConsider shouldgetting get professional advice on paying tax in Argentina.Argentina Find(in Spanish). To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in Argentina.
Read guidance on:
Pensions
taxClaiming
ifyouryouleavetheUKtopensionRead
liveourabroadtaxguidance onyourmoving,UKlivingincomeorifretiringyouliveabroad . This covers:
taxhowiftoyouclaimgetyouraUKpensionStateandliveabroadPensionpayingwhereNationaltheInsuranceUKwhilegovernmentabroadpaystoanprotectannualyourincreaseStateinPensiontheandStateentitlementtootherbenefitsandallowances.Pension- read
income-relatedguidancebenefitsonsuchhowastoPensionstartCredityourandretirementHousinginBenefitArgentinacannot(inbeSpanish) - contact
paidtheifArgentineyou’reNationalabroadSocialforSecuritymoreAdministrationthan(ANSES)4(inweeks.Spanish) - vote
areinrestrictionsUKonelectionsthefrompurchaseabroad - register
ofasforeignancurrencyoverseasinvoter - read
you’reguidanceaskedonfortravelagrantsletterforauthenticating,studentscertifyingstudying abroad orvalidatingonyourplacementsUK(England) - contact
driver’syourlicence,higheryoueducationshouldprovidercontactinyourthe UKissuingoroffice.SeeArgentina - contact
guidancetheforArgentinetravellingEducationbySecretariatroad(ininArgentina.Spanish) - getting
thepermissionguidancetoontakeobtainingyourachildlocalabroad - claiming
drivingUKlicence.ReadChildguidanceBenefitonabroad - child
obtainingmaintenanceanpaymentsinternationalifdrivingapermit.parent lives abroad checkfindingifayouschoolareandablegetting permission tovotestudy in Argentina (in Spanish)registerprimaryaseducationaninoverseasArgentina- secondary
votereducation in Argentina - register the birth with the
UK authoritiesUK authorities to get a UK birth certificate - apply for
ayour child’s first British passport. Whatwhat to doifafter someone dies abroadBereavementhow to register the death with the UK authorities107legalisingforandmedicalcertifyingemergenciesUK documents100marriageforandfirecivilbrigadepartnership documents135affirmationsforandsuicidehelplineaffidavits142witnessingtoreportamissingchildsignatures- taking
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ifyourchildpetmaydog,becatatorriskferretoftothis.a non-EU country
Benefits
Claiming an Argentine pension
CheckTo whichfind UKout benefitswhether you can claim whilean abroadArgentine and how to claim them.pension:
Many
PensionsBenefits
Claiming UK benefits
Read Stateour Pension guidance ifon youmoving, haveliving livedor inretiring Australia,abroad. CanadaThis orcovers Newhow Zealandto andclaim youUK arebenefits claimingabroad, orincluding waitingChild toBenefit.
Claiming claimArgentine yourbenefits
You UKmay Statebe Pension.entitled to some Argentine benefits.
IfTo youfind retireout inif Argentina,you’re youeligible canand claimhow yourto UKclaim, Statevisit Pensionthe orArgentine newNational UKSocial StateSecurity Pension. ContactAdministration the(ANSES) Internationalwebsite Pension(in CentreSpanish) foror furthercontact information.ANSES.
LifeBuying certificatesand forrenting UKproperty Statein Pensions
Argentina
IfRead youour getguidance aon ‘lifemoving, certificate’living fromor theretiring UK Pension Serviceabroad,. youThis mustcovers respondbuying asand soonrenting asproperty possible.abroad.
Contact Youran paymentsEnglish-speaking maylawyer bein suspendedArgentina if youyou’re doconsidering not.buying property or land.
MoneyVoting andin bankingArgentina
UK elections
YouRead needour anguidance identityon cardmoving, (DNI)living toor setretiring upabroad. aThis bankcovers accounthow in Argentina.to:
There
Argentine Argentina. elections
You shouldmay monitorbe theeligible mediato forvote updatesin onsome theselocal restrictionsand asmunicipal theyelections arein subjectArgentina. toRead regularthe change.
AccommodationArgentine andgovernment’s buyingguidance property
Seeon buyingvoting arights propertyfor abroadforeign nationals in Argentina (in Spanish).
DrivingStudying in Argentina
SeeIf guidanceyou onplan whatto actionsstudy in Argentina, you must domeet toall drivevisa legallyrequirements in(in ArgentinaSpanish). before you travel.
DrivingFor abroadmore https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad.information:
If
Children
SeeRead our guidance on takingmoving, aliving vehicleor outretiring of the UKabroad.
Driving licenceThis rulescovers inmoving Argentinaabroad ifwith youchildren, live there
including:
Read
DisabledSchools driversand education
IfThe youArgentine haveEducation aSecretariat UK(in Blue BadgeSpanish) andprovides liveinformation inabout Argentina,the youschool mustsystem returnin itArgentina.
All tochildren theaged original4 UKto issuing17 authority.
Voting
You must mayattend beschool ableor tohome voteschool in someArgentina.
For UKmore elections.information, Youread can:the Argentine government’s guidance on:
Childcare
YouThe mayMinistry beof ableHuman to voteCapital is responsible for childcare services in someArgentina. provincial
Early electionsyears aseducation ais residentavailable foreignfor nationalchildren infrom 45 days to 5 years old.
There are many private nurseries and childcare facilities available throughout Argentina.
Births, deaths, marriagemarriages and civil partnershippartnerships
BirthsBirths
If your child is born in ArgentinaArgentina, you should register the birth with the localArgentine authorities.authorities. You You can then register withthe birth at the UKlocal authoritiescivil andregistry applyoffice for(registro acivil), UKor birthsometimes at certificate.the hospital .
IfRead yourour childguidance hason Britishmoving, nationality, youliving door notretiring needabroad. toThis covers how to:
DeathsDeaths
IfRead someoneour diesguidance inon Argentinamoving, readliving ouror guidanceretiring on:abroad. This covers:
If someone dies in Argentina, read guidance foron:
MarriageMarriages and civil partnershippartnerships
FindRead outour howguidance youon canmoving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or get a civil partnership abroad.abroad.
Pets
IfYou youcan arealso movingread tothe Argentine government’s guidance on getting married in Argentina with(in yourSpanish).
Divorce pet,and readseparation
Read theour guidance andon ensuremoving, youliving complyor withretiring theabroad. regulations:
Emergencies
IfThe youMinistry needof immediateJustice help,offers orguidance fearon forhow yourto safety,get youa shoulddivorce contactin theArgentina emergency(in servicesSpanish).
Consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Argentina.Argentina.
Documents for British people in Argentina
DialRead 911our forguidance theon police,documents ambulancefor orBritish firepeople brigade,abroad. orThis dial:covers:
If
Lawyers, youtranslators haveand beennotaries
To thefind victiman ofEnglish-speaking alawyer, rapetranslator or sexualnotary assault in Argentina, read Argentina:guidance informationon forprofessional victimsservices ofif rapeyou’re and sexual assault - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)abroad See also https://www.gov.uk/guidance/victim-of-rape-and-sexual-assault-abroad.
Pets
If you’reyou thewant victimto ofbring ayour crime,pet havewith beenyou arrested,to orArgentina, areread affectedguidance by a crisis, contact the British Embassy Buenos Aires.on:
Read
LeavingReturning Argentinato the UK
MovingRead companiesreturning willto normallythe askUK youpermanently. toThis obtainincludes ainformation consularon certificatebringing calledfamily “Bajamembers Consular”back fromto the BritishUK, Embassytax asand aaccess requirement to shipservices.
Shipping yourpersonal belongings back to the UK. The British Embassy cannot issue such consular certificates.UK
WeIf areyour howevershipping ablecompany toasks confirmfor thata holdersconsular ofcertificate British(‘baja Passportsconsular’) or Passportsfor fromproof other EU countries may reside legally in the UK and that holders of UKresidency visaswhen mayyou alsohave staya in the UK forpassport, thedownload periodthis letter ofexplaining validitythat of the visaBritish asEmbassy longdoes asnot allissue entryconsular requirementscertificates are(PDF, 303 metKB).
Disclaimer
We onprovide arrival in country. You can print off this information as ana Informationguide Noteonly. toFor handdefinitive ininformation, tocontact movingthe companiesArgentine or local authorities.authorities.
Returning to the UK
Read theour guidanceconsular on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on bringing family members, tax and access to services.disclaimer.
Updates to this page
Last updated
-
14 January 2025 Following Consular team's instructions, we've updated the date on Tuesday 14 January 2025.
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17 January 2024 Yes, we have updated the Living in Argentina guide on Wednesday 17 January, 2024.
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29 December 2022 I updated relevant information on Thursday 29, December.
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20 May 2022 FCDO update.
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18 March 2021 Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines
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2 December 2020 Last updated 2 December 2020
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6 May 2019 Last updated 6 May 2019
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11 March 2015 Disclaimer updated
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14 February 2014 Changes to the items in the guide.
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30 December 2013 Changed the 'Returning to the UK' content.
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5 November 2013 First published.