Moving to Argentina: everything you need to know about living in the country

Advantages of living in Argentina

• Easy legalization, plenty of options for obtaining a residence permit.
• The most European country in South America, home to descendants of Spaniards, Dutch, Italians, and other European peoples.
• The cost of living is significantly lower than in other popular countries.
• Good climate, beautiful nature, and developed domestic tourism.

Cons of living in Argentina

• The country's remoteness from the European continent.
• The unstable economic situation, with inflation exceeding 200%.
• The country's social policy is based on protecting the poor, marginalized, and parasites, who are supported by middle-class taxes, which contributes to an increase in crime.
• Without knowledge of Spanish, it is difficult to find a good job.
• Brands such as Nike, Zara, and Apple are unavailable — they are either expensive or unavailable due to high import duties.

What types of visas are there for entering and staying in Argentina?

Ukrainians do not need a visa to enter Argentina for tourism purposes — you will need a foreign passport, accommodation reservation, and sometimes a return ticket.You can stay in the country without a visa for up to 90 days.

Visas to Argentina:

• digital nomad visa (with this visa, you can start a business and work, but not as an employee; passive income must be at least $1,000; issued for one year with the possibility of extension for three years);
• tourist visa;
• student visa;
• work visa;
• business;
• family reunification.

Documents that may be required for visa processing:

• completed application form in Spanish;
• valid foreign passport and internal passport;
• 2 photos 3.5x4.5;
• certificate of tax identification number (TIN);
• certificate from your place of work;
• proof of financial solvency (bank statements);
• hotel reservation and round-trip airline tickets;
• medical insurance for the entire period of travel;
• invitation to Argentina from a company or organization (for a work or business visa);
• invitation from relatives;
• copy of pension certificate (for pensioners);
• certificate from a university (for students);
• copy of birth certificate and notarized permission to travel from parents (for children).

In Argentina, documents must be translated into Spanish and certified by a board of translators.

You can find out about visa requirements on the official website.

How to obtain a residence permit and permanent residence in Argentina?

A residence permit in Argentina can be obtained on the following grounds:

• Employment: to obtain a residence permit, you must provide an employment contract (issued for 3 years, after which you can apply for permanent residence);
• Education: to obtain a residence permit, you must provide a certificate of enrollment in a university (issued for 2 years with the right to renew);
• Financial independence: if you have income from another country or work remotely, dividends, this must be confirmed with documents;
• Business immigration: you must provide a business plan with start-up capital of $5,400 (issued for 3 years with the right to extend, or with subsequent permanent residence);
• Family reunification, marriage (spouse, children, parents, or incapacitated relatives, who have no other guardian) — in this case, permanent residence status is issued immediately.

How to obtain Argentine citizenship?

There are several ways to obtain citizenship:

• "Birth tourism" — a child born in the country becomes a citizen by virtue of birth, and his or her parents can easily obtain permanent residence.
• Marriage to an Argentine citizen.
• By descent, if one of the parents is an Argentine citizen.

To obtain citizenship by naturalization, you must live in the country for two years. Integration, as in other countries, is not required here (knowledge of Spanish, laws, culture, and history of the country), which greatly simplifies the process.

Documents required to obtain citizenship in Argentina:

• a foreign passport with an official translation into Spanish or a national identity card (DNI) with a residence permit in Argentina;
• birth certificate with apostille and official translation into Spanish;
• certificate of no criminal record with an apostille from your home country;
• certificate of residence;
• income certificate in free form.

What you need to know about living in Argentina

Working in Argentina

If you don't speak Spanish or have local qualifications, finding good job opportunities can be difficult. The job market is competitive, and economic instability can further limit the number of available positions, especially in specialized fields. The best option for foreigners is to work for international companies, where knowledge of English is sufficient and the salary is decent.

You can look for work on forums, social networks, and through acquaintances, as many vacancies are not posted on websites. The official website of the Argentine Ministry of Labor is argentina.gob.ar. The minimum wage as of May 1, 2024, is 234,315.12 pesos or $260. The average salary in Argentina in 2024 is 572,425 Argentine pesos per month, which is $635.

Services for finding work in Argentina:

• zonajobs.com.ar
• bumeran.com.ar
• computrabajo.com.ar
• Spanish-language newspaper website
• clarin local newspaper in Spanish

Taxes in Argentina

When moving to Argentina, it is important to note that the country uses a residency-based taxation system. Tax residents are individuals who live in Argentina for more than 183 days per year and are taxed on their worldwide income. Non-residents only pay taxes on income earned in Argentina.

What taxes exist in Argentina:

• Income tax – 35%
• Sales tax – 21%
• Social security – 37.4%
• Corporate tax – 25%
• Employee social security – 17%
• VAT – 10.5%–27%

Cost of living in Argentina

To live in Argentina, one person will need an average of about $500-700 per month, excluding rent. For a family of three, the cost of living, including insurance, food, and other expenses, is about $1,600-1,800.

Food

In Argentina, basic foods, including meat, vegetables, and fruit, can be purchased at quite reasonable prices, even taking inflation into account. Food is cheaper in supermarkets than in small shops and markets. For example, 1 kg of meat costs $6, a tray of 30 eggs costs $4, and 1 kg of potatoes costs 54 cents. The average cost of lunch in a café is about $10, and coffee is $1.50.

Public transport

Public transport in Argentina is well developed: there are electric trains, buses, and the metro. To travel freely around the country, you need a SUBE card, which is a travel card for the metro and buses that is valid throughout the country. A bus ride costs about 175 pesos ($0.25). Children under 5 years old travel for free.

Housing in Argentina

Apartments in Argentina often feature beautiful panoramic windows. They can be rented furnished or unfurnished. Most apartments do not have an oven, but they do have an electric stove. Dishwashers and washing machines are also rare. However, the country has a well-developed network of laundromats located within walking distance. The cost of one wash is about $3.50. Apartments located on the upper floors of buildings often have a rooftop swimming pool.

New buildings do not have central heating, which is why apartments are sometimes colder than outside. Air conditioners and electric heaters are most often used for heating.

If you choose to live in the capital, keep in mind that it has more than 40 districts, some of which are dangerous and some of which are favorable. Try to choose a place away from the borders with dangerous areas. Favorable areas include Recoleta, Palermo, Colegiales, Belgrano, Cochlan, and Nuñez. These areas have many attractions, trendy cafes, shops, and are generally bustling with life. There are also quiet residential areas, such as Savedra, Villa Urquiza, Villa Ortuzar, and Parque Chas.

Websites for finding accommodation:

• zonaprop.com.ar
• booking.com
• argenprop.com
• roomgo.com

Good options can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and Telegram chats:

• buenas_hata rentals
• rental housing

Housing costs in Argentina

Most housing is rented through real estate agents, who charge a commission of 20% of the contract amount. However, they do not always fulfill their obligations, so it is better to look for housing on your own. An alternative option is to sign a contract for a month and then negotiate further rent directly with the landlord.

The cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment in prestigious areas of Buenos Aires, such as Palermo and Recoleta, is around $600-700. A two-bedroom apartment in the same areas will cost $1,000-1,300.

The cost of buying a home in Argentina varies depending on the location and type of property. In Buenos Aires, prices for apartments in popular areas such as Palermo or Recoleta start at $2,000-2,500 per square meter. Thus, a one-bedroom apartment with an area of 50 square meters can cost from $100,000 to $125,000 and above.

Secondary housing is cheaper: the average cost of a one-room apartment is $65,000. In the northern parts of the city, a four-room apartment will cost $138,750.

Buying real estate in Argentina is quite feasible for foreigners, as the country's legislation does not impose significant restrictions on the purchase of housing by non-residents.

Healthcare in Argentina

Medical care here is free for everyone, including foreigners. That is why women from neighboring countries (Paraguay, Peru, Bolivia) often come here to give birth. The queues to see a doctor are relatively short here — up to two weeks, compared to other countries where the wait can be up to six months. You need to make an appointment with a doctor in advance via a bot, providing your documents and insurance details.

There are private clinics where you can see a doctor on a first-come, first-served basis for a fee (20-50 dollars).

The cost of basic insurance per month per person:

• $100 — standard insurance;
• $250 — extended insurance, including dental services and even plastic surgery (including implants).

The cost of medical services in Argentina is about 6 times lower than in the US, and the qualifications of doctors are comparable to those of doctors in Canada and the US, which is why many Americans often visit Argentina for treatment.

Education

The level of education in Argentina is considered one of the best in Latin America, with a huge number of educational institutions ranging from nurseries to universities. Education in the country is free, but there are also plenty of private educational institutions.

In Argentina, you can send your child to nursery school when they are 45 days old. Private kindergartens teach in Spanish and English. The cost of a private kindergarten starts at $200 per month, with the final amount depending on the hours of attendance and the qualifications of the institution.

There are two types of private schools: religious and independent. A subsidized school will cost from $40 per month. A school with a special focus (sports, programming, music, science) will cost from $250 per month.

There are no entrance exams at public universities, but you must complete a one-year preparatory course. Argentine law stipulates that everyone who wishes to receive an education must be able to do so. Therefore, anyone can enroll, regardless of age. You can study at universities for years, deferring exams. The average cost of tuition at private universities is $3,000 per year.

Moving to Argentina with children

To move with children, you will need the following documents:

• international passport;
• medical documents, vaccination records (with translation);
• education documents (notarized and translated into Spanish);
• notarized permission for the child to leave the country (if the child is traveling with only one parent).

Moving with pets

To transport a pet to Argentina, you will need:

• obtain a veterinary passport;
• get the necessary vaccinations (any vaccines that meet international standards are acceptable; titers confirming the presence of rabies antibodies are not required for Argentina);
• obtain an F1 certificate confirming that the pet is healthy, free of fleas and worms (submit tests), and that there are no contraindications to flying.

Moving to Argentina for people of retirement age

Foreigners of retirement age who receive a pension abroad can apply for a residence permit in Argentina for one year with the possibility of extension. To do this, you need to submit documents for a passive income pensioner visa. The required income must be at least $1,060 as of February 2024. It is important to note that as inflation rises, so does the required income amount.

People of retirement age can also apply for other types of residence permits:

• marriage,
• family reunification,
• by right of origin.

Language

The official language of Argentina is Spanish. The local dialect is called Castellano Rioplatense or "argentino" and differs significantly from the variants of Spanish spoken in Spain and Central America. The large number of Italian immigrants in Argentina has influenced the language, as locals use many typical Italian words and colloquial expressions.

Climate

The autumn months in Argentina are March, April, and May. The air temperature at night sometimes approaches 0°C. It is sunny during the day, but even at +15°C, it feels cool in Argentina due to the high humidity. There are many cloudy and rainy days in autumn. However, on average, there are 234 sunny days per year and 57 cloudy days.

Winter begins on June 21. Argentinians love the north wind, as it brings warmth from the north, where spring is beginning.

Summer is hot and lasts from December to February. The temperature can rise to +45°C, and the average temperature is around +30°C.

Features of the Argentine mentality

Argentinians are very athletic and actively use parks for training. Everyone participates—both young people and retirees. In the evenings, parks are filled with runners, cyclists, and rollerbladers. Group training sessions and yoga classes are held on every lawn.

Most people are positive, friendly, and non-confrontational.

Safety

There are problems with crime and safety in the country. Some areas of Argentina, especially in large cities such as Buenos Aires, suffer from high levels of crime, including petty theft, robbery, and fraud. This can be especially important for immigrants who are unfamiliar with which areas are safe and how to protect themselves from crime .

If you are told not to go to a certain area, heed that advice. Take care of your safety: do not display valuable items on the street.

Surprisingly, under such conditions, all apartment doors are wooden and have the simplest locks possible. Each entrance has a combination lock, so you cannot get inside without a chip.

Banking services

There are two main types of accounts: savings accounts and checking accounts. To open an account in Argentina, including online banks, you need to provide the following documents:

• an identity card issued in Argentina (DNI-d);
• Cedula de Identidad del Mercosur — a document issued by the Argentine police;
• a foreign passport with a residence stamp or visa.

In Argentina, you can receive money to your PayPal account and withdraw it at the official exchange rate.

In Argentina, everything changes at lightning speed: governments, laws, the value of money. Inflation is not slowing down, it is only growing, and everyone is used to it.

There are few international brands in Argentina. However, the country has its own factories producing LG and Samsung phones, as well as its own assembly plants for cars, televisions, and so on. Much is produced domestically.

The country is distinguished by free social services, independent media, and a completely independent judiciary.

In addition, Argentina is famous for its beautiful ecology and fantastic nature.