Can Foreigners Own Property in Argentina? 2026 Legal Guide

Yes. Foreigners can buy and own property in Argentina with essentially the same rights as Argentine citizens. There is no requirement for residency, no special foreign buyer permit, and no restriction on the number of urban properties a foreigner can hold. This legal openness has been a consistent feature of Argentine property law for decades, and it remains fully intact in 2026 under the Milei administration.

That said, "no restrictions" does not mean "no process." Buying property in Argentina as a foreigner involves specific legal steps, a tax identification number, and one significant exception for rural land. This guide covers what you actually need to know.

The CDI: Your Tax Identification Number

Every person who participates in a registered property transaction in Argentina must have a tax identification number. For Argentine citizens, this is the CUIT or CUIL. For foreigners who are not tax residents, it is the CDI (Clave de Identificacion).

The CDI is issued by ARCA (formerly AFIP), Argentina's federal tax authority. You will need it before signing the escritura (the public deed that transfers ownership), paying transfer taxes, and registering the property in your name at the Registro de la Propiedad Inmueble.

To apply, you need your passport (original and certified copy), a certificado de domicilio (proof of a local address, which can be a hotel or temporary rental), and a completed Form F.663. The form asks you to declare the purpose of the CDI, which in this case is property acquisition.

The process takes one to two weeks in most cases. You can apply in person at the ARCA office corresponding to your declared address, or you can authorize a local representative to do it on your behalf through a poder (power of attorney). If you are working with an Argentine law firm, they will typically handle this as part of their onboarding.

One important note: the CDI is not a tax residency declaration. Obtaining one does not make you an Argentine tax resident and does not subject your worldwide income to Argentine taxation. It is purely an identification number for transaction purposes.

The Escritura: How Ownership Actually Transfers

In Argentina, property ownership transfers through a document called the escritura publica (public deed). This document is prepared and certified by an escribano, a licensed public notary who functions very differently from notaries in the United States or Europe.

Argentine escribanos are legal professionals with a law degree and an additional notarial certification. They are responsible for verifying the seller's title, confirming there are no liens or encumbrances, ensuring all taxes are current, and certifying that both parties have the legal capacity to enter the transaction. The escribano then drafts the escritura, presides over the signing, and files the document with the property registry.

This is not a formality. The escribano is the central figure in every Argentine property transaction, and choosing the right one is arguably the most important decision a foreign buyer will make. Argentine law allows either party to choose the escribano, and it is standard practice for the buyer to select and pay for the notarial services.

The cost of the escribano's fee typically runs between 1% and 2% of the property value, plus registry fees and stamp taxes that bring total closing costs to roughly 6% to 9% of the purchase price. Buyers of a primary residence may qualify for stamp tax exemptions under Buenos Aires city law, which can reduce total costs to 3% to 6%.

Foreign buyers who cannot be physically present for the signing can grant a special power of attorney (poder especial) to a trusted representative. This poder must be executed before an Argentine consulate in your country of residence or before an Argentine escribano if you are temporarily in the country.

Ley 26.737: The Rural Land Exception

The one significant restriction on foreign property ownership in Argentina applies to rural land. Ley 26.737, enacted in December 2011 under President Cristina Kirchner, places three caps on foreign ownership of tierras rurales (rural land).

First, foreigners collectively may not own more than 15% of all rural land at the national, provincial, or municipal level. Second, no single foreign nationality may account for more than 30% of that 15% cap. Third, individual foreigners are limited to 1,000 hectares in prime agricultural zones such as the Pampa Humeda core zone in northern Buenos Aires province, southern Santa Fe, and Cordoba.