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EU citizens and Argentina: check your own law first

An EU passport already opens more doors than an Argentine one. The case for Argentina is a second base and a hedge outside Europe, and whether you can make it depends on the member state that issued your passport.

Updated 8 min readSourced from official announcements

Key facts

  • Germany (since 27 June 2024), France and Italy let you keep your nationality. Spain makes an exception for Ibero-American nationalities, including Argentina.
  • The Netherlands: voluntary acquisition of another nationality usually ends Dutch nationality, and with it EU citizenship.
  • Henley Passport Index, July 2026: the five passports in this guide reach 186 destinations (#4); Argentina reaches 169 (#16).
  • Germany, France and Spain tax unrealised gains on some shareholdings when a resident leaves.
  • Cost: US$350,000 non-refundable, or a US$800,000 bond. The legal basis is before the Supreme Court. See legal status.

Nationality law remains a national matter in the EU, and the five states in this guide take five different positions. A German entrepreneur can add an Argentine passport with no formalities. A Dutch entrepreneur doing the same thing would usually lose their Dutch passport.

This guide covers Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands. If you hold another EU nationality, check your own state’s law first. For the programme itself, see our overview of Argentina citizenship by investment and the cost guide.

Note. The investment route rests on DNU 366/2025. On 30 June 2026 the Cámara Nacional Electoral declared the decree unconstitutional, after a federal appeals chamber had struck down part of it on 18 June. The government has appealed to the Supreme Court and says the decree stays in force until the ruling is final. No Supreme Court decision had been reported by 10 October 2026. Read our legal status page before you commit funds.

Five member states, five rules

Member state Can you keep your nationality? Main point
Germany Yes Loss on voluntary acquisition ended on 27 June 2024
France Yes Loss only if you choose to declare it
Italy Yes Declare the new citizenship to the registry or consulate
Spain Yes, for Spaniards by origin Ibero-American exception, plus a 1969 treaty with Argentina
Netherlands Usually no Loss on voluntary acquisition, with narrow exceptions

Germany

The nationality modernisation law took effect on 27 June 2024. Since then, a German who acquires a foreign nationality on application keeps German citizenship, and the old retention permit (Beibehaltungsgenehmigung) is gone. The change is not retroactive. Anyone who took a foreign nationality before that date was subject to the old rules.

France

France accepts multiple nationality and does not ask a French national who acquires another one to give up French nationality. Loss happens only if you make a voluntary declaration, which in general you can do as an adult living abroad within a year of the new acquisition.

Italy

Article 11 of Law 91/1992 says an Italian who acquires a foreign citizenship keeps Italian citizenship, but may renounce it if resident abroad. Article 24 asks you to declare the new citizenship to the civil registry, or to the consulate if you live abroad. The 2025 reform limited citizenship by descent for people born abroad. It did not change Article 11 for Italians who take a second nationality later.

Spain

Article 24.1 of the Civil Code is the rule to read carefully. An adult Spaniard who lives abroad and voluntarily acquires another nationality loses Spanish nationality after three years, unless they declare that they wish to keep it. However, the same article states that acquiring the nationality of an Ibero-American country, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea or Portugal is not enough to cause that loss for Spaniards by origin. Argentina is an Ibero-American country. Spain and Argentina also have a dual nationality convention from 1969, amended by a protocol in 2001.

If you are Spanish by naturalisation rather than by origin, the exception does not name you. Take advice before you apply.

A related point for other Europeans: Spain’s two-year residence route to Spanish nationality is open only to Ibero-American nationals by origin. An Argentine by investment cannot use it.

The Netherlands

Article 15 of the Netherlands Nationality Act ends Dutch nationality for an adult who voluntarily acquires another nationality. There are three exceptions: you were born in the other country and live there when you acquire its nationality; you lived there for at least five years before age 18; or you are married to, or the registered partner of, a national of that country.

A citizen by investment will rarely meet any of them, unless your spouse or partner is Argentine. Loss of Dutch nationality also means loss of EU citizenship. A bill to allow dual nationality (34632) is before the Tweede Kamer, but it is not law as of 10 October 2026. For most Dutch nationals, the realistic option today is Argentine residence, not citizenship. Our guide to residency versus citizenship explains the choices.

What the passport adds, and what it does not

Destination German, French, Italian, Spanish or Dutch passport Argentine passport
EU and Schengen Free movement 90 days in 180
United States ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) B1/B2 visa required
Canada eTA Visa, or eTA if you hold a US visa or a recent Canadian visa
Australia ETA Online visa (e600)
South Korea Visa-free K-ETA
Brazil and the Southern Cone Visa-free visits Argentine ID card accepted; Mercosur residence after 5 years
Henley index, July 2026 186 destinations (#4) 169 destinations (#16)

Henley’s data show almost no country where the Argentine passport gives easier entry than these five EU passports. The value is elsewhere:

  • A second base outside Europe. A nationality in a large, resource-rich country in another hemisphere, with its own legal system and currency.
  • Regional rights, later. The Argentine identity card (DNI) is accepted as a travel document in eight South American countries. The Mercosur Residence Agreement covers naturalised citizens only after five years of Argentine nationality. See Mercosur residence rights.
  • Family planning. Children with two nationalities have more options later. See why families hold multiple passports.

Regulation (EU) 2025/2441, in force since 30 December 2025, lets the EU suspend visa-free travel for a third country that operates an investor citizenship scheme. No step has been taken against Argentina. But if a family member would travel to Europe only on an Argentine passport, that risk is relevant to them.

Tax residence and exit taxes

In all five states, tax follows residence, not nationality. Becoming Argentine changes nothing while you live in Europe. On the Argentine side, naturalisation through investment does not by itself make you an Argentine tax resident. A foreigner who moves to Argentina for reasons other than work generally becomes resident from the 13th month. See tax residence and CBI.

If you do move, exit rules may apply:

  • Germany. Section 6 of the Foreign Tax Act (AStG) taxes unrealised gains on shareholdings of at least 1% when you leave, if you were fully taxable in Germany for at least seven of the last twelve years. German nationals also stay within German inheritance tax for five years after they leave without keeping a German home.
  • France. The exit tax applies to people domiciled in France for six of the last ten years whose holdings exceed 50% of a company or EUR 800,000 in value.
  • Spain. The exit tax applies after at least ten of the last fifteen tax periods, for shareholdings worth over EUR 4 million, or over EUR 1 million with a stake above 25%.
  • Italy and the Netherlands. Each has its own rules on departure and on substantial shareholdings. Ask a local adviser before you move.

These rules have deferrals and exceptions. Speak to a qualified tax adviser before you change residence.

Documents and due diligence

All six countries apply the Hague Apostille Convention, so public documents need an apostille, not consular legalisation.

Country Apostille Convention in force
France 24 January 1965
Netherlands 8 October 1965
Germany 13 February 1966
Italy 11 February 1978
Spain 25 September 1978
Argentina 18 February 1988

None of the five states is on the FATF grey list after the June 2026 plenary. Argentina’s Agency will still check your identity, funds, assets, background and migration history. Prepare evidence for the source of your wealth and of the payment. See our source of funds guide.

The donation route costs US$350,000 for one person, US$450,000 for a couple and US$500,000 for a couple with two children under 18. The bond route is US$800,000; press reports say it is held for seven years and pays no interest. Euro funds must be converted and sent through the formal financial system.

Is it right for you?

It may suit you if:

  • Your state lets you keep your nationality, and you want a second base and a hedge outside Europe.
  • You have family, property or business in Argentina or the wider region.
  • You think in decades, and Mercosur residence after five years has real value to you.

It is probably not right for you if:

  • You are Dutch and have no Argentine spouse or partner. You would usually lose your EU citizenship.
  • You want better travel access. Your EU passport already gives it.
  • You need legal certainty now. The Supreme Court has not yet ruled.

For a confidential view of your situation, request a private briefing. This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

Will I lose my EU citizenship if I become Argentine?

It depends on your member state. Germany, France and Italy let you keep your nationality, and Spain makes an express exception for Ibero-American countries such as Argentina. Dutch nationals usually lose Dutch nationality, and with it EU citizenship, when they voluntarily take another nationality.

Does an Argentine passport add travel access for an EU citizen?

Very little. German, French, Italian, Spanish and Dutch passports reach 186 destinations in the Henley Passport Index for July 2026, against 169 for Argentina. The Argentine passport also needs visas for the United States and Canada.

Does Argentine citizenship change where I pay tax?

No. Tax follows residence, not nationality. If you move your residence out of Germany, France or Spain, an exit tax on certain shareholdings may apply, so take advice before you move.

Can a naturalised Argentine use Spain's two-year route to Spanish nationality?

No. Spain's two-year residence route applies only to Ibero-American nationals by origin. A citizen by investment is an Argentine by naturalisation.

Next stepPrivate Briefing

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