Living in Argentina
Information for British citizens moving to or living in Argentina, including guidance on residency, healthcare and driving.
This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Argentina. Read about how our embassy in Buenos Aires can help.
This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Argentine authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Support for British Nationals Abroad sets out how British nationals can stay safe abroad and how the FCDO can help if you do get into difficulty.
Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad.
To stay up to date: follow the British Embassy Buenos Aires on Facebook, Instagram and X.
Before you go
See our travel advice for Argentina for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.
Coronavirus
Follow the advice of the Argentine government and your local authority. You can also read our travel advice for Argentina for our latest guidance.
Visas and residency
Check the entry requirements for Argentina in our travel advice.
For visa and residency requirements you must visit the Argentine government immigration authority’s website Dirección Nacional de Migraciones.
For information on obtaining an identity card known as Documento Nacional de Identidad (DNI), you must visit the Argentine government Interior Ministry’s website.
You can get a police certificate, if you have been asked to provide a copy of your police records as part of a visa or residency application. The British Embassy cannot issue any type of certificate in relation to personal information which might be held about you in the UK. Once you have obtained your police certificate you must get it legalised by the Legalisation Office in the UK before submitting it to the Argentine authorities.
Passports and travel
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Argentina.
Check the Argentina travel advice for passport validity requirements.
Healthcare in Argentina
See our travel advice for Argentina.
There is no reciprocal healthcare agreement between Argentina and the UK.
Medical facilities are good, but can be expensive. Public hospitals tend to be crowded. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
NOTE: UK Travel insurance providers will not generally cover your healthcare costs if you live overseas.
Medicine
If you are on a prescription for any medication you should ensure you have a supply of it, or are able to obtain it when in Argentina. Certain medicines may not be available in Argentina (including major brands readily available in the UK), and you may be prohibited from taking them into the country. You should consult your GP before travelling to Argentina to find out about any alternative medication.
Read the guidance if you need to travel with medicines
Working in Argentina
If you are planning to move to Argentina and work, you may need a visa. Read the Argentina government’s guidance on working in Argentina as a foreign national and how to get a visa.
Studying in Argentina
If you plan to study in Argentina, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.
Contact the relevant higher education provider in Argentina to check what fees you have to pay.
Tax
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Argentina so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief.
You should get professional advice on paying tax in Argentina. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Argentina
Read guidance on:
- tax if you leave the UK to live abroad
- tax on your UK income if you live abroad
- tax if you get a pension and live abroad
- paying National Insurance while abroad to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances.
Benefits
Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.
Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.
Pensions
Read State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.
If you retire in Argentina, you can claim your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre for further information.
Life certificates for UK State Pensions
If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you do not.
Money and banking
You need an identity card (DNI) to set up a bank account in Argentina.
There are restrictions on the purchase of foreign currency in Argentina. You should monitor the media for updates on these restrictions as they are subject to regular change.
Accommodation and buying property
Driving in Argentina
See guidance on what actions you must do to drive legally in Argentina.
Driving abroad https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad.
If you’re asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver’s licence, you should contact your UK issuing office.
See guidance for travelling by road in Argentina.
See guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK.
Driving licence rules in Argentina if you live there
Read the guidance on obtaining a local driving licence.
Read guidance on obtaining an international driving permit.
Disabled drivers
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Argentina, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Voting
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
You may be able to vote in some provincial elections as a resident foreign national in Argentina.
Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership
Births
If your child is born in Argentina you should register the birth with the local authorities. You can then register with the UK authorities and apply for a UK birth certificate.
If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to apply for a British passport.
Deaths
If someone dies in Argentina read our guidance on:
- What to do if someone dies abroad
- Bereavement guidance for Argentina
- English-speaking funeral directors in Argentina
Marriage and civil partnership
Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
Pets
If you are moving to Argentina with your pet, read the guidance and ensure you comply with the regulations:
Emergencies
If you need immediate help, or fear for your safety, you should contact the emergency services in Argentina.
Dial 911 for the police, ambulance or fire brigade, or dial:
- 107 for medical emergencies
- 100 for fire brigade
- 135 for suicide helpline
- 142 to report a missing child
If you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault in Argentina, read Argentina: information for victims of rape and sexual assault - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) See also https://www.gov.uk/guidance/victim-of-rape-and-sexual-assault-abroad
If you’re the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the British Embassy Buenos Aires.
Read the guidance on international parental child abduction if your child may be at risk of this.
Leaving Argentina
Moving companies will normally ask you to obtain a consular certificate called “Baja Consular” from the British Embassy as a requirement to ship your belongings back to the UK. The British Embassy cannot issue such consular certificates.
We are however able to confirm that holders of British Passports or Passports from other EU countries may reside legally in the UK and that holders of UK visas may also stay in the UK for the period of validity of the visa as long as all entry requirements are met on arrival in country. You can print off this information as an Information Note to hand in to moving companies or local authorities.
Returning to the UK
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on bringing family members, tax and access to services.
Last updated 17 January 2024 + show all updates
-
Yes, we have updated the Living in Argentina guide on Wednesday 17 January, 2024.
-
I updated relevant information on Thursday 29, December.
-
FCDO update.
-
Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines
-
Last updated 2 December 2020
-
Last updated 6 May 2019
-
Disclaimer updated
-
Changes to the items in the guide.
-
Changed the 'Returning to the UK' content.
-
First published.