Buying Property in Argentina as a Foreigner: Process and Costs

Short answer: yes. Foreigners can buy property in Argentina without residency. A passport and a tax ID are enough to start, and the sale is formalized before a notary (escribano). What surprises most buyers is not the paperwork but the closing costs, who pays them, and how registration works. Here is the process in order.

Step 1: Get a tax ID and gather your documents

The deed requires a CUIT tax ID, which foreigners can obtain without immigration status, as lawyer Martín Hecht explains in our guide to residency before you buy. According to the Colegio de Escribanos of Buenos Aires, the buyer also provides ID, a personal data form, a declaration on politically exposed person status, and proof of the source of funds. How much proof depends on the price.

Step 2: Find the property and agree the terms

Browse Argentina listings on KasaFinder and confirm availability with the listing agent. Most purchases are first locked in with a reservation and a preliminary sales contract (boleto de compraventa) before the deed. The currency and the split of expenses you agree here should match what the deed says. For a sense of what different budgets buy, see what $20K to $200K buys in Córdoba.

Step 3: Choose your notary and verify the title

The buyer normally chooses the escribano. The exceptions are a brand-new property on its first sale, or a purchase where more than 20% of the price will still be owed after closing; then the seller chooses. The notary checks the title through registry and administrative certificates, and the seller pays for that verification. The seller also provides the original title deed, current tax and utility bills and, for apartments, the building's expense statement and regulations.

Step 4: Pay and sign the deed

Payment can be made in cash, check, bank transfer or account deposit, in any currency you agree on. If it is a foreign currency, the deed records the peso equivalent at the Banco Nación seller rate of the previous business day, and taxes are calculated on that peso figure. For transfers, the funds must show in the seller's account before a receipt is issued. Possession normally passes on the day of the deed.

Step 5: Registration

The notary files the deed with the property registry within 45 days of signing, and registration takes about 60 days on average. Ask your escribano to confirm once the filing is submitted and once it is complete.

What closing costs should a foreign buyer budget for?

Costs vary by city and province, but the structure is consistent:

• Notary fees: the Colegio's 2026 fee schedule suggests a minimum of 2% of the property's value, effective October 1, 2026, with taxes on top. Each quote is set case by case, so ask for it in writing.

• Stamp tax (sellos): 3.5% in the City of Buenos Aires and 2% in Buenos Aires Province, normally split 50/50 between buyer and seller. The City exemption applies only if the property will be your sole property and permanent family home, so buyers of a second home or an investment shouldn't count on it.

• Registration and procedures: the buyer pays the costs of obtaining title, such as the registration fee and related paperwork.

• Seller's taxes: the national transfer tax (1.5%) or income tax (3%) falls on the seller, not on you.

In the City of Buenos Aires, the notary's fee plus your half of the stamp tax alone come to roughly 3.75% of the price, before registration costs, any agent commission and taxes on fees. The parties can also agree that one side covers all expenses, so settle this early.

Mistakes to avoid

• Treating the listing price as the total cost. Ask your escribano for a written estimate before you sign the boleto.

• Leaving proof of funds for last. Gather bank statements and source-of-funds documents early.

• Assuming a purchase gives you residency. It does not; the two run on separate tracks.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need residency to buy an apartment in Argentina?

No. You need a CUIT tax ID, not immigration status. Ownership and residency are separate processes.

Can I pay in US dollars?

Yes, in any currency agreed in the deed. For tax purposes, the notary converts it to pesos at the Banco Nación seller rate of the previous business day.

Who pays the notary?

The buyer pays the notary's professional fees and the cost of obtaining title. The seller pays for title verification and the national taxes on the sale. The parties may agree on a different split.

Where to start

Compare markets in Country Insights, then shortlist properties and talk to an independent local professional before you commit.

This article is general information as of November 2026, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rates, thresholds and procedures change; confirm them with a licensed escribano. Source for the process and costs: Colegio de Escribanos of Buenos Aires.