Buenos Aires

Passport validity requirements

To enter Argentina, your passport must be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. If you are a resident in Argentina, your passport must be valid for entry.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.  

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen. 

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual Citizenship.

Visa requirements

You can visit Argentina without a visa for tourism for up to 90 days.

To stay longer, or to work or study, you must meet the Argentine government’s entry requirements. Contact the Argentine Consulate in the UK.

Immigration authorities no longer stamp passports on entry. If you need proof of your entry or exit, contact the Argentine Migration Office (in Spanish).

If you wish to extend your stay for another 90-day period, get advice from the Argentine Migration Office before your current stay ends.

Applying for a visa

If you’re travelling to Argentina for any purpose other than tourism, contact the Argentine Consulate in the UK about the visas or permits you need and how to apply.

Travelling with children

Children aged 17 and under who are resident in Argentina need written permission (‘Autorización de viaje’) from the non-accompanying parents to leave the country.

Non-resident children aged 17 and under who have remained in Argentina for 1 year or more are treated in line with resident children and also need permission. You can get permission from a notary public in Argentina or the Argentine Migration Office (in Spanish).

You can get full information on the requirements from the Argentine Migration Office (in Spanish) or from your nearest Argentine consulate. 

Vaccine requirements

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Argentina guide.

You may need a yellow fever certificate for onward travel to some other countries, due to the risk of yellow fever in Argentina.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Argentina (in Spanish). You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking money into Argentina

You must declare cash or travellers cheques worth more than 10,000 US dollars (in Spanish).

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Argentina (in Spanish). You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking money into Argentina

You must declare cash or travellers cheques worth more than 10,000 US dollars (in Spanish).

Emergency services in Argentina

Ambulance: 107

Fire: 100

Police: 911 or 101

To contact the emergency line (911) in Buenos Aires from outside Argentina call: +54 11 4309 9600, extensions 261099 or 261098

Police assistance

Buenos Aires

For English-language safety tips or to file a police report online, go to the Buenos Aires Police website (only accessible in Argentina). 

Tourist Police (‘Comisaría del Turista’): +54 911 5050 9260 (24 hours)

Tourist Police WhatsApp: +54 911 5050 9260

Mendoza

Tourist Police (‘Comisaría del Turista’): +54 261 413 2135 (24 hours)

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO provides guidance on how to help yourself stay safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers, funeral directors and translators and interpreters in Argentina
• dealing with a death in Argentina
• being arrested in Argentina
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you are affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO  

Help abroad   

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.  

Help in the UK   

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.   

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)   

Find out about call charges 

Get travel advice updates   

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.   

Follow FCDO:  

• travel advice on X 

• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Argentina on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Before you travel 

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance 

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. 

About FCDO travel advice  

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. 

Get travel advice updates 

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO:    

• travel advice on X 

• travel advice on Facebook 

• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

Do not become involved with illegal drugs of any kind. Possession of even very small quantities can lead to a lengthy prison sentence.

LGBT+ travellers

Argentine society is open and diverse. Discrimination based on sexual orientation is rare. Same-sex marriage is legal. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers. 

Legal action against oil and gas companies

The government of Argentina has stated that it intends to pursue legal action against oil and gas companies engaged in hydrocarbon exploration in the Falkland Islands. If you’re travelling to Argentina and think you may be affected by this type of legal action, seek independent legal advice. 

Surrogacy

Before you consider a surrogacy arrangement in Argentina, consider the challenges and risks involved, and make sure you seek specialist independent legal advice both in the UK and in Argentina. For more information, read FCDO guidance on surrogacy overseas.

Surrogacy is not regulated by law in Argentina and surrogacy arrangements are not enforceable in law.

Local authorities may consider surrogacy arrangements to be illegal. Criminal investigations into surrogacy agencies and associated service providers are ongoing. Some intended parents have faced issues obtaining birth certificates and when attempting to leave Argentina with the child born to them through surrogacy. 

Children born through surrogacy in Argentina are Argentine citizens and must leave the country on an Argentine passport. They are also subject to local regulations applicable to the exit of minors in Argentina. See Travelling with children.