Argentine citizens are eligible for Spanish citizenship through an accelerated process and have several legal pathways for entering and regularizing their stay in Spain. Below are the current legal entry options and regularization routes available in 2025, as well as opportunities for employment and doing business in Spain before acquiring citizenship.
How can an Argentine citizen enter Spain and legalize their stay to obtain Spanish citizenship?
1. Visa-free Entry: Short-Term Stay
Argentine citizens may enter and stay in Spain for up to 90 days without a visa, thanks to an existing bilateral agreement. This allows entry for tourism or private visits but does not provide a legal pathway to long-term residency unless the person changes their immigration status.
2. Long-Term Visa Options (with a path to legal residency and citizenship)
To legally reside in Spain and accumulate the two years required for citizenship application, Argentine nationals may apply for the following types of visas:
Work Visa with Employment Contract
- Requires a formal job offer from a Spanish employer.
- The employer must obtain a labor market authorization confirming no suitable candidates were found among Spanish or EU citizens.
- After approval, the applicant can obtain a residence and work permit, open a bank account, and begin working legally.
Student Visa
- Grants the right to study at accredited institutions in Spain.
- Legalizes stay but does not fully count toward the two-year residency requirement for citizenship.
- However, if converted to a work visa later, some of the time may be partially credited.
Family Reunification Visa
- Available if a close relative (spouse, child, parent) is legally residing in Spain.
- Allows the applicant to live in Spain and usually work without additional permits.
- Time spent in Spain under this status counts toward citizenship residency.
Non-Lucrative Visa (sin ánimo de lucro)
- Suitable for financially independent individuals who do not intend to work in Spain.
- Requires proof of stable monthly income (around €2,400 per month in 2025) and private health insurance.
- Allows legal residency but prohibits employment.
Digital Nomad Visa
- Introduced in 2023 alongside the Startup Visa.
- Designed for freelancers and remote workers employed by foreign companies or operating online businesses outside Spain.
- Requirements: contract with a foreign employer, income of at least €2,600/month, university degree or 3+ years of relevant work experience.
- Residence permit is granted for 1 year initially, renewable up to 5 years.
- Time spent under this visa does count toward the two-year citizenship requirement, as long as the applicant resides in Spain at least 183 days per year.
- The visa also offers favorable tax treatment for digital nomads.
Legalization from Within Spain (if entered visa-free and overstayed)
If an Argentine citizen enters Spain without a visa and overstays (i.e., becomes undocumented), they may still be eligible for regularization through special legal channels:
Arraigo (Rooting Process)
- Arraigo Social: Requires 2 years of physical presence in Spain (only for Latin American citizens), a 1-year employment contract, and proof of social integration (such as residence registration, community involvement, or courses completed).
- Arraigo Laboral: Available after 6 months of illegal employment, provided there is official confirmation from a court or labor inspectorate.
Both routes grant a temporary residence and work permit.
What Can Argentine Citizens Do Before Acquiring Spanish Citizenship
Official Employment
With a valid work visa or legal status through Arraigo, Argentine citizens can be employed under standard conditions. Some of the most in-demand job sectors include:
- Cooks, waiters, cleaners (HoReCa)
- Drivers, logistics, warehouse workers
- Programmers and IT specialists
- Caregivers and domestic staff
- Construction workers, plumbers, electricians
Starting a Business
Argentine citizens may register as an autónomo (sole proprietor) or establish a company (SL – Sociedad Limitada).
To register a business, you need:
- NIE (Foreigner Identification Number)
- Business plan
- Startup capital
- Valid residence and work permit
It’s also possible to apply for a self-employment visa (Residencia por cuenta propia), which allows for a future citizenship application after two years of legal residence.
Remote Work (Digital Nomad Visa)
Working remotely for a foreign employer or running an online business, Argentinians can legally stay in Spain and accumulate residency time toward citizenship. This is especially convenient for professionals in IT, marketing, design, copywriting, consulting, etc.
Special Benefits for Argentinians
- Reduced residency period: Only 2 years of legal residence are required for Spanish citizenship (instead of 10).
- No DELE A2 exam: Exemption from the Spanish language test.
- Dual citizenship allowed: Spain and Argentina recognize dual nationality.
- Consular support and bilateral agreements on migration matters.
Thus, Argentine citizens have several entry paths, residence permits, and legal mechanisms to integrate into Spanish society and ultimately obtain citizenship.
Main Pathways to Spanish Citizenship for Argentinians
1. Citizenship by Residency (after 2 years)
Citizens of Argentina (and other Latin American countries) can apply for Spanish citizenship after just 2 years of legal and continuous residence in Spain — significantly less than the standard 10 years.
Key requirements:
- Legal residence in Spain for at least 2 years with a valid permit
- No criminal record in Argentina or any other country of residence in the last 5 years
- CCSE certificate (test on Spanish Constitution and culture)
- DELE A2 certificate (Spanish language exam) — not required for native Spanish-speaking countries, including Argentina
- Empadronamiento (certificate of residence) and proof of integration into Spanish society
- Online application via the Spanish Ministry of Justice portal
For spouses of Spanish citizens, the required period is reduced to 1 year, provided the marriage is officially registered and the couple is not separated.
2. Citizenship by Option (Heritage-Based)
If one or both parents were Spanish citizens by origin, their children may be eligible for Spanish citizenship through the option route.
Conditions:
- A parent or grandparent was a Spanish citizen by origin
- The applicant is under 20 years old (or 21 in some cases)
- Application must be submitted through a Spanish consulate in the country of residence
This route is especially relevant for those born after January 9, 1985, whose parents were Spanish by origin.
3. Citizenship Under the Democratic Memory Law (“Grandchildren Law”)
This law grants citizenship to descendants of Spaniards who were forced to leave Spain for political, ideological, or other reasons between July 18, 1936 and December 31, 1955.
Who can apply:
- Children and grandchildren of Spaniards who emigrated during the stated period
- Children of Spanish women who lost their nationality by marrying a foreigner before 1978
- Children of Spaniards who acquired citizenship under previous laws, if they were minors at the time
Deadline to apply:
Applications are accepted until October 22, 2025
Required documents:
- Birth certificates of the applicant and their Spanish ancestor
- Proof of the ancestor’s emigration from Spain during the eligible period
- Forms Anexo I, II, or III (depending on case specifics)
Detailed instructions and forms are available at Spanish consulates in Argentina.
General Recommendations
- Prepare all documents in advance, including translations and apostilles
- Monitor application deadlines, especially under the Democratic Memory Law
- Contact us — our firm specializes in Spanish immigration law and can guide you through all residence and citizenship processes
- Use official channels for applications: the Ministry of Justice’s online portal or Spanish consulates
- For further guidance, consult the Spanish Consulate in Argentina or the official websites of the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain
