Whether your desire to move to Argentina comes from a deep-rooted love for its layered culture, cinematic landscapes, and energetic cities, or something as simple and satisfying as your obsession with empanadas and Malbec, there’s no shortage of reasons why this South American country continues to attract expats from across the globe.

Argentina offers a captivating mix of Latin American vibrancy and European influence - a place where cobblestone streets lead to late-night milongas, and life unfolds slowly over espresso and steak. It’s a country of contradictions and intensity; chaotic at times, but rich with color, culture, and soul.

But building a life across the world is never as simple as booking a one-way flight. It’s a slow unraveling of your current existence, layered with logistical planning and emotional shifts. If you’re serious about moving to Argentina in the near future, here are the practical, and personal, things you should know first.

1. Take an Extended Trip Before You Commit

There’s a romanticism to the idea of dropping everything and starting over in another country, but the reality of day-to-day life abroad is far more nuanced.

Before making the move official, spend at least a few weeks - ideally a couple of months - living in Argentina without a tourist mindset. Rent an apartment in a residential neighborhood, take public transport, buy groceries, cook your own meals, and observe the rhythms of daily life around you.

Make time to explore different regions beyond Buenos Aires. Mendoza offers wine country calm and Andean mountain views; Córdoba is a vibrant university town; Salta and Jujuy bring rugged beauty and Indigenous culture to the forefront; and coastal cities like Mar del Plata are popular with locals in the summer but feel quieter off-season. Each area has its own tempo, its own energy, and finding the one that aligns with your lifestyle is essential before you choose to stay long-term.

2. Understand the Visa and Citizenship Process

Argentina is considered one of the more accessible countries for expats looking to stay long-term, especially when compared to stricter immigration systems across North America or Europe.

If you're planning to stay for more than 90 days, you’ll need to apply for a temporary residence visa. Options include a work visa (if sponsored by a local employer), a rentista visa (for those with passive income or savings), or a student visa. As of 2025, digital nomads can also apply for a one-year renewable visa introduced by the Argentine government to attract remote workers - though this program is still in gradual rollout.

Argentina is also known for having one of the fastest naturalization timelines in the world. After just two years of continuous legal residence, you can apply for citizenship, provided you demonstrate basic Spanish proficiency and proof of integration (such as employment, address, or community ties). Dual citizenship is allowed, and you don’t need to give up your current passport to hold an Argentine one.

If your end goal is Argentina citizenship, it’s worth beginning this process early and consulting a local immigration attorney to help navigate the documentation and appointment systems, which can be notoriously inconsistent.

3. Commit to Learning the Language

While Argentina is the South American country with the highest number of English speakers, and Buenos Aires has a relatively high concentration of English speakers (especially among the younger population and in tourist-facing industries), life in Argentina is lived in Spanish. Road signs, contracts, job listings, apartment ads - even casual conversations at your local café - all require at least basic fluency to navigate with confidence.

Apps like Duolingo, Babbel, and LingQ are a good place to start, but nothing replaces immersion and real-time conversation. Enrolling in an in-person course or hiring a tutor can help accelerate your learning and hold you accountable. Many cities in Argentina offer affordable group language classes for expats, often paired with cultural integration programs and weekly conversation exchanges.

Beyond practicality, learning Spanish will also help you form deeper connections with your neighbors, coworkers, and community - a crucial part of feeling at home anywhere new.

4. Research the Job Market (or Build a Remote Setup)

If you’re planning to work in Argentina, know that the local job market can be competitive, especially for foreigners without fluent Spanish or local experience. Salaries are significantly lower than in the U.S. or Europe, and the economy can be volatile, with inflation consistently among the highest in the world.

That said, certain sectors are thriving - especially tech, creative services, and international remote work. Many expats living in Argentina support themselves through remote jobs or freelance work for clients abroad, taking advantage of the lower cost of living while earning in dollars or euros.

If you’re arriving without a job secured, use your transition period to update your CV, build out a freelance portfolio, or explore networking groups in your industry. It’s also worth researching co-working spaces in cities like Buenos Aires and Mendoza, which often serve as social hubs for expats, digital nomads, and entrepreneurs.

5. Look Into Housing and Short-Term Rentals First

Argentina’s property market is diverse and regionally specific - and while it can be affordable by international standards, rental laws can be complicated for foreigners. Most landlords prefer long-term contracts and require a local guarantor (known as a garantía), although there are increasing numbers of furnished apartments available month-to-month, particularly in Buenos Aires.

Expect to spend time searching, negotiating, and verifying terms before locking anything in. If you don’t have local contacts, your best option is often to book a short-term stay at an Airbnb or extended-stay hotel when you first arrive, giving you time to visit neighborhoods in person and explore options on the ground.

It’s not uncommon for expats to live in temporary rentals for their first few months while finding the right area and securing paperwork.

6. Start Preparing Emotionally for the Shift

Moving abroad is never just a logistical challenge - it’s a complete reshaping of your routines, social circles, and comfort zones. The honeymoon phase might last weeks or even months, but culture shock and loneliness have a way of sneaking in when you least expect it.

Be prepared for bureaucratic frustrations, inconsistent Wi-Fi, language mix-ups, and days where you miss the ease of home. But also prepare for the moments of deep satisfaction when it clicks - when you’re sitting at a café reading in Spanish, when you make your first local friend, or when the pace of life finally starts to feel natural.

Argentina rewards patience, curiosity, and presence. It’s a country that invites you in - slowly, steadily - if you’re willing to show up for the experience.

If Argentina has been calling you for a while, there’s no better time to make your move. With remote work options expanding, visas evolving, and the cost of living still comparatively low for foreigners earning in stronger currencies, this moment offers a rare window of opportunity.

Start small, stay curious, and give yourself room to adjust. The life you’re imagining may take time to build - but it’s entirely possible, and closer than it feels.