Bank Account Opening in Argentina

Foreigners can open a bank account in Argentina, even before they have an Argentine national ID (DNI). The central bank, the BCRA, has set rules that let banks open a basic account with a passport. An Argentina bank account opening is still an application, not a purchase: the bank runs its own checks and can decline without giving every reason. We prepare the documents the bank asks for, including the tax key, and stay on the application until the bank opens the account or declines it.

Accounts with a passport

According to the BCRA, a foreigner without a DNI can open a free basic savings account in pesos (caja de ahorros) using a passport, and immigrants from MERCOSUR countries can use their own travel document. The account comes with a debit card. Once you receive a DNI, you update your details with the bank.

The tax key: CUIL, CUIT, or CDI

Every account in Argentina is linked to a tax key. Employees use a CUIL, and the self-employed and companies use a CUIT. Foreigners who have neither can request a CDI (clave de identificación) from the tax authority, ARCA (formerly AFIP). The CDI identifies you for reporting purposes; it is not a tax-residence number. The bank needs one of these keys before the account works.

Non-residents and foreign documents

The BCRA's FAQ explains that non-residents can identify themselves with documents from their country of residence. Foreign public documents generally need an apostille or consular legalisation, and documents not in Spanish need a translation by an Argentine sworn translator (traductor público). Banks also ask for proof of address and evidence of income or source of funds, following anti-money-laundering rules.

Pesos and US dollars

Argentine banks open accounts in pesos and in US dollars. Dollar accounts and buying or moving foreign currency are subject to the central bank's foreign-exchange rules, which change often. We check the rules that apply on the day you apply rather than relying on older guidance.

Company accounts

A company account needs the company's registration with the public registry (IGJ in Buenos Aires or the provincial registry), its CUIT, the bylaws, the appointment of directors, the beneficial-owner declaration, and identification for signatories. See our company incorporation service in Argentina.

Why applications get delayed or refused

• No CUIL, CUIT, or CDI linked to your passport
• Foreign documents without an apostille or a sworn translation
• Proof of address or income the bank does not accept
• A source of funds that is not documented
• Asking for a product, such as a credit card, that needs a DNI or local income

Related to your application

A local account is often opened alongside other paperwork. If you hold or are applying for Argentina citizenship programme, the bank can ask for your certificate of registration or passport as part of its checks. You can browse every Argentina service, including company incorporation, passport renewal, and the police clearance certificate.

• A check of which bank in Argentina will consider your nationality, residence, and planned use of the account
• A document checklist built from that bank's current rules for non-residents
• Review of your passport, second ID, proof of address, references, and source-of-funds papers before anything is sent
• Help arranging notarised or certified copies, apostilles, and translations when the bank asks for them
• Preparation of the bank's application, signature, and tax-residence (FATCA/CRS) forms
• Submission and follow-up with the bank, including answers to its compliance questions
• A clear note in advance if the bank wants a branch visit, a video call, or more documents
• For companies: preparation of the corporate pack (incorporation documents, registers, good standing, ownership chart, board resolution)

1. Brief. Tell us who the account is for (you, your family, or your company), where you live, the currencies you need, and what the account will be used for.
2. Bank match. We identify a bank in Argentina that accepts your profile and confirm its document list, whether it needs a visit, and its opening deposit and fees. You then receive our quote.
3. Document pack. You send scans; we check them, arrange notarised copies, references, or translations if needed, and fill in the bank's forms with you.
4. Submission. The signed forms and certified documents go to the bank, by courier where originals are required.
5. Compliance review. The bank runs its due-diligence checks and may ask follow-up questions about your income, assets, or planned transactions. We help you answer them.
6. Account opened. The bank confirms the account number and you fund the opening deposit. Cards and online-banking access follow on the bank's own timeline.
7. After opening. Keep your details up to date: banks ask account holders to refresh identification and address documents from time to time.

You receive a quote before any filing starts. It separates the CitizenX fee from the bank's opening deposit and charges, notarisation, apostille, translation, and courier costs. Those extras are added only when they apply, and only after you approve them.

Minimum opening deposits and monthly fees are set by each bank and differ by account type, so we confirm them with the chosen bank before you apply.