Argentina Senate to vote on land reform removing foreign ownership cap
The Argentine Senate is set to debate a comprehensive amendment to the rural land ownership regime on 6 August 2026. The proposal, part of the “Inviolability of Private Property” package promoted by President Javier Milei and Economy Minister Federico Sturzenegger, would eliminate the 15 % ceiling on foreign ownership of rural lands established by Law 26.737. It also removes the “silence administrative” rule, requiring explicit provincial and national approval for every transfer.
Under the draft, each province retains the authority to approve, regulate or reject foreign purchases, while the acquisition of land by foreign states or state‑owned enterprises remains prohibited unless both provincial and national governments grant permission. Neuquén province is drafting its own law to limit foreign land purchases to Argentine citizens or companies. The reform has sparked protests in several cities, including Venado Tuerto and other locales, where citizens demand protection of national sovereignty.
Data from the Observatorio de Tierras shows foreign ownership of land in Entre Ríos at 3.23 % (about 247 000 ha), with the highest departmental rates in La Paz (8.76 %) and Gualeguay (8.57 %). The Senate has postponed debate on the bill five times before this scheduled session.
Entities: Agency of State Assets Administration (AABE) · Argentine Senate · Eduardo Costantini · Federico Sturzenegger · Javier Milei · Julieta Corroza · Neuquén Province · Patricia Bullrich · Senate of Argentina
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Provinces will retain the power to approve, regulate, or reject foreign purchases of rural land within their territory. (84fc3364-e1bb-47ab-8659-d7dcc041aec5, 09a094cb-b524-4965-a269-7a107d86e7a7, 0b1f2edb-2b26-470a-b71f-5f7b01e861cd)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The land reform is part of the “Inviolability of Private Property” legislative package promoted by President Javier Milei and Minister Federico Sturzenegger. (Government statements)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The bill eliminates the “silence administrative” mechanism, requiring explicit authorization for all land transfers. (84fc3364-e1bb-47ab-8659-d7dcc041aec5, 0b1f2edb-2b26-470a-b71f-5f7b01e861cd)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Argentine Senate will debate a bill to amend the rural land ownership regime on 6 August 2026. (84fc3364-e1bb-47ab-8659-d7dcc041aec5, 09a094cb-b524-4965-a269-7a107d86e7a7, 0b1f2edb-2b26-470a-b71f-5f7b01e861cd)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The bill seeks to remove the 15 % cap on foreign ownership of rural lands established by Law 26.737. (84fc3364-e1bb-47ab-8659-d7dcc041aec5, 09a094cb-b524-4965-a269-7a107d86e7a7, 0b1f2edb-2b26-470a-b71f-5f7b01e861cd)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Senate has postponed debate on the land reform bill five times before the scheduled session. (0b1f2edb-2b26-470a-b71f-5f7b01e861cd)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The proposal maintains a prohibition on acquisition of rural lands by foreign states or state‑owned enterprises unless authorized by the province and the national government. (09a094cb-b524-4965-a269-7a107d86e7a7, 0b1f2edb-2b26-470a-b71f-5f7b01e861cd)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Neuquén province is drafting a law to restrict foreign purchase of lands to Argentine citizens or companies. (c54a1433-d31b-4462-b15a-c3f74822d262)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Foreign ownership of land in Entre Ríos is 3.23 % (≈247 000 ha), with the highest departmental rates in La Paz (8.76 %) and Gualeguay (8.57 %). (c7de0be4-e527-4b5d-968f-07913c19a9d7)