Argentina drafts investment‑citizenship program to fund public debt

Argentina is preparing a draft law that would allow foreign investors to obtain Argentine citizenship in exchange for a financial contribution. The proposal sets two thresholds: a non‑refundable donation of about USD 500,000 or the purchase of interest‑free government bonds worth roughly USD 1 million. The scheme would not require applicants to reside in the country, making the “gold passport” attractive to high‑net‑worth investors.

The government says revenues from the program will be used to service the country's billions of dollars in maturing public debt, a key element of its broader economic reform agenda. Legal scholars and security analysts have raised concerns about the legality of selling citizenship, potential money‑laundering risks, and the impact on Argentina's international reputation. Similar investment‑citizenship models have been debated or discontinued in the EU and the United States, highlighting the controversial nature of such programs.