Company Formation in Argentina
Register a company in Argentina through the S.A. or S.R.L. structure, with notarized incorporation, tax registration, and foreign-shareholder compliance handled correctly from the start.
How to Set Up a Company in Argentina
Foreign investors in Argentina typically incorporate as a Sociedad An贸nima (S.A.) for larger or regulated operations, or a Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada (S.R.L.) for smaller ones, since an S.R.L. can be formed with notary-certified signatures on a private instrument rather than a full public deed. Registration is filed with the Inspecci贸n General de Justicia (IGJ) for companies domiciled in Buenos Aires City; Buenos Aires Province and other provinces each run their own separate registry, so the right registering agency depends on where the entity is domiciled. A foreign company acting as shareholder or parent must first register itself with the same registry under Article 123 of Argentina's General Companies Law before the local subsidiary can be incorporated, a step that adds significant time to the process. Once registered, the company obtains its CUIT (tax ID) from ARCA, the federal tax authority. Registration for a foreign corporate shareholder typically takes 8 to 16 weeks; local or individual-only shareholders can complete it faster.
Key Requirements
Entity type: Sociedad An贸nima (S.A.) for larger operations or Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada (S.R.L.) for smaller ones, Argentina's two standard vehicles for foreign investors
Minimum capital: ARS 30,000,000 for an S.A. as of the government's 2024 revaluation, adjusted periodically for inflation; no fixed minimum for an S.R.L., though capital must be commercially reasonable for the business
Registering agency and tax authority: the Inspecci贸n General de Justicia (IGJ) registers companies domiciled in Buenos Aires City, with separate registries for Buenos Aires Province and other provinces, and ARCA issues the CUIT (tax ID)
Notarization: required for an S.A., which must be incorporated by public deed. An S.R.L. can instead use a private instrument with notary-certified signatures, a faster and cheaper route
Foreign-shareholder specifics: a foreign company acting as shareholder or parent must register itself under Article 123 of the General Companies Law before the local subsidiary can be incorporated, disclosing beneficial ownership and filing apostilled, sworn-translated corporate documents
Document requirements: powers of attorney and corporate documents from abroad need an apostille and a sworn Spanish translation before Argentine registries will accept them
Common Challenges
Foreign-parent registration is the real driver of timeline, not the local entity itself
The Article 123 registration of the foreign shareholder is usually the slowest step, requiring apostilled corporate documents, sworn translations, and beneficial-ownership disclosure. Structures with a parent in a jurisdiction the IGJ considers higher-risk face additional scrutiny.
The registry depends on where the company is domiciled, not just the city
IGJ only covers Buenos Aires City. A company domiciled in Buenos Aires Province, where much industrial activity is actually located, registers with the separate provincial DPPJ instead, with its own rules and timeline.
Currency controls have shifted repeatedly and can affect repatriation
Argentina has a recent history of foreign exchange restrictions on capital and dividend repatriation, and the rules have changed multiple times in the past two years. Structuring the initial capital contribution with current currency rules in mind avoids complications when profits are eventually repatriated.
How NavviPal Helps
End-to-end S.A. or S.R.L. formation, including Article 123 registration of the foreign parent before the local entity is incorporated
Coordination of apostille and sworn Spanish translation for foreign corporate documents and powers of attorney before they're needed
Registration with the correct agency, IGJ or the applicable provincial registry, based on where the entity will actually be domiciled
Ongoing guidance on CUIT tax registration and current currency-control rules relevant to future profit repatriation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Article 123 registration, and why does it matter for a foreign parent company forming a subsidiary in Argentina?
Article 123 of Argentina's General Companies Law requires any foreign company acting as a shareholder or parent to register itself with the same registry, IGJ in Buenos Aires City or the applicable provincial registry, before the local subsidiary can be incorporated. This registration requires apostilled corporate documents, sworn Spanish translations, and beneficial-ownership disclosure, and it is usually the slowest step in the entire formation process, not the local entity's own paperwork.
Is there a minimum capital requirement to form a company in Argentina?
It depends on the entity. An S.A. requires a minimum capital of ARS 30,000,000 as of the government's 2024 revaluation, an amount adjusted periodically for inflation. An S.R.L. has no fixed statutory minimum, though the capital stated must be commercially reasonable for the business.
Does the registering agency for a new company depend on where it is domiciled in Argentina?
Yes. The IGJ (Inspecci贸n General de Justicia) only registers companies domiciled in Buenos Aires City. A company domiciled in Buenos Aires Province, where much industrial activity is actually located, registers with the separate provincial DPPJ instead, which runs its own rules and timeline. Confirming the correct registry before filing avoids a delay from filing with the wrong agency.
What documents does a foreign shareholder need to incorporate a company in Argentina?
Powers of attorney and corporate documents from abroad need an apostille and a sworn Spanish translation before Argentine registries will accept them. A foreign corporate shareholder also needs its own Article 123 registration completed first, which itself requires apostilled documents and beneficial-ownership disclosure, before the local subsidiary can be incorporated.
Should a foreign investor incorporate an S.A. or an S.R.L. in Argentina?
An S.A. (Sociedad An贸nima) suits larger or regulated operations and must be incorporated by public deed. An S.R.L. (Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada) suits smaller operations and can be formed with notary-certified signatures on a private instrument instead of a full public deed, a faster and cheaper route. Both structures require at least two shareholders.
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