How to Start a Business in Argentina as a Foreigner (2026 Guide)

I have watched dozens of fellow expats start businesses in Argentina since I moved here in 2019. Some crashed spectacularly. Others built thriving operations. The difference usually was not the business idea — it was whether they understood the legal and bureaucratic landscape before diving in.

Argentina has a reputation for red tape, and it is partly deserved. But the Milei government's deregulation push since late 2023 has genuinely simplified some processes, particularly the SAS (Sociedad por Acciones Simplificada) registration. Starting a business here in 2026 is more feasible than it has been in years.

Here is everything you need to know.

Business Structures

SAS (Sociedad por Acciones Simplificada) — The Modern Choice

The SAS was introduced in 2017 and has become the go-to structure for small and medium businesses, especially tech startups and service companies.

Key features:
Online registration through the IGJ (Inspección General de Justicia) portal
Registration time: 24-72 hours in Buenos Aires city (CABA). Provincial registration varies and can take longer.
Minimum capital: 2 salarios mínimos (approximately ARS 800,000 as of early 2026 — roughly $650 USD)
Single shareholder allowed — you can be the sole owner
Digital record-keeping permitted (no physical libro de actas required)
Simplified governance — no need for a full board of directors or síndico (auditor) unless you exceed certain revenue thresholds

Why I recommend it: The SAS is faster, cheaper, and more flexible than the alternatives. If you are starting a new business and do not have specific reasons to choose another structure, start with a SAS.

2026 Update: There was uncertainty in 2024 when the IGJ temporarily suspended new SAS registrations in CABA due to a regulatory dispute. This has been resolved. SAS registration is fully operational again as of mid-2025.

SRL (Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada) — The Traditional Choice

The SRL is Argentina's equivalent of an LLC. It predates the SAS and remains common.

Key features:
Requires 2-50 partners (no single-member SRLs)
Registration: 30-60 days through the IGJ
Higher setup costs — notarial fees, publication in the Boletín Oficial
Physical corporate books required
Transferring ownership shares requires approval of other partners and a formal amendment to the operating agreement

When to choose an SRL: If you have a business partner and want a more traditional, established structure. Some industries and government contracts prefer SRLs over SAS.

SA (Sociedad Anónima) — The Corporate Structure

The SA is a full corporation, similar to a US C-Corp or UK PLC.

Key features:
Requires at least 2 shareholders
Higher minimum capital and ongoing compliance costs
Board of directors and síndico required
Registration: 60-90+ days
Annual shareholder meetings and extensive record-keeping

When to choose an SA: Only if you plan to raise institutional capital, go public, or operate in heavily regulated industries (banking, insurance, etc.). For most expat businesses, an SA is overkill.

Monotributo (Sole Proprietorship Equivalent)

If you are freelancing or running a very small operation, you may not need a formal company at all. Monotributo is a simplified tax regime for individuals that combines income tax, social security, and health insurance into a single monthly payment.

Key features:
Income cap: Roughly ARS 68 million annually for services (approximately $55,000 USD) as of 2026
No separate legal entity — you operate under your personal CUIT
Minimal paperwork — register online through ARCA, start invoicing immediately
Fixed monthly payment: ARS 30,000 to ARS 500,000 depending on your category

When to choose Monotributo: If you are a freelancer, consultant, or solo service provider earning under the category limits. This is how most expat freelancers start.

Step-by-Step: Starting a SAS

Step 1: Get Your CUIT

If you have a DNI (residency), you should already have a CUIT. If not, you need a CDI from ARCA. You cannot register a company without a tax ID.

Step 2: Obtain a Clave Fiscal Level 3

Your clave fiscal (tax password) needs to be at least Level 3 to perform corporate registrations online. You can upgrade it at any ARCA office with your passport and DNI.

Step 3: Draft the Operating Agreement (Instrumento Constitutivo)

This is the founding document of your SAS. It must include:
Company name (must end in "SAS")
Business purpose (objeto social)
Registered address in Argentina
Capital structure and shareholder contributions
Governance rules (how decisions are made)
Fiscal year dates

You can use the standard templates provided by the IGJ, but I recommend having an abogado (lawyer) customize it. Budget ARS 200,000-500,000 for legal fees.

Step 4: Register Online Through the IGJ Portal

Submit the operating agreement, shareholder identification, and proof of capital deposit through trámites a distancia (TAD) or the IGJ's online portal. In CABA, processing takes 24-72 hours. You will receive a provisional registration number immediately.

Step 5: Publish in the Boletín Oficial

For SAS, this is a simplified one-day publication (unlike SRLs and SAs which require multi-day publications). Cost: approximately ARS 50,000-80,000.

Step 6: Register with ARCA

Once the IGJ registration is complete, register the SAS as a taxpayer with ARCA. This involves:
Selecting your tax regime (Responsable Inscripto for most companies)
Registering for IVA (VAT)
Registering for Ganancias (income tax)
Setting up the company's electronic invoicing (factura electrónica)

Step 7: Register with Ingresos Brutos

Ingresos Brutos is a provincial gross receipts tax. In CABA, register through AGIP (Administración Gubernamental de Ingresos Públicos). If you operate in Buenos Aires province, register through ARBA. Rates vary by activity, typically 1.5-5% of gross revenue.

Step 8: Open a Business Bank Account

This is often the most frustrating step. Argentine banks are notoriously slow and bureaucratic about corporate accounts. You will need:
SAS registration certificate
Operating agreement
CUIT registration
Proof of registered address
Personal identification of all shareholders
Sometimes: a reference from an existing client of the bank

Timeline: 2-6 weeks for account opening. Banco Galicia, Santander, and BBVA are the most expat-friendly in my experience. Digital banks like Ualá Business are emerging as alternatives with faster onboarding.

Taxes for Businesses

IVA (Impuesto al Valor Agregado) — VAT

Standard rate: 21%
Reduced rate: 10.5% for certain goods (food, technology, medical)
Filing: Monthly
Mechanism: You charge IVA on your sales and deduct IVA paid on your purchases. The net amount goes to ARCA.

Ganancias (Income Tax)

Corporate rate: 25% on net profits up to ARS 50 million, 30% on profits between ARS 50-100 million, 35% above ARS 100 million (2026 rates, approximate — these thresholds adjust with inflation)
Filing: Annual, with monthly advance payments

Ingresos Brutos (Gross Receipts Tax)

Rate: 1.5-5% of gross revenue depending on activity and jurisdiction
Filing: Monthly
This is a revenue tax, not a profit tax — you pay it even if you are losing money. This is one of the most painful taxes for startups.

Employer Contributions

If you hire employees, expect to pay approximately 26-28% on top of their gross salary in employer contributions (jubilación, obra social, ART insurance, etc.).

Hiring Employees

Argentine labor law is protective of employees. Here are the basics:

Mandatory severance: If you fire an employee without cause, you owe one month's salary per year of service (or fraction greater than 3 months)
Double severance: Has been activated and deactivated multiple times. As of early 2026, the standard severance applies (the Milei government ended double severance through the DNU 70/2023, which was largely upheld)
13th salary (Aguinaldo): Mandatory extra month's pay, split into two payments (June and December)
Minimum 14 days vacation (increases with seniority)
Probation period: 3 months for SAS/SRL employees, during which termination costs are reduced

Pro tip: Many expat business owners initially hire through contractor arrangements (monotributistas providing services) rather than formal employment. This is legally acceptable as long as the relationship genuinely reflects an independent contractor arrangement. But be careful — if the person works exclusively for you, at your office, on your schedule, ARCA and the labor ministry may recharacterize the relationship as employment, triggering back taxes and penalties.

Popular Business Types for Expats

Restaurants and Cafes Buenos Aires has a thriving food scene and expats have successfully opened everything from specialty coffee shops to high-end restaurants. Expect significant upfront investment ($30,000-$150,000 USD) for buildout, permits (habilitación commercial), and initial inventory. The restaurant failure rate is high everywhere, but the cost base in Argentina is low.

Tech and Software Development Argentina has world-class tech talent and significantly lower salary expectations than the US or Europe. Many expats start software agencies or SaaS companies here. The timezone alignment with the US East Coast (same as EST/EDT for much of the year) is a major advantage.

Tourism and Hospitality Short-term rental management, tour companies, and hospitality ventures are popular. Buenos Aires tourism has rebounded strongly post-pandemic and the weak peso makes Argentina extremely affordable for foreign visitors.

Co-working Spaces The remote work revolution has created sustained demand for co-working spaces, especially in Palermo, Belgrano, and now Villa Crespo. Monthly memberships typically run ARS 50,000-150,000.

Import/Export With the loosening of currency controls under the Milei government, import/export businesses are more viable than they were during the strict cepo years. Wine, leather goods, mate products, and specialty foods are common export categories.

Common Mistakes

Underestimating Ingresos Brutos. This tax hits revenue, not profit. A business doing $100,000 in revenue with $90,000 in costs still pays Ingresos Brutos on the full $100,000.
Not budgeting for aguinaldo and severance. These are real costs. Set aside at least 10% of payroll for aguinaldo and build a severance reserve.
Choosing the wrong structure. I have seen people form an SA when a Monotributo would suffice, and vice versa. Get advice before committing.
Ignoring habilitación requirements. If your business has a physical location open to the public, you need a habilitación comercial from the city. Operating without one risks fines and closure.
Not having a good contador from day one. An Argentine accountant is not optional — they are essential. Budget ARS 100,000-300,000/month for a good one.

Final Thoughts

Starting a business in Argentina is not for the faint of heart. The bureaucracy is real, the tax burden is significant, and the economic volatility requires constant adaptation. But the flip side is remarkable: low operating costs, talented workforce, a huge domestic market of 46 million people, and a quality of life that is hard to beat.

If you come prepared, get good professional advice, and stay flexible, Argentina can be an incredibly rewarding place to build something. I have watched it happen dozens of times.