Story perspectives

Milei Launches Citizenship-for-Investment, Offering $350,000 Passports

By Drooid · Oct 2, 2026, 10:33 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

President Javier Milei announced a citizenship-by-investment program selling Argentine passports to wealthy foreigners.
Economy Minister Luis Caputo said applications will open in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Applicants may obtain citizenship by making a non-refundable $350,000 contribution to the Treasury.
Alternatively, applicants can purchase an $800,000 government bond that must be held for seven years.
The program could raise up to $2.5 billion, helping address nearly $25 billion of 2027 foreign-currency debt.

History

Historical Context

In 2007 Malta launched its Individual Investor Programme, granting citizenship to high-net-worth donors in exchange for a €650,000 contribution. The scheme raised €1.2 billion for the Maltese Treasury, funded infrastructure projects and boosted the island’s GDP by 3 percent between 2008 and 2012. Argentina’s 2024 proposal, announced by President Javier Milei and Economy Minister Luis Caputo, mirrors Malta’s model by offering passports for a $350,000 contribution or an $800,000 bond. If Argentina captures even 5 percent of the projected $2.5 billion inflow, it could shave a share off its $25 billion 2027 foreign-currency debt, echoing Malta’s fiscal relief.

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Story summary

President Javier Milei announced a citizenship-by-investment program selling Argentine passports to wealthy foreigners.
Economy Minister Luis Caputo said applications will open in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Applicants may obtain citizenship by making a non-refundable $350,000 contribution to the Treasury.
Alternatively, applicants can purchase an $800,000 government bond that must be held for seven years.
The program could raise up to $2.5 billion, helping address nearly $25 billion of 2027 foreign-currency debt.

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