English guide · Updated October 2026

Argentina's Mandatory Insurance Requirement, Explained

Since July 1, 2025, Argentina requires every foreign non-resident to carry medical insurance for their entire stay (Decree 366/2025) — it can be checked at check-in or on arrival. The type of coverage you actually need depends on one thing: are you visiting for a few weeks, or moving here?

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Which coverage actually fits your trip

Short visit (days to a few weeks)
Travel / assistance insurance

Satisfies the entry requirement on its own and costs less for a short trip. Buy it from any recognized travel insurer before you fly.

Relocating (months, work, residency)
Local prepaga plan

A travel policy is not built for months of coverage. A local prepaga costs about the same monthly fee a resident your age pays, has no trip-length cap, and its certificate is what immigration accepts for residency paperwork.

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What the decree actually requires

1
Basic medical care

Coverage for a standard doctor visit or illness during your stay.

2
Hospitalization

Coverage for hospitalization due to illness or accident.

3
24-hour emergency assistance

An emergency line and coverage reachable at any time.

4
Medical transport or evacuation

Coverage to transfer or evacuate you if the situation requires it.

Any standard local prepaga plan meets and exceeds all four — this is the baseline the decree sets, not a cap.

Frequently asked questions

Is travel insurance really mandatory to enter Argentina?

Yes. Decree 366/2025, in force since July 1, 2025, requires every foreign national who is not a permanent resident — tourists, students, workers, any reason for travel — to carry valid medical coverage for the entire stay. There is no exception by nationality.

Who checks it — the airline or immigration?

Both can. Airlines may ask for proof before boarding, and Migraciones (Argentine immigration) can request it on arrival. Emergency medical care itself is never denied to anyone regardless of migratory status, but you should still carry proof to avoid boarding or entry problems.

What does the insurance need to cover, at minimum?

Basic medical care, hospitalization for illness or accident, 24-hour emergency assistance, and medical transport or evacuation if needed. A standard travel-assistance policy from any recognized insurer meets this.

I am relocating to Argentina for months, not just visiting — do I still need travel insurance?

No — and you shouldn't buy it. A short-term travel policy is priced and designed for a trip of days or weeks. If you are staying for months or settling in, a local prepaga (OSDE, Swiss Medical, Galeno, and others) costs about the same per month as your age group pays locally, covers you continuously with no per-trip limit, and its coverage certificate is what Migraciones actually accepts for temporary residency paperwork. As of October 2026, entry-level plans start around AR$170,000/month for a 30-year-old.

Are permanent residents or naturalized citizens exempt?

Yes. The requirement applies to non-resident foreign nationals. If you already hold permanent residency or Argentine citizenship, Decree 366/25 does not apply to you.

Moving to Argentina? Compare real prepaga prices

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