Four steps with local partners
2. Apply for residency and local ID documents
3. Establish actual residence and supporting evidence
4. Assess individual eligibility for naturalisation later
Comparing Uruguay and Argentina
Uruguay: three or five years of habitual residence
Article 75 provides for three years of habitual residence for applicants with a family established in Uruguay and five years otherwise. Both routes require good conduct and one of the economic or occupational qualifications listed in Article 75. For legal citizenship, the Electoral Court restarts the habitual-residence period on re-entry after an absence of more than six consecutive months. A lease may help document ties to Uruguay. To assess habitual residence, the Electoral Court also considers entry and exit records and dated evidence of actually living in the country.
Argentina: normally two years without leaving the country
For ordinary naturalisation, Article 2 of Law 346 requires two years of lawful residence immediately before applying. Any departure during that period breaks continuity. Migraciones publishes a separate checklist for ordinary naturalisation. It includes previously granted residence, a DNI, evidence of lawful means of support and criminal-record documents. Argentine law provides a separate application route for qualifying investments. Check the responsible authority and current requirements for the individual case.
A Uruguay ID card is not citizenship
The Dirección Nacional de Migración handles applications for temporary or permanent residence. Requirements depend on the category. The Cédula de Identidad is a local identity document. Apply for it through the Dirección Nacional de Identificación Civil. For a Carta granted under Article 75(A) or (B), the rights attached to legal citizenship can be exercised three years after the Carta is granted. Holders of a Carta de Ciudadanía can apply separately to the DNIC for a passport. The DNIC requires an updated identity document showing legal citizenship and may require other documents depending on the case.
Travel and residence permits
Under Article 47 of the Migration Act, the Ministry of the Interior may cancel permanent residence after an absence of more than three years. Residence permits are subject to separate rules. Under Article 62, an absence of at least one year for permanent residence or six months for temporary residence can trigger cancellation. Statutory exceptions should be checked case by case. Foreign residents holding valid temporary or permanent residence can apply for an Argentine DNI.
Buying property
Buying real estate in Uruguay requires a public deed. Have the requirements for the particular property and buyer structure checked locally. Foreign nationals can generally buy real estate in Argentina. Special rules apply to rural land. Before buying, check whether the specific property requires official approval.
What to check before signing a lease
Confirm actual availability, minimum stay, furniture, total monthly cost and utilities, deposit, rules for foreign tenants, termination/extension terms, and the landlord's mandate. A holiday rental does not necessarily demonstrate habitual residence.
A marriage celebrated abroad can be documented with the required certificate. The Electoral Court assesses whether the family is established in Uruguay for the purposes of Article 75. Paying rent by itself does not establish eligibility for citizenship or a passport.
Explore related information
Official sources (checked November 2026)
- Verfassung Uruguay, Art. 75
https://www.impo.com.uy/bases/constitucion/1967-1967/75 - Corte Electoral · Carta de Ciudadanía
https://www.gub.uy/tramites/carta-ciudadania - Corte Electoral · Circular 12295, Abschnitt 1.2
https://www.impo.com.uy/bases/circulares-corte-electoral/12295-2025 - Migración · Residencia Legal
https://www.gub.uy/tramites/residencia-legal-permanente - Ley 18.250, Art. 47
https://www.impo.com.uy/bases/leyes/18250-2008/47 - Identificación Civil · Erstes DNI
https://www.gub.uy/ministerio-interior/comunicacion/publicaciones/preguntas-frecuentes-documento-nacional-identidad-uruguayo/preguntas-0 - Identificación Civil · Erster Pass für ciudadanos legales
https://www.gub.uy/tramites/solicitud-pasaporte-primera-vez-ciudadanos-legales - Código Civil Uruguay, Art. 1664
https://www.impo.com.uy/bases/codigo-civil/16603-1994/1664 - Ley 346, Art. 2 und 2 bis
https://www.argentina.gob.ar/normativa/nacional/norma-48854/actualizacion - Ley 25.871, Art. 62 e · DNU 366/2025, Art. 16
https://www.boletinoficial.gov.ar/detalleAviso/primera/326096/20250529 - Migraciones · Naturalización
https://www.argentina.gob.ar/servicio/obtener-ciudadania-argentina-por-naturalizacion - RENAPER · DNI für Ausländer
https://www.argentina.gob.ar/interior/dni/extranjeros - Decreto 524/2025
https://www.argentina.gob.ar/normativa/nacional/norma-415710 - Constitución Nacional, Art. 20
https://www.argentina.gob.ar/normativa/nacional/804/texto - Registro Nacional de Tierras Rurales · Rechtslage
https://www.argentina.gob.ar/node/48501 - Registro Nacional de Tierras Rurales · Certificado habilitante
https://www.argentina.gob.ar/servicio/certificado-de-habilitacion-para-la-adquisicion-de-tierras
Discuss housing and residency planning
Tell BEP about your plans. We can introduce you to local immigration advisers in Argentina and Uruguay and connect you with local specialists for housing and property purchases. Individual legal, tax and nationality advice is provided by the relevant local professionals. Rental availability is confirmed individually.
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