Can Argentines live in Spain legally?

Yes. Argentine nationals can live in Spain legally through several routes: Non-Lucrative Visa (for those with passive income), Digital Nomad Visa (for remote workers), work permit (for those with a Spanish employment contract), Golden Visa (for property investors with €500K+), or through family reunification with a Spanish resident.

Do Argentines need to apostillar documents for Spain?

Yes. Argentina and Spain are both signatories of the Hague Convention, so documents can be apostillado (apostilled) rather than legalised through the embassy. Argentine documents must be apostilled by the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Comercio Internacional y Culto, or by the relevant provincial authority. Common documents requiring apostille: criminal record (antecedentes penales), birth certificate, marriage certificate and university degrees.

Is there a double taxation treaty between Argentina and Spain?

Yes. Spain and Argentina signed a double taxation treaty (Convenio para Evitar la Doble Imposición) in 1992, updated since. This treaty determines where income is taxed and provides mechanisms to avoid paying full tax in both countries. Under the Beckham Law, Argentine-source income may be exempt from Spanish tax for new Spanish residents.

Which Spanish cities have the most Argentine expats?

The largest Argentine communities in Spain are in Madrid and Barcelona, but Costa del Sol — particularly Fuengirola, Marbella and Málaga — has a significant and growing Argentine community. Fuengirola's multicultural market and Málaga's startup scene attract many Argentine professionals and entrepreneurs.

Argentine Expats Guide to Spain [2026] — Costa del Sol

Spain is the #1 destination for Argentine emigration in 2026. Historical ties, shared language, EU access, the digital nomad boom and the relative strength of the euro vs the peso make Spain — and particularly Costa del Sol — an extremely attractive destination for Argentines.

This guide covers everything an Argentine national needs to know about moving to Spain legally, with specific focus on Marbella, Fuengirola and Málaga.

Argentine Community in Spain

Spain is home to over 400,000 registered Argentines (the real number, including those with Italian or Spanish citizenship, is significantly higher). The largest concentrations are in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and — on the Mediterranean coast — in Costa del Sol.

Fuengirola has one of the most vibrant Argentine communities on Costa del Sol, with Argentine restaurants, social groups, and Argentine-run businesses. Málaga's tech scene attracts Argentine developers, designers and entrepreneurs.

Step 1: Get Your NIE

The NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is the first step for ANY procedure in Spain. Without it you cannot open a bank account, rent an apartment, sign a contract or start a business.

For Argentines, the NIE is obtained at:

✓The Oficina de Extranjería in Málaga (Calle Mauricio Moro, 2) — if you are already in Spain
✓The Spanish consulate in Buenos Aires, Córdoba or Mendoza — before travelling to Spain

Timeline: 2–4 weeks in Málaga; longer at consulates (4–8 weeks).

Cost: €9.84 official fee (Modelo 790, Código 012).

Step 2: Choose Your Residency Route

Route	Requirements	Right to work	Best for
Non-Lucrative Visa	~€27,800/year passive income	No	Retirees, rentistas
Digital Nomad Visa	~€2,160/month remote income	Yes (external)	Remote workers, freelancers
Work Permit	Spanish employment contract	Yes	Employees
Golden Visa	€500K property investment	Yes	Investors
Family Reunification	Resident family member in Spain	Yes	Reunification

For Argentines, the Non-Lucrative Visa and Digital Nomad Visa are the most common routes.

Argentine Documents You Will Need (Apostillados)

All Argentine documents for Spanish processes must be:

1. Recent (typically issued within 3–6 months)

2. Apostillado by the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores OR by the relevant provincial authority

Document	Spanish use
Antecedentes penales del RENAPER	Non-Lucrative Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, any residency
Partida de nacimiento	Family reunification, identity
Partida de matrimonio / unión civil	Family reunification
Título universitario	Some professional registrations
Documentación de propiedad	Golden Visa

Where to get the apostille in Argentina:

✓Buenos Aires: Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (Esmeralda 1212)
✓Provinces: Ministerios de Justicia provinciales (varies)
✓Online service available for some documents (Mi Argentina app)

Argentine-Specific Visa Challenges

RENAPER antecedentes: timing is critical

The certificate of no criminal record (antecedentes penales) from RENAPER expires in 3–6 months. Spanish consulates and extranjería are strict about validity. Plan carefully.

Income documentation

For the Non-Lucrative Visa, demonstrating "passive income" can be complex for Argentines:

✓Argentine bank statements may need sworn translation
✓Dollar accounts, crypto holdings, rental income in Argentina all need to be properly documented and converted to euro equivalents
✓Contact us for specific guidance

Double Taxation Treaty Benefits

Under the Spain-Argentina double taxation treaty (in force since 1994, with updates):

✓Argentine-source income may be taxed only in Argentina while you are establishing Spanish residency
✓Under the Beckham Law, Argentine income may be exempt from Spanish tax for the first 6 years
✓Dividends, interest and capital gains treatment varies — always consult a tax professional

Life on Costa del Sol for Argentine Expats

Fuengirola — Argentine Community Hub

Fuengirola has the strongest Argentine community on Costa del Sol:

✓Multiple Argentine restaurants and cafes
✓Argentine social groups and WhatsApp communities
✓Spanish bureaucracy support networks (informal)
✓Argentine professionals in real estate, gastronomy, hospitality

Málaga — For the Digital Nomad Argentine

Málaga's tech ecosystem attracts Argentine developers, designers and entrepreneurs:

✓Google Campus Málaga (hub for Southern European tech)
✓Multiple coworking spaces (WeWork, La Farola)
✓Argentine startup founders in residence
✓Beckham Law makes Málaga tax-efficient for high-earning Argentines

Marbella — For the Argentine Investor

Marbella attracts Argentine investors through:

✓Golden Visa properties (€500K+)
✓Luxury lifestyle similar to Punta del Este but with EU access
✓Non-Lucrative Visa applicants with Argentine rental income
✓Argentine businesspeople establishing Spanish companies

Setting Up a Company in Spain as an Argentine

Many Argentines in Costa del Sol set up a Spanish SL (Sociedad Limitada):

✓Minimum capital: €1 (since 2023 reform)
✓Timeline: 3–5 weeks
✓NIE required for all shareholders
✓Useful for invoicing European clients in euros

The Foreign Entrepreneur Pack (NIE + autónomo + social security) is the most popular route for Argentine freelancers and remote workers.

Argentine Expat Checklist for Spain

✓[ ] Obtener el NIE (presencial o por poder notarial)
✓[ ] Apostillar documentación Argentina (RENAPER, partidas)
✓[ ] Solicitar la visa correspondiente (desde consulado en Argentina)
✓[ ] Abrir cuenta bancaria española
✓[ ] Empadronarse en el municipio
✓[ ] Alta en Seguridad Social si trabajas autónomo
✓[ ] Considerar el régimen Beckham si eres nómada digital de altos ingresos
✓[ ] Entender las obligaciones del IRNR si tienes inmueble en Argentina y resides en España

Guía para Argentinos en España [2026] — NIE, Residencia, Propiedad y Empresa en Costa del Sol