Leaving Argentina
A practical and emotional guide to departing—whether temporarily or forever. Because leaving is never just about logistics.
A Note Before We Begin
This guide isn't about convincing you to leave or stay. It's about helping you do either with clarity and preparation. Argentina has a way of getting under your skin—leaving is never simple, even when it's necessary.
1. Why People Leave
Understanding your own reasons helps you process the decision and prepare for what's ahead.
Economic Instability
The main reason most people leave. Inflation, currency controls, and uncertainty make long-term planning nearly impossible.
"I loved my life in Buenos Aires, but I couldn't save for retirement. Every month, my pesos bought less." — Mariana, now in Spain
Career Limitations
Limited opportunities in certain fields, lower salaries compared to international standards, and difficulty advancing professionally.
"As a software developer, I was hitting a ceiling. The same role in Germany pays 4x more with better growth prospects." — Lucas, now in Berlin
Missing Family
Many expats initially come alone. Years later, the distance from parents, siblings, or aging relatives becomes unbearable.
"After five years, I realized my parents were getting old and I was missing everything. The asados weren't worth the guilt." — Emma, returned to Australia
The 'Argentina Fatigue'
The constant small challenges: bureaucracy, power outages, finding basic products, explaining your existence to every taxi driver.
"One day I realized I was exhausted. Not from work—from daily life. Everything required effort." — James, now in Portugal
When You Know It's Time
There's rarely a perfect moment. But some signs suggest you're ready:
- You've stopped making long-term plans in Argentina
- The frustrations outweigh the joys on most days
- You have a concrete opportunity elsewhere
- Your personal circumstances have changed (family, health, career)
- You feel more dread than excitement about staying
2. Preparing to Leave
Timing Your Departure
Exchange Rate Timing
If you have savings in pesos, monitor the blue dollar rate. Sudden drops can mean losing significant value overnight.
Seasonal Factors
December-January is peak departure season. Flights are expensive, and everyone is trying to leave at once.
Lease Cycles
Most Argentine leases run 2 years. Breaking early usually costs 1-2 months rent plus headaches.
Tax Year Considerations
Argentina's tax year is calendar-based. Leaving mid-year can complicate your final tax return.
Getting Your Money Out
This is often the most stressful part. Here are your options, with pros and cons:
Western Union / Remittance Services
Small to medium amounts, urgent transfersPros
- Reliable
- Widely available
- No Argentine bank account needed
Cons
- Fees can be high
- Limits on amounts
- Exchange rate may not be best
Cryptocurrency (USDT/USDC)
Tech-savvy individuals, larger amountsPros
- Best exchange rates
- Fast
- Bypasses banking restrictions
Cons
- Requires technical knowledge
- Volatility risk
- Regulatory uncertainty
Bank Wire (if possible)
Those with legal residency and documented incomePros
- Secure
- Direct to foreign account
- Good for large amounts
Cons
- Extensive documentation required
- Can take weeks
- AFIP scrutiny
Physical Cash (USD)
Emergency funds, initial setup moneyPros
- Immediate
- No digital trail
- Accepted everywhere
Cons
- Risk of loss/theft
- Declaration limits
- Can't take unlimited amounts
PayPal / Wise (Limited)
Small online payments, not large transfersPros
- Convenient
- Familiar platforms
Cons
- Severely restricted in Argentina
- High fees
- Limited functionality
Important Legal Note
Argentina has strict currency controls and reporting requirements. Taking more than USD $10,000 (or equivalent) in cash requires declaration. Large wire transfers may trigger AFIP scrutiny. When in doubt, consult a certified accountant (contador) before moving significant sums. The information here is for educational purposes and not legal advice.
Selling & Donating Your Stuff
What Sells Well
- • Electronics (especially Apple)
- • Quality furniture
- • Bicycles
- • Kitchen appliances
- • Air conditioners
Use Facebook Marketplace, Mercado Libre, or expat groups. Start 2-3 months before leaving.
What to Donate
- • Clothes and shoes
- • Books
- • Kitchen items
- • Decorations
- • Small appliances
Donate to churches, community centers, or organizations like Cáritas. Ask your building's portero too.
What to Ship
- • Sentimental items
- • Important documents
- • Specialty items
- • High-value small items
Shipping is expensive. Only ship what you can't replace or has deep personal value.
Breaking Your Lease
Argentine rental law (Ley de Alquileres) changed recently. Here's what you need to know:
• Standard lease: 2 years minimum, usually
• Early termination: Typically requires 2-3 months notice (check your contract)
• Penalty: Often 1-2 months rent, depending on contract
• Deposit return: Should happen at move-out, but landlords sometimes delay
• Documentation: Get everything in writing, take photos of apartment condition
Pro tip: If you have a good relationship with your landlord, explain your situation. Many will be understanding, especially if you help find a replacement tenant.
Saying Goodbye (The Argentine Way)
Argentine goodbyes are not quick affairs. Expect:
- • Multiple farewell asados (not just one)
- • Tears, lots of tears
- • Promises to visit that you both mean but may not keep
- • "But why? Argentina is the best country in the world!" (even from people who also want to leave)
- • The classic: "You'll be back. They all come back."
Embrace it. These long, emotional goodbyes are part of what makes Argentina special. Don't rush them.
3. Administrative Tasks
The boring but essential stuff. Tackle these systematically to avoid headaches later.
Utilities & Services
Cancel internet service
Usually requires 30-day notice
Cancel phone plan
Personal or Movistar: visit store with ID
Cancel streaming services
Netflix, Spotify, etc.
Cancel gym membership
Check contract terms for early cancellation
Cancel any subscriptions
Newspapers, magazines, clubs
Financial
Close or reduce bank accounts
Keep one for a few months if possible
Cancel credit cards
Pay off all balances first
Cancel Mercado Pago / Ualá
Withdraw all funds
Notify your bank you're leaving
Prevents account freezes from foreign logins
Set up online access for any accounts you're keeping
Essential for monitoring
Housing
Give notice to landlord
Usually 2-3 months required by law
Document apartment condition
Photos/video to protect your deposit
Arrange final inspection
With landlord or inmobiliaria
Return keys and get deposit back
Get receipt for everything
Update address with anyone who needs it
Bank, DNI, subscriptions
Legal & Documents
Get your DNI apostilled
If needed for your next country
Get birth certificate apostilled
Often required for visas abroad
Get criminal background check
Federal and/or local—check destination requirements
Translate important documents
By certified translator (traductor público)
Keep copies of everything
Digital and physical backups
Tax Obligations: What You Need to Know
Argentina taxes residents on worldwide income. Even after you leave, you may have filing obligations depending on your residency status:
- If you keep residency: You may still need to file annual tax returns (DDJJ) and report foreign assets if they exceed thresholds.
- If you renounce residency: File a final tax return for the year you leave. You may need to pay exit taxes on certain assets.
- Bienes Personales: Annual wealth tax on worldwide assets. Even non-residents may owe this on Argentine assets.
Disclaimer: Tax law is complex and changes frequently. This is general information, not advice. Consult a certified Argentine accountant (contador público) before leaving to understand your specific obligations.
Do You Need to Cancel Your DNI?
Short answer: Usually no, unless you're renouncing citizenship (which is rare and extreme).
Your DNI stays valid if:
- • You're leaving temporarily
- • You're keeping permanent residency
- • You might return someday
- • You want to maintain voting rights
Consider formal renunciation if:
- • You're becoming a citizen elsewhere that doesn't allow dual citizenship
- • You want to completely sever tax residency
- • You never plan to return and want a clean break
Most expats simply let their DNI expire if they're not returning, or keep it current if they might. There's no penalty for having an inactive DNI.
4. The Emotional Side
Everyone focuses on the logistics. But the emotional journey is just as real—and often harder.
Reverse Culture Shock
Going home isn't as easy as it sounds. You've changed, but home hasn't. Friends moved on, family dynamics shifted, and you see your home country with new eyes.
Many returnees feel more foreign at home than they did in Argentina. The things that once annoyed you about Argentina—like the chaos—are what you miss most.
Missing Argentina (The Inevitable)
You will miss it. The question is how much and for how long.
Even people who left frustrated find themselves craving mate, missing the warmth of strangers, and nostalgic for streets they once cursed.
Staying Connected
Maintaining relationships from abroad requires effort. Time zones, busy lives, and the physical distance make it hard.
Schedule regular video calls. Plan visits back. Keep your WhatsApp groups active. The friends who matter will make the effort too.
The 'What If' Thoughts
You'll wonder if you made the right choice. This is normal.
Grass is greener syndrome hits hard. Remember why you left, but also allow yourself to grieve what you left behind.
The Things You'll Miss
You don't know what you've got till it's gone. Here's what former expats say they miss most:
When You Might Come Back
Many who leave do return—sometimes temporarily, sometimes for good. Common triggers:
Temporary Returns
- • Summer holidays (January-February)
- • Family events (weddings, births, funerals)
- • Work assignments or remote work stints
- • "Recharge" visits when you need an injection of Argentine energy
Permanent Returns
- • Retirement (lower cost of living)
- • Career opportunities as Argentina develops
- • Family needs (aging parents, etc.)
- • Realizing you made a mistake leaving
- • Simply missing it too much to stay away
5. Success Stories
Real stories from real people. Different paths, different outcomes—all valid.
Sofia
Buenos Aires → Amsterdam
Left in 2019 for a tech job. Initially struggled with Dutch directness and the weather. Now has a house, two kids, and visits Argentina every year. 'I needed to leave to build the life I wanted, but Argentina is still home in my heart.'
Michael
Córdoba → Back to Córdoba
Moved to Miami for 3 years. Made good money but was miserable. The work culture, the driving everywhere, the loneliness. Came back in 2022 and opened a café. 'I realized I valued quality of life over salary. Argentina gives me that.'
Carla & Tom
Buenos Aires → Split: Barcelona / Buenos Aires
Both remote workers. Spend European summers in Barcelona and Argentine summers in Buenos Aires. Best of both worlds, but complex logistics. 'It's expensive and complicated, but we couldn't choose between our two homes.'
Diego
Rosario → Sydney
Left during the 2001 crisis, never came back. Built a successful construction business in Australia. 'I miss Argentina every day, but I couldn't give my kids the instability I grew up with. No regrets.'
The Common Thread
Every person who left successfully had one thing in common: they made peace with their decision. Whether they thrived abroad, returned home, or found a middle path, they stopped second-guessing and committed to making it work. The worst outcomes come from those who leave half-heartedly, constantly looking back, never fully present in their new life nor their old one.
6. If You're Just Visiting Home
Not leaving for good? Just going home for a visit? Here's what to know.
What to Bring Back
Your Argentine friends will have requests. Be prepared.
- Yerba mate (the good brands are hard to find abroad)
- Alfajores (Havanna, Cachafaz—ask for specific brands)
- Dulce de leche (the real stuff, not the international version)
- Argentine wine (Malbec, obviously)
- Football jerseys (if you're into that)
- Anything from your home country that's expensive or unavailable in Argentina
How Long You Can Stay Out
Depends on your residency status.
Usually 2 years max outside Argentina
Check your specific visa conditions
Up to 2 years without losing status
Can apply for extension if needed
No restrictions
You're free to come and go
Varies by agreement
Check current bilateral agreements
Maintaining Your Life Here
If you're keeping options open.
- Keep a local bank account active
- Maintain your DNI (don't let it expire)
- Pay any ongoing obligations (taxes, fees)
- Keep a local phone number (port to prepaid)
- Consider keeping health insurance if you plan to return
- Have someone check on any property you own
- Stay current on Argentine news and politics
Final Thoughts
Leaving Argentina—whether for a month or forever—is a significant life transition. It's okay to feel conflicted. It's okay to cry at the airport. It's okay to wonder if you're making a mistake.
Argentina has a way of staying with you. The friends you made, the neighborhoods you wandered, the mate you shared on lazy afternoons—they become part of your story. Leaving doesn't erase that. It just turns the page.
Whether you're leaving because you have to, because you want to, or because you're not quite sure—know that thousands have walked this path before you. Some found exactly what they were looking for. Others found their way back. Both outcomes are valid. Both are success stories.
"No matter where you go, there you are."
And if there's a piece of Argentina in your heart, you'll carry it with you wherever that is.
Quick Departure Checklist
3-4 Months Before
- Decide on departure date
- Notify landlord (check lease terms)
- Start selling/donating belongings
- Research money transfer options
- Begin gathering documents for apostille
1-2 Months Before
- Cancel services (give required notice)
- Get documents apostilled/translated
- Transfer money (start process)
- Schedule farewell gatherings
- Consult accountant about taxes
2 Weeks Before
- Confirm flight details
- Pack (ship what you're keeping)
- Close/reduce bank accounts
- Final apartment inspection
- Return keys, get deposit back
Departure Day
- Documents in carry-on (never checked)
- Cash declaration if over $10K USD
- Keep phone charged (WhatsApp access)
- Say goodbye properly (hug everyone)
- Take one last look
Related Guides
Have a Story to Share?
Did you leave Argentina? Return? Split your time? We'd love to hear your experience to help others facing the same decision.
Share Your Story