Closing Costs When Buying Property in Argentina: The Numbers

TL;DR: Total closing costs for a foreign buyer of an existing apartment in Buenos Aires run roughly 6 to 9% of the purchase price, all paid in US dollars. That is a 4% buyer's commission plus 2 to 3% for the escribano (notary) on a used property. New construction costs more (5 to 7% for the escribano) because you pay for two deeds.

Here are the exact numbers, with no financing layer hiding them.

The closing cost breakdown

Cost	Used / older property	New / under construction
Buyer's commission	4% of sales price	4% of sales price
Escribano (notary)	2 to 3%	5 to 7% (two deeds)
Total (approx.)	6 to 9%	9 to 11%

All figures are paid in US dollars at closing.

What each cost is

• Buyer's commission (4%). Paid to the broker. If another firm holds the listing and declines to share, a transparent minimum buyer's fee applies (MGNI's is USD 1,500, disclosed in writing upfront).
• Escribano fee (2 to 7%). The notary runs full due diligence (the informes de dominio e inhibicion), certifies the deed, and registers your ownership. For new construction you pay for two deeds, the unit and the building's bylaws, which is why it runs higher.

A worked example

On a USD 300,000 existing apartment:

• Commission (4%): USD 12,000
• Escribano (2 to 3%): USD 6,000 to 9,000
• Total closing costs: roughly USD 18,000 to 21,000, on top of the price.

What you do NOT pay

• No mortgage or financing fees. Most foreign purchases are all-cash, so there is no lender layer.
• No foreign-buyer surcharge. You pay what a local pays.
• No foreign-seller surcharge when you exit. The old extra tax on foreign sellers is no longer in effect as of 2026.

Quick answers

Are closing costs negotiable? The escribano fee and taxes are largely fixed; commission structure is transparent and disclosed upfront.

Who pays the notary? The buyer, and the buyer traditionally chooses the notary, which is to your advantage.

Is stamp tax separate? It is folded into the escribano's calculation; a primary-residence exemption can reduce it.

What about ongoing costs after closing? Budget separately for expensas (building HOA), ABL (city tax), utilities, and, if you rent it out, roughly 21% effective tax on rental income.

The bottom line

Closing costs in Buenos Aires are honest and predictable: 6 to 9% all-in for an existing apartment, more for new construction, every dollar named and paid in US dollars. There is no financing to obscure the math, which means no surprises if you model it in advance.

We calculate your exact figure for a specific property before you make an offer, not after. The first call is free, and the breakdown is honest to the dollar.

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