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Field Note No. 40

What Documents Does a Foreign Seller Need in Argentina?

What Documents Does a Foreign Seller Need in Argentina?

TL;DR: To sell property in Argentina, a foreign seller needs the **original deed (escritura), their tax ID (CDI) and passport, the property's title clean and accounts current (expensas and ABL paid), and the records that establish their acquisition cost for the exit tax. A foreign seller can close remotely by power of attorney** without flying down. The escribano assembles and verifies most of this.

The seller's checklist

Document / itemWhy it is needed
Original deed (escritura)Proves your ownership
Passport + CDIIdentity and tax ID
Title clear of liens (informes)Escribano confirms it is sellable
Expensas and ABL currentNo building or city arrears at closing
Acquisition recordsEstablishes cost base for ITI / capital gains
Power of attorney (optional)Lets you close remotely

What the escribano handles

As on the buy side, the escribano does the heavy lifting on the sell side. The notary runs the informes de dominio e inhibición to confirm the title is clean and free of debts, certifies the deed, withholds the applicable exit tax, and registers the transfer to the buyer. Your job is to arrive with a clean title, current accounts, and the records that prove your cost base.

The exit tax records matter

When you sell, you pay either ITI (1.5% of price, for pre-2018 purchases) or capital gains (15% on the indexed gain, for 2018-or-later purchases), withheld by the escribano. To apply the right regime and number, you need the documentation of when you bought and for how much, so keep your original purchase deed and records. The full picture is in our note on taxes when you sell.

Selling remotely

A foreign seller does not need to be in Argentina for closing. With a properly drafted power of attorney, signed and apostilled abroad, a trusted representative signs on your behalf. We arrange remote sales routinely.

Quick answers

What documents does a foreign seller need to sell property in Argentina?

The original deed (escritura), passport and CDI tax ID, a title clear of liens, current expensas and ABL, and acquisition records to establish the exit-tax cost base. The escribano verifies most of it.

Can a foreigner sell Argentine property remotely?

Yes. A foreign seller can close remotely using a power of attorney signed and apostilled abroad, so a trusted representative signs the deed on their behalf.

Who verifies the title when selling in Argentina?

The escribano (notary) runs the informes to confirm the title is clean and debt-free, certifies the deed, withholds the exit tax, and registers the transfer to the buyer.

Do I need to keep my purchase records to sell later?

Yes. Your acquisition date and price determine whether you pay ITI or capital gains and how much, so keep the original deed and purchase records to establish your cost base.

A clean sale is mostly a matter of arriving prepared. To plan your exit and close it without flying down, book a call.

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