Argentina (AR)
Argentina is South America's second-largest country — a land of European-influenced culture, world-class wine, legendary beef, breathtaking landscapes from Patagonia to the Andes, and one of the most vibrant expat communities in Latin America.
Bringing Pets to Argentina
Requirements, costs and process for relocating with your pets.
Vaccinations
Restricted Breeds
Plus Regardless of breed, all dogs must be on a leash in public spaces in CABA. Off-leash areas (plazas caninas) exist in several parks — check buenosaires.gob.ar for locations.
💰 Costs
Health certificate from origin country government vet: USD 50–200 (varies by country). Apostille if required: USD 20–80. Official Spanish translation of health certificate: ARS 25,000–60,000. Airline pet fees: USD 75–200 in cabin (pets under 8 kg including carrier), USD 200–600 in cargo hold. For large dogs (cargo): USD 300–900 depending on airline, route, and kennel size. SENASA arrival inspection: free. Buenos Aires Zoonosis free microchip registration: free. First vet visit in Argentina 2026: ARS 20,000–55,000. Annual vaccinations in Argentina: ARS 25,000–65,000.
🐕 Dog Tax / Registration
Argentina does not have a national annual dog registration tax. Buenos Aires City (CABA) requires free registration of dogs and cats at the Dirección General de Zoonosis (zoonosis.buenosaires.gob.ar) — free, microchip-linked, includes an official tag. Registration requires: microchip number, proof of rabies vaccination, and owner ID (DNI or passport). Some Buenos Aires Province municipalities (e.g., La Plata, Mar del Plata) charge a small annual registration fee of ARS 3,000–10,000. Proof of current rabies vaccination is required at registration in all municipalities. Zoonosis also offers free rabies vaccination campaigns several times per year throughout CABA — check buenosaires.gob.ar for dates.
Veterinary care in Argentina is excellent and affordable compared to Western Europe and North America. Buenos Aires has hundreds of veterinary clinics across all neighbourhoods. Register your pet with a local vet within the first month of arrival. 24-HOUR EMERGENCY VETS IN BUENOS AIRES (2026): Vetpet Emergencias — multiple CABA locations including Av. Santa Fe 3399, Palermo (011-4826-3000); Hospital Veterinario de Urgencias — Av. Córdoba 5551, Palermo (011-4777-2277); Clínica Veterinaria Belgrano 24hs — Av. Cabildo 2571 (011-4783-5401); Hospital Veterinario CABA — Av. Rivadavia 7402, Flores (011-4632-8888). For specialist referrals (oncology, cardiology, orthopaedics), Hospital Escuela de Veterinaria UBA (palermo.uba.ar/hospital-veterinario) is the leading academic teaching hospital — subsidised costs. Average first consultation 2026: ARS 20,000–55,000. Specialist consultation: ARS 40,000–120,000. Emergency out-of-hours fee: ARS 30,000–80,000. Annual vaccinations: ARS 25,000–65,000. Neutering: ARS 50,000–150,000 depending on size. Most clinics accept Mercado Pago and card payments in up to 12 cuotas sin interés.
📋 Relocation Process
1. Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard, 15-digit chip) if not already done — record the number. 2. Ensure all vaccinations are current (rabies certificate within last 12 months but not more recent than 30 days before travel). 3. Book an appointment with your home country's official/government-authorised vet to obtain the government health certificate — issued within 10 days of travel. 4. Have the health certificate apostilled (if your country is a Hague Convention signatory) and officially translated into Spanish by a Traductor Público Matriculado if the original is not in Spanish or English. 5. On travel day: carry all documents in your hand luggage, keep pet carrier IATA-compliant. 6. On arrival at Ezeiza (EZE) or Córdoba (COR) airport: proceed to the SENASA agricultural inspection checkpoint (immediately after customs, before exiting). Present microchip certificate, health certificate + apostille + translation, vaccination record, and rabies certificate. SENASA officer may scan the microchip. No quarantine if all documents are in order. Incomplete documentation: SENASA can detain the animal at ARS 20,000–60,000/day in holding facilities — do not skip document steps. 7. Within 30 days of arrival: register at the Dirección General de Zoonosis (CABA: zoonosis.buenosaires.gob.ar) — free registration, microchip-linked, issues the Buenos Aires pet tag. Outside CABA: contact your local municipality for equivalent registration. 8. Find a local vet, update vaccinations to Argentine annual schedule, obtain an Argentine Libreta Sanitaria (vaccination booklet).
Argentina is one of the most pet-friendly countries in Latin America. Buenos Aires has dog-friendly outdoor restaurants (terrace seating), plazas caninas (off-leash dog parks) in many neighbourhoods, and a thriving pet care industry. AIRLINE PET POLICIES (2026): Aerolíneas Argentinas — domestic flights accept in-cabin pets under 8 kg including carrier (ARS 20,000–35,000 fee; book when purchasing ticket); international flights require cargo/hold (fee: USD 150–350 depending on route). LATAM Airlines — domestic Argentina: in-cabin under 8 kg; international: cargo only. JetSmart/FlyBondi — low-cost carriers: in-cabin pets on domestic routes under 8 kg (ARS 15,000–25,000 fee); no pets on international routes. American Airlines — international routes to/from Buenos Aires: pets as cargo only (USD 200–400); no in-cabin pets on international routes from Argentina. Iberia/Air Europa — Madrid routes: cargo only; advance booking required; minimum 48h before departure. All airlines: IATA-approved hard-sided carrier required for cargo; soft-sided allowed in cabin if under seat dimensions; carrier must not be collapsible. EXPORT / LEAVING ARGENTINA WITH YOUR PET: SENASA issues export health certificates for pets leaving Argentina. Process: 1. Contact SENASA at senasa.gob.ar 4–6 weeks before departure to confirm your destination country's import requirements. 2. Book appointment with an official government vet (médico veterinario oficial de SENASA) for a health inspection — fee ARS 15,000–40,000. 3. Certificate is issued 5–10 days before departure (tied to travel date). 4. If destination country requires apostille on the SENASA certificate: obtain from Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (cancilleria.gob.ar) — ARS 10,000–25,000, 3–7 business days. 5. Some destination countries (UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan) require rabies titre testing (blood test) 30+ days before travel — plan 60–90 days in advance for these destinations. Rabies titer test available at CRL Lab Buenos Aires or via your vet with samples sent to accredited laboratory.