Rules for overlanding in Argentina
Our summary of the country advice published by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Viaggiare Sicuri) on 18 August 2026.
Which licence you need
- All vehicles — To drive in Argentina temporarily you need an International Driving Permit carried together with a valid Italian licence — check what applies to the licence you hold. The permit is good for one year, and never beyond the expiry of the licence behind it; converting a licence is only possible for foreigners resident in the country.
An International Driving Permit states the categories it covers: check yours covers what you will actually drive. A car licence does not cover a motorcycle, and a heavy camper or a truck can need a higher category.
At the wheel
- Temporary vehicle import — A vehicle can be imported temporarily for eight months, renewable for another eight. It is done with a sworn statement ("Declaración Jurada de Admisión Temporal de Vehículos de Turistas"), a "Libreta de pasos por aduana" or an FIA carnet de passages en douane.
- Driving someone else's vehicle — Carry a letter of authority from the owner, written in Spanish with the signature notarised.
- Insurance — Temporary policies can be taken out with a local company or through the Automóvil Club Argentino.
- Alcohol — The blood alcohol limit is 0.5, tightened to 0.2 for motorcyclists and zero for professional drivers.
- Helmets and belts — Helmets are compulsory for motorcyclists. Seatbelts are compulsory front and rear, and a child under 10 cannot sit in the front.
- Lights — All motor vehicles must run with headlights on, by day as well as by night. On rural roads and motorways, use high beams after dark.
- Equipment on board — Private cars, minibuses, buses and trucks must carry a fire extinguisher, two warning triangles and a first-aid kit.
- Tolls — Most motorways are toll roads. Tolls are paid in cash or with prepaid cards.
What catches travellers out
- Sworn statement on entry — An emergency decree of 28 May 2025 requires every foreigner entering Argentina to sign a sworn statement giving the reason for the trip and confirming they hold insurance covering their medical needs. The implementing rules have not been approved, so in practice the statement is not being asked for yet, but the ministry strongly advises arriving insured in case it starts being enforced.
- Visa-free stay — No visa is needed for tourist stays of under 90 days, extendable by up to 90 more at a local immigration office if the passport has enough validity left. There is no stated limit on the number of entries, but each one is assessed by the migration authority, which can turn you back if the stated purpose does not convince it.
- Cash limits — You can bring in or take out less than USD 10,000 or the equivalent freely; above that, entry requires a special customs declaration (form OM 2249) and taking the money out has to go through a bank transfer. The ceiling is USD 5,000 for under-16s, and cash machines that accept foreign cards are widespread in the larger cities.
- Drugs — Foreigners and Argentines are treated the same. Trafficking and dealing carry sentences of more than three years, while personal consumption is not punished.
Before you rely on this
This is our summary of advice written by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Italian travellers, published on 18 August 2026. We summarise in good faith, but we cannot guarantee it is accurate, current or complete, and we take no responsibility for decisions made on the basis of it. Rules change without notice and are applied by officials at the border, not by websites. Always read the original source and the travel advice your own government publishes for Argentina before you travel. GuideMeet has no way of checking whether an individual guide meets any standard mentioned here — ask them directly.
Source: Viaggiare Sicuri — Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, updated 18 August 2026. Last checked by GuideMeet on 2026-09-20.