Legal
Registering a Foreign Company Branch in Argentina
How foreign companies establish a legal presence in Argentina — branch office vs. subsidiary and the registration process.
May 18, 2026
Branch vs. Subsidiary
Foreign companies can establish a presence in Argentina as either a branch (sucursal) of the parent entity or as a locally incorporated subsidiary (SRL or SA). The branch is not a separate legal entity — the parent company bears unlimited liability for the branch's activities. The subsidiary is an independent Argentine entity with liability limited to its own capital. For most foreign companies, the subsidiary structure is preferred for liability isolation.
The Branch Registration Process
Registering a foreign branch with the IGJ requires: apostilled and translated copies of the parent company's incorporation documents, a certified balance sheet, the appointment of a legal representative in Argentina, and a sworn declaration of assets. The process typically takes 3–5 months and requires ongoing annual filing of the parent company's audited financial statements.
Practical Recommendation
Unless there are specific regulatory reasons to maintain a direct branch (certain financial, mining or petroleum operations), Roffo generally recommends incorporating a local subsidiary. It is faster to set up, creates a cleaner liability structure, and often simpler to administer from a compliance perspective. We handle both structures and advise on the optimal approach for your specific business.
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