Doing business in Argentina, without surprises

Argentine law recognises both routes. A branch is the same foreign legal entity operating locally, which means the parent company answers directly for what happens here. A subsidiary is a separate Argentine entity with its own liability perimeter. The choice drives tax treatment, reporting obligations and how exposed the group is if something goes wrong, and it is expensive to reverse once the operation is running.

They differ in governance, in how ownership is transferred and in the formalities each one imposes. An SA is the traditional vehicle for larger operations with a board and statutory oversight. An SRL suits closely held businesses with a small number of partners. The SAS was designed to be lighter and faster to set up. The right answer depends on the size of the operation, who the shareholders are and what you expect to do with the equity later.

Yes, but the payment has to clear both a corporate step and an exchange control step. The corporate side means approved financial statements and a validly declared dividend. The exchange side means access to the official FX market, which is where most delays actually happen. Companies that plan this before declaring the dividend generally get the money out; companies that improvise usually do not.

Gross salary is only part of the number. Employer social security contributions, the statutory thirteenth salary, mandatory insurance and accrued severance exposure all have to be built into the model. Costing a hire on gross salary alone systematically underestimates the true figure, which is why it is worth modelling before you commit to a headcount plan.

You can, but the label on the invoice does not settle the question. Argentine courts look at how the relationship actually works: who directs the work, whether the person is integrated into your organisation, whether they can work for others. If the substance looks like employment, it will be treated as employment, with retroactive contributions and penalties attached.

Yes. Foreign nationals need a residence status that permits work, and in most cases the employer acts as sponsor, which carries obligations of its own. The timeline matters more than companies expect, so it is worth starting the process well before the intended start date rather than after the person has already been hired.

Not always, and it is worth deciding deliberately rather than by default. What matters is where a dispute would actually be resolved and whether a judgment or award can be enforced against assets that exist. A foreign governing law clause paired with a forum that cannot reach the counterparty’s assets in Argentina can look protective while offering very little.