UK to Argentina Moving Timeline: Month-by-Month Plan
A month-by-month plan for moving from the UK to Argentina: what to do 6 months out, 3 months out, 1 month out and the actual week of the flight.
Thomas SinclairWriter and editor · London
A successful move from the UK to Argentina depends on sequence. The tasks are not complicated individually but they stack: some require others to be finished first, and some have long lead times that catch out unprepared families. Six months is a sensible planning window for most moves.
6 months out: visa strategy
For related context, see Overstaying on a UK Tourist Stamp in Argentina: Consequences and Fixes.
Choose your residency category. Digital Nomad, Rentista, Pensionado, Family Reunification, Investor, Work. Each has different income requirements and document lists. Our visa guide covers the distinctions.
Book your Migraciones appointment. Online slots can be 6-8 weeks out. Booking early gives you time to gather documents.
Begin document gathering:
- Order ACRO police certificate (premium service, 2 working days)
- Order birth certificate from GRO (long-form)
- Order marriage certificate if applicable
- Order academic certificates if needed for your category
UK admin review: check passport expiry (renew if within 18 months). Make a list of all UK subscriptions, direct debits, insurance policies, and memberships.
Research BA neighbourhoods. Use Google Street View, expat Facebook groups, and our where-to-live guides to build a shortlist.
4-5 months out: apostilles and logistics
FCDO apostille for all documents. This is where the UK paperwork becomes legal for Argentine use. Send each document to Legalisation Office. Allow 2 weeks for standard turnaround.
Book flights. Flexible return with a long stay allowance or one-way. British Airways, Iberia, Air Europa, Air France-KLM all fly LHR-EZE with stops. Direct flights are rare and expensive.
Shipping decision. Are you shipping furniture and household goods? If yes, contact a shipping agent for a quote on a shared container (groupage) or full container. Quote will include UK export, ocean freight, Argentine customs, and destination delivery.
Health insurance review. Cancel UK private health insurance if you have one. Research Argentine prepaga options (OSDE, Swiss Medical, Galeno) and get quotes.
School admissions if you have children. British schools in BA are competitive — start applications at this stage.
3 months out: final preparations
HMRC planning. Complete P85 form preparation (online through gov.uk). You will submit after you leave.
Banking transitions. Open Wise or Revolut account if you do not have one. Set up automatic transfers for ongoing UK obligations (tax, subscriptions). Keep at least one UK bank account open.
Driving licence. Order an International Driving Permit if your car will be in the UK during the move. Your UK licence is valid in Argentina for 90 days on arrival.
Housing. Book short-term accommodation in BA for 2-4 weeks from your arrival date. Apart-hotels in Palermo or Belgrano from USD 60-120/night.
UK home decisions. Selling? Listing agents need 2-3 months typically. Renting it out? Find a letting agent. Storing belongings? Book storage unit.
NHS and GP. Request medical records summary from your GP. Prescription list with generic (non-brand) medication names.
2 months out: document checks
Verify apostilles. Confirm all your apostilled documents are complete and within validity windows for the Migraciones appointment date.
Order Spanish translations if you can arrange them in advance (some translators work remotely; others require presence in BA).
Shipping collection booking. Your shipping agent arranges a collection date. The container will take 4-6 weeks to arrive in BA.
Medication supplies. Request 3-month supply of ongoing prescriptions from your GP. Bring these in luggage.
UK addresses. Update addresses with: HMRC, banks, pension providers, DVLA (if retaining licence), Electoral Commission (for overseas voting if applicable).
1 month out: handover
UK household wind-down. Cancel utility direct debits for your UK home (or transfer to new occupants). Set up mail forwarding if needed.
Pets. If you are bringing pets, this is when you need the vet health certificate, microchip verification, and APHA approval. Allow 21 days minimum for paperwork from vet visit to DEFRA-approved export certificate.
Family and friends coordination. Goodbye events. Practical items (keys, paperwork) handed to trusted people for any future UK needs.
Currency preparation. Order physical USD cash from a UK bank or currency exchange. Up to USD 10,000 can be brought into Argentina without declaration. This gives you liquidity on arrival.
Argentine SIM research. Note down Personal, Movistar, Claro numbers to buy on day 1.
Week before: final packing
Documents file. Physical and digital copies of everything:
- Apostilled documents (originals in hand)
- Passport copies
- Driving licence
- Medical summary and prescription lists
- Banking contacts and passwords
- Emergency contacts (UK and Argentine)
Electronics check. Laptop, phone, tablets packed with charging adapters. Note: Argentine plugs are Type I (not Type G). You need adapters.
Luggage weight. Airlines limit to 23 kg checked. Electronics and medication go in carry-on.
Final paperwork. Confirm your flight, reconfirm your BA accommodation, and sign any final UK documents.
Day of flight and first week in BA
Day 1: Arrive at Ezeiza, pass immigration with 90-day stamp. Change small amount of cash. Taxi or Tienda León to accommodation.
Day 2: Buy Argentine SIM card, notify your UK bank of arrival, start familiarising with neighbourhood.
Day 3-5: Apply for CUIL at ANSES. Open fintech bank account (Brubank or Ualá). Sign up for prepaga.
Week 1-2: Book Migraciones appointment (if not already done). Meet with escribano or lawyer if starting residency. View apartments for longer-term rent.
Week 3-4: Sign apartment contract. Transition from short-term accommodation. Set up utilities.
File HMRC P85 within this first week after arrival.
Not a complete list. Your situation (single, family, retired, with pets, with property) will shift specific items. Use this as a framework and adapt.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start planning a UK to Argentina move?
Six months in advance is comfortable. Three months is feasible but tight. Less than three months means compromising on documents, shipping, and apartment choice.
How long does shipping a UK container to Argentina take?
Typically 4-6 weeks from collection to Buenos Aires delivery. Shared container (groupage) is 6-8 weeks due to consolidation. Costs: £3,000-6,000 for a 20ft container.
Should I book my Argentine accommodation before flights?
Yes, book short-term accommodation (2-4 weeks) for your arrival before booking flights. Confirm your initial neighbourhood choice before committing to anything longer.
When do I submit HMRC form P85?
Immediately after leaving the UK. Ideally within the first week or two in Argentina. Earlier filing triggers your tax refund sooner.
What about cancelling UK services?
Most services can be managed remotely. Utilities, subscriptions, direct debits should be cancelled in the last 2-4 weeks. Banking, HMRC, and pension providers keep their contracts ongoing.
Sources & Official Links
Professional legal resources
This guide covers the general picture. For case-specific advice — especially on complex visa categories, tax obligations, or time-sensitive filings — these resources from Lucero Legal go deeper.
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