No, squatting in Argentina is illegal under the Penal Code (Article 181) and Civil Code (Article 2445), punishable by eviction and fines. The 2023 Ley de Alquileres amendments tightened protections for property owners, while the Registro Nacional de Inquilinos (2024) tracks unlawful occupations. Courts prioritize property rights, with evictions expedited under Ley 27.737 (2023).
Key Regulations for Squatting in Argentina
- Penal Code (Art. 181): Criminalizes unauthorized occupation, imposing 6 months to 3 years imprisonment or fines. Aggravated penalties apply if the property is residential or occupied by vulnerable groups (e.g., minors).
- Civil Code (Art. 2445): Grants property owners immediate judicial recourse for eviction via desalojo exprés (summary eviction), reducing procedural delays to ~30 days.
- Ley 27.737 (2023): Mandates police intervention within 48 hours of a complaint for squatting cases, with judges required to rule within 10 days. Local governments (e.g., CABA’s Ley 6.135) enforce stricter penalties for organized squats.
Enforcement varies by jurisdiction, but federal courts consistently uphold property rights. The Procuraduría de Criminalidad Económica y Lavado de Activos (PROCELAC) monitors illegal occupations linked to money laundering. Recent 2026 compliance directives from the Ministerio de Justicia emphasize digital tracking of squatted properties via the Sistema Único de Gestión de Inmuebles (SUGI).