The legal system in Argentina is based on civil law, with both federal statutes and distinct regulations for its 23 provinces and single autonomous city, Buenos Aires. Important legal instruments like the Constitution, Employment Act, and Employment Contract Act dictate many of the rules on employment at the federal level, while provincial law also applies in some cases. Some of the most important rules to be familiar with include:
1. Employment Contracts
Permanent contracts in Argentina can be oral or written. Fixed-term contracts, however, must be written and cannot be used for durable work. They can last a maximum of five years, including unlimited renewals.
2. Working Hours and Overtime
Employees in Argentina typically work eight hours a day and six days a week, for a 48-hour regular workweek. Overtime is voluntary, except in emergency cases, and workers are limited to three hours of overtime a day, 30 hours a month, and 200 hours a year. Workers must be paid at least 150% of their normal wages for overtime hours.
3. Minimum Wage
Argentina’s national minimum wage was last updated in August 2025 and is 322,000 ARS (Argentine pesos) per month (around 222 USD) for workers who also receive retirement benefits. Wages can be lower for domestic workers, depending on their responsibilities and whether or not they collect retirement benefits.
4. Employee Benefits
Argentine employees are entitled to maternity, paternity, and sick leave. They should also receive around 14 paid public holidays, at least 14 calendar days of annual paid leave, and 13th-month salaries, paid half in June and half in December.
5. Payroll Tax and Social Contributions
Employers must calculate and withhold personal income taxes from their employees’ salaries at rates that range from 0% to 35%, depending on their income. These funds must be remitted to the ARCA each month.
Employees must pay 17% of their earnings to the ANSES, with 11% going to their pension fund, 3% to health insurance, and 3% to social services. Employers also contribute between 24% and 26.4% of each employee’s salary.
6. Termination and Severance Pay
Outside of gross misconduct, employers must give notice of termination to their employees. The duration of this notice is 15 days for probationary workers, one month for less than five years of service, and two months for longer service periods. Severance pay is also normally required at the rate of one month’s salary for every year of service provided.
7. Foreign Workers
Foreign employees can obtain entry permits to enter Argentina legally and then apply for work permits. Alternatively, they can apply for working visas with the sponsorship of their employers before they enter the country.