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Is travel insurance required to visit Puerto Iguazú (Argentina)?
Marco Três newsroom · edited by Annie GrellmannUpdated on
The new 2025 rule — and why a day trip across the border is an exception
Since 2025, Argentina requires health insurance from foreign tourists (Decree 366/2025). But a border day trip is an exception: crossing from Foz do Iguaçu to Puerto Iguazú for a few hours doesn't require showing insurance. Longer stays do — and even on a day trip it's worth having, because medical care in Argentina is charged to those without it.

Quick answer: since 2025 (Decree 366/2025), Argentina requires health insurance from foreign tourists — but a border day trip is an exception: crossing from Foz do Iguaçu to Puerto Iguazú for a few hours doesn't require showing insurance. Longer stays do. Even so, it's worth having: medical care in Argentina is charged to those without it.
The new rule
Decree 366/2025 (May 2025) made health insurance with medical coverage an entry condition for foreign tourists in Argentina.
The border exception
Short temporary visits — the classic Foz → Puerto Iguazú day trip for the Falls, shopping or a meal — are exempt from showing insurance. The requirement targets those who will stay longer.
Still worth having
If you need medical care in Argentina without insurance, you pay out of pocket — and an emergency is expensive. Cheap travel insurance covers exactly that.
If you're staying longer
For longer stays, get insurance with medical coverage and keep the policy handy in case immigration asks.
Tip
Border rules are evolving. Before you travel, confirm on the official Dirección Nacional de Migraciones website.
Sources: Dirección Nacional de Migraciones (Argentina); Decree 366/2025.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need insurance for a day trip to Puerto Iguazú?
- You aren't required to show it for a short border visit. But it's advisable, because medical care in Argentina is charged to those without insurance.
- Is insurance mandatory for a longer stay in Argentina?
- Yes. Since Decree 366/2025, longer stays require health insurance with medical coverage on entry.
- How much is travel insurance for Argentina?
- Short-trip plans are cheap; compare medical coverage. Confirm current rules with Migraciones.
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Content verified by the newsroom based on an official source: Migraciones Argentina · Decreto 366/2025. Last checked: 7/9/2026. Found something inaccurate? We fix it fast. How we work.
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