The Argentine authorities have introduced a number of measures to limit the infection of the coronavirus and travelers are encouraged to follow the developments. Argentina’s health authorities have as of March 13 decided to suspend all flights from EU countries, Schengen countries (Norway), USA, Northern Ireland and UK in addition to Iran, South Korea, China and Japan. The health authorities have also decided to introduce mandatory quarantine for travelers from the same countries. Travelers from these countries arriving in Argentina should stay in the required home quarantine for 14 days. For more information about coronavirus, see the section Health.
Safety
Most trips to Argentina are made without special problems. The greatest risk is linked to profit crime. Caution should be exercised, especially after dark.
The Norwegian Embassy in Argentina is located in the center of Buenos Aires.
The risk of terrorist incidents in Argentina is considered low. The level of crime in Argentina is lower than in several other countries in the region, but far higher than in Norway. Visitors from overseas are often regarded as easy exchanges, and are subject to pocket theft, bag snatching, robbery, credit card fraud, fake banknotes and more. It is important to be aware of where you keep valuables such as money, passports, tickets, mobile phones and so on. The hotel safe should, if possible, be used. It is recommended to bring as little money, jewelry and valuables as you can in the cities.
Theft, robbery, assault and other crime must be reported at the nearest police station. Some cities have their own tourist police, including Buenos Aires. Representatives of the tourist police often have clear marks showing which languages they speak in addition to Spanish. If you are unsure if it really is police, ask for proof.
There is also some drug-related violence in Argentina, but this is mainly internal settlement between various groups involved in organized crime. Much of this type of crime takes place in so-called villas, slums. Tourists are urged not to visit these areas.
The embassy encourages tourists to take taxis at night to be careful. It is encouraged to use Radio taxi. All approved taxis must have registration documents in the taxi visible to passengers.
The traffic is considerably more demanding than what you are used to from Norway. Pedestrians are a vulnerable group, and more caution than is usual in Norway is recommended. Traffic accidents are a frequent cause of death and accident in Argentina.
If you rent a car and travel outside cities and towns, it is important to make sure that the next gas station is within reach, possibly with extra fuel. Assault and robbery of cars and buses can occur, especially at night time in less accessible areas.
Demonstrations, strikes and roadblocks occur. Although most of these are peaceful demonstrations, tourists are still encouraged to keep their distance, as these can sometimes escalate and get out of control.
Argentina is occasionally hit by floods, especially in the north of the country. The country has also been partly affected by ash from volcanic eruptions in Chile. Earthquakes can be felt in the border areas against Chile, although Argentina is very rarely hit by large earthquakes.
Travelers are subject to local laws and a serious offense can result in prison sentences that must be served in local prisons. Norwegians who are arrested or imprisoned have the right to contact the responsible Norwegian authority (the embassy in Buenos Aires). The embassy can provide a list of lawyers on request.
Entry
Norwegian travelers should keep abreast of local entry rules in relation to the coronavirus. See further information under Health.
Please note that entry regulations may change. The Foreign Service is not responsible if the following information on entry regulations or visa requirements is changed at short notice. It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure that travel documents are valid for entry and to familiarize themselves with the current entry rules for each country.
Norwegian citizens can currently travel visa-free to Argentina. It is the traveler’s responsibility to ensure that travel documents, possibly visas, etc. are valid. The Norwegian Embassy in Buenos Aires mainly provides information on entry rules for foreigners who wish to travel to Norway. The Argentine authorities are responsible for entry regulations in Argentina, and therefore also have the competence to respond to inquiries regarding these regulations.
For information on entry regulations in Argentina, please contact the country’s authorities:
In Norway:
Embajada de la Rep¨²blica Argentina en Noruega (The Argentine Embassy in Norway)
Drammensvn. 39, Oslo 0244, Norway
Tel.: +47 22 55 24 48/9
Fax: +47 22 44 16 41
E-mail: consular.enoru@mrecic.gov.ar or enoru@mrecic.gov.ar
Website: http: //noruega.embajada.gob.ar/en
In Argentina:
Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Culto (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Website: www.cancilleria.gov.ar
Direcci¨®n Nacional de Migraciones (Immigration Authorities)
Av. Ant¨¢rtida Argentina 1355, Buenos Aires
Tel.: (+54 11) 4317-0388
Email: info@migraciones.gov.ar
Website: http://www.migraciones.gov.ar/accesible/
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, from 08.00 to 18.00.
Information on applications related to entry/exit from Argentina
Transcript of entry stamp (¡°Transcripci¨®n del sello de ingreso¡±): To have the entry stamp transferred from the passport you used when entering Argentina for a new passport. Permission to leave the country (¡°Habilitaci¨®n de salida¡±): To extend the visa, or for persons who have been in the country for longer than the permitted period of time. More information can be found here: http://www.migraciones.gov.ar/accesibleingles/?tramites
Health
Coronavirus (covid-19): Norwegian travelers should keep abreast of how the coronavirus is developing in the country. Follow local authorities’ advice, guidance and instructions on how to deal with the situation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not create travel advice because of the risk of infection. It is the Public Health Institute that provides infection protection advice when traveling. You can find more information and guidance from Norwegian health authorities on the website of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.
- Argentina’s health authorities have as of March 13 decided to suspend all flights from EU countries, Schengen countries (Norway), USA, Northern Ireland and UK in addition to Iran, South Korea, China and Japan. Some newspapers say airplanes will run until Sunday, March 15, but this has not been officially confirmed by the Argentine authorities.
- As of March 13, Argentina’s health authorities have decided to introduce mandatory quarantine for travelers from EU countries, Schengen countries (Norway), the United States, Northern Ireland and the UK in addition to Iran, South Korea, China and Japan. Travelers from these countries arriving in Argentina should stay in the required home quarantine for 14 days.
- In case of covid-19 symptoms, they are asked not to visit health stations and hospitals, but to stay home and call 107 (health service). Prepared health personnel will then visit the person and perform necessary tests at home.
- Violations of quarantine decisions result in penalties under local criminal law. (Jail between two and 15 years and fined up to 100,000 pesos)
- The situation is constantly changing, and information from the authorities equally so. It must therefore be expected that new measures and restrictions can be implemented. Travelers from Norway are asked to stay updated.
- Travelers planning domestic trips in Argentina are also asked to keep up to date on measures and restrictions in the different provinces in addition to national legislation.
- Information from the Argentine authorities is available (in Spanish) on the Argentine Ministry of Health’s website Nuevo coronavirus covid-19.
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Travelers are advised to consult a doctor or specialist in travel medicine well in advance of the trip to assess health risk and necessary vaccines. Reference is made to the Norwegian Institute of Public Health for official health professional travel advice and health professional guidance to Norwegians when traveling abroad.
It is recommended to have travel insurance. The Argentine health care is generally fine, but by having travel insurance you can use private hospitals in addition to the public.
The embassy notes that there have been recorded cases of dengue, measles, E. coli and salmonella in Argentina. Travelers should include: Make sure the drinking water is safe and take general precautions to avoid contamination.
Contacting local authorities is recommended for the import of medicines.
Practical information
Time difference: Argentina (GMT – 3) is four hours after Norway (five hours when it is summer time in Norway).
Current: 220 volts. Power supply is relatively stable, but power outages can occur, especially during daylight hours.
Telephone: According to allcitycodes, area code for calls from Norway to Argentina is +54. The telephone network is relatively stable. Telephone calls between Argentine and Norwegian mobile phones work at triband. The system for sending text messages (SMS) is common, but can be somewhat unstable.
Each province has its area code, for example Buenos Aires is 11, for C¨®rdoba 351, for Mendoza 261, etc.
- If you want to call an Argentine landline from Norwegian mobile, the following applies: +54 + area code (without zeros) followed by the landline number. Ex. +54 11 3724 1200.
- If you want to call an Argentine landline number from an Argentine mobile or landline (eg from your hotel or private home) and you are in another city, you must enter 0 + area code followed by landline number. Ex. If you are in Mendoza and want to call the Norwegian Embassy in Buenos Aires, the following applies: 011 3724 1200.
- If you want to call an Argentine mobile number from your Norwegian mobile phone, you must enter the following: +54 9 + Area code (without zeros) followed by mobile number. Ex. + 54 9 11 6964 0055 (mobile number for Buenos Aires) // 0 54 9 351 488 0055 (mobile number for C¨®rdoba).
- If you want to call an Argentine mobile number from an Argentine mobile or from a landline number (eg from your hotel or private home), you must enter the mobile number starting with 15. Ex. 15 6964 0055.
Internet: In large and medium-sized cities, the Internet cafes are many and easily accessible. Prices are low. The national web domain is.ar
Currency unit and credit card: The currency unit in Argentina is the Argentine Pesos (ARS). Due to high inflation in the country, the exchange rate changes regularly.
Credit cards can be used extensively.
Normal opening hours:
Shops: Monday-Friday 10-20, Saturday 10-14
Shopping malls: all days 10-22
Banks: Monday-Friday 10-15
Some holidays in Argentina change every year. Updated information can be found on this overview.
Driver’s license: Formally, an international driver’s license or Argentine driver’s license is required to drive a vehicle in Argentina. International driver’s licenses are obtained prior to entry, through NAF, (Norwegian Automobile Association), KNA (Royal Norwegian Automobile Club) or MA (Motorists’ Association). A temporary Argentine driving license can be obtained from
Direcci¨®n de Transito in Buenos Aires. The address is Avenida Roca 5220. You must bring a passport, a police statement at a temporary address in Argentina, and a driver’s license from your home country. For questions about driving in Argentina, contact Automovil Club Argentina ACA: +54 11 4808 4226/4230.
Languages: Spanish is the official language of Argentina, and outside major cities English or other languages are limited to a limited extent.