Has anyone come across any weird Argentine laws?

[cole]

Hi everybody,

I'm a journalist doing in internship with The Argentimes, an English language newspaper in BA. I'm writing an article on strange laws in Argentina, and am looking for people who've come across any weird laws during their time here. So if any law or regulation made you double take, scratch your head or curse the powers that be in this strange and often nonsensical place, post me a note!

Hope to hear from you all soon.

Best,

Cole

 

[steveinbsas]

When a foreigner without residency (the DNI) wants to sell an apartment, AFIP examines not only how they brought the funds into the country (and if all laws were "obeyed") but also requires submission of all of the gas and electric bills since the purchase as well as copies of all pages of the foreigner's passport(s). If the utility consumption is not "near zero" while the owners are living abroad, there is an automatic assumption of rental income. An Argentine accountant recently told me that the tax rate is 30% if the foreigners do not have the DNI. Allowing friends and family to use your apartment when you are not in Argentina can prove costly when you sell.

 

[erindanelle]

the law about naming a child throws me. There is a pre-approved list of names that one can only choose from when naming a newborn. The list I believe has about 13,800 names on it so it is extensive, but the whole idea seems bizarre to me!

I think it is to prevent people naming their children names that may be offensive to some. Also to prevent people using surnames as first names.

 

[cole]

Yours sounds interesting, Erin. You don't happen to know where I can get a copy of the list do you?

Thanks,

Cole

(Steven: Thanks, and they're certainly weird laws, but I think they're a little too tax heavy for my purposes).

 

[erindanelle]

I think you need a DNI to get the actual list. I was googling it the other night, will try and find the site that had the general overview of the law. Will come back to you..

 

[erindanelle]

http://www.defensor-alejo.com.ar/legis_web/nac/nombre.htm
this has info about the law of names. (do you speak castellano?)
Articulo 3 I believe demonstrates the reasons that the list exists.

http://www.sitiosargentina.com.ar/Nombres/
this site claims to have the list. I haven't looked at the names. The other night I was on a site that was explaining how to go about getting the list, in particular if you are a foreigner, or if one parent is a foreigner. I remember specifically that it also mentioned the list has 13,800 names on it (or there abouts!)... because I remember feeling somewhat relieved as I had imagined it was really restrictive!

I'll keep looking for that site.

 

[djlinse37]

I think you need a DNI to get the actual list. I was googling it the other night, will try and find the site that had the general overview of the law. Will come back to you..

I'd be surprised if you need a DNI to see the list. You can see various updates/summary on the law here:

http://www.glin.gov/view.action?search=&searchDetails.queryType=BOOLEAN&searchDetails.queryString=subterm%3A^%22en+Names%22%24&searchDetails.showSummary=true&searchDetails.searchAll=true&glinID=218301&fromSearch=true

(connect all of that together as one link)

The law "Ley del Nombres" is here too:

http://www.portaldeabogados.com.ar/codigos/leynombre.htm

And here is a list of names:

http://www.sitiosargentina.com.ar/Nombres/index.htm

with more details here:

http://www.sitiosargentina.com.ar/notas/JULIO_2004/que_nombre_le_ponemos.htm

How much do I get paid?

 

[pauper]

I've been told that if you want to change your name your choice consists of Juan or Maria.

 

[erindanelle]

I found this in a blog through google.com
Hopefully this sets your off in the right path!

"Yet despite Buenos Aires' proud "melting pot" demographics, there's also strong sentiment to preserve Argentine culture from outside influences. Expectant parents, for example, must choose their baby's name from a list of sufficiently Argentine names pre-approved by the government."

 

[erindanelle]

I'd be surprised if you need a DNI to see the list.

It may have been you needed to show your documentation to get a physical copy of the list.