Documents to travel to Uruguay
Which document is valid to enter Uruguay from Argentina and Brazil, what is asked for minors, cars and pets, and what customs checks on the way in and back.
Argentines
Valid
The DNI card or the light-blue booklet, the latest issue produced by RENAPER, or the passport.
Not valid
The DNI on your phone (Mi Argentina), the handwritten DNI (green or burgundy cover), the certificate of a DNI in process and damaged documents.
On the ferry
Buquebus accepts only the latest physical DNI. Colonia Express accepts the DNI card or the passport, not the old booklets.
Source: Ministerio de Seguridad Nacional (Argentina), November 9, 2026.
Source: Dirección Nacional de Migraciones (Argentina), November 9, 2026.
Source: Buquebus, November 10, 2026.
Source: Colonia Express, November 9, 2026.
Brazilians
Valid
The passport with 6 months of validity, or the identity card (RG) from a Secretaria de Segurança Pública, in good condition and with a photo that identifies you. Foreigners resident in Brazil: the CRNM.
Not valid
The CNH, professional cards (OAB, CREA and similar) and the CIN in digital form only.
RG older than 10 years
The Polícia Federal says the RG does not expire, but Brazil's consulate in Rivera asks for one less than 10 years old.
Source: Polícia Federal, November 9, 2026.
Source: Consulado-Geral do Brasil em Montevidéu, November 9, 2026.
Source: Consulado-Geral do Brasil em Rivera, November 9, 2026.
Source: Polícia Científica de Santa Catarina, November 9, 2026.
Visa and length of stay
Visa
Argentines and Brazilians do not need a visa.
Length of stay
Immigration grants tourists 90 days. For Brazilians, they can be renewed for 90 more.
Source: Dirección Nacional de Migración, November 9, 2026.
Source: Dirección Nacional de Aduanas, November 9, 2026.
Source: Consulado-Geral do Brasil em Montevidéu, November 9, 2026.
Minors
Leaving Argentina with both parents
They prove the relationship with the libreta de familia, the birth certificate or the minor's DNI with the parents' details.
Leaving Argentina with one parent
In addition, the other parent's authorization, made before a notary, judge, Registro Civil or consulate. Argentina's Migraciones also issues an urgent authorization for a single trip.
Leaving Brazil
With both parents no authorization is needed. With one, the other's authorization with a certified signature; alone or with another adult, both parents' authorization. It is submitted in two originals.
On the ferry
Buquebus sells tickets to minors traveling alone from age 8, not online, and does not do web check-in with minors.
Source: Ministerio de Seguridad Nacional (Argentina), November 9, 2026.
Source: Conselho Nacional de Justiça, November 9, 2026.
Source: Buquebus, November 10, 2026.
Car
Entry
Mercosur cars enter without customs paperwork, with random checks, and can stay as long as the driver: 90 days.
Papers
Identity document, driver's license, the tourist document from immigration, the car's title and valid insurance. If you are not the owner, the holder's authorization by public deed.
From Brazil
Brazil's consulates ask for the Carta Verde, the Mercosur insurance.
From Argentina
To leave: cédula verde (or the blue one if you are not the holder), VTV, mandatory insurance, fire extinguisher and warning triangles.
Tolls
Tolls are electronic. The Abono Extranjero covers all the tolls in the country for 15 days and is requested at the toll booths.
Source: Dirección Nacional de Aduanas, November 9, 2026.
Source: Consulado-Geral do Brasil em Rivera, November 9, 2026.
Source: Ministerio de Seguridad Nacional (Argentina), November 9, 2026.
Source: Ministerio de Transporte y Obras Públicas, November 10, 2026.
Pets
Certificate
The International Veterinary Certificate from your country's official agency (in Argentina, SENASA).
Requirements
Clinical check-up in the previous 10 days, internal and external deworming in the previous 15 days, valid rabies vaccine and, for dogs, a microchip.
Procedure in Uruguay
If the pet travels with its owner, no MGAP permit is needed and nothing is paid for dogs and cats.
On the trip
On Buquebus buses, pets travel in a kennel and board only at Tres Cruces, with 24 hours' notice. Colonia Express carries small pets in a kennel for free. EGA does not carry pets.
Source: Ministerio de Ganadería, Agricultura y Pesca, November 9, 2026.
Source: Ministerio de Seguridad Nacional (Argentina), November 9, 2026.
Source: Buquebus, November 10, 2026.
Source: Colonia Express, November 9, 2026.
Source: EGA, November 9, 2026.
Customs on the way in and back
Entering Uruguay
Up to US$ 300 by land and US$ 500 by air or sea, once a month, plus US$ 850 in the arrival free shops. The excess pays 50%.
Food
Meat, dairy (except UHT milk), eggs, honey, fruit, vegetables, seeds and plants need an MGAP certificate.
Back to Argentina
US$ 300 per person over 16 years old (US$ 150 for minors) by land or by river. The excess pays 50%.
Back to Brazil
US$ 500 per person by land, once every 30 days, and US$ 1,000 by air or sea.
Source: Dirección Nacional de Aduanas, November 10, 2026.
Source: Ministerio de Ganadería, Agricultura y Pesca, November 9, 2026.
Source: Ministerio de Seguridad Nacional (Argentina), November 9, 2026.
Source: Receita Federal, November 10, 2026.
Related
Frequently asked questions
Can I travel to Uruguay with the digital DNI?
Not with the DNI on your phone. The physical DNI (card or light-blue booklet), the latest issue, or the passport is valid.
Can a minor travel with only one parent?
Yes, with the other parent's authorization: from Argentina, made before a notary, judge, Registro Civil or consulate; from Brazil, with a certified signature.
Do I need a visa to go to Uruguay?
Not if you are Argentine or Brazilian.
What do I need to bring my dog?
The International Veterinary Certificate from your country, a valid rabies vaccine, deworming and a microchip.
How much can I bring back when returning to Argentina?
US$ 300 per person over 16 years old if you return by land or by river. The excess pays 50%.
Source: Ministerio de Seguridad Nacional (Argentina), November 9, 2026.
Source: Dirección Nacional de Migraciones (Argentina), November 9, 2026.
Source: Conselho Nacional de Justiça, November 9, 2026.
Source: Dirección Nacional de Migración, November 9, 2026.
Source: Ministerio de Ganadería, Agricultura y Pesca, November 9, 2026.
Download the app to see live buses and find how to get to your destination
Didn't find what you were looking for?
Write to us at hola@ahivoy.uy.
Data as of .