In brief
As of 17 November 2026, Argentina will definitively transition from a post-closing merger control system to a suspensory or pre-closing regime.
Transactions subject to mandatory notification may not be closed until clearance has been obtained from the National Competition Authority (ANC in the Spanish acronym).
In focus
The change results from the entry into force of the first paragraph of Section 9 of Antitrust Law No. 27,442, following the expiration of the one-year period since the ANC was formally established on 17 November 2025.
The new regime will have an immediate impact on M&A transaction timelines:
- Transactions signed and closed before 17 November: These transactions will remain subject to the currently applicable regime, which allows closing prior to obtaining merger control clearance.
- Transactions signed and notified before 17 November, but closing thereafter: These transactions will remain subject to the currently applicable non-suspensory regime, provided that they are supported by a legally binding agreement, as established by Disposition No. 29/2026 of the Antitrust Tribunal.
Accordingly, companies with ongoing transactions should review their closing timetables, conditions precedent and other provisions relating to the obtainment of regulatory approvals.
Download the Spanish version of Argentina: Pre-Closing Merger Control Takes Effect 17 November.