FAQ
Residency Questions
Paraguay has emerged as one of the most cost-effective destinations for those seeking residency outside their native country
While there are plenty of other countries around the world that offer residency programs, they are often expensive and/or difficult to navigate
Additionally, for those who do business abroad, few countries around the world offer a zero-tax solution for foreign based income
As a result, Paraguay offers one of the best value propositions for those seeking either temporary or permanent residency at one of the lowest costs in the world
Paraguay offers one of the most straightforward and accessible Permanent Residency programs in the world – both in terms of cost and relative ease
Permanent Residency is a two-step process that begins with a minimum 2-year Temporary Residency before an application for Permanent Residency can be sought
Legal residents do not physically have to reside in the country to maintain Temporary or Permanent Residency status, however:
- Temporary Residents must visit the country once ever 12 months to maintain residency
- Permanent Residents must visit the country once every 3 years to maintain residency
Those with a Temporary Residence permit may begin to apply for Permanent Residency as early as 21-months after their Temporary Residency is granted
Permanent Residency in Paraguay is granted for one’s natural lifetime – however, the National ID card (Cédula) must be renewed every 10 years
The general requirements for a Paraguay Temporary/Permanent Residency Permit are:
- A valid passport
- A clean criminal record (no misdemeanors or felonies)
- Birth Certificate †
- Certificate of Marriage or Divorce (if applicable) †
- Demonstrate financial solvency/income of 100 times the monthly minimum wage (approx USD $1,300/mo)
† Official documents must be certified by apostille, if applicable from country of origin
Once all the appropriate official documents and the residency application are in order, the residency process can be initiated with a series of in-person appointments at several government offices in Paraguay over the course of approximately one week (we recommend planning a visit to Paraguay for 7-10 business days)
While the initial temporary residency permit may be obtained within the first visit to the country, the final documents (including the National ID/Cédula) in total the full residency process takes approximately 2-3 months to be fully executed
To facilitate clients returning to their home countries expediently, our lawyers will set up a power of attorney so that official documents can be procured for the client once they are made available by the respective government entities
Aside from maintaining a good legal standing (no criminal activity) both domestically as well as outside the country, legal residents of Paraguay do not physically have to reside in the country to maintain Temporary or Permanent Residency status, however:
- Temporary Residents must visit the country once ever 12 months to maintain residency
- Permanent Residents must visit the country once every 3 years to maintain residency
The minimum number of visits required to achieve Permanent Residency is 3 visits to Paraguay:
- Initial Visit (to submit application for Temporary Residency)
- 2nd Visit (within 12 months of initial visit)
- 3rd Visit (within 24 months of initial visit and within 12 months of second visit) – an application for Permanent Residency may be submitted as early as 21 months from the initial Temporary Residency permit
Yes – it is possible – but it may take many weeks or up to several months
Our experience has been that those who choose to navigate the process on their own end up frustrated with the process due to complications related to bureaucratic intricacies, procedural quirks and language barrier issues
We offer the least stressful and most expedient means of obtaining residency in Paraguay by leveraging our network of legal professionals who help streamline the process so that all the required meetings, interviews and document submittals can be performed in the span of 7-10 business days
Personal connections and relationships still play a large role in such a small country
Whom you choose to hire and the professional connections and experience they possess can make the difference between a successful conclusion to the residency process and an unsuccessful one
Obtaining Temporary/Permanent Residency in Paraguay allows you to:
- Open a bank account
- Purchase property
- Open a business
- Obtain employment
- Travel visa-free to several neighboring countries
We recommend that clients who hire us to assist in obtaining residency in Paraguay should plan on visiting the country for 7-10 business days
In addition to attending the required government appointments to submit the residency application, clients typically use the opportunity to explore Asunción including several trendy shopping areas and a wide range of dining experiences
For those who wish to get out of the city and experience nature, there are a number of national parks and noteworthy locations that can be visited as a day trip or a quick overnight visit
Lifestyle & Cost of Living Questions
Housing costs varies significantly based on location and amenities – with more urban settings naturally commanding a higher price
Apartments, condominiums and homes are available for rent from as low as USD $300-$1200+ per month
Houses in more rural settings can often be even less
Overall, groceries and food products in Paraguay are generally less expensive compared to other North American countries
Paraguay is a significant producer of beef in the region and as such, the meat supply is plentiful and often much less expensive than in other countries
Produce and other food items can often be 10-30% less expensive than comparable items in the United States
Generally, utilities are significantly less expensive than in North America
The current average price of electricity in the U.S. as of the end of 2024 was 12.36¢ per kWh (USD)
In comparison, Paraguay’s cost for electricity is less than half of that – at 5.2¢ per kWh (USD)
Telecommunications (cellular) and internet (fiber optic, where available) are also significantly less expensive
Getting around Paraguay is easy an relatively inexpensive
While public transportation does exist, it is rather limited and not convenient for expats
Uber and Bolt are both rideshare companies that are operate extensively in Paraguay, especially in the urban areas
Rides using a rideshare app like Uber will average USD $5-$10 per trip across town (Asunción) and USD $20-$25 on longer trips to the outskirts of the city (30+ miles)
Cars and motorcycles are prolific and while many locals purchase used vehicles often, Paraguay hosts a wide range of vehicle manufacturers from both the US and Europe (Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Kia, Hyundai, etc)
Healthcare in Paraguay is a mix of public and private systems
Expats will most likely be most comfortable operating within the private healthcare system, though the public system is not any less sanitary
Generally speaking, medical care overall in Paraguay is less expensive than developed countries – and in some cases, significantly less expensive.
Public (free) healthcare is available to all citizens and legal residents, but as with all public healthcare systems – it has its limitations
Private healthcare – and insurance – are widely available
As an example, a recent family of four (2 adults + 2 children) were able to obtain full coverage (no deductibles or co-pays) at the “Gold” coverage level for $150/month