Frequently asked questions about residency, business and investment in Paraguay
Clear answers, backed by official sources, to the questions people ask most before moving to or investing in Paraguay.
Residency and ID card
How much does Paraguay residency cost?
With EK Standard, Paraguay temporary residency with the cédula (Paraguayan ID card) costs USD 1,650 if the process is done over two trips to Paraguay, or USD 2,350 if it is done in a single trip. Paraguay permanent residency and investor residency (Investor Pass) cost USD 1,850, cédula included. All prices include VAT.
What documents do I need for Paraguay residency?
For Paraguay temporary residency, Migraciones (National Migration Office) asks for a valid passport or ID document, a birth certificate, a civil status certificate if applicable, and a criminal record check from the country where you lived for the last 3 years, all apostilled and translated into Spanish. In Paraguay, background checks from the Policía Nacional (National Police) and Interpol are added.
What is the difference between Paraguay temporary and permanent residency?
Paraguay temporary residency lasts up to 2 years, can be extended for the same period, and is the step before permanent residency. You apply for Paraguay permanent residency within the 3 months before your temporary residence card expires, and you must prove financial means. Investors can go straight to permanent residency with the Investor Pass.
How do foreigners get a Paraguayan cédula?
First you get Paraguay residency from Migraciones (National Migration Office); with your residence card, you then apply for the cédula (Paraguayan ID card) at the Identification Department of the Policía Nacional (National Police). With temporary residency, the cédula expires when your residency does; a permanent resident’s cédula is renewed every 10 years.
How long does Paraguay residency take, and how many trips do I need?
We offer two ways to get Paraguay temporary residency: over two trips to Paraguay (USD 1,650) or in a single trip (USD 2,350). Migraciones (National Migration Office) does not publish a fixed processing time, but while your application is pending you have provisional resident status (residente precario), which lets you enter and leave the country and work.
Can you keep Paraguay residency without living in Paraguay?
Paraguay residency does not require you to be in the country all year, but long absences can cause it to lapse, and the limits depend on the type of residency. Also, immigration residency is not the same as tax residency, which is proven with your official record of entries into and exits from Paraguay.
Does Paraguay residency give you citizenship?
No. Paraguay residency, whether temporary or permanent, gives you the cédula (Paraguayan ID card) but not citizenship or a passport. Citizenship by naturalization is a separate process: among other requirements, the Constitution calls for at least three years of residence in the country.
Investor Pass and property investment
What is the Paraguay Investor Pass?
The Paraguay Investor Pass is a residency-by-investment program launched in 2026 by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC) and Migraciones (National Migration Office), so that foreigners who invest in the country can obtain Paraguay permanent residency directly, without first holding temporary residency. It is governed by MIC Resolution 283/2026.
Can foreigners buy property in Paraguay?
Yes. Foreigners can buy property in Paraguay; the main restriction is the 50 km border security zone, where citizens of neighboring countries cannot own rural property (Law 2532/2005). If the purchase is an investment of at least USD 200,000 for commercial purposes, it can also qualify you for Paraguay permanent residency through the Investor Pass.
Is investing in Paraguay real estate worth it?
Investing in Paraguay real estate can make sense, but it depends on the property and your goals. An investment property can generate short- or long-term rental income and appreciate over time, and if the investment is at least USD 200,000 for commercial purposes, it qualifies for Paraguay permanent residency through the Investor Pass. No return is guaranteed.
Taxes, banking and companies
Does Paraguay tax foreign income?
Paraguay taxes on a territorial basis: the IRP (personal income tax) applies to Paraguayan-source income, under Article 48 of Law 6380/2019. That does not mean your foreign income goes untaxed in every case: it depends on the type of income, your activity in Paraguay and what your home country requires. On Paraguayan-source income, individuals pay IRP of 8% to 10% on personal services above PYG 80 million (Gs. 80 million) a year, and 8% on capital income.
How do you get a Paraguay tax residency certificate?
The Paraguay tax residency certificate is issued by the DNIT (tax authority). You apply with your cédula (Paraguayan ID card): if you are registered for a RUC (taxpayer number), you must also be up to date with your tax obligations; if not, you submit your official record of entries and exits for the period. It is issued in 10 business days and is valid for one year.
Can a foreigner open a bank account in Paraguay?
Yes. To open a personal bank account in Paraguay, you first need the cédula (Paraguayan ID card); after that, each bank sets its own requirements and decides whether to open the account. We assist with a personal account for USD 450 or a business account for USD 500, VAT included.
How can a foreigner open a company in Paraguay?
The fastest way to open a company in Paraguay is the EAS (Simplified Joint-Stock Company), created by Law 6480/2020: it can be formed by one or more people, with no minimum capital and with liability limited to their contributions, and it is registered through SUACE (the government’s one-stop business portal). If the legal representative is a foreigner, they need a cédula (Paraguayan ID card).
Should you buy a ready-made (shelf) company in Paraguay?
A ready-made company (shelf company) in Paraguay is already registered and is transferred to you through a share purchase, from USD 3,000 with VAT included. A new EAS (Simplified Joint-Stock Company) costs less, from USD 550, and according to SUACE (the government’s one-stop business portal) it can be set up in 72 hours to 8 days. Which one makes sense depends on your project.
What is Paraguay’s maquila regime, and what changed with Law 7548?
Paraguay’s maquila regime lets companies produce goods or services in the country mainly for export, under special tax treatment. In September 2025, Paraguay passed Law 7547/2025, which renewed the maquila regime, and Law 7548/2025, which replaced the Law 60/90 investment incentives for new investments.