Paraguay is a small country in South America. It has favorable immigration laws, including jus soli, and citizenship can be requested after 3-5 years of residence. The country also attracts people with its visa-free travel policy. With a Paraguayan passport, you can visit 145 countries without a visa, including the entire European Union, the Schengen zone, and Latin America.
Foreigners can only obtain Paraguayan citizenship through naturalization. Typically, this process involves two years of residence with a temporary residence permit and then three years with a permanent residence permit. Investors immediately receive permanent residency after investing money. However, they cannot naturalize until they have lived there for at least three years. Unlike its neighbors, Paraguay is not more lenient with foreigners whose children were born here and received citizenship by right of soil.
What does Paraguayan citizenship offer?
With Paraguayan citizenship, you can:
- Travel visa-free to 145 countries, including Latin American countries, the EU and Schengen Zone countries, Great Britain, Taiwan, and Singapore.
- Apply for a US visa, such as a trader (E-1), investor (E-2), or regular tourist (B1/B2) visa, valid for 10 years.
- Choose your country of residence. Paraguay is a member of MERCOSUR, so you can live and work without restrictions in Paraguay and in Argentina, Brazil, or Uruguay.
- Use the services of the local banking system. With citizenship, it is much easier to open an account, take out a loan, or send a currency transfer.
- Receive social benefits. All citizens can apply for unemployment benefits, disability benefits, pensions, and other financial assistance.
- Do business in Latin America. A free trade zone has been established between MERCOSUR countries, which significantly simplifies entrepreneurial activity.
- Reduce your tax burden. In Paraguay, the personal income tax is only 8-10%.
Once you have Paraguayan citizenship, you can live indefinitely in a country with a mild subtropical climate located almost in the center of Latin America. It is warm year-round, with an average winter air temperature of +20 °C.
Paraguay is the most religious country in South America because 95% of the population is Catholic. Its culture is based on the unique traditions of the indigenous Guarani people. For example, instead of ringing a doorbell, locals clap their hands to attract the owners’ attention. Nevertheless, foreigners feel at home because until 1811, Paraguay was a Spanish colony, which left a significant mark on the cultural scene.
To live comfortably, one person needs an income of USD 860 per month, including rent. This is significantly less than what is needed in Germany, Italy, and other European countries. Thanks to the warm climate, the prices of fruits and vegetables are low because they can be grown here year-round. For instance, you can buy 1 kg of oranges or bananas for less than USD 1.
Can you obtain Paraguayan citizenship through investment?
You may have found information online about Paraguay’s “golden passport” investment program. However, this is not true. In Paraguay, only a permanent residence permit is issued for investments. This reduces the time required for naturalization by 2 years. However, this program is still not very convenient. For example, in Vanuatu, a second passport is issued in just two months, and you do not even need to travel there; the entire procedure is done remotely, and the passport is mailed to you.
4 ways to obtain Paraguayan citizenship
Foreigners without Paraguayan ancestry have only one way to obtain citizenship: naturalization. Naturalization can be divided into four categories:
- Standard naturalization;
- Through permanent residence by investment;
- By marriage;
- By childbirth.
Each process is slightly different. In some places, you first need to obtain a temporary residence permit. In others, you are immediately issued a permanent residence permit. Read on for a more detailed look at all the options for obtaining Paraguayan citizenship.
Naturalization
In order to become a naturalized citizen of Paraguay, you must live in the country for three years as a permanent resident. Most foreigners can obtain permanent residency after two years of living with a temporary residency permit.
There are no clear criteria for obtaining a temporary residence permit in Paraguay; it is issued to anyone who expresses a desire to live in the country. People most often obtain it through work, business, study, or family ties. Citizens of other MERCOSUR countries, such as Argentina, can also move there. They are issued a special two-year temporary residence permit, which is then changed to permanent residence.
You can skip the temporary residence permit stage if you have a Paraguayan citizen relative. This relative could be a parent or grandparent. In this case, you will be issued a permanent residence permit immediately, and the card must be renewed every ten years.
Through permanent residence by investment
Permanent residence in Paraguay does not require a temporary residence permit as long as the following requirements are met:
- Registering a company in the country through the Unified System of Business Services for Opening and Closing a Business (Sistema Unificado de Apertura y Cierre de Empresas — SUACE).
- Investing at least USD 70,000 in a company;
- Creating at least five jobs for residents of the country.
This program aims to do more than simply grant permanent residence in Paraguay. By doing so, the government increases the inflow of foreign direct investment, which positively affects the development of infrastructure, the economy, and the creation of new jobs. In 2024 alone, more than USD 9.9 billion was raised.
However, investments are not a direct path to Paraguay’s “golden passport.” Investors are not exempt from the residence requirement; to obtain citizenship, they must live in the country for at least 3 years.
If you want a second passport faster and without moving, will select a program for you during a personal consultation.
Through marriage
Spouses of Paraguayan citizens cannot expect simplified citizenship issuance procedures. They can only obtain a passport within the framework of standard naturalization, meaning they must live in the country for 3 years. The only difference is that they bypass the stage of obtaining a temporary residence permit since they are immediately issued a permanent residence card based on family ties. To become a permanent resident, you must confirm your union with a Paraguayan citizen by providing a marriage certificate.
A spouse can apply for permanent status without paying a state fee. Before applying for permanent residence, however, you must contact the Secretariat for Repatriates and Refugees and obtain a repatriation certificate. This is necessary if your Paraguayan spouse has lived outside of Paraguay for at least two years.
Through childbirth
All children born in Paraguay automatically become citizens because the country has jus soli. This also applies to foreigners; their children receive citizenship without the parents needing to live in the country with a temporary or permanent residence permit. However, simplified naturalization is not provided for parents. To receive a passport, parents must live in the country for 3 years with a permanent residence permit.
For this reason, Paraguay does not have a developed maternity tourism industry. Those who want to quickly obtain second citizenship for their entire family choose neighboring Argentina or Brazil. There, the jus soli law applies to children, and parents receive citizenship through a simplified procedure.
How to obtain a Paraguayan passport
Naturalization in Paraguay is a lengthy process with six main stages.
Step 1: Enter Paraguay. There are no long-term visas, so you can enter the country with a regular tourist visa or under the visa-free program.
Step 2: Register for a temporary residence permit. After entering the country, contact the National Directorate for Migration and request a residence permit. While your application is being processed, you will receive the status of “unstable resident,” which allows you to stay in Paraguay and cross its border repeatedly.
Step 3: Register for permanent residence. After living in Paraguay for two years with a temporary residence permit, you can apply for permanent status. Three months before the expiration of your temporary residence card, you must submit an application to the National Directorate for Migration.
Step 4: Pass the integration exam. To become a naturalized Paraguayan citizen, you must pass an exam on general knowledge of history, geography, and civil law. The exam is administered at the Supreme Court, and you should clarify the dates directly with the government agency (it is typically held once every 14 days). During the exam, you must answer 21 out of 30 questions correctly, which is 70%. You will receive the results of the exam approximately within a week.
Step 5: Submit an application for citizenship. In order to do so, you will need to prepare the following:
- A CV with your mobile phone number;
- One photo measuring 15×10 cm;
- An original, certified copy, and translation of your international passport;
- A certified copy of your birth certificate;
- Permanent residence permit;
- A certified copy of your police clearance certificate from your country of citizenship;
- A certificate of residence in Paraguay indicating the date of entry into the country;
- A certificate from your place of employment on company letterhead, business license, Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), or other documents confirming employment;
- Certificate of ownership of real estate (if applicable);
- A written statement of intent to acquire citizenship in the presence of a lawyer;
- A receipt for payment of the state fee;
- A signed affidavit issued by the Supreme Court of Paraguay.
Any document not issued in Spanish must be translated and then certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Once you have gathered all the necessary documents, you can apply for Paraguayan citizenship at the Department of Migration. The processing time is not set by law, but in practice, it takes anywhere from six months to a year.
Step 6: Receive a passport. As soon as you receive approval for citizenship, contact the Identification Department (a division of the National Police) to apply for internal and international passports. You will receive your internal identity card within 15 business days and your international passport within 30.
How much does it cost to apply for citizenship?
Naturalization in Paraguay is not the cheapest way to obtain citizenship. You need at least USD 450 per month for basic expenses for one person. For five years, this amounts to USD 27,000. Also, consider rent. A one-room apartment in the city center costs USD 400 per month, or USD 24,000 over five years. In total, you will spend at least USD 51,000 before you can apply for Paraguayan citizenship.
Without proof of financial solvency, you will not be issued a permanent residence permit. You will need to budget an additional USD 5,000, which must be in your bank account.
In addition, consider government fees at each stage:
| Expense item | Estimated cost for naturalization, $ | Estimated cost for participation in the investment program, $ |
|---|---|---|
| Visa (if required) | 65–100 | 65–100 |
| Residence permit | 347 | Not required |
| Residency certificate | 28 | Not required |
| Permanent residence permit | 347 | 347 |
| Citizenship application | 6 | 6 |
| Internal identity card | 1 | 1 |
| International passport | 31 | 31 |
| Additional expenses | Not required | 70 000 |
In total, naturalization in Paraguay will cost at least USD 52,000.
As for obtaining citizenship by investment, state fees and mandatory expenses will only cost about USD 70,500. Add to this the total living expenses for three years: $30,600. In total, you need to have at least USD 101,100 to obtain citizenship this way.
What does Paraguayan law say about dual citizenship?
The Constitution of Paraguay and Law No. 7052 stipulate the following cases in which multiple citizenship is permitted:
- If there is an agreement on dual citizenship between the countries (Paraguay has only signed such a document with Spain);
- If another relevant international treaty has been signed;
- When a person who became Paraguayan at birth naturalizes in another country.
Regarding foreigners naturalizing in Paraguay, the laws do not directly require renouncing the first passport.
Reasons a Paraguayan passport may be rejected or the status revoked
You may be denied Paraguayan citizenship if you do not meet all the requirements to obtain it. For example, if you have not lived in the country with a permanent residence permit for 3 years, have left the country for more than 183 days in a year, have a criminal record, or have not passed the integration test, your application may be rejected. Providing false information or fictitious documents will also lead to rejection of your application.
If you have already been naturalized in Paraguay, you risk losing your citizenship if you live abroad for more than 3 years without a valid reason. Additionally, the passport of a naturalized Paraguayan will be revoked if they voluntarily become a citizen of another country.
