Getting residence in Paraguay
Paraguay remains a relatively accessible route to temporary then permanent residence, often tied to proof of income or modest investment.
The essentials · reside · July 2026
For comparing a residence title: timeline, cost, limits.
2–6 months
Temporary residence (income / independent)
$500–$3,000
2–6 months
Permanent residence (after 3 years)
$300–$1,500
The routes
- Temporary residence (income / independent) — Renewable temporary cédula
- Permanent residence (after 3 years) — Permanent cédula
Who it fits
- Temporary residence (income / independent) — Proof of stable income, police record, apostilled birth certificate
- Permanent residence (after 3 years) — 3 years legal temporary residence, means, clean record
The limits
- Delays and requirements change; physical presence often required to finalize.
Before you start
Classic flow: temporary residence (temporary cédula) → after 3 years → permanent. Attractive tax territoriality but separate from residence title.
Paths by category
Indicative thresholds, timelines and fees. Verify with official sources and local counsel.
Passive income / retirement
Temporary residence (income / independent)
Process steps
- Apostille birth certificate and police record in home country
- Translate documents to Spanish (Paraguay sworn translator)
- File dossier with Migraciones (often via lawyer)
- Stay on ground for fingerprints and medical exam
- Receive temporary cédula
- Renew annually until permanent eligibility
Sources: migraciones.gov.py
Naturalisation / long stay
Permanent residence (after 3 years)
Process steps
- Document 3 years of renewals
- File permanent application
- Exams / fingerprints
- Receive permanent cédula
Sources: migraciones.gov.py
How to read the paths
Each card combines a category (how you qualify), an outcome (what you get) and duration (renewable title or permanent). RBI ≠ CBI: the first grants residence, the second a passport.
- EU free movement : EU/EEA citizens register their stay. A consular visa is a different route.
- Work / employment : Status tied to a local employer or qualifying contract.
- Entrepreneur / company : Activity or company setup: the visa follows the project. A passport is a different outcome.
- Passive income / retirement : Stable income (pension, dividends, rent) without local employment.
- Nomad / remote : Remote work for an employer or clients outside the country.
- Residence by investment : Investment or financial threshold leads to residence. A passport is a different outcome.
- Citizenship by investment : Investment or contribution → passport (programmes often restricted).
- Naturalisation / long stay : After years of legal stay: PR, ILR, C permit, etc.
- Other : Visit, transit or routes outside the frames above.