How much does healthcare cost in Paraguay?

Private health insurance for an individual typically runs 40 to 90 USD per month, with low out-of-pocket costs on top. Paying cash for a private doctor visit is often 20 to 40 USD, a fraction of North American prices.

Is healthcare in Paraguay good?

The private clinics in Asunción are modern and well regarded, with short waits and good specialists. Public healthcare exists and is low cost but slower and more basic, so most expats choose private insurance.

Do you need health insurance to live in Paraguay?

It is not legally required for residents, but it is strongly recommended. Private insurance is cheap by international standards and gives you fast access to the good private clinics.

Healthcare Cost in Paraguay (2026): Insurance & Prices

For a lot of people, healthcare is the line that makes Paraguay click. The private care is genuinely good, the waits are short, and the prices are a fraction of what you pay in North America or much of Europe. Here is what it actually costs in 2026.

Private insurance: the short answer

Most expats take out private health insurance (called medicina prepaga or a sanatorio plan). For an individual, premiums typically run 40 to 90 USD per month, depending on your age, the plan tier and the clinic network. A couple usually lands around 80 to 180 USD. That buys you fast access to the good private clinics, with modest co-pays on top.

Cover	Monthly, USD
Individual, standard plan	40 – 90
Couple	80 – 180
Family (2 adults + 2 kids)	150 – 280

Paying cash: everyday prices

Even without insurance, day-to-day care is affordable. A private doctor visit is often 20 to 40 USD, routine lab work is inexpensive, and dentistry is a well-known bargain that draws people from neighboring countries. This is why some younger, healthy newcomers self-insure for small things and keep a cheaper plan for emergencies.

Public vs private

Paraguay has a public system that is very low cost, but it is slower and more basic, so it is not what most foreigners rely on day to day. The private clinics in Asunción, by contrast, are modern, quick and staffed with good specialists. The gap in price between private care here and back home is exactly what makes private insurance such an easy call.

How it fits your budget

Healthcare is one of the smaller lines in a Paraguay budget, which is unusual if you are coming from the US. Slot it into the wider picture with the full monthly budget for Asunción, and see just how far the gap runs in the Paraguay vs USA comparison.

The bottom line

Good private healthcare at 40 to 90 USD a month, with cheap out-of-pocket prices when you need them, is one of the quiet reasons retirees and remote workers settle here. If you are planning a move, affordable healthcare is one less thing to worry about, and it pairs naturally with Paraguay's simple residency.