Residency in Paraguay
A complete 2026 guide to Paraguay residency under law 6984/2022: how it works, requirements, cost, timeline and the path from temporary to permanent residency.
Paraguay has quietly become one of the more discussed residency destinations in the world, and the reason is simple: the process is documented, the official cost is low, and, once you complete both stages, it leads to permanent residency rather than a permit you have to keep renewing every year or two. This guide explains how it actually works, under law 6984/2022, and what to expect at each stage.
Why Paraguay residency draws attention
Three things set it apart. First, the path to permanent residency is comparatively fast, generally two documented stages rather than years of renewals. Second, you do not have to move to Paraguay full time to keep it active. Third, it pairs with a low, territorial tax system, so residency here does not automatically mean a heavy tax bill.
What you get
Legal residency gives you a Paraguayan ID (cédula), the right to open bank accounts, sign contracts, run a business and come and go freely. Hold it, complete the change to permanent status, and stay connected to the country, and it becomes a path toward citizenship and a second passport down the line.
The process in brief
At a high level: gather and legalize a short list of documents, enter Paraguay, file for temporary residency, and once approved, request the change to permanent residency within the 3 months before your temporary card expires. You obtain your cédula along the way, not only at the very end. Most people use a local specialist to handle the paperwork, translations and appointments across both stages, which removes almost all of the friction. See the step-by-step guide for the full sequence.
Cost and timeline
Official DNM fees are modest compared with residency-by-investment programs elsewhere (see the cost breakdown for the current amounts in guaraníes), and timelines are measured in weeks to a few months per stage, depending on your documents and nationality. The satellite guides below break down requirements, cost and timeline in detail.
Source: Dirección Nacional de Migraciones, verified 2026-09-05.
Go deeper on residency
How to Get Residency in Paraguay
The full process, step by step.
Paraguay Residency Requirements
The documents and conditions you actually need.
How Much Does Paraguay Residency Cost?
Government fees, documents and agent costs, explained.
Taxes in Paraguay
How the territorial system, income tax and VAT actually work.
Paraguay Residency for Retirees
Why pensionados choose Paraguay, and how to qualify.
Paraguay Citizenship and Passport
From residency to naturalization and a second passport.
Temporary Residency in Paraguay
What temporary residency is, how long it lasts, and how it turns into permanent status.