How Much Does Paraguay Residency Cost?

By Paraguay Now Editorial Team · Updated 2026-09-05

Paraguayan guarani banknotes next to a passport and documents on a table
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Compared with residency-by-investment programs that cost tens or hundreds of thousands, Paraguay is in a different world. There is no large investment gate. Your real costs are official government fees, documents, translations and, if you choose, a specialist to run the process.

Official DNM fees

These are the published fees from the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones, as of 2026-09-05. They can change; always confirm the current amount before you pay.

Fee Amount
Temporary residency Gs. 2,926,925
Registration certificate (radicación) Gs. 234,154
Permanent residency (change of category) Gs. 2,926,925
Information change Gs. 234,154
Late-payment penalty (overstayed card) Gs. 702,462

Source: Dirección Nacional de Migraciones, Residencia Temporal and Residencia Permanente por cambio de categoría, verified 2026-09-05.

Where the rest of the money goes

  • Document legalization (apostille) in your home country, per document, cost varies by country and issuer.
  • Official Spanish translations of each foreign document.
  • The official DNM fees above, for both the temporary and permanent stages.
  • A local agent's fee, if you use one to handle paperwork and appointments; this varies by provider and is not a government charge.
  • Travel and stay in Paraguay while the process runs.

Doing it alone vs using an agent

You can technically do it yourself, but the savings are smaller than they look once you factor in redone apostilles, rejected translations and repeat trips, on top of the fact the process runs in two separate stages (temporary, then permanent) with their own document lists. A specialist bundles the paperwork, booking and follow-up into a single fee, and for most people the time and certainty are worth it.

The bigger picture

The headline is not the government fee, it is the value once residency is permanent: a light tax profile, and no requirement to live in the country full time. Few places offer that combination at official fees this low, which is part of why Paraguay residency has become widely discussed. See our step-by-step guide for how the temporary-to-permanent path actually works.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to get residency in Paraguay?
The official DNM fee for temporary residency is Gs. 2,926,925, plus a Gs. 234,154 registration certificate. The later change to permanent residency carries the same Gs. 2,926,925 fee. On top of that, budget for document legalization, translations, and a specialist's fee if you use one. Verified against DNM published rates, 2026-09-05.
Is Paraguay residency worth the cost?
For most people yes: it is achievable in two documented stages, does not require full-time residence, and pairs with a light territorial tax system. Compared with investment visas costing tens of thousands elsewhere, Paraguay's official fees are modest, even once you add documents and agent costs.