Most content about Paraguay residency online is recycled from the same handful of blog posts, half of which still reference the old Ley 978/96 that was repealed in October 2022. That law is dead. It has been replaced entirely by Ley 6984/2022, and the residency framework looks different now.
This guide is built from official government sources and breaks down every residency category currently available, including the jubilado (retiree/pensioner) pathway that most consultants either oversimplify or get wrong.
If you are a retiree, a digital nomad, an investor, or simply someone looking for a practical Plan B, this is the only guide you need.
How Paraguay's Residency System Works Under Ley 6984/2022
The current law establishes three main residency categories, plus special pathways for specific situations. Understanding the structure first will save you from confusion later.
The three categories are Residencia Espontanea u Ocasional (short-term), Residencia Temporal (the standard 2-year pathway), and Residencia Permanente (indefinite stay). There are also special routes for MERCOSUR nationals, foreign investors through SUACE, and family members of Paraguayan citizens.
The single biggest change from the old law: Under Ley 978/96, you could go directly to permanent residency. Under the current law, most people must first obtain temporary residency for two years before becoming eligible for permanent status. There are only three exceptions - SUACE investors, immediate family members of Paraguayan citizens (under Ley 2193/2003), and family members of repatriated Paraguayan nationals (under Ley 6984/2022, Art. 48).
Category 1: Residencia Espontanea u Ocasional (Short-Term)
This is Paraguay's newest residency category, introduced specifically by Ley 6984/2022. It did not exist under the old law.
What it is A short-term authorization for foreigners entering Paraguay to carry out specific, lawful occasional activities.
Duration Up to 90 days, extendable once for another 90 days within the same year.
Who it's for The government lists specific qualifying activities - performers in public shows, guests invited by public or private entities for their professional expertise, interns, professionals, academics, technicians, researchers, scientists, journalists, athletes, business executives, directors, managers, and administrative personnel transferred from abroad to fill specific roles.
Key limitation This is not a stepping stone. It does not count as a prerequisite for Temporary Residency. Think of it as a legal work authorization for short engagements.
Who this is NOT for: Retirees, digital nomads, or anyone looking to establish long-term residency. This is purely a short-term activity permit.
Category 2: Residencia Temporal (The Standard Pathway)
This is the main pathway that the vast majority of foreigners use, including retirees and pensioners.
What it is The authorization granted by Paraguay's immigration authority for foreigners who enter the country intending to settle and carry out any lawful activity.
Duration Up to 2 years, extendable for an additional 2-year period. Temporary residency is a mandatory prerequisite for permanent residency (with limited exceptions noted below).
Key benefits under the new law:
First, you receive "precario" (precarious resident) status while your application is processing. This is important - it allows you to enter and exit the country, work, and study during the processing period. You are not stuck waiting in limbo.
Second, temporary residents now receive a Cedula de Identidad Paraguaya (national ID card). Under the old law, only permanent residents could get one. This was a major change because the cedula is essential for banking, contracts, property transactions, and accessing public services.
Required documents (the government's own list):
The core documents are consistent across all applicant profiles:
The additional solvency documentation depends on your declared profession or activity, which brings us to the jubilado category.
The Jubilado/Pensionado (Retiree) Pathway - What the Government Actually Says
This is where most online content gets it wrong. Paraguay does not have a separate, standalone "retiree visa" the way Panama has its Pensionado program. Instead, the jubilado (retiree/pensioner) designation is a subcategory within the Residencia Temporal framework.
How it works in practice: You apply for Residencia Temporal and declare your profession as "Jubilado" (retiree). The key additional document you must provide is your pension, retirement, or annuity certificate issued by the relevant authority in your home country, properly apostilled or legalized. This document must clearly state the amount you receive.
Income requirement The government requires proof of monthly income equivalent to approximately 100 minimum wages. At current rates, this works out to roughly $1,300 USD per month. This must come from external sources - your pension, Social Security, government retirement benefits, private retirement accounts, or annuity payments.
The critical distinction most consultants miss Under the original Ley 978/96, Article 19 explicitly defined jubilados and pensionados as foreigners who could demonstrate regular, permanent income from external sources sufficient to live in the country without becoming a social burden. The law also stated they could not engage in paid employment unless specifically authorized by the migration authority. The current framework under Ley 6984/2022 maintains the jubilado as an occupational subcategory within temporary residency, with the same solvency demonstration requirement.
What this means for you If you have a pension, Social Security, military retirement, or similar regular income of at least $1,300/month, you qualify. You apply under the standard Temporary Residency process, declare your profession as Jubilado, and submit your apostilled pension documentation as your proof of solvency. After 2 years of temporary residency, you convert to permanent.
When converting from temporary to permanent residency as a jubilado You must present your pension, retirement, or annuity certificate as your economic solvency proof - the same document, updated and re-apostilled.
Category 3: Residencia Permanente (Indefinite Stay)
What it is Authorization to reside indefinitely in Paraguay.
How to get it For most people, you must first complete your 2-year temporary residency period, then apply for the category change within specific windows. The government defines three scenarios:
| Window | Timing | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Ideal | 3 months before expiry | Clean conversion, no penalties |
| Late (with fine) | Up to 1 month after expiry | Conversion allowed + Gs. 669,012 (~$95) fine |
| Extension only | 1-6 months after expiry | No conversion - extension only + fine |
| Expired | 6+ months after expiry | Residency status lost |
Duration of the card The permanent residence card is now valid for 10 years (it must be renewed at that point, but your status remains permanent). Under the old law, permanent meant no renewal ever - and if you obtained permanent residency under the old Ley 978/96, you are grandfathered in and do not need to renew.
Key requirement for the conversion You must demonstrate that you did not leave Paraguay for continuous periods exceeding one year during your two years of temporary residency. The immigration authority will pull your entry/exit records to verify this.
You also need four separate criminal/background certificates obtained in Paraguay:
Solvency proof by profession type at the permanent conversion stage:
The government breaks this down by declared occupation:
| Profession | Required Documentation |
|---|---|
| Comerciantes (Merchants) | Tax registration and compliance certificates |
| Empresarios (Business Owners) | Corporate documentation showing shareholder participation |
| Agricultores/Ganaderos (Farmers) | Property titles and proof of production or sales |
| Religiosos (Religious Workers) | Congregation registration with Ministry of Education |
| Jubilados (Retirees) | Updated pension/retirement certificate, apostilled |
| Dependientes (Dependents) | Proof of spousal or familial support |
| Estudiantes (Students) | Enrollment certificates |
Category 4: Residencia Permanente por SUACE (Investor Fast-Track)
This is one of only two pathways that skip the 2-year temporary requirement entirely.
What it is A special permanent residency process for foreign investors who register through SUACE - the Sistema Unificado de Apertura y Cierre de Empresas (Unified System for Business Opening and Closing). SUACE is a government one-stop-shop that handles business formation across multiple agencies simultaneously.
Key document The first and most critical requirement is the Constancia o Certificado de Inversionista issued by the Viceministerio de Industria y Comercio confirming the applicant is registered under the SUACE regime. This is not something you obtain from Migraciones - it comes from the Commerce Ministry, and getting it requires demonstrating a legitimate investment project.
Investment requirement A minimum of $70,000 USD in a verifiable investment in Paraguay. This is not a bank deposit that sits dormant - it must be a legitimate business investment processed through the SUACE system.
Important note on copies: SUACE applications require original plus TWO authenticated copies of most documents (not one copy like other residency categories). This is a detail that trips people up at the window.
Duration of the card Permanent (definitive), with the card renewed every 10 years.
Processing time Typically 45 to 90 days, compared to 2+ years for the standard pathway.
Key advantage Direct permanent residency. No temporary phase. No 2-year wait. You go straight to permanent status with full access to the Cedula de Identidad Paraguaya.
Key risk: The government has signaled increased scrutiny of SUACE applications. The investment must be consistent between what you declare, what you fund, and what you actually build. Any mismatch between the declared project and reality can cause delays or rejection.
Who this is for People with $70,000+ to invest who want permanent residency quickly and are prepared to establish a real business presence. This is not a passive deposit program.
Category 5: Residencia Temporaria y Permanente MERCOSUR
What it is A separate residency track specifically for citizens of MERCOSUR member and associated states.
Eligible nationalities Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador.
How it differs MERCOSUR nationals follow a slightly different process with different documentation requirements. Temporary MERCOSUR residency is granted for 2 years (not extendable under the MERCOSUR framework). To convert to permanent, you must apply within 90 days before your temporary card expires - if you miss this deadline, you lose the MERCOSUR pathway entirely and must restart under the standard Ley 6984/2022 process.
Important note for MERCOSUR temporary residents: Under the MERCOSUR framework, temporary residents do not receive the Cedula de Identidad Paraguaya. They must first obtain permanent MERCOSUR residency to access the cedula.
Category 6: Residencia Permanente for Family of Paraguayan Nationals
There are actually two distinct pathways here that the government lists separately. Both skip the 2-year temporary requirement.
Pathway A - Hijos y Conyuges de Paraguayos (Ley 2193/2003)
This is for foreign children and spouses of Paraguayan citizens. It is governed by its own law, separate from Ley 6984/2022. The process works differently from every other pathway.
The procedure has three mandatory steps, done in this specific order:
Critical detail: Once you receive your cedula, you have a maximum of 90 days to begin the permanent residency application at Migraciones. Miss this window and you face sanctions.
The repatriation certificate also provides fee exemptions - spouses who married abroad and foreign children of Paraguayan parents are exempt from residency processing fees. However, spouses who married inside Paraguay must pay the standard fees.
Pathway B - Familiares Extranjeros de Connacionales Repatriados (Ley 6984/2022, Art. 48)
This is specifically for family members of repatriated Paraguayan nationals. Eligible beneficiaries include the spouse, children, and grandchildren (under 18) of the repatriated Paraguayan, as well as the spouse of a child of the repatriated national.
This pathway also provides direct permanent residency without temporary status, and the repatriation certificate exempts them from residency fees.
Why these matter: Both pathways represent a fast lane to permanent residency for anyone with a Paraguayan family connection. No 2-year wait. No investment requirement. Direct permanent status.
The Path to Citizenship
Paraguay allows dual citizenship - unlike Panama, which requires you to renounce your original nationality.
After holding permanent residency for 3 years, you become eligible to apply for Paraguayan citizenship. However, during those 3 years, you must demonstrate significant physical presence - approximately 183 days per year. This is a much higher bar than the residency maintenance requirement.
A Paraguayan passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 140 countries, including the entire European Union and United Kingdom, and full freedom of movement across MERCOSUR nations.
Maintaining Your Residency
Permanent residents must visit Paraguay at least once every 3 years to maintain their status. Temporary residents cannot be absent for continuous periods exceeding 1 year.
This is one of Paraguay's most attractive features for Plan B holders. You do not need to live there full-time. You need one trip every three years.
What Makes Paraguay's Framework Unique for Retirees
Compared to more famous retirement visa programs, Paraguay's approach has distinct advantages and limitations worth understanding.
The territorial tax system means your pension, Social Security, investment income, and any other foreign-sourced income is not taxed by Paraguay. Period. This is not a special exemption or a program that might expire - it is the fundamental structure of the Paraguayan tax code.
The income threshold of approximately $1,300/month is among the lowest in the hemisphere for a comparable residency program. Many retirees with modest pensions qualify easily.
The 3-year maintenance visit requirement is exceptionally flexible. Most comparable programs require visits every 6 months or annually.
The trade-off is infrastructure. Paraguay's banking system is developing but limited compared to Panama's international banking hub. Healthcare exists in both public and private forms, but most expats use private facilities exclusively. And the overall level of international polish and English-language services is lower than what you would find in Panama or Costa Rica.
Frequently Made Mistakes
Applying under the old law's framework. If anyone tells you that you can go directly to permanent residency with a $5,000-$6,000 bank deposit, they are referencing Ley 978/96, which was repealed in October 2022. This pathway no longer exists.
Confusing SUACE with a bank deposit. The $70,000 SUACE investment is not money sitting in a bank account. It is a business investment that must be verified and maintained through the SUACE system.
Missing the conversion window. You have a 4-month window (3 months before to 1 month after expiration) to convert from temporary to permanent. Outside that window, you cannot convert - you must extend or restart.
Assuming a university degree is required. This was an old requirement that no longer applies under the current law.
Not apostilling documents. Paraguay joined the Hague Convention in 2014. All foreign documents must be apostilled (for Hague member countries) or legalized through the Paraguayan consulate (for non-Hague countries). Documents in languages other than Spanish must be translated by a licensed public translator in Paraguay or by a translator whose work has been apostilled.
Ready to Start?
Paraguay's residency framework is straightforward if you understand it correctly from the start. The jubilado pathway through temporary residency is one of the most accessible and affordable options available for retirees, and the territorial tax system makes it one of the most financially attractive.
The key is getting your documents right the first time and working with someone who understands the current law - not the one that was repealed three years ago.
Ready to explore whether Paraguay residency fits your goals? A free 30-minute consultation focuses on your specific situation - not sales pitches. Book Your Free Consultation
*Last updated: February 2026. This is not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Consult licensed professionals for your specific situation.*
