Americas · Spanish, Guaraní · updated 2026-10
Moving to Paraguay: visas, cost of living & citizenship
A single person needs about $950 a month to live in Asunción, and a family of four about $2,150, including rent. Paraguay usually lets you apply for permanent residence after 2 yrs, with citizenship after 3 yrs, and dual citizenship is limited. You can move here without a job offer through the Temporary residence.
- Main city
- Asunción
- Language
- Spanish, Guaraní
- Permanent residence
- 2 yrs
- Citizenship
- 3 yrs
- Dual citizenship
- Limited
- Digital nomad visa
- No
Cost of living in Paraguay, per month in US$
Safety
Political stability & governance
Worldwide Governance Indicators, World Bank. Fragile overall (35/100).
Family-friendliness
Visa & residence routes
Who gets easier access to Paraguay
The Mercosur Residence Agreement gives 2 years of residence with work rights, then permanent residence. No job offer needed.
Argentina
Bolivia
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Peru
Uruguay
Visiting: 68 passports can visit visa-free, 0 with an electronic travel authorisation, 2 get a visa on arrival, 0 can apply for an eVisa and 128 need a visa in advance (Passport Index dataset).
Road to permanent residence & citizenship
Paraguay granted 29,765 residencies in the first half of 2026, up 81%, before tightening the permanent step.
Last checked 2026-10. Official source: www.migraciones.gov.py
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to live in Paraguay?
About $950 a month for one person and $2,150 for a family of four in Asunción, including rent. A city-centre 1-bedroom flat costs around $400 a month and a 3-bedroom around $750. Prices are 38% of US levels. Paraguay is the 4th cheapest of the 76 countries in the index.
Is Paraguay safe to live in?
Paraguay scores 38/100 for safety (take care), ranking 62nd of 76. The homicide rate is 6.78 per 100,000 people (US 5.8, UK 1.0, Japan 0.2).
Is Paraguay politically stable?
Paraguay scores 35/100 for stability (fragile), ranking 68th of 76, based on the World Bank's indicators for political stability, rule of law, control of corruption and government effectiveness.
Is Paraguay good for families?
Paraguay scores 34/100 for family-friendliness (fair), ranking 67th of 76. Life expectancy is 74 years and under-5 mortality is 16.3 per 1,000 births.
How long does it take to get permanent residence in Paraguay?
Usually 2 yrs of legal residence.
How long until I can become a citizen of Paraguay?
Usually 3 yrs of residence. Dual citizenship: limited.
Can I move to Paraguay without a job offer?
Yes. Temporary residence: Light requirements to start; since July 2026 converting to permanent needs proof of genuine income (12 solvency categories, including remote work).
Who can live and work in Paraguay without a visa?
The Mercosur Residence Agreement gives 2 years of residence with work rights, then permanent residence. No job offer needed. (Mercosur Residence Agreement: Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru.)
Similar countries in Americas
- Colombia$1,050/mo · safety 8 · PR 5 yrs
- Ecuador$1,150/mo · safety 8 · PR 2 yrs
- Brazil$1,200/mo · safety 17 · PR 4 yrs
Dominican Republic$1,250/mo · safety 35 · PR Day 1- Chile$1,300/mo · safety 39 · PR 2 yrs
- Peru$1,300/mo · safety 28 · PR 3 yrs
See also: cheapest countries to live · safest countries · most stable countries · best countries for families · where citizens of Paraguay can move