Emigrating to Paraguay & Buying Property
Residency, cost of living, legally secure property purchase – the complete guide for emigrants. From 25+ years of on-the-ground experience, all on one page.
Last updated: 07.07.2026
2 years
temporary residency, then permanent (Ley 6984/2022)
10/10/10
income, corporate & value-added tax – foreign income tax-free
€1,200–1,800
monthly cost of living for a couple in the interior
from $60,000
solid houses with land in the interior
Step 1
How do I obtain residency in Paraguay?
Paraguay has one of the simplest immigration procedures in South America. Since migration law Ley 6984/2022 it works in two stages: first you receive temporary residency (2 years) – with no minimum investment and no income threshold –, then permanent residency and with it the Cédula, the Paraguayan ID that opens bank account and daily life.
- ✓Documents: passport, apostilled criminal record, birth certificate, health certificate – manageable compared with Uruguay or Argentina.
- ✓Presence: you travel to Asunción to file the application; permanent presence is not a condition of the temporary stage.
- ✓Taxes: as a resident the territorial principle applies – foreign pensions and investment income remain tax-free in Paraguay.
Step 2
What does life in Paraguay really cost?
Paraguay is one of the most affordable countries in South America: a couple lives comfortably in the interior – for example in Villarrica or Colonia Independencia – on the equivalent of 1,200 to 1,800 euros a month, rent included. Living in your own house costs considerably less: electricity (ANDE) and water are a fraction of European prices, and the annual property tax for a typical house is the equivalent of 100–300 US dollars.
- ✓Daily life: groceries, restaurants, tradesmen – usually 40–60% below German level; imported goods excepted.
- ✓Infrastructure: fibre internet is available in the interior too; electricity is cheap and renewable thanks to Itaipú hydropower.
- ✓Bank account: straightforward with a Cédula; until then cooperatives or your European card bridge the gap.
Step 3
How do I buy property with legal certainty?
As a foreigner you enjoy almost unrestricted property rights in Paraguay – residency is not required for buying, and with a notarised power of attorney (Poder) the purchase even works entirely from abroad. What matters is the order:
- 1Title check (Estudio de Títulos): our lawyers verify the title at the Registro de Inmuebles, the Catastro and the Municipalidad – before any signature.
- 2Notarial closing (Escritura Pública): the Escribano notarises the purchase; payment strictly step by step – never in advance.
- 3Registration: only with the entry in the Registros Públicos do you become the owner. Total transaction costs: typically 3–5% of the purchase price.
Current properties for your start
Casa Quinta with Large Garden in Caacupé – Steps from the Town Centre
Caacupé
780.000.000 Gs
6.4 ha Working Farm near Eusebio Ayala (Cordillera) – 2 Houses, Stables, Orchard & Pastures
Barrero / Potrero El Carmen
850.000.000 Gs
Modern 3-Bedroom Residence in a Prime Location in Villarrica
Villarrica
1.700.000.000 Gs
The most frequent questions
Can I buy property in Paraguay without restrictions as a foreigner? expand_more
Yes. Foreigners have almost the same property rights as locals in Paraguay – residency is not required for the purchase. The main exception concerns rural land within the 50-km strip along the national borders, where special rules apply.
What comes first: residency or property? expand_more
Both are independent of each other. Many clients buy first (even by power of attorney from abroad) and apply for residency when they move; others secure residency first. For a bank account and daily life the residency with Cédula is the key – for buying property it is not.
How safe is buying property in Paraguay? expand_more
With an independent title check (Estudio de Títulos) at the Registro de Inmuebles, the Catastro and the Municipalidad, the purchase is very safe. The only risks are unverified titles and advance payments without notarial security – both can be avoided entirely.
Is my pension enough to live in Paraguay? expand_more
In most cases yes: a couple lives comfortably in the interior on the equivalent of 1,200–1,800 euros a month. A European pension is transferred to Paraguay and remains tax-free there thanks to territorial taxation; whether tax liability remains at home depends on the individual case.
More answers: Consulting & FAQ · How safe is Paraguay? · Property tax & running costs
Das sagen unsere Kunden
Wir wollten eine funktionierende Rinder-Estancia, kein Abenteuer mit ungewissem Ausgang. Carsten Rickel kannte die Region, die realistischen Preise und vor allem die Fallstricke. Eigentumsverhältnisse und Grundbucheintrag wurden vor dem Kauf sauber geprüft – das war uns als Auswanderern das Wichtigste. Heute bewirtschaften wir unsere Estancia und fühlen uns von Anfang an gut aufgehoben.
Procurava terra agrícola produtiva no Paraguai e encontrei um atendimento sério e transparente. Carsten Rickel e Estela conhece o mercado, me mostrou opções realistas e cuidou de toda a verificação da documentação e do título da propriedade. Negócio fechado com segurança e sem surpresas. Recomendo!
Nach Jahren des Überlegens haben wir den Schritt gewagt und sind nach Paraguay ausgewandert. Estela und Carsten haben uns geholfen, in San Bernardino das passende Haus zu finden – und uns auch nach dem Kauf nicht alleingelassen: von der Ummeldung über Handwerker bis zu den ersten Behördengängen. Diese Unterstützung war Gold wert.
Ready for the next step?
Since 1998 we have guided emigrants from the first question to the handover of keys – residency, property search, title check and notarial closing from a single source.