Moving to Paraguay
A quiet, affordable, landlocked country in the heart of South America, drawing people with a low cost of living and a territorial tax system. Here is what it costs to move there, how residency and the cedula work, and the routes in.
Who Paraguay suits, honestly.
People move to Paraguay for a simple reason that the country delivers on: it is cheap to live in and easy to settle in by regional standards. A modest income from elsewhere stretches a long way, housing and food are affordable, and the territorial tax system means income earned outside the country is broadly not taxed locally. That combination draws retirees, remote workers, entrepreneurs, and families looking for a calmer, lower cost base in South America.
It suits you if you value affordability and a relaxed pace over big city amenities, and if you are comfortable in a Spanish speaking environment where Guarani, the co official indigenous language, is part of daily life. Asuncion, the capital on the Paraguay river, is the centre of jobs and services, while Ciudad del Este on the Brazilian border and the Mennonite farming colonies in the Chaco offer very different ways of living.
The honest caution is expectations. Paraguay is landlocked and developing, the summers are hot and humid, and some services and infrastructure are basic compared with North America or Europe. It rewards people who come for the lifestyle and cost rather than those expecting a polished, fast paced economy. Visit first if you can.
The routes in, in plain language.
The realistic routes for people moving to Paraguay. Two sentences each, so you can see which fits before you dig into the detail.
Most movers now begin with temporary residency, valid for two years, applied for through the Directorate of Migration with a clean criminal record and supporting documents. It is the gateway to settling and to a permanent status later.
From the twenty first month of temporary residency you can apply to convert to permanent residency, provided you hold an active RUC tax registration and have not been absent too long. Permanent status is issued for ten years and is renewable.
People making a qualifying investment can use the dedicated investment channel, which streamlines residency for those setting up or funding a business in the country, subject to its own conditions.
Spouses, children, and other close relatives of Paraguayan citizens or residents can apply on family grounds, which can simplify and speed the process compared with the standard route.
Bringing your household goods into Paraguay.
Paraguay is landlocked, so the logistics are the defining feature of any overseas move. There is no seaport, so containers typically arrive at Buenos Aires in Argentina or Montevideo in Uruguay and then travel up the Parana and Paraguay rivers by barge to Asuncion, or continue overland by road. This river and road leg is what makes the lane longer and a little more involved than a move to a coastal country.
For people taking up residence, used personal and household effects are commonly granted relief from import duty, subject to a detailed inventory and the conditions set by the national customs authority. The relief is meant for genuine household goods that you have owned and used, so new items, commercial quantities, and goods beyond a reasonable household can attract tax. Customs will assess your shipment against the inventory and your residence documents.
Restricted and controlled items include weapons, certain foods and plant material, and protected species products. Pets need up to date vaccinations and a veterinary health certificate accepted by the Paraguayan animal health authority. Importing a vehicle is possible but tightly regulated and often expensive, so many movers buy locally instead. Because the inland leg crosses a border, work with an agent who handles the river and road clearance regularly.
Documents you will usually need
- +Detailed inventory and valuation
- +Proof of residency or your residency application
- +Passport and entry stamp
- +Proof of your address in Paraguay
- +Bill of lading and river or road transport documents
- +Pet and vehicle paperwork if relevant
Life in Paraguay once the boxes are unpacked.
Affordability is the headline. Rent, food, domestic help, and everyday services cost a fraction of what they do in North America or Western Europe, which is the main reason people come. The flip side is lower wages and a developing economy, so most expatriates live on income earned elsewhere. The currency is the guarani, and you will quickly get used to prices with a lot of zeros.
Healthcare runs on a mix of a public system and a large, affordable private sector. Many residents pay out of pocket or take private insurance and use the well regarded private clinics in Asuncion, where costs are low by international standards. The quality of private care in the capital is good, while rural provision is more basic, so where you settle matters for healthcare access.
The official steps that matter are your residency through the Directorate of Migration, your RUC tax registration with the tax authority, and then your cedula, the national identity card, which you apply for after residency is granted. The cedula is what unlocks day to day life, from a local bank account to a phone contract, so it sits near the top of the list once you are settled.
Day to day, Asuncion is the hub for work, schools, and shopping, with a growing cafe and restaurant scene and a sizeable foreign community. The climate is subtropical, hot and humid in summer and mild in winter, and Spanish is essential while Guarani is woven through everyday speech. Life is slower and more personal than in a big global city, which is exactly the appeal for most who move here.
Your first month checklist
- 01Progress your residency with the Directorate of Migration
- 02Register for your RUC tax number
- 03Apply for your cedula once residency is granted
- 04Open a Paraguayan bank account
- 05Arrange private health cover or a clinic membership
- 06Sort a local phone line and utilities
How to choose a mover for Paraguay.
We never rank or recommend named companies. Instead, here are the neutral criteria that separate a safe international mover from a risky one. Use them on every quote.
FIDI or IAM affiliation
Membership of the FIDI Global Alliance or the International Association of Movers signals audited quality standards and financial vetting. Ask for the membership number and check it.
Real corridor experience
A firm that handles the landlocked route into Paraguay regularly knows the river barge and road clearance through Buenos Aires or Montevideo. Ask how many moves they handled on it last year.
A binding pre move survey
Insist on a video or in home survey and a written volume in cubic metres. A quote without a survey is a guess that grows on moving day.
Clear insurance terms
Read what marine and inland transit cover actually pays, the excess, and whether it is new for old or depreciated. The longer river and road leg makes good cover more important, not less.
Independent reviews
Look for consistent recent reviews that mention claims handling, not just friendly crews. How a company behaves when something breaks is the real test.
Written scope, like for like
Compare quotes on identical scope: packing, materials, insurance, the inland leg, clearance, and destination delivery. Cheapest on paper is rarely cheapest in the end.
Get moving quotes for Paraguay.
One short form goes to vetted international movers who run routes into Paraguay. No obligation, and you choose who to talk to.
The Relocation Brief
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Moving to Paraguay, answered.
How much does it cost to move to Paraguay?
As an indicative range for 2026, a household move to Paraguay typically runs from about 2,500 dollars for a small load from a neighbouring South American country to 13,000 dollars or more for a full home from North America or Europe. Paraguay is landlocked, so the inland leg from the nearest port adds to distance and time. A binding survey gives a real price.
Do I pay duty on household goods when moving to Paraguay?
Paraguay grants relief on used personal and household effects for people taking up residence, subject to a detailed inventory and conditions set by the national customs authority. New items and goods beyond a reasonable household can be taxed. Rules change, so verify the current treatment before you ship.
How long does shipping to Paraguay take?
Plan on roughly four to ten weeks door to door from overseas. Containers usually arrive at Buenos Aires or Montevideo and then travel up the Parana and Paraguay rivers by barge to Asuncion, or onward by road, which is what makes the lane longer than a coastal country.
How do I get residency in Paraguay?
Most movers now apply for temporary residency first, which is valid for two years, and then convert it to permanent residency from the twenty first month, holding an active RUC tax registration. After residency you apply for the cedula, the national identity card. This is a summary and not immigration advice, so confirm the current process with the Directorate of Migration.
Is foreign income taxed in Paraguay?
Paraguay operates a territorial tax system, which broadly means that income earned outside Paraguay is not taxed locally, while Paraguay source income is. The rules have detail and exceptions, so this is general information and not tax advice. Confirm your position with a qualified Paraguayan tax adviser.
Moving to Paraguay from your country.
Start from your origin hub for the cost ranges, customs steps, and shipping norms of leaving that country. Detailed corridor guides into Paraguay are being added, and you can request quotes for your exact route now through the form above.
Western Europe
Northern and Central Europe
Costs are indicative for 2026 and not a quote.
Last reviewed: 22 February 2026. We refresh this guide as costs, customs, and visa rules change.