How To Get A Second Citizenship In Paraguay

Located in the heart of South America, Paraguay is an enticing expat destination due to its geographical appeal and economic advantages. This landlocked country bordering Brazil, Argentina, and Bolivia has two official languages, Spanish and Guarani. It boasts greenery, rivers and a subtropical climate that adds to its agricultural and farming sectors. 

As an agricultural country, Paraguay presents a scenic countryside and a low cost of living, making it an excellent place to seek affordability and quality of life. With value-added, corporate and income taxes at a flat rate of 10%, Paraguay is a tax-friendly environment. Additionally, the tax system is territorial, so foreign-earned income is tax-free. 

All these benefits are paired with Paraguay’s passport strength, opening doors to 71% of the world, according to the Passport Index. It grants access to the Schengen Area, the UK and even Russia. 

In today’s article, we’re breaking down the steps to acquiring the Paraguayan passport, including all the available pathways. Let’s begin. 

National Pantheon of the Heroes in Asuncion, Paraguay

UNDERSTANDING PARAGUAYAN CITIZENSHIP LAWS

To correctly understand Paraguayan citizenship laws, we need to look at the Constitution, which offers clear rules as to how one can become a Paraguayan citizen. 

BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP AND CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT

According to Article 146 of the Constitution of Paraguay, an individual is automatically a citizen of Paraguay if they meet one of the following requirements:

• People born within the territory of the Republic (‘jus soli’ or birthright citizenship);

• Children of a Paraguayan mother or father born abroad while one or both parents are in the service of the Republic (‘jus sanguinis’ or ’citizenship by descent);

• Children of a Paraguayan mother or father born abroad provided that they establish permanent residence in the Republic (‘jus sanguinis’ or ’citizenship by descent);

• Infants with unknown parents found within the territory of the Republic (‘jus soli’ or birthright citizenship). 

Therefore, whether an individual is born in Paraguay, has Paraguayan parents or even unknown roots, the Paraguayan constitution automatically grants citizenship rights. Note that the formalization of the right established in section 3 will be carried out through a simple declaration by the interested party, provided they are over eighteen years old. If they have yet to reach this age, the declaration of their legal representative will be valid until that age, subject to confirmation by the interested party.

Former Train Station in Asuncion, Paraguay

CITIZENSHIP BY NATURALIZATION

Those who weren’t born into this country don’t need to throw in the towel, as there’s a second route to citizenship: naturalization. In this regard, article 148 of the Constitution is clear as to the requisites one needs to meet:

• Being at least 18 years old; 

• Minimum residency of three years within national territory;

• Practice within the country of any profession, trade, science, art, or industry; and

• Good conduct, as defined by the law.

NATURALIZATION LETTER

Now, to effectively get citizenship by naturalization, you need a Naturalization Letter (Carta de Naturalización). Here are the requirements:

• Be of legal age (at least 18 years old);

• Curriculum Vitae (Specify a preferable landline phone number);

• Passport original or another document used for entry into the country (If not from a Mercosur member country);

• Authenticated photocopy of the above-mentioned document;

• Legalized translation of the above-mentioned document by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (if not in Spanish);

• Birth certificate duly legalized (authenticated copy);

• Certificate of Good Conduct or Criminal Record from the country of origin (authenticated copy);

• Immigrant Card / Permanent Admission;

• Residency Certificate with the entry date into the country; once permanent residency is obtained, wait for 3 (three) years to apply for a Naturalization Letter, under Article 148 Paragraph 2 of the National Constitution of Paraguay and in harmony with Article 41;

• Life and Residence Certificate;

• Police Clearance Certificate;

• Police Clearance Certificate for foreigners;

• Criminal Record Certificate;

• Identity Card (authenticated copy);

• Work Certificate on company letterhead, Commercial Patent, Taxpayer Registry (R.U.C.) identification if it is a legal entity and Social Statutes;

• If there are registered properties, include an authenticated testimonial;

• Application under the sponsorship of a lawyer;

• Judicial Fee;

• Sign an affidavit issued by the Supreme Court of Justice.

Observations:

• All documents not in Spanish must be translated by a registered translator, and the translation must be legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

• If they are not original documents, they must be authenticated copies;

• The interested person must personally submit the Naturalization application for the signing of the affidavit;

• Approach the Judicial Revenue Taxpayer Service office of your Judicial Jurisdiction (2nd Floor North Tower of the Palace of Justice in Asunción) or visit the website http://www.pj.gov.py/ingresos to make the payment. With the printed payment, go to authorized payment points or banks to pay the judicial fee;

• The amount to be paid is Gs. 41,236.

Entities authorized for payment: Itaú, Visión, Continental, Regional, Sudameris, Nacional de Fomento, Itapúa, Red Pago Express, and Red Practipago banks.

Payments through bank windows or payment points have a bank commission of up to Gs. 4,400 (around $0.60 USD), including VAT. Payments through Home Banking are free of charge.

SHOW YOUR KNOWLEDGE

According to article 46 of Law No. 464 of June 26th, 2007, to be granted naturalization, applicants will undergo an examination to assess their fundamental understanding of one of the official languages of the Republic, along with knowledge of its history, geography, and constitutional regulations regarding the loss of nationality.

The Parana River at the Border of Paraguay and Brazil

DOES PARAGUAY ALLOW DUAL CITIZENSHIP?

Yes, according to Article 149 of the Constitution, dual citizenship may be accepted through an international treaty based on constitutional reciprocity between the states of the individual's natural origin and the adopted state. However, to this day, the only country with which Paraguay has reciprocity is Spain. Depending on your case, it might be interesting to get this passport or just a residency. 

CONCLUSION

Article 152 of the Constitution summarizes who is considered Paraguayan:

• Any person of natural Paraguayan nationality from the age of eighteen and
• Any person of Paraguayan nationality by naturalization after two years of obtaining it.

If you wish to obtain this passport, it's important to consider that you may lose Paraguayan citizenship if you are absent from the country for more than three years without justification or if you acquire the nationality of a country other than Spain.