Moving to Paraguay from Portugal
Complete guide for Portuguese relocating to Paraguay. 90-day visa-free entry, territorial tax benefits, and everything you need to know.
Why Portuguese Move to Paraguay
Getting to Paraguay from Portugal
Flight Routes
No direct flights - connection required
Connecting Routes
- • Lisbon → São Paulo → Asunción via TAP/LATAM
- • Lisbon → Madrid → Asunción via Iberia/LATAM
- • Porto → Madrid → Asunción via Iberia/LATAM
Flight Time
16-22 hours with connections
Typical Cost
€500-1,000 one-way, €800-1,500 round-trip
Timezone for Remote Work
Moderate - Portuguese business hours 9-18 WET = 5-14 Paraguay time. 4-hour gap is manageable with schedule adjustments.
Document Requirements for Portuguese
Background Check: Certificado de Registo Criminal
Agency: Direção-Geral da Administração da Justiça (DGAJ)
Cost: €5 online + apostille €10-15
Processing Time: 1-3 days online (immediate for Portuguese residents)
Apostille: Apostilled by the Procuradoria-Geral da República. Portugal is a Hague Convention member. Online requests available via registo criminal.mj.pt.
Complete Document Checklist
Valid Passport
At least 6 months validity remaining
Certificado de Registo Criminal
Apostilled and translated to Spanish
Birth Certificate
Apostilled and translated to Spanish
Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
Apostilled and translated
Health Certificate
Obtained in Paraguay (~$50)
Proof of Address in Paraguay
Rental contract or letter from host
See our complete Paraguay residency guide for detailed requirements, or learn about temporary residency options. Need help? Check our immigration lawyer cost guide.
Tax Implications for Portuguese
Key Tax Points for Portuguese
- Portugal uses residence-based taxation with IRS rates up to 48%
- Additional solidarity surcharge (2.5-5%) on high incomes
- NHR (Non-Habitual Resident) regime ended for new applicants in 2024
- IFICI (Incentivo Fiscal à Investigação Científica e Inovação) replaced NHR with stricter rules
- Must cancel Portuguese fiscal residency at Finanças
- Paraguay 0% foreign income tax = alternative to Portugal's post-NHR tax burden
- Portuguese pension rights (Segurança Social) remain valid based on contributions
Learn more about Paraguay's territorial tax system and use our tax savings calculator to estimate your benefits. Paraguay is one of the top territorial tax countries for expats.
Cost Savings: Portugal vs Paraguay
Rent Savings
70-80% cheaper than Lisbon
Compared to major cities in Portugal
Overall Cost of Living
55-65% lower cost of living
Lower than Portugal
Specific Examples
- →Lisbon rent €1,200 → Asunción €300 (75% savings)
- →Portuguese SNS + private → Paraguay private insurance $100-150/mo
- →Lisbon restaurant €18 → Asunción €7 (61% savings)
Portuguese Expat Community in Paraguay
Community Size
100-300 Portuguese citizens in Paraguay
Small but growing Portuguese community. Strong advantage: Portuguese is close to Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese is widely understood in Paraguay due to border proximity. Portuguese expats integrate faster than most Europeans.
Where Portuguese Live
- Asunción
Community Resources
- Facebook: "Portugueses na América do Sul"
- Facebook: "Expats in Paraguay"
- Portuguese Embassy/Consulate representation through Brazil (no dedicated embassy in Paraguay)
Challenges for Portuguese
- Long travel distance (16+ hours)
- Timezone difference for European clients
- Smaller Portuguese community than in Brazil
- Healthcare quality gap compared to SNS
- Miss Portuguese coastal lifestyle and food
- Infrastructure differences
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Portuguese citizens need a visa for Paraguay?
No, Portuguese citizens can enter Paraguay visa-free for 90 days. To stay longer, apply for temporary residency while in Paraguay. The process takes 3-6 months. Your Portuguese language skills are a major advantage — Portuguese and Spanish are mutually intelligible.
Is there a Portuguese embassy in Paraguay?
Portugal does not have a dedicated embassy in Paraguay. Portuguese citizens are served by the Portuguese Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and may receive some consular support through Brazil's Embassy in Asunción due to linguistic ties. Register with the Portuguese consular network for emergency assistance.
Why are Portuguese expats choosing Paraguay over staying in Portugal after NHR ended?
Portugal's NHR (Non-Habitual Resident) tax regime, which offered 20% flat tax on Portuguese-source income and exemptions on foreign income, ended for new applicants in 2024. The replacement IFICI regime has stricter eligibility. Paraguay offers 0% tax on all foreign income with no special regime needed — it's the standard tax system for everyone.
Do Portuguese speakers have an advantage in Paraguay?
Absolutely. Portuguese and Spanish are approximately 89% lexically similar. Portuguese speakers typically understand spoken Spanish within weeks and achieve conversational fluency within months. Paraguay also borders Brazil, so Brazilian Portuguese is widely heard in eastern Paraguay. You'll integrate much faster than English-only speakers.
What about my Portuguese Social Security (Segurança Social)?
Your Segurança Social contributions remain valid. Pension rights are based on your contribution history and will be paid regardless of where you live. Portugal has bilateral social security agreements with several countries. Contact Segurança Social Direta before leaving to understand your specific entitlements.
Calculate Your Residency Costs
Get a personalized estimate for Portuguese residency.
Moving from Other Countries
Essential Paraguay Guides
Ready to Make the Move?
Get our complete Asunción settlement guides and start your journey from Portugal to Paraguay.