Paraguay Citizenship: 3-Year Path to a Second Passport

Standard path: 5-6 years total (2 years temporary + 3 years permanent + processing). Investor path: 3.5-4 years total ($70K investment for immediate permanent residency + 3 years + processing).

The Constitution (Article 149) allows multiple nationalities only through a reciprocity treaty, and Paraguay has them with Spain and Italy. Without a treaty, the constitutional text says taking another nationality can trigger loss or suspension of citizenship. In practice, naturalized citizens who keep a non-treaty passport have not reported losing Paraguayan nationality, but no court decision or official policy confirms this, so it is best understood as an unsettled gap rather than a guarantee. Your home country's laws also determine whether you can retain both passports; consult qualified legal advice about your situation.

Applicants take a single naturalization exam set by the Supreme Court (Acordada 464/07) that covers elementary knowledge of one of Paraguay's two official languages, Spanish or Guarani (your choice), plus Paraguayan history, geography, and civics. The Acordada sets only an elementary standard and defines no CEFR level, so any A1-A2 figure is an unofficial estimate. Most applicants choose Spanish because it has more learning resources.

The Paraguay passport ranks ~29th globally (Henley Passport Index 2026) with visa-free access to 145 destinations, including all EU Schengen countries, UK, Japan, and Singapore. The major advantage is full Mercosur rights-unlimited ability to live and work in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay.

In practice, most naturalized citizens keep their original passport. The Constitution recognizes multiple nationality only through a reciprocity treaty, which Paraguay has with Spain and Italy; outside those, taking another nationality can technically trigger loss, but no court decision or official policy confirms enforcement. Check your home country's rules too, as some countries, like Germany, have strict laws about acquiring foreign citizenship.