Quick Answer
The Official Rule: Article 149
Constitution Article 149: Dual Nationality
"Dual or multiple nationality may be admitted by international treaty or by reciprocity of constitutional rank among the States."
In plain language: Paraguay only officially recognizes dual citizenship if there's a bilateral treaty with your home country. Currently, only Spain has such a treaty.
Countries WITH Treaties
- 🇪🇸 Spain - Confirmed treaty in force
- 🇮🇹 Italy - Sometimes cited, status unclear
Note: In practice, Paraguay has formal agreements only with Italy and Spain. For other countries, dual citizenship is commonly retained in practice as Paraguay does not have a systematic mechanism for verifying whether citizens hold other nationalities.
Countries WITHOUT Treaties
USA, UK, Germany, Australia, Canada, France, and all other countries do not have reciprocity treaties with Paraguay.
The Practical Reality: "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
While the law requires renunciation, Paraguay doesn't actually enforce it. Here's what the law says versus what actually happens:
| Legal Requirement | What Actually Happens |
|---|---|
| Renounce previous citizenship in oath | Verbal declaration only—not verified |
| Only Spain/Italy have reciprocity | No active verification of nationality |
| Should surrender old passport | Not demanded or collected |
| Other country should be notified | Paraguay doesn't notify anyone |
What Practitioners Say
- "Paraguay does not currently require applicants to renounce their existing citizenship when acquiring Paraguayan nationality."
- "Paraguay operates with a 'don't ask, don't tell' approach to dual citizenship."
- "No active enforcement measures or regulations in place."
What Happens at the Oath Ceremony
What You Do
- 1Appear before a judge at the Supreme Court
- 2Recite the citizenship oath in Spanish
- 3Verbally renounce previous citizenship
- 4Receive naturalization certificate
- 5Apply for Paraguayan passport
What Paraguay Does NOT Do
- Demand proof of renunciation
- Contact your home country
- Confiscate your old passport
- Verify you've followed through
- Maintain any enforcement mechanism
Guidance by Country
What matters most is your home country's rules, not Paraguay's. Here's guidance for common nationalities:
Important: Country snapshots are high-level guidance and can change. They are not legal advice. Always verify current law with qualified counsel in your home country before naturalizing. Your home-country citizenship law controls whether acquiring Paraguayan nationality affects your original citizenship.
United States
SafeUS allows dual citizenship. Verbal oath has no US effect.
Verify current US law. Process observations suggest dual citizenship is generally retained, but legal outcomes depend on your specific situation.
United Kingdom
SafeUK allows dual citizenship by default.
Verify current UK law. Process observations suggest dual citizenship is generally retained, but legal outcomes depend on your specific situation.
Canada
SafeCanada allows dual citizenship.
Verify current Canadian law. Process observations suggest dual citizenship is generally retained, but legal outcomes depend on your specific situation.
Australia
SafeAustralia allows dual citizenship since 2002.
Verify current Australian law. Process observations suggest dual citizenship is generally retained, but legal outcomes depend on your specific situation.
France
SafeFrance generally allows dual citizenship.
Verify current French law. Process observations suggest dual citizenship is generally retained, but legal outcomes depend on your specific situation.
Spain
TreatyHas reciprocity treaty with Paraguay.
Dual citizenship officially recognized under treaty. Verify current implementation.
Italy
TreatyOften cited as having reciprocity, formal status less documented than Spain. In practice, dual citizenship widely retained.
Verify current implementation with legal counsel.
Germany
Check RulesMay lose German citizenship!
Apply for Beibehaltungsgenehmigung BEFORE naturalizing. Strict rules apply.
Austria
Check RulesStrict rules on dual citizenship.
Consult Austrian law before proceeding. Retention generally requires special permission.
Japan
Check RulesDoes not allow dual citizenship.
Japan requires choosing one citizenship at age 22. Acquiring another citizenship before then may require special declaration.
China
Check RulesDoes not recognize dual citizenship.
Acquiring foreign citizenship typically results in automatic loss of Chinese nationality. Verify current law.
Special Warning: German Citizens
Germany has strict rules about acquiring foreign citizenship. If you voluntarily naturalize in another country without permission, you may automatically lose your German citizenship.
What You Should Do:
- 1. Apply for Beibehaltungsgenehmigung (retention permit) BEFORE naturalizing in Paraguay
- 2. This permit allows you to acquire foreign citizenship while keeping German
- 3. Apply at the German embassy or consulate well in advance
- 4. Consult a German immigration lawyer for your specific situation
Risks to Consider
Your Home Country May Object
Some countries have strict rules about dual citizenship. Just because Paraguay doesn't enforce renunciation doesn't mean your home country won't object.
Action: Always check your home country's citizenship laws before naturalizing anywhere.
Laws Could Change
Paraguay's current permissive enforcement could change. A new government or policy shift could tighten rules.
Action: Don't rely solely on the "don't ask, don't tell" approach for long-term planning.
Loss of Paraguayan Citizenship
Under Article 150, naturalized citizens may lose Paraguayan citizenship for:
- ⚠️ "Voluntary acquisition of a foreign citizenship" (ironic given current enforcement)
- ⚠️ "Unjustified absence from the country for more than three years"
Action: Maintain presence in Paraguay and avoid acquiring additional citizenships after naturalization.