Good News for Swedish Citizens
The Birth Certificate Question
Paraguay asks residency applicants for an apostilled birth certificate. Most countries issue one — Sweden does not. Sweden keeps all civil-status data (birth, parentage, civil status) centrally in the Population Register (Folkbokföringen), maintained by the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket), rather than issuing individual birth certificates[1].
The equivalent document is the personbevis — a population-registration certificate, formally an "Utdrag om folkbokföringsuppgifter" (extract from the population register) — which shows your date and place of birth. Skatteverket issues personbevis for several purposes, including a version intended specifically for foreign authorities, available in Swedish or English[1].
An apostilled personbevis is accepted in lieu of a birth certificate for Paraguay residency, because both Sweden and Paraguay are parties to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention[3]. The key is to order the correct Skatteverket certificate and then apostille it through the right Swedish authority.
How to Obtain and Apostille a Personbevis
Order the personbevis from Skatteverket
Use Skatteverket's "Beställ personbevis" e-service (BankID login) or visit a Skatteverket service office. For Paraguay, request the version for foreign authorities showing date and place of birth, in English if available. A standard self-printout is not enough for apostille — you need an original Skatteverket-issued certificate[1].
Take it to a Notarius Publicus for the apostille
In Sweden, the Notarius Publicus is the designated Competent Authority for Hague apostilles[4]. Bring the original Skatteverket personbevis (with signature and stamp) to a notary public, who verifies it and affixes the apostille certificate. The HCCH lists the fee as SEK 300-1,000 per document across Swedish notaries (Notarius Publicus Stockholm charges SEK 350), usually with same-day or next-day service[2][4].
Apostille your police clearance too
Paraguay also requires a police clearance (utdrag ur belastningsregistret from Polismyndigheten), issued within the last 6 months and apostilled by a Notarius Publicus. Plan both apostilles together so they stay fresh for your Migraciones appointment[3].
Bring the apostilled documents to Paraguay
Apostilles must be issued in Sweden — Paraguayan authorities cannot apostille Swedish documents. Once your apostilled personbevis and police clearance reach Paraguay, certified Spanish translation is completed there by a court-registered translator, then submitted to Migraciones[3].
Use a Notarius Publicus — Not Skatteverket — for the Apostille
Residency Process Overview for Swedish Citizens
Swedish citizens enter Paraguay visa-free for 90 days — enough time to complete the full residency application in one trip. The standard pathway:
- Prepare documents in Sweden: apostilled personbevis (in lieu of birth certificate) and apostilled police clearance, both fresh (see requirements)
- Enter Paraguay: visa-free as a tourist, then apply for residency from within the country
- Certified translation: completed in Paraguay by a court-registered translator
- Interpol certificate: obtained in Paraguay (Swedish citizens, like other non-MERCOSUR nationals, need this local check)
- Migraciones submission: typically processed in 60-120 days
- No minimum stay: temporary residency has no minimum-presence rule; permanent residency needs roughly one visit every three years (residency overview)
Tax Considerations for Swedish Citizens
Paraguay's Territorial System
Paraguay taxes only Paraguay-source income. Qualifying foreign-source income — including Swedish pensions, investment income, and properly documented foreign business income — can be 0% in Paraguay. Paraguay also has no wealth tax. See how the territorial system works →
Swedish Tax Residency Does Not End Automatically
Important: taking Paraguay residency does not, by itself, end your Swedish tax residency. Sweden applies a facts-and-circumstances test — principally whether you retain an "essential connection" (väsentlig anknytning) to Sweden — not just a day count. Breaking Swedish tax residency properly usually requires de-registering from Sweden, relocating your genuine centre of life, and severing essential connections; consult a Swedish tax advisor before relying on any outcome.
How we help: we connect you with Swedish-qualified tax advisors who understand expatriation and Paraguay's territorial system, so your residency strategy aligns with your overall tax planning. Do not act on assumptions — get advice before you move.
FAQ for Swedish Citizens
Does Sweden issue a birth certificate for Paraguay residency?
No. Sweden does not issue a civil birth certificate in the international sense. Your birth data (date and place of birth) is recorded in the Swedish Population Register (Folkbokföringen) at Skatteverket. For Paraguay, you provide a personbevis (population-registration certificate) showing that data, then apostille it<a href="#cite1">[1]</a>.
What document replaces a birth certificate for Swedish citizens?
A personbevis, or "Utdrag om folkbokföringsuppgifter" (extract from the population register), ordered from Skatteverket. Skatteverket can issue it in Swedish or English, and a version for foreign authorities is available. An apostilled personbevis is accepted in lieu of a birth certificate<a href="#cite1">[1]</a><a href="#cite3">[3]</a>.
Where do I get the apostille for a Swedish personbevis?
Swedish apostilles are issued by a Notarius Publicus, who is Sweden's designated Competent Authority for the Hague Apostille Convention<a href="#cite4">[4]</a>. You bring the original Skatteverket-issued personbevis to a notary public, who affixes the apostille. The HCCH lists the fee as SEK 300-1,000 across Swedish notaries (Notarius Publicus Stockholm charges SEK 350)<a href="#cite2">[2]</a><a href="#cite4">[4]</a>.
Can I print the personbevis myself with BankID and apostille it?
You can order and print a standard personbevis yourself via Skatteverket's "Beställ personbevis" e-service using BankID. However, for apostille a notary public normally needs an original Skatteverket-issued certificate with signature and stamp, so order the paper version intended for foreign authorities rather than a plain self-printout<a href="#cite1">[1]</a><a href="#cite3">[3]</a>.
Will I lose my Swedish citizenship?
No. Paraguay allows dual citizenship, and Swedish law permits citizens to hold multiple nationalities. Taking Paraguay residency does not affect your Swedish citizenship — see our <a href="/citizenship/dual-citizenship/">dual citizenship guide</a>.
Do I need to move to Paraguay full-time?
No. Paraguay has no minimum-stay requirement for temporary residency. For permanent residency, one visit roughly every three years is sufficient. Many Swedish applicants keep their life in Sweden and use Paraguay residency as a territorial-tax and second-residence option (see our <a href="/residency/">residency overview</a>).