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 called 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 60-90 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. Foreign-source income, including Swedish pensions, investment income, and foreign business income, is taxed at 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>).