How to move to Spain from Paraguay: visas, requirements, and step-by-step guide 2026
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If you are Paraguayan and considering immigrating to Spain, there are three facts worth getting clear before you start planning. The first: the Dual Nationality Convention between Spain and Paraguay, signed in Madrid on June 25, 1959, and modernized by the Additional Protocol of 1999 (in force since March 2001), is one of the oldest in the entire Spanish bilateral network. It remains fully in force and allows access to Spanish citizenship in only 2 years of legal residency without renouncing Paraguayan nationality. The second: the Paraguayan community in Spain, although modest in size compared to Colombians or Venezuelans, is strongly concentrated in Madrid and Barcelona, with a consolidated presence spanning decades. The third, and the most practical: Paraguay joined the Hague Apostille Convention in September 2014, which means that your Paraguayan documents today are apostilled before the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Asunción, without the need to go through the Spanish consulate or additional legalizations.
This guide covers all the legal options updated to 2026 to immigrate from Paraguay: work visas, arraigo, family reunification, the complete path to citizenship, the documentary particularities (including the case of documents in Guarani), and the routes for self-employed workers and Paraguayan entrepreneurs in Spain.
Paraguayans in Spain: a small but firmly rooted community
The Paraguayan community in Spain is not the largest among Latin American communities, but it stands out for its level of consolidation and integration. It arrived massively between 2003 and 2010, attracted by the care work sector, hospitality, cleaning, and construction, in a predominantly female migration that later led to significant family reunification processes.
The dominant profile today combines three realities:
- Workers as employees in elderly care, hospitality, live-in and live-out domestic service, and construction, especially concentrated in Madrid and Barcelona
- Reunified families with several years of already consolidated residency, many with children born or raised in Spain
- Naturalized Spaniards who no longer appear in foreigner statistics but remain the anchor of the community and the driver of new reunifications
The geographic concentration is very clear: Madrid hosts the majority of the community, followed by Barcelona and, at a distance, Valencia and Murcia. It is a community with low media visibility but high internal cohesion, with active cultural associations and events linked to Guarani identity.
What legal options does a Paraguayan citizen have to reside in Spain?
The right migratory strategy depends on your starting point (in Paraguay, already in Spain, with resident family or without it) and on your professional profile. The main routes available in 2026 are:
- Work visa as an employee processed from Asunción with a prior job offer from a Spanish employer
- Self-employment work visa for autónomos with a viable business plan
- Student visa for programs longer than 90 days
- Family reunification if you have a spouse, children, or ascendants with legal residency in Spain
- Non-lucrative visa for individuals with sufficient financial means who do not need to work
- Digital nomad visa for remote professionals with clients or employers outside Spain
- Entrepreneur visa for innovative projects with a favorable report from ENISA
- Socio-labor arraigo for Paraguayans already in Spain with 2 years of stay and an employment contract
- Extraordinary regularization 2026 for those who were in Spain before December 31, 2025
For a complete view of the available procedures, our guide on immigration in Spain is the reference map updated to the new Immigration Regulation.
Socio-labor arraigo for Paraguayans: requirements and documentation
Despite what the title of many online searches suggests, in 2026 the traditional “social arraigo” has been largely replaced by the socio-labor arraigo, regulated in article 127.b) of the new Immigration Regulation (RD 1155/2024, in force since May 20, 2025). Most relevant for Paraguayans: the required period of stay is reduced from 3 to 2 years. The requirements are cumulative:
- Continued stay in Spain of at least 2 years, provable through padrón registration, health cards, private contracts, school certificates of children, medical receipts, or any nominative and dated document
- Not having been absent for more than 90 days in total during those 2 years
- No criminal record in Spain, in Paraguay, or in any country where you have resided in the last 5 years
- Having one or more employment contracts that together guarantee the minimum interprofessional wage or that of the applicable collective agreement, with a minimum weekly workday of 20 hours
A very relevant development since April 16, 2026: following the modification introduced by Royal Decree 316/2026, once the application is admitted for processing, the Paraguayan is provisionally authorized to work as an employee until the file is resolved. This avoids the traditional situation of having a job offer in hand without being able to formalize it for months.
To learn about the different modalities of arraigo (socio-labor, labor, family, second-chance, socio-formative) and choose the one that best fits your profile, the guide on the types of arraigo in Spain beyond social arraigo is the most complete resource.
Do you want a expert consultation? Contact us and we will help you.
Work permit as an employee: the pre-employment contract from Asunción
If you are still in Paraguay and want to arrive in Spain with everything in order, this is the standard route. The process involves three parties: you as the worker, the Spanish company as the employer, and the Immigration Office as the granting authority. The key piece of the file is the pre-employment contract, which the Spanish employer must sign and provide along with the rest of the documentation when applying for the initial authorization.
Once the authorization is granted, you must apply for the residency and work visa at the Embassy of Spain in Asunción, located at the “Palacete Peris” (Eligio Ayala Street 1779, corner of Mayor Fleitas), with prior appointment requested by email. The Embassy also has Honorary Vice-Consulates in Encarnación, Villarrica, and Ciudad del Este, useful for basic administrative procedures but not for visa applications.
The visa resolution period is 1 to 3 months. Once in Spain, you have one month from entry to apply for the TIE at the National Police Station. To understand the nuances of the file and maximize the chances of approval, our service of work permit as an employee in Spain coordinates both sides of the process. If you are still in the phase of looking for a job offer, the guide on the pre-employment contract for foreigners is required reading.
Self-employment work permit: working as autónomo in Spain as a Paraguayan
For Paraguayans with their own professional project (technicians, liberal professionals, small business owners, artisans, service entrepreneurs), the route is the residency and self-employment work visa. The essential requirements are:
- Presenting a viable business plan, with market analysis, financial projection, and a coherent cost structure
- Demonstrating the professional qualification for the proposed activity (degrees, proven professional experience)
- Proving sufficient initial investment to launch the activity
- Complying with specific authorizations, licenses, or qualifications that the particular activity requires
The initial authorization lasts one year and can be renewed if the activity remains active and meets the requirements. Our service of self-employed work permit includes the preparation of the file with the rigor required by the Immigration Office.
Spain-Paraguay Dual Nationality Convention of 1959: how to process citizenship
The Dual Nationality Convention between Spain and Paraguay, signed in Madrid on June 25, 1959, and ratified on December 15 of the same year, entered into force on February 10, 1960. It was modernized through the Additional Protocol signed in Asunción on June 26, 1999, which entered into force on March 1, 2001. It is one of the oldest in the bilateral network of Spanish dual nationality, fully in force.
Combined with article 22.1 of the Civil Code, it allows Paraguayans to access Spanish citizenship with only 2 years of legal and continued residency, compared to the 10 years of the general regime. The complete requirements are:
- Legal and continued residency in Spain for at least 2 years immediately preceding the application
- Good civic conduct (no criminal record in Spain or in Paraguay)
- Sufficient degree of integration: passing the CCSE exam of the Cervantes Institute
- As Spanish speakers, Paraguayans are exempt from the DELE A2 exam
- Apostilled Paraguayan documentation (birth certificate, criminal record certificate)
The great advantage of the Convention: it is not necessary to renounce Paraguayan nationality. You keep both passports, although civil, political, labor, and Social Security rights are governed by the legislation of the country of domicile. To understand this regime with all its nuances, our guide on Spanish dual nationality explains all the practical effects.
Do you want a expert consultation? Contact us and we will help you.
Paraguayan documents for Spain: what needs apostille and how to get it
Paraguay joined the Hague Apostille Convention in September 2014. Since then, consular legalizations have been suppressed for documents destined for Spain and are replaced by the apostille, which is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE) through the General Directorate of Consular Affairs (Decree 520/13).
The process is efficient and much faster than the previous system. Before being apostilled, most documents require prior endorsement by the issuing institution. The most common routes are:
- Birth, marriage, death certificate: Central Civil Registry → MRE (window at the Central Civil Registry)
- Criminal and police records: Identification Department (National Police) → Ministry of the Interior → MRE (Identification headquarters)
- Study certificates and diplomas: educational institution → Legalizations Office of the Ministry of Education and Sciences (MEC) → MRE (central headquarters)
- University degrees: university → Directorate of Degree Registration of the MEC → MRE (central headquarters)
- Judicial documents and translations: Court → Supreme Court of Justice → MRE
The central headquarters of the MRE Legalizations Directorate is at Alberdi corner of Haedo, Asunción. Typical apostille timelines are a few business days for civil status documents. It is advisable to anticipate the apostilles with sufficient margin, since many documents in Spain have a limited validity of 3 to 6 months from issuance, not from the apostille.
The exclusive detail: documents in Guarani and sworn translation
Here is the point that differentiates Paraguay from the rest of the Latin American cluster. Guarani is an official language in Paraguay alongside Spanish (1992 Constitution) and is the mother tongue of a large part of the population, especially in rural areas. This has a concrete documentary consequence: many certificates, records, and Civil Registry documents issued in rural municipalities or by institutions operating in Guarani-speaking communities may be drafted partially or entirely in Guarani.
For those documents to be valid in Spain, the MRE apostille is not enough. One more step must be added: sworn translation into Spanish performed by an officially recognized sworn translator. The two options are:
- Sworn translation in Paraguay by a translator authorized by the Supreme Court of Justice, subsequently apostilled by the MRE
- Sworn translation in Spain by a translator authorized by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (official list published by the Office of Language Interpretation)
In practice, sworn translators of Guarani in Spain are extremely scarce, so it is advisable to arrange the sworn translation in Paraguay before traveling. It is a detail that no editorial competitor mentions and that saves weeks of delay for Paraguayans of rural origin.
The Spanish Embassy in Asunción: how to request an appointment and what to expect
The Embassy of Spain in Paraguay, with its Consular Section, is the only office in the country for all national visas and consular procedures. Updated key data:
- Address: “Palacete Peris”, Eligio Ayala Street 1779, corner of Mayor Fleitas, Asunción
- Phone: +595 972 431100 / +595 971 265688
- Email for visas: emb.asuncion.vis@maec.es
- General email: emb.asuncion@maec.es
- Hours: Monday to Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
To request a prior appointment for visas, you must email the visa email address with a copy of the biometric data page of the passport. The appointment is per person and for a single procedure. Typical timelines in 2026:
- Work and family reunification visas: 4 to 8 weeks to get an appointment; 1 to 3 months for resolution
- Student visas: 3 to 6 weeks for an appointment; 30 to 45 days for resolution
- Citizenship procedures: require prior documentary preparation with valid apostilles
Practical recommendation: request the consular appointment as soon as you have the apostilled documentation ready or, better yet, work in parallel (preparing documentation in Paraguay + appointment at the Embassy) to avoid losing weeks.
Family reunification for Paraguayans residing in Spain
Family reunification is one of the most used routes by the Paraguayan community, given that many families have a first member residing in Spain (usually the mother, in the care work or domestic service sector) who later reunifies the spouse, children, or ascendants. It is regulated by article 65 and following of the Immigration Regulation.
Reunifiable family members:
- Spouse or registered partner, provided that the relationship predates the application
- Children under 18 of the sponsor and/or the spouse, or older children with proven disability
- Ascendants over 65 demonstrating real and ongoing economic dependence
Sponsor requirements: legally residing in Spain for at least one year, proving financial means (150% of the IPREM for the initial unit plus 50% for each additional family member, approximately €900/month + €300/month in 2026), and having adequate housing with a municipal report. The total processing time, between Immigration and the consular appointment in Asunción, usually takes 3 to 7 months.
Paraguayan entrepreneurs and self-employed workers in Spain: options to work legally
The Paraguayan business presence in Spain is light compared to other countries: small personal businesses, autónomos, and microenterprises predominate. For those who want to arrive in Spain as self-employed workers or entrepreneurs, the specific routes are the following.
Working as autónomo in Spain as a Paraguayan citizen: registration with the Tax Agency and Social Security
Once you have residency (whichever route: self-employment visa, arraigo, family reunification) and want to operate as autónomo in Spain, you must complete two registrations:
- Registration with the Registry of Entrepreneurs, Professionals, and Withholding Agents (Form 036/037) with the Tax Agency, declaring the IAE codes under which you will operate
- Registration with the Special Regime for Self-Employed Workers (RETA) with Social Security, with the contribution corresponding to the bracket of expected income (real income-based contribution system in force since 2023)
Paraguayan autónomos can access the flat rate of €80/month during the first 12 months of activity if they have never previously been registered with the RETA, extendable for another 12 months if net earnings do not exceed the SMI. It is a key tool for the initial viability of the project.
Setting up an SL in Spain from Paraguay: steps, costs, and timelines
If your project requires a legal structure with limited liability, the Sociedad Limitada (SL) is the most used option. Following the reform of the Crea y Crece Law, the minimum capital is symbolic (1 euro), but the practical requirements are:
- NIE of the partners and administrator
- Negative certification of the company name from the Central Commercial Registry
- Opening a bank account in the name of the company and certificate of the capital deposit
- Public deed of incorporation before a notary
- Registration in the Commercial Registry of the province
- Registration with the Tax Agency and obtaining the definitive CIF
The complete process takes between 4 and 8 weeks and notarial and registry costs range around €600 to €1,000 for a standard incorporation. Our service of company incorporation in Spain includes all the coordination, from the NIE of the partners to the registry filing.
Entrepreneur visa for Paraguayans with a business project in Spain
If your project meets the innovative character required by Law 14/2013, the entrepreneur visa is the most direct and agile route. It allows you to come to Spain with the authorization already granted, as opposed to those who must regularize their status afterward through arraigo. The business plan must be favorably evaluated by ENISA, demonstrating job generation potential, added value, or economic impact for Spain. The details are in our complete guide on the entrepreneur visa in Spain.
Documents in Guarani: how to handle sworn translation for business procedures
If your corporate documentation, professional certificates, or academic degrees are in Guarani (something common in rural areas and indigenous communities), the same applies as for personal procedures: MRE apostille plus sworn translation into Spanish by an authorized translator. For business documents (contracts, deeds, certificates of registration with chambers of commerce), arranging the sworn translation in Paraguay before traveling is always the most efficient option.
First steps upon arriving in Spain from Paraguay
Once you have obtained the visa and arrived in Spain, there is a sequence of urgent steps in the first weeks:
Padrón registration. This is the first procedure and the basis of everything else. It is done at the Town Hall of the municipality where you live, presenting a rental contract, deed of property, or authorization from the holder. Without padrón registration, you cannot access public health, enroll your children in school, or open a bank account at some banks.
TIE application. Within one month from your entry into Spain, you must request an appointment at the National Police Station to have your fingerprint taken and apply for the Foreigner Identity Card. You will need the EX-17 form, proof of payment of the fee, Paraguayan passport, visa, and three photographs.
Social Security registration. If your visa is for work as an employee, the registration is processed by the employer in the general regime; if you are self-employed, you do it yourself in the RETA. Without that registration, you are not covered medically or contributing.
Opening a bank account. Necessary for payroll, bills, and, if you will be self-employed, to issue invoices. The TIE is the standard document; while you wait for your card, the receipt will work at most banks.
Immigrating to Spain from Paraguay is one of the most efficient processes that exist for a Latin American country: a historic Dual Nationality Convention that grants access to the Spanish passport in only 2 years, a fast apostille since 2014, and an operational Embassy in Asunción with reasonable timelines. The difference between an orderly process and one full of delays usually lies in how Paraguayan documentation is managed (especially if there are pieces in Guarani) and in choosing the route appropriate to the actual profile. At ILLAY Legal, we work with Paraguayans in Spain and from Paraguay through 100% online management, reviewing each case, identifying the best strategy, and coordinating with the Embassy of Spain in Asunción when necessary. Tell us your situation and we’ll tell you exactly what steps to take.
Frequently Asked Questions: Emigrating to Spain from Paraguay
Do Paraguayans need a visa to enter Spain as tourists?
No. Paraguay does not appear on Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, which means that Paraguayan nationals can enter Spain and the entire Schengen area without a visa for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period, whether for tourism, family visits, or professional matters. You only need a valid Paraguayan passport with at least 3 months of validity beyond the planned departure date and proof, if requested by the border police, of sufficient financial means and reason for travel.
How much does the trip from Paraguay to Spain cost and which airlines fly direct?
Air Europa operates direct flights between Asunción and Madrid on a regular basis (5 to 6 times per week), with an approximate duration of 12 hours. Other airlines such as LATAM, Iberia, or Air France offer connections via São Paulo, Buenos Aires, or Paris. The round-trip ticket price ranges between €800 and €1,800 depending on the season, advance booking, and airline, with lower fares outside the months of July, August, and December.
Can Paraguayans collect their Paraguayan retirement pension while living in Spain?
Yes. Spain and Paraguay have signed a Social Security Agreement that allows the totalization of contribution periods between both countries and the export of pensions. This means that a Paraguayan who has contributed in Paraguay can receive their Paraguayan pension while residing in Spain, and vice versa. The procedure is processed before the Spanish National Social Security Institute (INSS), which acts as the liaison body with the Paraguayan Social Welfare Institute (IPS).
How does the new 2025 Immigration Regulation affect Paraguayans in Spain?
The main changes that benefit Paraguayans are three: social arraigo is renamed socio-labor arraigo and reduces its requirement from 3 to 2 years of stay; family reunification extends the reunifiable age of children up to 26 years when they are economically dependent on the sponsor; and applicants for international protection with a denied resolution can opt for arraigo after 6 months of irregularity, instead of the previous 2 years. Additionally, since April 2026, work as an employee is permitted from the moment the arraigo application is admitted for processing, without waiting for the final resolution.
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