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Passport validity requirements

To enter Paraguay, your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Make sure you get your passport stamped.

Make sure that an immigration official stamps, dates and signs your passport when you arrive. If you do not have an entry stamp in your passport, you will get a fine when you leave the country.

This is important if you enter Paraguay at a land border, typically the crossing between Ciudad del Este and Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil. Long-distance bus drivers sometimes tell foreign nationals that they can complete immigration formalities in Asunción. This is not true, and you will get a fine if you do not get your passport stamped at the point of entry.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

You do not need a visa to visit Paraguay. You will normally get permission to stay for 90 days on arrival.

If you want to stay for another 90 days, check with the Paraguayan Immigration Department (in Spanish). 

If you are travelling to Paraguay to work or study, you should contact the Paraguayan Embassy in the UK or check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa information (in Spanish). 

Travelling with children

Children under 18 years of age who are resident in Paraguay need written permission (‘Permiso del Menor’) from the non-accompanying parents to leave the country. The permission is granted by a Justice of the Peace Court, where the applicant resides. You can get more information on requirements for children entering or leaving Paraguay from the Paraguayan Immigration Directorate (in Spanish), the Supreme Court of Justice (in Spanish) or from your nearest Paraguayan Consulate.

Vaccine requirements

To enter Paraguay, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Paraguay guide.   

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Paraguay. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking money into and out of Paraguay

Declare any cash or travellers cheques if the value is 10,000 US dollars or more. You can make an online declaration in advance, or at computer terminals at the airport or place of arrival. You will get a certified declaration to show you brought it in with you.

Many ATMs accept bank cards. When exchanging money, use registered banks or a bureau de change. Do not change money with people on the street or on arrival at the airport as false banknotes are common.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Paraguay. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking money into and out of Paraguay

Declare any cash or travellers cheques if the value is 10,000 US dollars or more. You can make an online declaration in advance, or at computer terminals at the airport or place of arrival. You will get a certified declaration to show you brought it in with you.

Many ATMs accept bank cards. When exchanging money, use registered banks or a bureau de change. Do not change money with people on the street or on arrival at the airport as false banknotes are common.

Emergency services in Paraguay

Ambulance: 141

Fire: 132

Police: 911  

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers, funeral directors and translators and interpreters in Paraguay
• dealing with a death in Paraguay
• being arrested or imprisoned in Paraguay
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Paraguay on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences

Personal ID

You must always carry ID. Carry a copy or printout of the photo page of your passport, and a copy of your entry stamp.

If you are resident in Paraguay, the authorities will issue you with an identity card.

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

There are severe penalties for trafficking and possession of illegal drugs. If you are caught in possession of or trafficking drugs, you may get a prison sentence, without bail. Prison standards are poor.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex sexual activity is not illegal and there is a small, active LGBT+ community in Asunción. Same-sex marriages are not recognised in Paraguay. People are likely to disapprove of same-sex couples showing affection in public. Find more information on the websites of LGBT+ organisations like Aireana, Panambi and SOMOSGAY.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Risks at public venues

Safety regulations at public venues may be non-existent or poorly enforced.   

Food stalls burning fuel and using power cables with poor electricity standards present a constant fire risk in markets. The risk is heightened because markets are often located in narrow streets and can be crowded.