Due to the lack of information about these issues, and the constant inquiries received, we refer to the material prepared by the lawyer Luz López Larrosa about how and when Paraguayan nationality is obtained by option and by naturalization, and if a Paraguayan can lose the nationality and in which case.
This material is intended to serve as a guide. The language is simple so that it can be understood by anyone who has any doubts about it. Attorney Luz López Larrosa.
Sources: daily cases and consultations, administrative and jurisdictional bodies, regulations.
1. Who can opt for Paraguayan nationality?
The children of natural or naturalized Paraguayan parents can do it, it is not necessary that both are, it can be only one of the parents. The process is summary and is carried out before the Court of First Instance in Civil and Commercial Matters, with the necessary documents for the effect.
2. When opting for Paraguayan nationality, must a foreign citizen renounce his/her nationality of origin?
This is a question that I am constantly asked, it is worth mentioning that our constitutional legal order does not admit multiple nationality except in the case of international treaties. If one opts for Paraguayan nationality and our country does not have an international treaty that admits the double or multiple nationality, when making the option, the nationality of origin is renounced.
What is naturalization and how does it differ from the Paraguayan nationality option?
The naturalization comes from a process initiated before the Supreme Court of Justice, where the foreign citizen, who does not have Paraguayan parents and after fulfilling other requirements demanded by the Supreme Court such as: definitive settlement in the country for at least 3 years, demonstration of roots and others, this person can access the acquisition of Paraguayan nationality. As for the option, it is a way of acquiring Paraguayan nationality because one or both parents are Paraguayan of origin or naturalized and the person requesting it was born abroad. This process as I indicated in the previous question is processed before the Civil and Commercial Court of First Instance.
Are there any treaties in force in our country for the admission of dual or multiple nationality?
Yes, currently the only country with which Paraguay has signed an agreement in this regard is Spain.
5. What is the way to lose the natural Paraguayan nationality?
The way to lose the natural Paraguayan nationality is only by renunciation according to Article No. 147 of the National Constitution, clarifying that the renunciation implies a process or trial before the Supreme Court of Justice. This should not be confused with what is established in our National Constitution regarding the way to lose the Paraguayan nationality of the persons who have naturalized, that is to say that they do not have the nationality of origin. In this sense, there are two ways to lose it: a) by unjustified absence from the Republic for more than three years, judicially declared and b) by the voluntary acquisition of another nationality.
6. What happens when a natural Paraguayan acquires another nationality, for example from a European country with which our country has not signed an international treaty?
In this regard, it is appropriate to point out that our National Constitution clearly establishes in its Article No. 153, paragraph 1) that with the acquisition of another nationality on a voluntary basis, citizenship is suspended, unless Paraguay has signed an international treaty. The suspension would imply not being able to exercise political rights such as the right to elect and be elected, however, the suspension ceases when the cause that gave rise to it ends. From this it is clear that the natural Paraguayan nationality is not lost by the acquisition of another nationality voluntarily, but by renunciation, what is suspended is the citizenship.
Taking into account the previous question, how would it be done in practice, since our country does not contemplate dual or multiple nationality except for international treaties?
In this sense, we must not fail to refer to the fact that the Paraguayan of natural origin does not lose his nationality by the voluntary acquisition of another, but what is suspended is his citizenship, if this person decides to return to the country, he should not be denied his Paraguayan identity card or his passport, since he is not asking for the recognition of dual nationality, but simply his rights as a Paraguayan of origin, which should not be denied by mandate of Article No. 147 of the National Constitution.
However, it may be that the State or foreign country admits dual or multiple nationality, a situation that is beyond the sovereignty or decision of Paraguay, since each country has the power to decide on the matter.
I hope you found the information useful,
With love,
Gloria
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You may be interested in these topics: Recognition of studies abroad, Homologation of foreign university degrees, Permanent residency in Paraguay.
Good afternoon, my consultation is I am Paraguayan by birth and I have dual nationality which is Spanish, my daughter is Argentinean by birth and also has dual Spanish nationality and wants the Paraguayan nationality, I would like to know if it is possible, thank you very much.
Hi Carmen! nice to greet you!
As the daughter of a Paraguayan, your son is entitled to the nationality. To apply for it, they must be residing in the country, since it is a fundamental requirement to present the proof of life and residence.
Please make an appointment by writing to our corporate whatsApp +595981504861 or to the email info@gestoriaenparaguay.com.py
Good morning: I was born in Paraguay. Two days after my birth (March 1953 - Federico Chaves' re-election) my father, for political reasons, went into exile in Argentina and registered me in the Civil Registry of Corrientes (border with Paraguay).
registered me in the Civil Registry of Corrientes (border with Paraguay). I am the son of Rogelio Marcelino Sugastti González, (Asunción, September 16, 1912). Sergeant Vice 1st of the 12th Regiment of Rubio Ñu, veteran of the war with Bolivia. Today I am 65 years old. Retired. I have no Argentine family. I am a journalist, writer, musician and composer.
My Paraguayan cousins-brothers offer me their house until I can settle down and set up an FM radio station. What do I need to opt for citizenship and settle down definitively in Paraguay?
Good morning. A consultation, what would be the corresponding way in the case of a foreigner who wishes to acquire the Paraguayan nationality, without any of his parents being Paraguayan, and can he initiate the trial if he has only 2 years of residency? If the spouse is of Paraguayan nationality, can he/she contribute in any way?
Good afternoon, thank you for writing us!
A fundamental requirement for a foreigner to acquire Paraguayan nationality is that at least three years have passed since obtaining permanent residence in Paraguay. Being the spouse of a Paraguayan does not qualify you for this option.
If you have any questions, please contact us at consultas@gestoriaenparaguay.com.py.
Greetings,
Gloria Sosa
I am Argentinean, I live in Clorinda, border with Paraguay and I was born in Asuncion 30 years ago, but I was registered in Argentina. Can I ask for Paraguayan residency? Thank you very much
Hi José, nice to greet you!
If you do not wish to renounce your Argentinean nationality, you can apply for the "Radicación en Paraguay", and if you are the child of Paraguayans you have several benefits. Please write to consultas@gestoriaenparaguay.com.py and we will be glad to help you.
Greetings,
Gloria Sosa
Hello, what phone number should I call to make an inquiry, I am from Posadas.
Hi Armando, thanks for contacting us!
Our corporate whatsapp is +595 981 504861. We are open from Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 17:00.
Greetings,
Gloria Sosa
Hello, I was born in Asuncion,py.
My father (Uruguayan), my mother (Argentine), thanks to my father I obtained the Uruguayan nationality, where I lived practically all my life, now I am living in Spain (with nie by family regrouping), I have 2 years and I can apply for the Spanish nationality.
When I obtain it, I would not lose my Paraguayan nationality, but I would lose my Uruguayan nationality?
Very good morning, I am Italian, a doctor, I am 65 years old and I am retired. I would like to move to Paraguay and marry a Paraguayan woman, I would like to know if I can acquire the Paraguayan nationality by marriage, by being a pensioner or in another way and how long I need to reside in Paraguay before gaining the nationality.
Thank you very much Paolo
Hi Paolo, thanks for writing us!
The condition of spouse does not give you the option to acquire the Paraguayan nationality, but you can obtain the Paraguayan identity card and permanent residency in the country. Please send us an email to info@gestoriaenparaguay.com.py so we can advise you better.
Best regards,
Gloria Sosa
Hello good morning ... I am Brazilian I live in Argentina as a permanent radicalized citizen for 24 years I would like to know if to live and work in py I need to make document py ...and I need where to start .... from now thank you very much.
Hi Jesus, thanks for writing us!
Indeed, in order for you to work in Paraguay you need to have the relevant documentation. Please send us an email to info@gestoriaenparaguay.com.py so we can advise you better.
Best regards,
Gloria Sosa
My brother has a double identity, one Brazilian and the other Paraguayan, and he has his studies done in Paraguay as a foreigner, but he wants to have only one identity card, the Paraguayan one, what should he do?
Hi Fernando, thanks for contacting us!
It is a complex case, please send us an email to info@gestoriaenparaguay.com.py so we can advise you better.
Best regards,
Gloria Sosa
Very interesting information,
My question, I have 2 Paraguayan daughters like me, they are American citizens but their identity cards are still valid until 2020.
We are members of a cooperative and they have to give up being Paraguayan? And acquire only the American one?
Currently they have to apply for a visa at the Paraguayan embassy to visit Paraguay, their country of origin,
They are 38 and 34 years old respectively, and have 17 years of living in the USA, they can continue to keep their Paraguayan document to make arrangements in the cooperative where we are partners,
Thank you for your time and congratulations for your advice, Osvaldo.
Hello, what happens with the residence. If I take transitory residence in Paraguay because I am going to have economic activity and I have to pay taxes in Paraguay, do I lose my residence in Argentina? thanks.
Hi Daniel, thanks for writing us!
In order to be able to pay taxes in Paraguay you must have the RUC, for which you must previously request the Permanent Residence and the Paraguayan ID card. Regarding the loss of residence in Argentina, that corresponds to the laws of that country.
If you would like us to advise you, please write to info@gestoriaenparaguay.com.py.
Greetings,
Gloria Sosa
Good afternoon.... Where should I apply for the waiver of Paraguayan nationality?
Thank you.
I was born in Argentina when I was 4 years old we went with my parents in Paraguay and instead of settling me they made me dual nationality as if I was born in Paraguay and I want to know how I can regularize my problem because now there is control with fingerprints.
Hello, good evening.
I am of Paraguayan nationality, and I have a daughter of Bolivian father born in Spain, I would like to know how to get her the Paraguayan nationality... since I did not apply for the Spanish nationality.
Good I have a doubt, I am Paraguayan by birth..but when I was a girl my parents came to live in Bolivia..osea they are Bolivian..I had my Paraguayan passport and ID card that I took it when I was 15 years old in Paraguay.now it expired many years ago..but now I want to retake my Paraguayan documents and for my son..should we renounce our Bolivian nationality?.thanks
Hello Erika,
Paraguay does not have a dual nationality agreement with Bolivia. You must opt for one of them. Send us an email to consultas@gestoriaenparaguay.com.py so we can guide you better.
Greetings,
Gloria Sosa
Very clear article. Thank you very much for the information.
Good afternoon. Very interesting article.
Regarding question and answer number one, I have the following doubt. The CN establishes that the children of a Paraguayan mother or father born abroad are natural Paraguayan nationals, among others, when they settle permanently in the Republic.
In an exemplary case, a young man of Brazilian nationality, resident in Uruguay but son of a Paraguayan, wishes to acquire Paraguayan nationality but neither he nor his parents are settled in Paraguay.
The consultation is if this young man can opt for the Paraguayan nationality without having the settlement in the Country.
Thank you very much.
Good afternoon Rodrigo: in addition to the constitutional article that enables the children of a Paraguayan father or mother to acquire Paraguayan nationality by option, a certificate of life and residence of the applicant is required for the trial. At your service.
I am Argentinean, Paraguayan parents, I got my Paraguayan ID card and today I had problems to pass through immigration!!!! As an Argentinean I can have my Paraguayan ID card without renouncing my nationality? Thanks
Good afternoon with radiation yes with dual citizenship no. At your service.
Hello, I am Paraguayan because my mother is Paraguayan. But I was born in Argentina. I work and live in Paraguay. In one of my visits to Argentina with my mother's vehicle which is registered in Paraguay (Paraguayan vehicle) I was not allowed to enter a customs official because he forced me to identify myself with the Argentine Dni. Well, I told him that I do not have the Dni because I only have with me the Paraguayan ID. Then I returned very indignant.
However, the Argentinean Immigration Service told me that I am authorized to enter Argentina. What can I do because I do not want that customs officer to cause me more problems, since after 20 years of crossing the border with several vehicles, this was the only one that sent me out of the country, since the immigration authorities have already authorized me to enter as usual.
Good afternoon, you should consult with the DNA Argentina about why you are not allowed to enter.
I AM FROM POSADAS, I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN WITH THE PROCEDURES OF DUAL NATIONALITY, MY MOTHER WAS PARAGUAYA, WHERE CAN I FIND THE PROCEDURES, ATTENTION MARIA ESHTER CARDOZO thank you.
We send you via email! Thank you for your inquiry!
Good morning. My name is Oscar Dario. I am in an issue that here in my city I can not solve. It turns out that I have two identity cards, one Paraguayan and the other Brazilian. All my life I studied in Brazil and I decided to go to college in Paraguay. I entered the school with my Brazilian documents that were all proticolized as required by law. But I stumbled on the issue of my identity card, I renounced the Brazilian nationality to facilitate my situation but how to get another Paraguayan identity card if I already have one? How can I get an immigration document in Paraguay if I already have a Paraguayan cedula? And the worst thing is that in the Faculty they do not accept that Paraguayan ID card because in the Brazilian one it says born in Brazil and in the Paraguayan one born in Paraguay. Well, when I gave up the Brazilian nationality they gave me another birth certificate giving me the Paraguayan nationality and where it says that I was born in Brazil, but when I get to the IDs it jumps that I already have an ID card.... what to do please help me. .what to do please help me because I can lose the semester and I am already in the last one. Thank you
We have already answered you by mail! Thank you for your inquiry.
And how is the citizen of Italian descent who, for example, obtained an Italian passport but continues to live in Paraguay, his country of origin?
Good afternoon, Paraguay does not have a dual nationality treaty with Italy and should opt for one of the two.
Hello I am Paraguayan natural but I became Argentinean nationality voluntarily by my father who is Argentinean.
But I came to live in Paraguay back for an indefinite period of time, as it is now here in Paraguay legally, as Paraguayan or Argentinean. I always thought that it was possible to have dual nationality.
Good afternoon: the procedure is to waive either of the two. At your service.
Is a waiver of dual nationality requested before the court of first instance?
Hi Liza! thank you for writing us!
The renunciation of nationality is processed before the Supreme Court of Justice. If you would like us to help you, please send us an email to info@gestoriaenparaguay.com.py so we can advise you better.
Greetings,
Gloria Sosa
Hello...I have a question. A child born in py of foreign parents, what is the procedure for registration?
Hi Cely Thank you for writing to us!
Please send us an email to consultas@gestoriaenparaguay.com.py for further instructions.
Greetings!
Gloria Sosa
Thank you for your comment Dr. Luz Lopez, very interesting and very good explanation on the subject of Nationality.
Congratulations for the article, very illustrative and well explained. I usually teach International Law, and the subject of nationality is very interesting. For example, it strikes me that the process in the case of Paraguay is in Court, while in El Salvador it is administrative.
Greetings colleague!
Hi Nelly, I am asking you if you made the registration first, that is to say in Paraguay or Argentina, if the one here is later I should renounce to the Paraguayan one. At your service!
Thank you Camilo! at your service.
Hello good day Dr. The question is the following: What would be the corresponding way when an Argentine of origin has the Paraguayan nationality and wants to keep his nationality of origin in this case the Argentine?
Hello Good afternoon Dr. The question is something similar...if one has a dual nationality and wants to stay in Argentina but lived in Paraguay all the period of his adolescence..what would be the advice.
Good evening, I should renounce my Paraguayan nationality. At the orders.
Good afternoon Nelly and you should renounce your Paraguayan nationality. At your service! Luz
I finally understand something I always wanted to know. Very clear.
At your service!