Paraguay sees surge in Brazilian residency applications driving real‑estate boom

In the first quarter of 2026, Paraguay recorded 9,125 residency requests from Brazilian nationals, accounting for 64% of all foreign applications, according to the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones del Paraguay. The large share of Brazilian applicants has intensified demand for housing, prompting local developers such as Raíces Real Estate to tailor projects for this market. Ernesto Figueredo, president of Raíces, noted that sales to foreigners rose from 10% in previous years to 70% of foreign buyers being Brazilian.

The construction sector, which contributes about 12% of Paraguay’s GDP, has been growing at an average of 8% annually since 2015, with private investment exceeding US$2 billion. Developers are launching high‑end condominiums, planned neighborhoods and river‑front projects aimed at Brazilian buyers. Meanwhile, expat guides highlight Paraguay’s low taxes, affordable cost of living and safe urban areas as additional draws for Brazilians and other foreign residents.

These trends suggest a sustained real‑estate expansion linked to immigration, with the government estimating up to 80,000 residency permits could be granted this year, largely to Brazilian nationals.