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Growing movement of Brazilians towards Paraguay combines search for lower tax burden, reduced cost of living, and political affinity, driven by social networks and migration programs that facilitated a historic record of residency applications in the neighboring country.
In Ciudad del Este, recent movement revealed lines that crossed the night and advanced into the morning, gathering Brazilians interested in formalizing residency in Paraguay, a phenomenon that gained strength throughout 2025 and maintained a high pace in the early months of 2026.
In this flow, there are entrepreneurs, retirees, families with children, and workers who cite the central motivation as lower taxation, reduced cost of living, and a sense of greater alignment with the political environment of the neighboring country.
Along the border, the scene mixes improvisation with expectation, creating a routine marked by long waits and adaptation to local conditions.
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Beach chairs, plastic benches, tents, sarongs, and small camps have become part of the daily life of those waiting for service from MigraMóvil, a mobile initiative of the National Directorate of Migrations created to decentralize services and expedite document issuance.
For 2026, the official planning foresees 22 operations distributed throughout the year, reinforcing the strategy to expand the program’s reach.
Official data helps to gauge this movement and highlights the intensity of the demand recorded recently.
According to the National Directorate of Migrations, Paraguay recorded 47,687 residency applications in 2025, the highest number ever recorded, with Brazilians leading the flow by totaling 23,526 requests, equivalent to 58% of the total among foreigners.
Reasons why Brazilians seek Paraguay
Among the reports collected at the border, the economic factor emerges as the main point of convergence among distinct profiles of migrants.
Entrepreneurs highlight lower bureaucracy, more flexible labor rules, and a tax environment perceived as more predictable for investments.
On the other hand, retirees mention the need to preserve income and reduce fixed expenses, while families associate the move with cultural and educational values.
In this context, hairdresser Delly Fragola from Anápolis stated that Brazil “no longer has opportunities” for her business.
Meanwhile, entrepreneur Dilberto Wegrnen from Cascavel assessed that Paraguay offers more favorable conditions for entrepreneurship, attributing the growing interest to the combination of lower taxes and reduced operational costs.
After following content on the internet, retired architect Marcelo Mendes decided to reconsider plans to move to Europe and began to see the neighboring country as a viable alternative.
“We can’t stand Brazil anymore,” he said, explaining the decision to seek better financial conditions.
Coming from Rio de Janeiro, retired teacher Zena Cheraze reported that she was also looking to reduce health expenses and find greater stability in the new destination.
Social networks boost migration to Paraguay
With the expansion of this movement, social networks have begun to play a relevant role in disseminating information and encouraging migration.
Brazilian influencers living in Paraguay or frequenting the border region share content highlighting economic advantages, such as lower taxes, affordable rent, and cheaper energy.
In addition to exposing these conditions, many offer advisory services to facilitate residency processes, business openings, and property acquisitions.
In light of this volume of information, some interested parties arrive in the country without a full understanding of the bureaucratic requirements involved.
As a result, questions arise about documentation, deadlines, and steps, often clarified during the wait in queues for community assistance events.
In this environment, prolonged interaction turns the queue into a space for exchanging experiences and sharing practical advice among strangers.
Businesswoman Roberta Viegas, who moved from Rio de Janeiro with her family, began to guide new interested parties and, at the same time, relativizes the narrative of ease.
“Many people are selling the idea that Paraguay is ‘a paradise,’ for their own interests,” she stated, highlighting the need for individual assessment before moving.
Low taxes and cheap energy attract Brazilians
At the center of this interest is the Paraguayan tax model, often cited as a competitive differential compared to Brazil.
Consolidated over the last few decades, the system known as 10-10-10 establishes rates of 10% for VAT, personal income tax, and corporate income tax.
In comparative terms, Paraguay’s tax burden is around 14.5% of GDP, while in Brazil this figure reaches 32.0% of GDP, widening the perceived difference by investors.
Another recurring factor in the reports is the cost of electricity, considered significantly lower than in Brazil.
Estimates indicate that, on average, electricity in Brazil can cost 2.8 times more than in Paraguay, a result of the energy structure and the availability of generation in the neighboring country.
From the governmental perspective, this set of characteristics is used as an argument to attract investments and reinforce the image of economic stability.
Limitations of the Paraguayan economic and social model
Despite the growing interest, the Paraguayan model presents limitations that influence the experience of those who decide to migrate.
Among the main points are more restricted labor rights, lower social protection coverage, and structural challenges in the public health system.
Thus, while investors and retirees may benefit from local conditions, workers dependent on public services face a more challenging scenario.
This contrast helps explain why some of the expectations created on social media are not fully confirmed in practice.
Although requests for residency have increased significantly, data indicates that permanent residency occurs at a slower pace.
A large part of the permits granted corresponds to temporary residencies, which suggests a movement of experimentation before long-term decisions.
Ideology, education, and adaptation in the new country
In addition to economic issues, ideological factors also frequently appear in the accounts of Brazilians seeking Paraguay.
Many associate the country with a more conservative environment, with less state intervention and greater autonomy for family decisions.
In this context, the debate about homeschooling emerges as a relevant element for families with school-aged children.
In Brazil, the Supreme Federal Court established that homeschooling depends on specific regulation to be applied.
In Paraguay, the perception of less state interference contributes to the interest of some migrants.
Recent data indicates that about 263 thousand Brazilians live in Paraguay, forming one of the largest communities abroad.
Still, the practical experience varies according to the profile of each migrant, involving economic, cultural, and personal factors.
Salesman Leonardo Ribeiro, who moved from Marília to Ciudad del Este, reported finding fewer differences than he expected and expressed an intention to return to Brazil.
This type of trajectory highlights that the decision to migrate involves multiple variables and does not always result in permanent residency.
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