In this guide
To build a budget in Presidente Franco, start from your net income in guaraníes and split spending into six lines: rent and utilities, shopping, transport to Ciudad del Este, health, trips to Foz do Iguaçu and outings. Franco is joined to CDE along the Saltito stream (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)), so much of the month's spending, from work to errands, happens on the other side.
What income should you plan around?
Since 1 July 2026 Paraguay's minimum wage is G. 3,044,000 a month, or G. 117,077 a day (ABC Color, 2026 (opens in a new tab); IP Paraguay (opens in a new tab)). Employees pay 9% to IPS, the social security fund (ABC Color, 2022 (opens in a new tab)): on the minimum that is G. 273,960, leaving G. 2,770,040. Treat that net figure as the ceiling for fixed costs.
If you are paid in reais or dollars, keep the spreadsheet in that currency and convert only when you pay. To change money without losing out, see our guide to currency exchange in Presidente Franco.
Rent and utilities: what to note
- Area: most people live north of the Monday River, next to CDE; the south is mostly countryside and tourism (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Living north shortens the daily commute; the south tends to mean more land and more distance.
- Lease: Paraguay has no specific tenancy law. A one-month deposit is usual, a lease with no stated term is presumed to run one year, and there is no cap on increases (InfoNegocios, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). Budget the deposit as a move-in cost and agree the increase in writing. If you use an agency, see how to shortlist real estate agencies in Franco.
- Electricity: summer highs reach about 38 °C (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)), and air conditioning pushes up the bill. A study presented in July 2026 recommends raising the average tariff of ANDE, the state power company, by up to 39.4% gradually to 2030 (Última Hora, 2026 (opens in a new tab)): leave headroom on that line.
How much do trips to Ciudad del Este cost?
From CDE you reach Franco via route PY02 and then PY07 from the kilometre 4 roundabout (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). If you work downtown, that rush-hour trip is your most fixed daily cost.
- Bus: intercity fares in Alto Paraná rose by decree in April 2026; on the Minga Guazú–CDE route the ticket went from G. 5,000 to G. 7,000 (La Nación, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). Ask the fare on your line and multiply by two trips and your working days.
- At night: public transport stops at a certain hour and people go home by ride-hailing app (La Nación, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). If you go out late, budget that separately.
- Motorbike or car: work out fuel with the day's price and your actual distance.
Shopping: where to save
- QR: in April 2026, 35% of Bancard QR transactions were at supermarkets (ABC Color, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). Paying by QR leaves a record and shows where the money goes.
- Invoices: ask for one every time; Sedeco, the consumer agency, requires one for every sale (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)).
- Foz: if you cross on the Integration Bridge, since 14 September 2026 the Franco–Foz urban bus runs 7:00 to 19:00 and residents' cars with the cross-border neighbour permit cross 7:00 to 13:00 (Joint Commission (opens in a new tab)). Shop in Brazil only if the saving covers the trip and the time.
For the weekly shop, see our guide to supermarkets in Presidente Franco.
What about health?
- Hospital Distrital (Ministry of Health): public consultations are the cheapest option, but medicines can run short; in 2020 some families were buying their own (Última Hora, 2020 (opens in a new tab)). Keep a monthly pharmacy line.
- IPS: the 9% contribution gives you Franco's IPS health unit, with general medicine, paediatrics, gynaecology, diabetes care and orthopaedics; in July 2026 it was short of doctors and emergencies relied on CDE (ABC Color, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). Set aside a fund for the odd private specialist.
Outings that go easy on the wallet
- Salto Monday, municipal park: in 2022 it had a resident rate: G. 10,000 for Franco residents versus G. 25,000 for other Paraguayans (Última Hora, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). Bring ID showing your Franco address and ask the current rate.
- Moisés Bertoni Monument: in January 2025 entry was G. 20,000 for over-18s, G. 5,000 for ages 11 to 17 and free up to 10 (La Nación, 2025 (opens in a new tab)).
- Lago de la República and Costanera Ñande Renda in CDE: free to visit (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)).
- Itaipú: tours are free with advance booking (ABC Color, 2022 (opens in a new tab)).
At the end of the first month, compare what you noted with what left your account and adjust the lines that overran.
FAQ
What minimum wage should I use for a Presidente Franco budget?
Since 1 July 2026 it is G. 3,044,000 a month. Employees keep G. 2,770,040 after the 9% IPS contribution.
How much deposit do landlords ask in Presidente Franco?
There is no legal amount; one month is usual in Paraguay. There is no cap on rent increases either, so agree them in writing.
Is there a resident discount at Salto Monday?
In 2022 the municipal park charged Franco residents G. 10,000 and other Paraguayans G. 25,000. Ask the current rate with your ID.
When does the Franco–Foz bus run?
Since 14 September 2026, the Franco–Foz urban bus over the Integration Bridge runs from 7:00 to 19:00.
