In this guide
If you have just moved to Santa Rita, sort out four things first: your immigration status if you come from abroad, how you will pay, where to go if you get sick, and a home with the electricity in your name. The town sits on Route PY06, about 70 km from Ciudad del Este (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)), and nearly everything practical (banks, credit cooperatives, the municipality) is in the centre, so one or two mornings are enough to set up the basics.
Week one: paperwork and residency
- From Brazil or another Mercosur country. The Mercosur temporary residence lasts two years and cannot be extended; Brazilians and Argentines are among those eligible (Migraciones (opens in a new tab)). Other foreigners apply for temporary residence of up to two years, extendable, which leads to permanent residence (Migraciones (opens in a new tab)). Use official channels and do not pay middlemen.
- Municipality. It is on Avenida De Los Pioneros between Adela Speratti, phones +595 673 220 470 and +595 673 220 043, and posts a job board on its website (Municipalidad (opens in a new tab)). Call ahead to check opening hours.
- Starting a business. The Centro de Apoyo a Emprendedores (entrepreneur support centre) works out of the municipality, backed by the Ministry of Industry with Unicoop and the national university UNE (La Nación (opens in a new tab)).
Money: bank, cooperative and paying
Public and private banks, credit cooperatives and insurers have branches in the centre along the PY06 (Wikipedia PT (opens in a new tab)). While you open an account:
- QR codes: in April 2026 they made up 68.1% of electronic payments on the Bancard network (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)).
- Pix: Bancard merchants can take Pix from Brazilian accounts (Infonegocios (opens in a new tab)), but not all have it switched on. Ask at the till.
- Cash: keep guaraníes in small notes for corner shops and parking.
To compare loans and cooperatives, see our guide to budgeting and financial services in Santa Rita.
Health: know where to go before you need it
- Hospital Distrital de Santa Rita, run by the Health Ministry, with a laboratory and gynaecology (MSPBS (opens in a new tab)). In September 2025 it was the only hospital in southern Alto Paraná with a 24-hour ambulance (La Nación (opens in a new tab)).
- Family health unit (USF). Each area has one; the unit in the Fulgencio R. Moreno colony, for example, ran a health day with 185 consultations in March 2026 (MSPBS (opens in a new tab)). Ask which one covers your street.
- Emergencies: 141 is the SEME ambulance service and 911 the police (ITU (opens in a new tab)). Save both on day one.
More in doctors and clinics in Santa Rita.
Home: renting, power and plugs
- Renting. Paraguay has no specific tenancy law; the Civil Code applies. A one-month deposit is usual, a contract without a term is presumed to run one year, and there is no cap on increases (Infonegocios (opens in a new tab)). Get the rent adjustment rule in writing.
- Electricity. If the house has no meter, ANDE charges for the connection: in September 2024 it was G. 89,745 single-phase and G. 1,818,852 three-phase (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)).
- Plugs. Paraguay runs on 220 V, 50 Hz; Brazil on 127 or 220 V at 60 Hz (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Check that anything you bring from Brazil says 220 V or bivolt on the label.
Children and school
- Enrolment in public schools is free, and the parents' association fee is voluntary (La Nación (opens in a new tab)).
- In 2026 classes started on 23 February and end on 30 November (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)). If you arrive mid-year, go straight to the school with the child's records.
- Paraguay and Brazil recognise primary and non-technical secondary studies under a Mercosur protocol (Protocol (opens in a new tab)).
To choose a school, read schools in Santa Rita.
The town's rhythm
- Heat. Summer highs are around 31 to 33 °C and can reach 38 °C (Wikipedia PT (opens in a new tab)). The Health Ministry advises avoiding physical effort between 10:00 and 17:00 on those days (MSPBS (opens in a new tab)), so do errands early.
- Winter. Lows can drop close to 0 °C (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Bring warm clothes and blankets.
- Language. Spanish, Guaraní and a lot of Portuguese are spoken (Wikipedia PT (opens in a new tab)); about 46% of residents are of Brazilian origin (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- Expo Santa Rita. In late April and early May (25 April to 3 May in 2026) the town fills up (Infonegocios (opens in a new tab)). Do not schedule a move or long paperwork that week.
For everything else, start with our practical guide to Santa Rita.
FAQ
What residency can a Brazilian get in Santa Rita?
The Mercosur temporary residence, valid for two years and not extendable, applied for through Paraguay's immigration office (Migraciones).
Where do I go in an emergency in Santa Rita?
The Hospital Distrital de Santa Rita, run by the Health Ministry, which in 2025 was the only hospital in southern Alto Paraná with a 24-hour ambulance. Dial 141 for SEME.
Can I pay with Pix in Santa Rita?
At Bancard-network shops that have it switched on, yes. Ask first and carry guaraníes for small purchases.
Will my Brazilian appliances work in Santa Rita?
Paraguay uses 220 V at 50 Hz. Only plug in items labelled 220 V or bivolt.
