Study abroad in Paraguay: The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is valid according to the European Commission only in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Paraguay is not among them. For a longer stay you need a visa, which you apply for before entry at the Paraguayan diplomatic mission or after entry at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Whether it applies to your studies, the mission decides. The DAAD sets a guideline of 800 euros for students, which is not a budget.
Study abroad in Paraguay at a glance
| Item | Details (as of October 2026) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance | The EHIC is not valid. The German Foreign Office recommends travel health insurance with air ambulance cover and medical evacuation insurance | European Commission, German Federal Foreign Office |
| Visa | Visa-free for up to 90 days as a tourist. For a longer stay a visa, applied for before entry at the diplomatic mission or after entry at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Whether it applies to your studies, the mission decides | German Federal Foreign Office |
| Travel document | Passport or provisional passport, valid for the entire stay. Identity card not accepted | German Federal Foreign Office |
| Living costs | DAAD guideline for students: 800 euros. Not a budget, current figures from your host university | DAAD, scholarship rates for students and graduates (undated) |
| Auslands-BAföG (German study abroad grant) | Responsible office according to DSW: Studierendenwerk Bremen, phone 0421/2201-0 | German Student Services (DSW), flyer as of January 2026 |
All details are general information, not individual advice. The linked official pages are authoritative.
How are you insured in Paraguay?
EHIC and social security agreement
According to the European Commission’s overview, the EHIC applies in the EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Paraguay is not listed there, so you should not expect benefits through the card in Paraguay. We found no social security agreement with Paraguay that covers health insurance, so we name none.
Ask your health insurer to confirm in writing what protection it provides in Paraguay before you sign the learning agreement. The basics for privately insured students are in the guide Health insurance during a study abroad semester (in German).
Private travel health insurance and repatriation
The German Federal Foreign Office advises travel health insurance that covers an air ambulance flight to Germany, plus medical evacuation insurance. Which benefits you need depends on your contract, your university and the length of your stay. Background is in the guide Travel health insurance for Erasmus, USA and Work and Travel (in German).
Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required for people aged 1 to 59 if they travel to or from countries such as Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru or Venezuela. It must have been given at least ten days before. Yellow fever vaccination (except for a stay only in Asunción), hepatitis A and the standard vaccinations including measles are recommended.
Do you need a visa for Paraguay?
For tourist stays of up to 90 days you need no visa with a German passport. For a planned longer stay and/or taking up paid work, you need a visa that you can apply for before entry at the competent Paraguayan diplomatic mission or after entry at the Paraguayan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Whether you need a visa for your studies, the mission decides authoritatively. The German Federal Foreign Office travel and security information for Paraguay sets out the entry rules for German citizens:
- Passport, provisional passport or children’s passport; an identity card is not sufficient
- Validity for the entire length of stay; the page gives no minimum remaining validity
- Apply for a visa for a longer stay before entry at the diplomatic mission, or after entry at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
According to the German Federal Foreign Office (page status 25 October 2026), non-essential travel to the border area with Brazil is advised against, in the departments of Amambay, Canindeyù and Alto Paraná, as well as in the northern part of San Pedro and the southern part of Concepción.
What does a study abroad semester in Paraguay cost?
Tuition fees
Which fees apply at the host university depends on the exchange agreement of your university. We do not name a general amount, because we found no official figure for it. Ask your university and the host university before you accept the place.
Living costs
The DAAD sets 800 euros for students in Paraguay in its scholarship rates list. This is a guideline, not a budget. The list carries no date. Current figures are available from your host university. A total budget is not documented, so no worked example is given.
Funding: Erasmus+ and Auslands-BAföG
The European Commission lists Paraguay in the Latin America region among the third countries that are not associated with the programme. Individual Erasmus+ actions are possible only under certain conditions. Ask your International Office. More is in the guide Erasmus and planning your study abroad semester (in German).
Auslands-BAföG is possible for a partial study abroad. According to the assignment of the German Student Services (DSW), the Studierendenwerk Bremen, Amt für Ausbildungsförderung, is responsible for America excluding Canada and the USA (phone 0421/2201-0). According to the flyer (status January 2026), you must have studied at least one year in Germany beforehand. For countries outside the EU and Switzerland, a maximum of two semesters is funded, in rare cases up to five. Under certain conditions a monthly study abroad supplement is possible. Everything else is in the guide Auslands-BAföG: eligibility, amounts and supplements (in German).
How to prepare before you leave
- Have your health insurer confirm in writing what protection you have in Paraguay.
- Take out travel health insurance with air ambulance and medical evacuation cover for the entire length of your stay.
- Ask the Paraguayan diplomatic mission whether you need a visa for your studies, and apply for it before entry if necessary.
- Check that your passport is valid for the entire length of your stay.
- Get vaccinated against yellow fever if your route requires proof, at least ten days before entry.
- Read the German Federal Foreign Office notes on the border area with Brazil before you plan any trips.
- Apply for Auslands-BAföG at the Studierendenwerk Bremen early if you may be eligible.
- Ask your host university for its budget for exchange students.
Frequently asked questions
Does my European Health Insurance Card work in Paraguay?
No. According to the European Commission’s overview, the card is valid in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Paraguay is not listed.
Do I need a visa for Paraguay?
Not for tourist stays of up to 90 days. For a longer stay you need a visa, which you can apply for before entry at the diplomatic mission. Whether it applies to your studies, the mission decides.
Do I have to pay tuition fees in Paraguay?
That depends on the exchange agreement of your university. Ask your university and the host university before you accept the place.
What are the living costs in Paraguay?
The DAAD sets a guideline of 800 euros for students in Paraguay. This is not a budget. Current figures are available from your host university.
Is there a travel warning for Paraguay?
According to the German Federal Foreign Office, non-essential travel to the border area with Brazil is advised against (page status 25 October 2026).
Who is responsible for Auslands-BAföG for Paraguay?
According to the assignment of the German Student Services (DSW), the Studierendenwerk Bremen, Amt für Ausbildungsförderung, for the region America excluding Canada and the USA.
Sources
- German Federal Foreign Office, Paraguay: Travel and Security Information (page status 25 October 2026)
- DAAD, scholarship rates for students and graduates (undated)
- European Commission, FAQ on social security: European Health Insurance Card (undated)
- European Commission, Erasmus+ Programme Guide Part A: Eligible countries (undated)
- German Student Services, Auslands-BAföG flyer (status January 2026)
Sources accessed on 25 October 2026, unless stated otherwise.
Related guides
- Health insurance during a study abroad semester: what applies? (in German)
- PKV for students outside the EU (in German)
- Auslands-BAföG: eligibility, amounts and supplements (in German)
- Travel health insurance for Erasmus, USA and Work and Travel (in German)
- Study abroad in Brazil: insurance, visa, costs (in German)
- All countries for your study abroad semester at a glance (in German)
You can find the online check at check.academycon.de.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
