Bolsa, Inversión y Mercados Financieros

Checklist to Open an Investment Account in Paraguay

DeiviSanzPlay
4 min de lectura

Post actualizado el día octubre 25, 2026 by DeiviSanzPlay

Opening an investment account in Paraguay is not complicated, but it does require meeting a sequence of requirements that is often overlooked. This checklist is designed so that the bank or brokerage firm doesn’t turn you away for a missing document.

Before you set foot in the institution: define your profile

  • Investor type: Are you going to trade on the local exchange (BVA), buy Treasury bills (Ministry of Finance), or only collective investment funds? Each option involves a different institution.
  • Currency: guaraníes or dollars. Most brokerage firms open accounts in both, but funds are usually denominated in only one.
  • Minimum amount: verify it before visiting. Some brokerage firms require USD 1,000 for individual accounts; banks with a trading desk tend to be more flexible, but with less competitive fees.

Personal documentation (individual)

  • Valid Paraguayan identity card (cédula) with an updated address. If your cédula has an old address, request the change beforehand: it is the most common reason for rejection at account opening.
  • Proof of active RUC (tax identification number) issued by the DNIT (National Directorate of Tax Revenue). Most institutions require it even for individual investors.
  • Recent proof of address (ANDE or water bill, or bank statement from the last 90 days).
  • Sworn declaration of the origin of funds. This is an anti-money laundering requirement (SEPRELAD) and cannot be avoided.
  • Bank references or statements from the last 3 to 6 months if the initial contribution exceeds a certain threshold (varies by institution).

Documentation for legal entities

  • Articles of incorporation and founding deed registered with the Public Registry.
  • Company RUC and proof of not being a delinquent debtor.
  • Sufficient power of attorney for the legal representative (public deed).
  • Financial statements or sworn declaration of income, as applicable.

Associated bank account and transfers

You need a bank account in your name at a local institution to fund the investment account. Watch out for a practical detail: if you plan to send dollars from abroad, the institution will ask you for the origin-of-funds form and it may take several business days to credit it. What usually works better is transferring from your own local account.

Contract signing and risk profile

  • Brokerage or custody agreement, depending on the institution.
  • Suitability questionnaire (conservative, moderate, or aggressive profile). This point is not a mere formality: if you declare a conservative profile, they will not enable equity products for you without a new assessment.
  • Debit authorization or transfer instructions.
  • Designation of beneficiaries if the account allows it.

Mistakes that often delay account opening

One specific case that comes up repeatedly: people who open the account thinking they can trade the same day. In practice, between document validation, contract signing, and enabling the user on the online platform, it usually takes between 3 and 10 business days. If the initial contribution also comes from abroad, add another week.

Another common mistake: assuming that any bank offers an investment account. Not all of them do. Some institutions only offer fixed-term deposits and their own funds; to trade on the exchange you need a brokerage firm authorized by the National Securities Commission (CNV).

Limitations you should be aware of

The Paraguayan capital market is small and has little liquidity in equities. If your goal is to buy shares in international companies, a local account won’t solve that for you: you will need a foreign broker or a collective investment vehicle that invests abroad, with its own requirements and fees. This guide does not cover that route.

There is also no guarantee of profitability: no product offers assured returns, and Treasury bills, although considered low-risk, carry market risk if you sell them before maturity.

Final checklist before signing

  1. Valid cédula with an updated address.
  2. Proof of active RUC.
  3. Recent proof of address.
  4. Declaration of origin of funds.
  5. Local bank account in your name.
  6. Completed risk profile.
  7. Contract read (custody, trading, and exit fees).
  8. Written confirmation of the activation timelines.

Always verify the intermediary’s authorization with the institution and with the CNV before transferring money. Terms and minimum amounts change frequently, and this list is for guidance only.