Send money to Paraguay from Spain
Spain is the world's largest sender of remittances to Paraguay: more than half of the remittances the country receives come from here. The recipient receives guaraníes (PYG) and can collect in cash, to an account or via the Tigo Money mobile wallet.
The Paraguayan community in Spain grew rapidly from the mid-2000s and, like the Honduran one, is strongly female-led, with domestic and care work concentrated in Madrid, Barcelona and Málaga. Spain being the world's top sender makes operators pay special attention to this corridor.
Options for sending money to Paraguay
In cash, from an agent location
The most used method: you bring cash to an agent (Western Union, Ria, MoneyGram), provide the recipient's details, and within minutes it is available for collection in Paraguay. Spain has thousands of agents, many in call shops and neighbourhood stores:
With an app or online service
Services such as Wise, Remitly, WorldRemit or the Western Union and Ria apps let you send from your phone by card or bank transfer. They tend to offer good exchange rates and first-transfer promotions, and the recipient can receive to an account or collect cash in Paraguay.
International bank transfer
An international transfer from your bank is usually the most expensive and slowest option to Paraguay (issuing fees, correspondent fees and exchange margin). For this corridor an agent or a specialised app is almost always better value.
How the recipient gets the money in Paraguay
Cash collection is available at Visión Banco and Banco Familiar branches and payment networks such as Pago Express or Practipago, present across the country. The Tigo Money wallet and bank account deposit are increasingly popular alternatives.
Tip: The guaraní trades in large figures (one euro is thousands of guaraníes): when comparing, look at the exact total PYG the recipient will get. Small percentage differences in the rate translate into visible amounts.
What you need to send
To send money you need a valid ID (passport, DNI or NIE) and the recipient's details. To collect money you will also be asked for the transaction number (MTCN / PIN). The amount is paid out in cash at the agent location.
How much it costs to send money
The real cost has two parts: the transfer fee and the margin on the exchange rate. Combined, the total cost typically sits between 2% and 6% of the amount, although it varies by operator, amount and payment method. Always compare how much the recipient will get in their currency, not just the advertised fee.
Frequently asked questions about sending money to Paraguay
How long does money take to arrive in Paraguay?
Cash and Tigo Money: minutes. Bank account deposits usually take between a few hours and 1 business day.
In which currency is money collected in Paraguay?
In guaraníes (PYG) at the operator's exchange rate at the time of sending.
What does the recipient need to collect money in Paraguay?
A valid Paraguayan ID and the transaction number (MTCN or PIN); for Tigo Money, the phone number linked to the wallet.