Testimonial: How Julien transformed his life by moving from Lyon to Asunción
Theoretical guides are useful. Comparative calculations are convincing. But nothing beats the detailed testimony of a real person who took the plunge and honestly shares their journey, their doubts, their successes, and their adjustments. In this article, we present an in-depth profile of "Julien," a French entrepreneur who moved from Lyon to Asunción in 2024 and agreed to tell us his story in detail — with real figures to back it up.
The name has been changed to protect his privacy, but all figures, dates, steps, and feelings are authentic. This is the story of a total transformation — fiscal, professional, personal — that concretely shows what life as a French expatriate in Paraguay looks like two years after arriving. If you're still hesitating, this testimony might provide the real elements you need to decide.
Before leaving: Julien's life in Lyon
His profile
Julien is 41, married with no children. Before leaving, he ran a digital marketing agency in Lyon specializing in SEO for industrial SMEs. He founded his agency in 2015 with a partner, whom he bought out in 2020. In 2023, his reference year, his agency employed 5 people and generated €680,000 in annual revenue.
Financial situation
Here is his actual situation as he shared it with us:
| Item | 2023 Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| Agency revenue | €680,000 |
| Expenses (salaries, premises, tools, costs) | ~€480,000 |
| Profit before executive remuneration | ~€200,000 |
| His net personal remuneration (salary + dividends) | ~€95,000 |
| Self-employed social security contributions (URSSAF, pension, provident fund) | ~€38,000 |
| Corporate tax paid by the agency | ~€32,000 |
| Personal income tax | ~€22,000 |
| TOTAL levies (company + personal) | ~€92,000 |
This represents an effective levy rate of over 46% on profit before remuneration. And Julien worked between 50 and 60 hours a week for this result, with 70-hour weeks during peak activity.
The turning point
"The turning point wasn't a specific event; it was more an accumulation of small things that eventually became unbearable," Julien explained. "I started doing the calculations seriously in 2022. I realized that over the last 10 years, I had paid almost a million euros in social security contributions and taxes, without receiving anything in return to justify that amount. My parents aren't in France, I hardly ever use public services, and the system just keeps taking more from me every year. At some point, I just stopped accepting it."
He spent 18 months researching. Forums, blogs, videos, books on international tax optimization. He seriously considered Dubai, Portugal (before the end of the NHR regime), Georgia, Romania. "Paraguay came late in my research. At first, it seemed too exotic, too far, too unknown. And then I started digging and understood that it was precisely the unknown that made Paraguay so advantageous — fewer applicants, less OECD pressure, a stable framework."
The preparation phase: 14 months of anticipation
The reconnaissance trip
"I made the trip in September 2023, with my wife. Ten days in Asunción. I wanted her to see it with her own eyes before we made the decision. For her, Paraguay was a complete blank slate — she had never heard of the country. For me, it was the culmination of months of theoretical research."
The ten days largely followed the program we describe in our reconnaissance trip guide: visiting neighborhoods, meeting other French expatriates, appointments with our team, exploring restaurants and daily life, visiting some properties for reference.
"My wife was more convinced than me, actually. She liked the pace, the people, the warmth. On the 8th day, she told me: 'If we're going to leave somewhere, it's here, not Dubai.' And that's when the decision was really made — by her, not by me."
The sale of the agency
Back in Lyon, Julien immediately began preparing to sell his agency. He had identified several scenarios:
- Sell to a competitor (market consolidation)
- Sell to his operational director (MBO)
- Sell to a fund (but the agency was too small)
- Liquidate
He ultimately opted for a sale to his operational director via an MBO arrangement spread over 3 years. "It was the solution that preserved the team. My operational director knew the agency as well as I did, clients trusted him, and I knew he would take good care of everything. The valuation was a bit lower than what a competitor might have paid, but I had peace of mind."
The sale was concluded in April 2024 for €580,000 (40% cash payment, balance spread over 3 years with an earn-out linked to results). After applying tax abatements and settling the capital gain, Julien received approximately €400,000 net in the first year, with a prospect of an additional €150,000 over the next two years.
Administrative procedures
In parallel with the sale, Julien initiated his Paraguayan tax residency through our team in March 2024. "The process took a little over 3 months in practice because there had been delays in the apostille of documents in France, but the support was seamless. I never had to deal with the Paraguayan side — the team handled everything."
He also simultaneously created a US LLC in Wyoming to structure his new international consulting activity. Total cost of the entire preparatory phase (residency, LLC, French accountant for the sale, various fees): approximately €12,000.
Arrival in Paraguay: July 2024
The first few weeks
"We arrived in July 2024 with two suitcases each. We had sold our apartment in Lyon, and we hadn't brought any furniture. For the first 21 days, we stayed in an Airbnb in Carmelitas, then we found our permanent apartment — a two-bedroom with a pool in Villa Morra for $850/month."
"The first three weeks were a mix of fatigue, excitement, and small logistical stresses. Finding a reliable internet provider, understanding how Tigo Money works, opening my bank account, signing up at the gym, finding my supermarket — all these small things you do without thinking in your home country take time when you arrive somewhere new. But after a month, it had become smooth."
The cédula and the bank account
His Paraguayan cédula was issued 11 weeks after the application was submitted. "The day I held my cédula in my hands, I truly felt it was official. Before, it was theoretical. With the cédula, I had officially become a resident of another country. It's a strange sensation for a Frenchman — we're so used to feeling 'French for life'."
The opening of the bi-currency bank account followed a few weeks later, with the support of our team. "Without assistance, it would have been a nightmare. With it, it's one appointment at the bank, some papers to sign, and a few days later the account is open."
The new activity: international consulting
Repositioning
Julien took advantage of his relocation to completely reposition his activity. Instead of managing an agency with employees, premises, and all the operational constraints, he positioned himself as a senior SEO consultant for European SMEs and large groups, with a high-value, high-fee support model.
"My offer is simple: I work with 8 to 12 clients per year maximum, on long-term assignments (6 to 12 months). I charge between €5,000 and €15,000 per month depending on the complexity. It's the opposite of my old model — fewer clients, more margin, much less operational stress."
All his clients are European (France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany). Invoicing goes through his US LLC, payments arrive at Mercury Bank, and he transfers what he needs to live to Paraguay via Wise.
Real figures after a year and a half
| Item | 2025 Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| Consulting Revenue (US LLC) | ~€140,000 |
| Professional expenses (tools, LLC accountant, our PY accounting) | ~€5,000 |
| US federal tax (non-resident, no US trade) | €0 |
| Paraguayan tax (foreign source income) | €0 |
| Net in hand | ~€135,000 |
"Compared to my previous situation, I invoice half as much (€140,000 vs €680,000), but I keep 1.4 times more in net income (€135,000 vs €95,000). And I work 25-30 hours a week instead of 60. It's a different world."
The real cost of living in Asunción
Julien meticulously tracked his expenses during his first 18 months to assess his real cost of living. Here is his average monthly budget for a childless couple with a comfortable lifestyle:
| Item | USD/month |
|---|---|
| Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment with pool in Villa Morra | 850 |
| Utilities (water, electricity, fiber internet) | 180 |
| Groceries (Supermercado Stock + market) | 450 |
| Restaurants (8-10 outings/month) | 400 |
| Transportation (Bolt + occasional fuel) | 120 |
| Gym (for 2) | 80 |
| Prepaid health insurance (for 2) | 240 |
| Spanish lessons | 120 |
| Leisure (cinema, outings, concerts) | 150 |
| Occasional weekend trip (San Bernardino, Encarnación) | 200 |
| Miscellaneous (clothing, gifts, unforeseen) | 250 |
| TOTAL monthly | ~3,040 USD |
| TOTAL annual | ~36,500 USD (~€33,500) |
"In Lyon, we spent approximately €5,800/month for a similar lifestyle — or about €70,000/year. In Paraguay, we spend €33,500/year to live better. The cost of living savings is €36,500/year, in addition to tax savings. It's almost as if I've doubled my net income."
Comparable details can be found in our cost of living guide for Paraguay.
Adjustments and difficulties
Learning Spanish
"My biggest personal project has been Spanish. I had a basic school knowledge, but nothing serious. I took intensive courses for the first 4 months — 3 hours a day, 5 days a week. After 6 months, I was comfortable in everyday conversations. After 12 months, I can manage my entire daily life in Spanish without difficulty."
"Spanish is actually easier than I thought for a French speaker. It's a few months' investment, but it changes everything — your integration, your relationships, your mental comfort. Without Spanish, you remain trapped in the expat bubble."
The time difference with France
"The time difference of -5 or -6 hours depending on the season is strange at first. When my parents call me at 7 PM in France, it's 1 PM or 2 PM here. But you get used to it quickly, and it's even quite practical for work — I can work in the morning with Europe and then have my afternoon free."
"The most difficult thing is not the time difference itself. It's the emotional distance. When a loved one in France needs you, you can't physically be there in a few hours. That's something you have to mentally prepare for."
Distance from loved ones
"My parents and brother are in France. We call regularly, and they've visited twice in 18 months — once for three weeks, which was perfect. But yes, we see each other less. That's the real trade-off of expatriation, and you have to be clear-eyed about it before leaving. It's not for everyone."
"That said, we realize that we actually spoke to our loved ones quite little when we were in Lyon. Distance forces us to have longer, deeper calls. It's not worse, it's just different."
The climate
"The Paraguayan summer, from December to March, is very hot — 35 to 40°C with humidity. Air conditioning is essential, and the electricity bill goes up. In the first few months, we underestimated the impact. Now, we've learned to manage: we go out early in the morning and after 6 PM, staying indoors or by the pool in the middle of the day."
"The Paraguayan winter — which is at the same time as the French summer — is, however, a delight. 18 to 25°C, blue sky, sunshine. This is the season when you really enjoy the city and travel."
What he gained, what he lost
Gains
- Taxation: from 46% in deductions to practically 0% — direct annual savings of €60,000 to €90,000 depending on the year
- Cost of living: €36,500/year in savings on the family budget
- Time: 60 hours/week of work replaced by 25-30 hours, with higher net income
- Stress: end of constant stress related to URSSAF, taxes, team management, and audits
- Assets: capital of €400,000 from the sale + €150,000 to come, to invest in Paraguayan and international assets
- Climate: 8 to 9 months of the year with a very pleasant climate
- Personal relationship: his relationship with his wife significantly improved thanks to reduced stress and available time
Losses
- Physical distance from family in France
- Giving up certain daily cultural references (French press, concerts, bookstores, original version cinema)
- Adapting to a less efficient administrative environment than France
- Complexity of the Paraguayan summer (intense heat)
- Need to learn Spanish to truly integrate
His advice for those who hesitate
"My main advice is: take the reconnaissance trip before deciding. As long as it's theoretical, you don't really know. On site, in a few days, you'll feel if it's for you or not. And if it's not for you, you'll have lost €2,000 and 10 days — which is nothing compared to a failed move."
"My second piece of advice: don't leave in 'escape' mode. Leave because you want to build something elsewhere, not just because you want to flee France. Those who leave in escape mode often return — they don't have a positive project. Those who leave with a project build their new life and are happy."
"My third piece of advice: don't underestimate the importance of support. Trying to manage residency, bank accounts, LLC, taxation, moving, learning Spanish, and social integration all by yourself is a recipe for burnout. Investing in good support saves you 6 to 12 months and preserves your energy for what truly matters — your new life."
His current situation
As of this writing, Julien has been in Paraguay for 20 months. He continues his consulting activity, has just invested in a rental apartment in Asunción (estimated net yield of 7%), obtained his Paraguayan driver's license, and bought a used car. His wife has launched a small online jewelry brand selling through Etsy to European customers — her activity is also integrated into the American LLC.
"We are increasingly talking about applying for Paraguayan nationality in 3 years, when we will have met the required 5 years of residency. Not to renounce our French nationality — dual nationality is allowed — but to have an additional passport and to show our attachment to this country that has welcomed us."
"And honestly, I can't imagine going back to France. Not out of rejection — I love my home country — but because I've built something here that much better suits what I want to live. My only frustration is not having done it 5 years sooner."
The complete ecosystem that enabled this transition
- Tax residency (from €1,400): obtained in 11 weeks
- Bi-currency bank account: opened 3 weeks after the cédula
- American LLC: created in Wyoming in parallel with residency
- Paraguayan accounting (€30/month): active since arrival
- Driving license (€150): obtained in month 14
- Francophone community network: integration via WhatsApp groups and events
Conclusion: a representative testimony
Julien's story is not unique. It has even become the typical story we observe among French entrepreneurs who settle in Paraguay: the gradual realization, the reconnaissance trip that changes everything, the optimized sale of the French business, the prepared arrival, the professional repositioning to a more profitable and less time-consuming activity, and — after 12-18 months — the quiet conviction of having made the right decision.
Not all our clients follow exactly the same path. Some come with more modest capital, others with higher incomes. Some are single, others with family. Some stay in consulting, others pivot completely to new projects. But all share a common denominator: none wish to go back.
If you are still hesitating after reading this testimony, do as Julien did: start with a reconnaissance trip. It's the most rational investment you can make. In 10 days, you'll know what no theoretical guide can tell you — whether or not Paraguay is for you. And if the answer is yes, you'll have your own story to tell in 18 months.
Do you want to start your own story in Paraguay? Contact our team to discuss your project. As with Julien, we will support your transition from start to finish, with rigor and discretion. Your new life begins with a first message.