New Minimum Wage in Paraguay 2026

Current Amount, Legal Basis and Official Data:

Asunción, June 2026 – The new statutory minimum wage in Paraguay has already been officially approved and will come into force on July 1, 2026.

The adjustment was officially confirmed by the government through Decree No. 6225/2026 and is based on the recommendations of the National Minimum Wage Council (CONASAM) as well as inflation developments (CPI).

New Minimum Wage in Paraguay (effective July 1, 2026)

From the date of implementation, the following amounts will apply:

  • Monthly minimum wage: G. 3,044,000
  • Daily minimum wage: G. 117,077

The new minimum wage replaces the previous amount of G. 2,899,048 and represents an increase of approximately 5%.

Legal Working Hours in Paraguay

The calculation of the minimum wage is based on the legal working schedule:

  • 48 hours per week
  • Typically: 6 days – 8 hours
  • Overtime must be paid separately

Overtime, Public Holidays and Additional Compensation

Paraguayan labor law provides for various additional payments depending on working hours and circumstances:

Regular Overtime

  • Regular overtime (daytime work): +50% surcharge
  • Night overtime: +100% surcharge

Work on Public Holidays

If employees work on official public holidays, the following applies:

  • +100% surcharge on the regular wage
  • In practical terms, this means double pay for that working day.

This rule is established in the Paraguayan Labor Code (Código Laboral, Art. 234).

Night Work (Trabajo nocturno)

Additional regulations apply to night work:

  • Night work generally applies between 8:00 PM and 6:00 AM
  • A surcharge of at least +30% on the regular hourly wage
  • Reduced maximum working hours: generally 7 hours per night / 42 hours per week

Special Regulations / Hazardous or Demanding Occupations

In certain cases, additional compensation may apply depending on:

The nature of the activity (e.g., security services, industry, machinery operation)

These supplements are not uniformly established by law but are often regulated by sector-specific agreements or employment contracts.

Social Security (IPS)

In addition to gross wages, mandatory contributions apply:

  • IPS (Instituto de Previsión Social) is compulsory for all formal employees.
  • Contributions are deducted directly from salaries.
  • Benefits include health insurance, pensions, and social welfare services.

New Minimum Wage: Adjustment Mechanism

The minimum wage increase follows a fixed annual procedure:

  • Analysis of the inflation rate (CPI)
  • Evaluation by CONASAM
  • Recommendation to the Ministry of Labor
  • Implementation through a Presidential Decree

Summary

The new minimum wage in Paraguay for 2026 has been officially approved and will, as every year, take effect on July 1st. The legal minimum wage will be set at G. 3,044,000 per month, or G. 117,077 per day, based on a standard 48-hour work week.

The legal basis for this adjustment is Decree No. 6225/2026.

For more information about Paraguay, migration, and life in the country, ParaguayProfis is available to assist you.

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