Electronic Signature Use Grows in Paraguay, But Lack of Awareness Hinders Expansion

Paraguay is experiencing a notable surge in the use of electronic signatures, driven by the digitalization of public services and the financial sector. As of July 23, 2026, over 1.5 million Paraguayans possess electronic identification through the "Portal Paraguay," a platform facilitating secure access to digital state services and documents. Additionally, by March 31 of this year, more than 1.8 million digital certificates had been issued.

Despite the growing adoption, a gap persists between different sectors. While financial institutions and government bodies are actively integrating electronic signatures into their processes, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) show limited uptake. This is attributed to factors such as cost, insufficient information, and a general lack of digitalization within these businesses.

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The electronic identity is the tool that allows citizens to securely access digital services of the State.

Klaus Pistilli, the Vice Minister of Information and Communication Technologies (TIC) at the Ministry of Information Technologies and Communication (Mitic), clarified the distinction between electronic identity and electronic signatures. Electronic identity serves as the secure gateway for citizens to access digital state services. Once authenticated, the electronic signature allows users to complete online procedures and sign electronic documents with the same legal standing as a handwritten signature, provided they meet the requirements of Law No. 6822/2021.

The Mitic reports that the Portal Paraguay currently hosts over 1,200 procedures, with more than 300 fully manageable online. Popular services include the issuance of police clearance certificates and vaccination records. The ministry anticipates that the planned expansion of digital financial services by 2027 could significantly boost the adoption of these tools among MSMEs, thereby accelerating their formalization processes.

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Once the user's identity is authenticated, the electronic signature allows completing online procedures, signing forms, declarations, and electronic files with the same legal validity as a handwritten signature, provided that the requirements set forth in Law No. 6822/2021 are met.