Interview with Andrea Carlo Bernasconi
Hello Andrea, tell us something about yourself
My name is Andrea Carlo Bernasconi. I was born in Milan, Italy, and I am Italian. My professional career began in Italy, where I spent more than ten years in senior executive positions within insurance and telecommunications companies. Later, my career became international, and I worked in more than twenty countries over the following fifteen years.
When and why did you decide to leave Italy?
I love Italy. This is not nationalism; I consider this opinion to be entirely rational and objective. Italy is one of the best countries in the world, and I say that precisely because I have had the opportunity to know so many others.
However, that does not mean that Italy is the only place on Earth where one can live well. I have seen beautiful countries and less attractive ones, and when I discovered Paraguay, I completely fell in love with it.
I have not lost Italy. Italy is always there, and I can return whenever I wish. But that does not mean I should close myself off from the possibility of discovering other countries, cultures, and people.
Why did you choose to move to Paraguay, and where do you live?
I live in Asunción, the capital city. Paraguay impressed me deeply. It is not a famous country, and many people around the world know very little about it, but it offers an exceptional balance.
I was impressed by its quality of life, its pleasant and relaxed society, and the fact that it is much safer than many neighboring countries. Paraguay’s economy is growing rapidly, it is financially solid, and it offers many advantages to foreigners who choose to relocate here.
Did you move alone or with your family?
I moved alone initially, and my family joined me shortly afterward.
Had you already lived abroad for extended periods before moving to Paraguay?
Yes. As I mentioned, I held senior executive positions in globally recognized companies. This allowed me to experience and understand many of the countries where I worked on a much deeper level.
What is your role in Paraguay?
At our company, LivingInParaguay.com, I serve as Chief Operating Officer.
We help people from Europe, North America, Australia, Russia, and many other countries relocate to Paraguay and obtain permanent residency.
Our partners are all Europeans: Italians, Spaniards, Germans, and French professionals.
We organize discovery trips throughout Paraguay and manage every logistical, legal, consulting, and organizational aspect involved in an international relocation.
Since we have personally relocated several times in our own lives, we fully understand the challenges people face when dealing with bureaucracy in another language, unfamiliar laws, and different administrative systems.
Our goal is simple: to offer others the same opportunity we have been fortunate enough to enjoy. We help people move to another country and begin a second life free from unnecessary concerns.
In Paraguay, it is possible to launch new business projects and benefit from tax opportunities available to families and retirees who decide to relocate.
That is why we are always happy when people ask us questions. Our guidance helps them save time, money, and energy so they can focus on their personal life projects.
We handle all residency procedures, arrange rental properties before clients arrive, and organize every aspect of the move before, during, and after relocation.
Our success comes from our almost obsessive attention to customer service and from our all-inclusive pricing model with no hidden surprises. This is possible because of our strong presence both in Europe and Paraguay.
What differences have you noticed professionally and personally compared to Italy?
The first shock when arriving in Asunción is the sense of calm.
No traffic jams. No smog. No rush. No constant stress.
This is beneficial both physically and mentally, although it requires a period of adjustment because everyone else is equally relaxed.
In Paraguay, the word “now” does not necessarily mean the same thing it does in Europe. For us, “now” often means immediately. In Paraguay, “ahorita” can refer to some undefined moment later in the day.
I firmly believe Paraguay is an excellent country to live in, especially for Europeans and North Americans who come from societies often filled with tension and conflict.
What else have you noticed about Paraguayan society?
Paraguayan people are very open and sociable. They do not interfere in your personal affairs.
In fact, I would even say that neither individuals nor the government tend to intrude excessively into your private life.
At the same time, there is a very strong sense of community.
Back in Milan, I barely knew my neighbors. We exchanged polite greetings in the elevator and little more.
Here, after returning home late from work one evening, my neighbors’ daughter brought me broth and chipa bread in case I had not had time to prepare dinner.
Living and working in Paraguay: what is better than Italy, and what is worse?
Technology and modern conveniences are very similar.
For example, Paraguay benefited from technological leapfrogging and moved directly to advanced mobile infrastructure. You can easily find virtually any modern technological device here.
Of course, Paraguay is still a developing country. This is neither positive nor negative—it simply represents a significant opportunity.
Professionals generally speak excellent Spanish and often English as well. However, when interacting with ordinary people, it is important to understand cultural differences and maintain an open, cosmopolitan mindset.
I should also add that Paraguay’s liberal economic policies strongly encourage private initiative.
Here, it is often possible to actually do things. In Europe, we are still frequently constrained by layers of bureaucracy inherited from another era.
Do you know many Italians living in Asunción?
Interestingly, the Italian and Spanish communities are growing steadily.
A small Italian community is forming in Asunción, although we are still relatively few in number.
How do you feel about Italy now?
Italy will always be my homeland.
But I do not believe it is a jealous homeland. On the contrary, one reason Italy is admired around the world is because Italians travel, explore, and share their culture internationally.
The best people understand that their country is not the only place worth experiencing.
What are your plans for the future?
First and foremost, I want to help anyone who feels the need to start a second life abroad.
In doing so, I hope to give back a small part of everything I have received from Italy and Europe.
What advice would you give to other Italians considering a move to Paraguay?
First of all, do not be afraid.
Every day we meet people who arrive expecting the transition to be much more traumatic than it actually is. Most discover that the process is easier than they imagined and that everything works out well.
Second, seek professional advice before taking the first step.
I am not saying this simply because it is our profession. Professional guidance is essential because it helps people make informed decisions based on reliable information.
Find someone who understands both where you come from and where you are going.
Third, visit our blog, where you can find a wealth of useful information and practical advice about Paraguay:
What type of work, business, or investment opportunities would you recommend to an Italian in Paraguay?
There are many opportunities for investors.
Paraguay offers numerous tax advantages and a strong socioeconomic structure that is still largely undiscovered internationally.
I would encourage anyone interested to contact us for a free consultation.
In Paraguay, almost anything is possible. The key is simply recognizing the right moment to take the leap and begin a new life.
