El Salvador

"Dios, Unión, Libertad" ("God, Union, Liberty")

overview

Welcome to El Salvador

El Salvador, the smallest country in Central America, is known for its Pacific beaches, coffee plantations, and mountainous landscapes. The economy is driven by agriculture, remittances, and an emerging tech sector.

overview

El Salvador Essentials

Inno nazionale

Himno Nacional de El Salvador

Giorno dell'Indipendenza

15 settembre 1821

Haiko

Surf breaks on beaches / Pupusas sizzle with cheese / Volcanos watch on

Interesting Tradition

Celebrates Las Bolas de Fuego festival where participants throw fireballs at each other

Weirdest Local Superstition

Pregnant women shouldn't wear necklaces

Strangest Law Still on the Books

Illegal to drive while drunk or "emotionally unstable"

overview

Come for the history, stay for the future

Come for the revolution, stay for the reinvention: El Salvador leads a bold experiment in financial innovation while offering a laid-back coastal lifestyle. Here, crypto-friendly policies merge with surf culture, creating unique opportunities for digital pioneers. Morning meetings happen steps from world-class waves, while growing tech infrastructure and progressive citizenship programs are transforming this Central American nation into a hub for forward-thinking professionals.

overview

Vámonos

Enter a country where innovation isn't just technology, but transformation. Here, volcanic energy powers digital revolution.

overview

Bienvenidos a El Salvador

Known for its pupusas a dish so beloved it has its own national holiday

El Salvador isn't just a country—it's a pocket-sized treasure. Here, time moves with volcanic energy, and even a simple coastal drive becomes a surfing safari. This is a land where determination and warmth shape every interaction.

From the perfect waves of La Libertad to the coffee highlands of Ruta de Las Flores, El Salvador offers authenticity for every adventurous spirit. Whether you're drawn to the colonial charm of Suchitoto, the volcanic lakes of Coatepeque, or the archaeological wonders of Joya de Cerén, you'll find a country that proves the biggest experiences often come in smaller packages.

Statistiche

Savor the Flavor

Eat

pupusas (stuffed corn tortillas) - yuca frita (fried cassava)

Drink

horchata (rice and spice drink) - kolashampan (champagne-style soda)

overview

Algo de beber?

Beer

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

18

Wine

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

1

Coffee

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

3.31

Tea

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

0.16

overview

Cultural Tips and Etiquette

#1
Pupusa eating has etiquette
#2
Coffee farming heritage is honored
#3
Volcanic beach culture unique
#4
Church and state separation observed
#5
Gang awareness affects daily life

overview

El Salvador Essentials

Representative Novel

One Day of Life by Manlio Argueta (Novel set during the Salvadoran Civil War)

National Animal

Turquoise-browed Motmot

National Pasttime

Calcio (Soccer)

Souvenir nazionale

Indigo-dyed textiles

Piatto nazionale

Pupusa

Festival famoso

Fiestas Agostinas

Danza famosa

Xuc

Musica famosa

Xuc

overview

Did You Know?

El Salvador is the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender.

In 2021, El Salvador made history by becoming the first country in the world to recognize Bitcoin as an official currency.

El Salvador is known as the “Land of Volcanoes”

This small country boasts more than 20 volcanoes, and several are still active, making it a hotspot for geothermal energy.

Pupusas are the national dish of El Salvador.

These delicious stuffed corn tortillas are a must-try and a staple of Salvadoran cuisine, enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.

overview

El Salvador’s Key Historical Events

1,932

Aprile 2014

La Matanza: Government massacre of 30,000 people following a failed uprising.

1980

Luglio 2014

Civil war begins between government forces and left-wing guerrillas.

1992

Febbraio 2015

Peace accord signed, ending 12 years of civil war.

2009

Marzo 2015

Mauricio Funes elected as president, the first from the left-wing FMLN.

2021

Ottobre 2016

Nayib Bukele elected as president, the first leader from outside the traditional parties.

MOBILITY

Access El Salvador Residency Rights on the GlobalPassport™ Platform 

NO. OF Mobility Assets

3

MOBILITY

Citizenship Pathways and
Residency Requirements

Citizenship by Birth
Citizenship by DESCENT
Citizenship by MARRIAGE
2 years
DUAL Citizenship
RESIDENCY BY Naturalization
5
PASSPORT VALIDITY
10 years

MOBILITY

Passport Power

Visa Free Countries

114

Performance Class

Global Contender

Grado del passaporto

B

Rank

78

Score

123.7

This visa grants access to:

• 29% of the world's population 

• 62% of UNESCO sites 

• 37% of global GDP 

• 37% of the world's land area 

MOBILITY

Accesso senza visto a:

MOBILITY

Number of American Emigrants to El Salvador by Year 

Year
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
El Salvador
91
141
191
409
624
642
1,181

MOBILITY

Compare My Passport

Select up to 3 Mobility Assets
Mobilità
Approval Time (est.)
Appointment Availability
Term (i.e. duration)
Minimum Investment
Requisito della presenza fisica
Costo della vita
English Usage
Quality of Life
Healthcare Ranking
Passport Power
Visa-free Country Access
Number of American Expats
More Details

Rankings

El Salvador's Global Rankings 

El Salvador shows strength in happiness (#33) and affordable living costs (#61). Our comprehensive analysis reflects its moderate performance across various quality of life metrics.

Exceptional performance
Standard performance
Needs Improvement
Rankings are based on 2023-2024 Global Indices and Assessments from recognized international organizations. Updated quarterly to reflect the most recent available data
61
Costo della vita
2024
Conveniente
77
Quality of Life
2024
Basic
107
Safety
2024
Medio
33
Happiness
2024
Alto
106
Tax Burden
2024
Moderate Load
50
English Proficiency
2023
Moderate Proficiency
109
Rule of Law
2024
Weak
98
Healthcare System
2024
Minimal Coverage
33
Pleasant Climate
2024
Pleasant

Healthcare

Healthcare Overview

Key Health Indicators

Età mediana

27.0

years

Life Expectancy

72.3

years

Obesity Rate

27.00%

Tobacco Use

15.00%

Sources

Health care Indicators

Health Expenditure

9.72%

of GDP

Hospital Beds

1.2

per 1000 people

Doctors

2.9

per 1000 people

Out-of-pocket

26.74%

of total expenditure

Sources

Healthcare

Did you Know?

Public and Private Healthcare Options

El Salvador offers both public and private healthcare, with public services being more affordable and private hospitals offering quicker access to treatments.

Healthcare for Expats

Expatriates living in El Salvador can access private healthcare services, which are known for offering faster and more specialized treatments.

Affordable Medical Services

Medical services in El Salvador are affordable, with both public and private options costing significantly less than in many Western countries.

Pharmaceutical Availability

Pharmacies in El Salvador are well-stocked with both local and international medications, available at reasonable prices compared to neighboring countries.

Emergency Medical Care

Emergency care is available in both public and private hospitals in El Salvador, with private hospitals providing quicker and more specialized treatments.

Healthcare

United Healthcare Coverage Service Index (2000 - 2021)

Healthcare

Healthcare Cost Calculator

cost of living

Panoramica del costo della vita

El Salvador provides a low cost of living, though prices in the capital, San Salvador, are higher than in rural areas. Housing costs are low, even in upscale neighborhoods of major cities. Food is inexpensive, particularly local produce and staples. Utilities are moderately priced, with electricity being the most significant expense. Public transportation is very cheap but can be crowded and unreliable. Private education costs are moderate but can be a significant expense relative to overall living costs.

Cost of Gasoline

$1.06

per liter

Cost of Meal

$10.00

(Inexpensive Restaurant)

Monthly Rent

$870.00

(1 bedroom, City Center)

Monthly Utilities

$102.50

(85m² Apartment)

Domestic Beer

$2.00

(0.5 liter draught)

Aliquota IVA

13%

cost of living

Cost of Living plus Rent Map

cost of living

Cost of Living Calculator

cost of living

Rent Calculator

Tassazione

Panoramica sulla tassazione

Before considering a move to El Salvador, it's essential to understand its territorial tax environment where only locally sourced incomes are taxed at progressive rates ranging from 0% to 30%.+Social security contributions are mandatory. Property taxes also apply; individuals need Número de Identificación Tributaria (NIT) as their identification number in El Salvador which lacks a double taxation treaty with the United States.

Tax Residency Requirement

200 days

Worldwide Income Taxation

No (Territorial system)

Higher Rates for Foreign Assets

No

US Double Taxation Treaty

No

Reddito personale

Progressive tax rate based on income levels

0%-30%

Personal Capital Gains

Flat rate on investment gains

10%-30%

Eredità

Based on inherited amount and relationship

0%

Reddito d'impresa

Standard corporate tax rate applied to business profits

30%

Plusvalenze aziendali

Tax rate applied to capital gains from corporate investments

10%-30%

Dividendi

Withholding tax rate applied to dividend distributions

5%

Interesse

Withholding rate interest payment to non-residens

10%-20%

Royalties

Withholding tax rate for royalty payments

10%-25%

Work Assignment

Foreign individuals are considered tax residents if they reside temporarily or permanently in the country for more than 200 consecutive days during a calendar year.

Overall Ranking

Global position in PWC’c Ease of Paying Taxes ranking

70

Ease of Paying Taxes Score

Overall score based on multiple factors

77.5

Total Tax and Cotribution Rate

TTCR percentage including all mandatory contributtions

36.4
%

Time to Comply

Annual hours required to comply with tax regulations

168
HOURS

Number of Payments

Total number of tax payments required annually

7

Post-filing Index

Score measuring the ease of processes after filing taxes

49.5
%

taxation

Tax Burden Map

taxation

Income Tax Calculator

CLIMATE

Climate Type

Tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April)

Average Temperature

25.23 °C

Humidity

74

%

Average Annual Precipitation

1,784

mm

Rainless Days per Year

254

Best Time to Travel

November-April

Domande?

Frequently Asked Questions About Gaining Residency or Citizenship in El Salvador

Find answers to common questions about GlobalPassport™ and our tools guiding you towards residency or citizenship in El Salvador.

What Mobility Assets are available to me in El Salvador?

Icona Plus

Do I need to speak Spanish to apply for residency or citizenship in El Salvador?

Icona Plus

Can my family members apply for residency or citizenship in El Salvador with me?

Icona Plus

How will the GlobalPassport™ help me move to El Salvador?

Icona Plus

Posso mantenere la mia cittadinanza?

Icona Plus