Skip to content

Living in El Salvador

El Salvador — landmark
Photo by Edu Raw on Pexels
Comprehensive data

Americas — Expat guide for moving and living abroad

Country overview

Capital

San Salvador

Currency

USD

Continent

Americas

Advertisement

Entry requirements

Check if your passport needs a visa for El Salvador.

Check visa requirements

Popular passport access to El Salvador

Passport Status Max Stay
Andorra Visa Free 90 days
United Arab Emirates Visa Free 90 days
Albania Visa Required
Argentina Visa Free 90 days
Austria Visa Free 90 days
Australia Visa Free 90 days
Bosnia and Herzegovina Visa Required
Bangladesh Visa Required
Belgium Visa Free 90 days
Bulgaria Visa Free 90 days

Data incorrect? Let us know

Monthly costs

San Salvador

Rent (center)

500 USD/mo

Groceries

300 USD/mo

Transport

40 USD/mo

Est. Monthly Total

930 USD/mo

Compare cost of living in San Salvador

Santa Tecla

Rent (center)

420 USD/mo

Groceries

290 USD/mo

Transport

35 USD/mo

Est. Monthly Total

830 USD/mo

Compare cost of living in Santa Tecla

Data incorrect? Let us know

Advertisement

Work permits

  • Temporary Resident (Work)

    Duration: 1 year, renewable

    Job offer from Salvadoran employer OR investor/self-employed with proof of funds

  • Investor Residency

    Duration: Up to 2 years, renewable

    Investment in El Salvadoran business or real estate (typically USD 100k+)

  • Freedom Visa (Bitcoin)

    Duration: 5 years, path to citizenship

    USD 1 million Bitcoin/USDT donation to country

Explore all work permit options for El Salvador

Data incorrect? Let us know

Salary & tax

Income Tax Range

0% – 30%

Social Security (Employee)

0.0925%

Progressive 0-30%. Employee social security: 3% ISSS (health) + 7.25% AFP (pension). El Salvador uses USD as legal tender (since 2001) and Bitcoin (since 2021). Remote foreign-source income is taxable if tax resident.

Calculate your net salary

Data incorrect? Let us know

Useful services

Banking

Wise

Manage money in USD with low fees and the real mid-market rate.

Open a Wise account →

Insurance

SafetyWing

Nomad health insurance for your stay in El Salvador. Monthly subscription, cancel anytime.

Get a SafetyWing quote →

Connectivity

Airalo

El Salvador eSIM data plans from $4.50. Activate before you land — no SIM swap.

Get an Airalo eSIM →

Privacy

NordVPN

Stay secure on public WiFi in El Salvador and access services from home.

Get NordVPN →

Language

iTalki

Book 1-on-1 video lessons with native tutors before you move. 150+ languages.

Find a tutor →