What changed in El Salvador
Every rule added or re-checked for El Salvador in the last 90 days.
As a passive holder, your crypto position is cleanly exempt
Crypto tax and legal status
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EY Global tax alert 2024-0695 - El Salvador foreign-source income exemptionActive trading income sourced locally has no clear tax guidance
Crypto tax and legal status
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El Salvador crypto tax guide - Bitcoin and digital asset treatmentForeign-source gains on any crypto asset are exempt too, not just Bitcoin
Crypto tax and legal status
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EY Global tax alert 2024-0695 - El Salvador foreign-source income exemptionBitcoin capital gains are taxed at 0%
Crypto tax and legal status
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EY Global tax alert 2024-0695 - El Salvador foreign-source income exemptionBitcoin's legal-tender status changed in January 2025 - the exact label is contested
Crypto tax and legal status
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IMF Country Report No. 25/58 - El Salvador EFF reviewA local company is taxed only on Salvadoran-source income, same as individuals
Moving your company
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EY Global tax alert 2024-0695 - El Salvador foreign-source income exemptionIncorporate a local SA de CV - full foreign ownership is permitted
Moving your company
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Chambers Global Practice Guide - Corporate Tax 2024, El SalvadorNo wealth, inheritance, gift or entry/exit charge on becoming a resident
Leaving home: exit tax and ties
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El Salvador - Individual and Corporate Tax SummariesDual nationality is protected for Salvadorans by birth, not automatically for naturalizers
Permanent residency and citizenship
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Constitution of El Salvador (1983), Titulo IV - Nacionalidad (Arts. 90-93)The Freedom Visa offers citizenship eligibility in 2-4 months
Permanent residency and citizenship
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El Salvador Freedom Visa - Bitcoin-funded residence and citizenshipNaturalization takes 1, 2 or 5 years depending on nationality and marriage
Permanent residency and citizenship
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Constitution of El Salvador (1983), Titulo IV - Nacionalidad (Arts. 90-93)Temporary residents must keep at least 90 days of presence per year
Residency routes
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Decreto Legislativo No. 531 - 90-day annual presence rule for temporary residents (primary text)The Freedom Visa buys lifelong residence with a USD 1M crypto contribution
Residency routes
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El Salvador Freedom Visa - Bitcoin-funded residence and citizenshipThe Investor Visa route runs through a registered investment or local company
Residency routes
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El Salvador residency routes: Rentista, Pensionado, InvestorRentista and Pensionado are the standard self-funded residency routes
Residency routes
AddedAI-extracted, cross-checkedPlan on private care - public cover is not available to visitors
Healthcare coverage
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Healthcare in El Salvador for expatsNo totalization agreement - your home country's rules decide everything
Social security
AddedAI-extracted, cross-checkedYour pension periods aggregate, and postings under 24 months can stay on home coverage
Social security
AddedAI-extracted, cross-checkedLocal Salvadoran employment brings ISSS and AFP contributions
Social security
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El Salvador payroll and social security contribution rates (ISSS, AFP)No Salvadoran social security duty for a remote worker paid from abroad
Social security
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El Salvador - Individual and Corporate Tax SummariesSpanish tax residents get treaty protection - everyone else relies on the exemption alone
Personal income tax
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El Salvador - Individual and Corporate Tax SummariesSalvadoran-source income is taxed even though foreign income is not
Personal income tax
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El Salvador - Individual and Corporate Tax SummariesForeign-source income is 100% tax-exempt, resident or not
Personal income tax
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EY Global tax alert 2024-0695 - El Salvador foreign-source income exemptionA secondary test can trigger domicile regardless of day count
Tax residency
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Tax domicile rules in El Salvador (Codigo Tributario Art. 53)Past 200 days you may cross the tax domicile threshold - if the presence was consecutive
Tax residency
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Tax domicile rules in El Salvador (Codigo Tributario Art. 53)Under 200 days, you do not trigger Salvadoran tax domicile on the day-count test
Tax residency
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El Salvador - Individual and Corporate Tax SummariesLocal employment or local clients is prohibited on visitor, Nomad or Rentista status
Right to work
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El Salvador Digital Nomad Visa - requirements and income thresholdRemote work for a foreign employer is explicitly permitted on Nomad or Rentista status
Right to work
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El Salvador Digital Nomad Visa - requirements and income thresholdRemote work on a tourist stay is grey but widely tolerated
Right to work
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El Salvador Digital Nomad Visa - requirements and income thresholdVisa requirement for your nationality is not confirmed
Immigration and visa
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Visa policy of El SalvadorPast 180 days you need a DGME extension or a residence permit
Immigration and visa
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El Salvador travel advice - entry requirementsA DGME extension is available if you need to stay past 180 days
Immigration and visa
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El Salvador travel advice - entry requirementsVisa-free entry for up to 180 days
Immigration and visa
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El Salvador travel advice - entry requirements