Spanish is the official language of El Salvador, however, caliche, or Salvadoran slang, heavily inflects the language.
Also, even if you are a proficient Spanish speaker, getting used to the idioms may take a while.
Basic English is spoken widely, as an elementary level is taught in schools.
It’s a good idea to pick up some Spanish phrases, as locals will appreciate any effort to speak their language.
Click here for currency conversion at today’s exchange rate.
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| Information Type | El Salvador Data |
|---|---|
| Population | 6,338,193 (Sept. 2024 est.) |
| Gross Domestic Product (GDP) | $110.79 billion (2024 est.) |
| GDP Per Capita | $4,620 (2024 est.) |
| Inflation Rate | 1.17% (Sept. 2024 est.) |
| Currency | US Dollar |
| Exchange Rate | 1:1 (US Dollar is the official currency) |
| Language | Spanish (official), Nahua (among some Amerindians) |
| Capital | San Salvador |
| Population of Capital City | 1,123,000 (2024) |
| Time Zone | UTC/GMT -6 hours |
| Seasons | Rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April); tropical on coast; temperate in uplands |
| International Dialing Code | 503 |
| Electricity | 115V, 60Hz |
| System of Government | Republic |
| Income Tax Rate for Residents | Residents are only taxed on their Salvadorian-sourced income at progressive rates, from 10% to 30%. Non-residents are taxed via withholding at 20% or 25% on certain types of Salvadorian-sourced income. |
| Property Tax | 0.00% (Other fees include; 0.63% for registration, 3.00% for transfer, 0.15%-1.00% notary) |
| Capital Gains Tax | Capital gains earned by non-residents from selling property in El Salvador are taxed at 10% |
| Inheritance Tax | Inheritance is subject to income tax rates |
| Rental Income Tax | Non-residents are charged 30% tax on net income derived from leasing properties. |
| Sales Tax | 13% |
| Restrictions on Foreign Ownership of Property | No |
| Local Chamber of Commerce | |
| American Chamber of Commerce | |
| Primary Exports | offshore assembly exports, coffee,sugar, shrimp, textiles, chemicals, electricity |
| Residency and Visa Requirements | To enter the country by air or sea, U.S. citizens must present a current U.S. passport and either a Salvadoran visa or a one-entry tourist card. The tourist card may be obtained from immigration officials for a ten-dollar fee upon arrival in country at an airport or seaport. |
| Residents or Retirees | no |
| National Airline | Avianca |
Start Your New Life Today, Overseas
Kathleen is the Live and Invest Overseas Founding Publisher. She has more than 30 years of hands-on experience traveling, living, and buying property around the world.
We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.
While in El Salvador, keep in mind that tap water is unsafe to drink. So, we advise to use bottled water and avoid tap water, especially in less populated areas or outside the main cities.
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