Moving to El Salvador
Companion Resources
The details that change: forms, fees, phone numbers, and links. Each page shows the date we last checked it.
How Long Can a US Citizen Stay in El Salvador? 90 or 180 Days
How long a US citizen can stay in El Salvador as a tourist (90 or 180 days), the one extension, what CA-4 trips do to your time, and the overstay fine, as of November 2026.
ReadyIs El Salvador Safe? Homicide Rate, Travel Advisory & the State of Exception (2026)
Is El Salvador safe in 2026? The official homicide figures, the US travel advisory level, and the state of exception rules that apply to foreigners too, as of November 2026.
ReadyEl Salvador Weather, Regions & Holidays: Choosing Where to Live
Choosing a region in El Salvador: average temperatures by region, official weather forecasts and alerts, holidays, and population by department.
ReadyWhat's New in El Salvador: Roads, Schools & Programs
New roads, schools, markets, and programs changing life in El Salvador, with links to the official announcements.
ReadyHow to Get Residency in El Salvador as a US Citizen: Pensionado, Rentista & Spouse (2026)
How a US citizen gets residency in El Salvador in 2026: the pensionado, rentista, and spouse paths, the income each needs, the 90-day rule, and the documents you start with, as of November 2026.
ReadyHow to Get a Salvadoran DUI: Cost, Documents & Online Renewal (2026)
How to get a DUI, El Salvador's national ID card, from the US or in El Salvador in 2026: who qualifies, what it costs ($35 at a consulate, free the first time in El Salvador), what to bring, and online renewal at dui.sv, as of November 2026.
ReadyTax-Free Household Goods & Cars: El Salvador's Repatriación Benefit (Diaspora Law)
The Repatriación (repatriation) Benefit, forms and worksheets: current status, official documents, and Customs contacts for bringing your household goods, cars, and work tools to El Salvador tax-free under the 2025 diaspora law.
ReadyBringing Pets to El Salvador: Travel Rules & 24-Hour Vets
Pets in El Salvador: the official rules for bringing a dog or cat, 24-hour emergency vets, and end-of-life pet services.
ReadyMail & Packages to El Salvador: Correos, Customs & the $300 Rule
Mail and packages in El Salvador: Correos rates and offices, the Customs $300 package rule, couriers, package forwarders, and US mail and address links.
ReadyPhone & Internet in El Salvador: Carriers, Plans & Home Internet
Phone and internet in El Salvador: mobile carriers, plans, stores, home internet, and official telecom links.
ReadyDriving in El Salvador: License, Car Registration & Insurance Fees
Driving and vehicles in El Salvador: current driver's license and car registration fees, insurance, offices, emissions centers, and traffic rules.
ReadyVA, TRICARE & Military Retiree Benefits in El Salvador
Military retiree and veteran benefits in El Salvador: official links, forms, claim addresses, and phone numbers for VA health care abroad, CHAMPVA, TRICARE Overseas, DEERS, VA claims, and Space-A travel.
ReadyThings to Do With Kids in El Salvador: Parks, Fairs & Outings
Family outings in El Salvador: public parks, family-friendly places, and the year's fairs, with official links.
ReadyMoving to El Salvador Checklist & Timeline (Free PDF)
Checklists and timelines for moving to El Salvador: a free printable checklist and moving timeline, with the key dates and links for your moving month.
ReadyCost of Living in El Salvador: Prices, Rents & Rates
Budget worksheets for El Salvador: current prices, rents, and utility rates, dated, for planning your monthly cost of living before you move.
ReadySalvadoran Consulates in the US & Government Offices in El Salvador
Consulates and government offices: Salvadoran consulates in the US and the government offices you'll deal with in El Salvador, with official links.
ReadyEmergency Numbers & Health Care in El Salvador
Emergency numbers and health care in El Salvador: police, ambulance, fire, and disaster alert numbers, plus the official health services to know before you need them.
ReadyElder Care & Disability Services in El Salvador
Aging and disability in El Salvador: official contacts for older adults and people with disabilities, plus the US benefit links you'll need after you move.
ReadySchools in El Salvador: Official Resources for Moving Families
Schools and education in El Salvador: official Ministry of Education resources for families enrolling children in school.
ReadyStorage, Stores & Bill Payment in El Salvador
Service providers in El Salvador: storage, stores, bill payment points, and consumer protection contacts that go with the book.
ReadyHiring Household Help in El Salvador: Labor Law, Pay & ISSS
Household help and labor law in El Salvador: current pay figures, ISSS registration for household workers, the Labor Code, and Ministry of Labor contacts and calculator.
ReadyLearn Spanish for El Salvador: Schools, Tutors & Apps
Learning Spanish before and after your move to El Salvador: Spanish schools, tutors, language-partner apps, dictionaries, and children's resources.
ReadyBook Updates & Corrections
Changes to laws, fees, and procedures since the book's facts were checked, and any corrections to the book.
ReadyShare Your Story
Send us your questions and tips. They help us improve the book and this site.
ReadyBuying Land or a Home in El Salvador: Registry, Taxes & Permits
Buying property and building in El Salvador: the property registry, transfer tax, building permit offices, housing loans, and a land-measurement calculator (varas and manzanas).
ReadyBanking in El Salvador: Banks, Bitcoin, IRS & Hacienda
Money and banking in El Salvador: banks, Transfer365, deposit insurance, bitcoin, and the IRS and Hacienda links for Americans living there.
ReadyMoving Back to the US From El Salvador: Customs, Medicare & Insurance
Moving back to the US from El Salvador: US Customs forms for returning residents, Marketplace and Medicare enrollment, and the Repatriación rules that apply when you leave.
ReadyMoving to El Salvador From Canada, Mexico, Spain & Latin America
Moving from outside the US: official embassy, tax, pension, apostille, and travel advice links for moving to El Salvador from Canada, Mexico, Spain, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Colombia, or Venezuela.
ReadyReferences
Every source cited in the book, by chapter, with live links to the official pages.
Sister site
Land & Property: Caszul
Browse land and homes for sale in El Salvador, and convert manzanas, varas, and tareas to acres.