El Salvador
Key entity, tax, banking, visa, and compliance guidance for foreign founders incorporating in El Salvador.
Foreign Ownership Eligibility
El Salvador welcomes 100% foreign-owned companies
Fully remote formation — you never need to set foot in the country.
- 100% foreign ownership permitted in most sectors
- Legal system: Civil Law
- Primary registration authority: Centro Nacional de Registros (CNR)
- Registry website: https://www.cnr.gob.sv
- Tax authority: Ministerio de Hacienda (MH)
- Corporate income tax (CIT): 30% — Source: CIT: 30% (DGII El Salvador). VAT: 13%.
- VAT / sales tax: 13%
- Estimated formation timeline: 5–10 days — Via CNR online portal. Source: CNR El Salvador (cnr.gob.sv)
- Annual compliance and renewal obligations apply
Ownership
100% Foreign OK
Formation
100% Remote
Tax at a glance
El Salvador Tax Overview
30%
Corporate Income Tax (CIT)
CIT: 30% (DGII El Salvador). VAT: 13%.
13%
VAT / Sales Tax
CIT: 30% (DGII El Salvador). VAT: 13%.
Moderate (World Bank EODB 2020 rank: 76)
Ease of Doing Business
World Bank Doing Business 2020 (archived). New B-READY 2024 rankings available at worldbank.org/project/business-ready
5–10 days
Estimated Formation Timeline
Via CNR online portal. Source: CNR El Salvador (cnr.gob.sv)
Pros & cons
Advantages & Considerations
Key Advantages
100% foreign ownership permitted in most sectors
Legal framework: Civil Law
Primary registry: Centro Nacional de Registros (CNR)
Tax rate: 30% CIT (competitive regional rate)
Incorporated company has access to El Salvador market
Considerations
Local professional guidance recommended for regulatory compliance
Banking KYC requirements can be extensive — allow time for account opening
Professional services market may be limited compared to major financial centres
Verify sector-specific restrictions before investing
Currency risk: USD fluctuations may affect USD-denominated investments
Incorporation Process
The process is strictly digital. Each stage builds on the previous one.
Name reservation
Prepare incorporation documents
Submit registration application
Tax registration
Open corporate bank account
What you'll pay
Cost Architecture
Government Fees
Annual Ongoing
Professional Services
Government fees change frequently. Always verify current fee schedule at https://www.cnr.gob.sv before committing. Professional service fees vary significantly by provider.
Still unsure about costs?
These are estimates — your actual cost depends on your structure
Every El Salvador setup is different. A 15-minute call with one of our specialists will give you a personalised cost breakdown — completely free.
Fintech & Banking
Can non-residents open accounts without visiting? YES.
Banking options for non-resident founders in El Salvador. Remote account opening availability varies by institution.
| Institution | Type | Ease for Non-Residents | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banco Agrícola | Traditional bank | Low (Visit Required) | 2–6 weeks depending on bank KYC requirements and document completeness • Verify with each bank — fees vary • Bank-specific requirements — verify before opening • Certificate of incorporation, shareholder and director IDs (passports), business plan, registered address proof, KYC forms • SWIFT international transfers, local bank transfers, mobile money where available |
| Banco Davivienda El Salvador | Traditional bank | Low (Visit Required) | 2–6 weeks depending on bank KYC requirements and document completeness • Verify with each bank — fees vary • Bank-specific requirements — verify before opening • Certificate of incorporation, shareholder and director IDs (passports), business plan, registered address proof, KYC forms • SWIFT international transfers, local bank transfers, mobile money where available |
| Banco Cuscatlán | Traditional bank | Low (Visit Required) | 2–6 weeks depending on bank KYC requirements and document completeness • Verify with each bank — fees vary • Bank-specific requirements — verify before opening • Certificate of incorporation, shareholder and director IDs (passports), business plan, registered address proof, KYC forms • SWIFT international transfers, local bank transfers, mobile money where available |
| Banco Hipotecario | Traditional bank | Low (Visit Required) | 2–6 weeks depending on bank KYC requirements and document completeness • Verify with each bank — fees vary • Bank-specific requirements — verify before opening • Certificate of incorporation, shareholder and director IDs (passports), business plan, registered address proof, KYC forms • SWIFT international transfers, local bank transfers, mobile money where available |
| International fintech platforms (Wise | Fintech | High (Remote) | 2–6 weeks depending on bank KYC requirements and document completeness • Verify with each bank — fees vary • Bank-specific requirements — verify before opening • Certificate of incorporation, shareholder and director IDs (passports), business plan, registered address proof, KYC forms • SWIFT international transfers, local bank transfers, mobile money where available |
| PayPal | Fintech | High (Remote) | 2–6 weeks depending on bank KYC requirements and document completeness • Verify with each bank — fees vary • Bank-specific requirements — verify before opening • Certificate of incorporation, shareholder and director IDs (passports), business plan, registered address proof, KYC forms • SWIFT international transfers, local bank transfers, mobile money where available |
| Stripe) may have limited availability — verify per provider | Fintech | High (Remote) | 2–6 weeks depending on bank KYC requirements and document completeness • Verify with each bank — fees vary • Bank-specific requirements — verify before opening • Certificate of incorporation, shareholder and director IDs (passports), business plan, registered address proof, KYC forms • SWIFT international transfers, local bank transfers, mobile money where available |
Regulatory requirements
Annual Compliance Matrix
| Requirement | Deadline | Details |
|---|---|---|
Annual company filing | Ongoing | File annual returns with Centro Nacional de Registros (CNR) to maintain good standing. |
Corporate income tax return | Ongoing | Submit annual CIT return to Ministerio de Hacienda (MH). CIT rate: 30%. |
VAT filing | Ongoing | VAT-registered businesses must file periodically. Rate: 13%. Verify threshold with Ministerio de Hacienda (MH). |
Accounting records | Ongoing | Maintain statutory books per Civil Law requirements. |
Beneficial ownership disclosure | Ongoing | Verify current UBO/beneficial ownership disclosure requirements in El Salvador. |
Frequently Asked
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