Temporary Residence (90-day minimum presence, Decreto 531) with foreign-source income exemption
Hold Salvadoran residency with just 90 days a year on the ground and pay 0% local tax on i…
Record checked Oct 21, 2026 · official source confirmed 9 Nov, 06:01 UTC
Summary
Decree 531 (effective 31 Mar 2026) amended El Salvador's Migration Law so temporary residents need only 90 days a year in the country, instead of the previous nine months. Separately, a 2024 income-tax reform exempts foreign-source income from Salvadoran tax.
Dream spread
Hold Salvadoran residency with just 90 days a year on the ground and pay 0% local tax on income earned abroad.
Relocation reality check
Not a dedicated nomad visa: you still need a temporary-residence category (e.g., independent means, around US$1,200/month per IMI Daily). Your home country may still tax you, and dropping below 90 days a year cancels the residency.
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Eligibility
Foreigners who qualify for a temporary residence category under the Ley Especial de Migración y de Extranjería.
Costs & money
The amounts & terms on record from the official source. USD figures are estimates.
- Property purchase
- Not required
- Tax
- Reported: residents and non-residents owe no Salvadoran income tax on foreign-sourced income (2024 reform); no wealth, inheritance or gift tax.
True cost to move
Upfront cash, reimbursements, and net position after approval — not headline incentive amounts.
- Flights & logistics$1,200
- Temporary housing (90 days)$2,400
- Deposit / first month rent$2,000
- Visa & consular fees$500
- Health insurance$600
- Legal & translation
Application roadmap
A practical sequence — adjust for your consulate and timeline.
1. Confirm official eligibility
Read the primary government source.
2. Gather income & employment proof
Bank statements, contracts, or tax records.
3. Book consulate / immigration appointment
Slots vary by country and season.
4. Prepare health coverage
Meet minimum coverage rules before arrival.
Meet people before you go
We are still curating 🇸🇻 El Salvador-specific communities. Meanwhile, these global boards answer relocation questions every day.
Communities being curated — start with r/expats meanwhile
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Life abroad, country comparisons, honest post-move retrospectives.
Source trail
This record rests on secondary or reported sources. Check the official source before relying on it.
“Decree 531: "a minimum of ninety calendar days within each year, whether consecutive or accumulated" (IMI Daily, 27 Apr 2026); passed 17 Mar 2026 with 57 votes.”
Primary official sourceLast checked Oct 21, 2026- Secondary referenceLast checked Oct 21, 2026
Rule changes
CasaSedora last checked the official source on 14 Nov 2026. Changes appear here once two independent automated checks agree on them, or a person confirms them.
No rule changes recorded since monitoring began.
Our summaries point you to what moved — always confirm details on the official source.