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El Salvador

Central America

About El Salvador

Bitcoin-friendly with dramatic safety improvements and Freedom Visa.

El Salvador has undergone dramatic transformation under President Bukele's security policies, with homicide rates dropping 98% since 2015—now among the safest in the Western Hemisphere. The country pioneered Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021, though 2025 IMF-mandated changes made acceptance voluntary. The Freedom Visa program offers immediate citizenship processing for $1M Bitcoin/USDT investment (4-6 weeks), limited to 1,000 participants annually. Territorial taxation exempts foreign-sourced income and there's no capital gains tax on crypto. However, the state of exception suspending constitutional rights raises rule-of-law concerns, and banking infrastructure remains limited despite crypto branding.

Country Overview

Key indicators to help you understand what life in El Salvador might be like

Cost of LivingBelow Average
Healthcare QualityModerate
SafetyGood
English PrevalenceBelow Average
Visa AccessibilityGood

Data last updated: 1/7/2026

Highlights

  • ✓Homicide rate dropped 98% since 2015—now very safe
  • ✓No tax on foreign income or Bitcoin capital gains
  • ✓Freedom Visa: $1M investment = citizenship in 4-6 weeks
  • ✓Dollar economy—no currency exchange needed
  • ✓Lower cost of living than neighboring countries

Considerations

  • !State of exception suspends constitutional rights—rule of law concerns
  • !Bitcoin legal tender modified under IMF pressure (2025)
  • !Limited banking infrastructure despite crypto focus
  • !Spanish required—limited English outside tourist zones
  • !Human rights concerns under current government

Visa Options

Available visa types for Americans looking to move to El Salvador

Freedom Visa

INVESTOR

$1 million Bitcoin or USDT investment grants immediate citizenship processing in 4-6 weeks. Limited to 1,000 participants per year. No income tax on foreign earnings.

Path to ResidencyPath to Citizenship

Tourist Visa (CA-4)

TOURIST

90-day visa-free entry for US citizens. Part of CA-4 agreement. Dollar economy, no currency exchange needed.

3 months

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