Dmitri Mihhailov
Managing Partner
Leads Prifinance and personally oversees complex multi-jurisdiction structures. Your Salvadoran setup gets partner-level review before anything is filed.
Register a company in El Salvador
- dollarisation, improving security and special regimes for technology.El Salvador company registration gives founders access to an economy that has changed dramatically in recent years: security indicators have improved sharply, the country has been fully dollarised since 2001, and the 2023 technology law offers qualifying companies a 15-year tax exemption. El Salvador also maintains a dedicated regulatory framework for digital assets, while the ordinary corporate tax rate remains 30% and the domestic market is roughly six million people.
30 yrs
of experienceof experience
60+
in-house specialistsspecialists
6,000+
companies servedcompanies served
Updated
El Salvador · at a glance
Legal formSA de CV via CNR
Time to set up1-2 weeks
Corporate tax30% · tech law 0% ×15 yrs
VAT13%
CurrencyUSD - fully dollarised
Remote setupYes - by POA
4.7
★★★★★
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El Salvador in brief
A transformed operating environment with clear trade-offs.
For decades, El Salvador was defined internationally by its homicide rate. The security crackdown that began in 2022 pushed that figure down to among the lowest in the Americas and changed the operating environment around it: logistics, staff retention, insurance costs and the willingness of clients to visit. On top of that sits a fully dollarised economy, a 2023 technology law that grants qualifying software, AI and hardware companies 15 years free of income tax, capital gains tax and import duties, and a digital-assets framework regulated through CNAD.
The other side matters just as much. Outside special regimes, El Salvador is a conventional 30% corporate-tax jurisdiction with 13% VAT and a real payroll burden. The Bitcoin experiment was softened under the 2025 IMF agreement, so the more accurate description is crypto-friendly regulation rather than a Bitcoin utopia. Political power remains highly concentrated, and the domestic market is small at around six million people, which is why many international businesses use the country primarily for nearshore services, regional trade and digital operations on USD rails.
Packages & pricing
El Salvador company registration - cost and packages.
01 - SA DE CV · EL SALVADOR
Company
from$2,900USD · all-in
Remote company formation in El Salvador includes CNR incorporation, tax registrations and the first year of the registered address.
✓Regime strategy first - tech law, free zone or standard✓CNR name clearance and incorporation✓NIT, IVA and municipal registrations✓Local legal-representative solution✓Registered address in San Salvador - first year✓Free pre-incorporation consultation
Optional add-ons: tech-law qualification file - from $2,500 · DASP registration through CNAD - scoped per case · free-zone application - from $2,500 · accounting - from $250/month · renewal - from $1,200/year.
Start with a consultation →02 - SA DE CV + BANK · EL SALVADOR
Most popularCompany + Bank Account
from$4,900USD · all-in
Everything in the first package plus a corporate USD account with a Salvadoran bank, with the file prepared and supported through onboarding.
✓Everything in the Company package✓Bank file - business plan, source of funds, references✓Account with Banco Agrícola, Cuscatlán or BAC✓Native USD banking - no currency conversion✓ISSS and AFP payroll registrations✓Banking strategy for crypto exposure where relevant
Optional add-ons: tech-law file - from $2,500 · DASP registration - scoped per case · accounting - from $250/month · renewal - from $1,200/year.
Start with a consultation →These are starting prices, confirmed before filing. CNR and municipal fees are itemised in the final quote.
What you can do
Popular uses for an El Salvador company.
The technology regime supports qualifying builders, full dollarisation simplifies payments for everyone, and the improved security environment has made the country more practical for regional operations. Some activities require separate qualification or licensing.
Tech & softwarelicensed
The 2023 law provides qualifying technology companies with 15 years free of income tax and import duties.
Crypto & digital assetslicensed
DASP registration through CNAD provides a regulated framework for digital-asset businesses.
BPO & nearshore serviceslicensed
A US-friendly time zone, dollar payroll and a growing labour pool for outsourced services.
Maquila & light manufacturingstandard
Export-processing activity in free zones with available customs relief.
Trade & distributionstandard
USD invoicing and regional distribution through a fully dollarised economy.
Tourism & surf economystandard
Surf City, digital nomads and a coastline that has become more practical for tourism investment.
Why El Salvador
Key advantages of the jurisdiction.
✓
The security dividend
The operating environment has changed materially as violent crime has fallen.
✓
Full dollarisation
The US dollar is the domestic currency rather than a peg, eliminating a separate FX layer and exchange controls.
✓
Technology regime
Qualifying technology companies can receive 15 years of income-tax exemption.
✓
Working crypto regulation
CNAD licenses digital-asset businesses under a dedicated regulatory framework.
✓
A registry that moves
CNR processes incorporations through a one-stop system within days.
✓
IMF-backed credibility
The 2025 programme added a new layer of fiscal discipline and market confidence.
How it compares
El Salvador alongside its regional alternatives.
Within Central America, El Salvador stands out for the combination of full dollarisation, special technology incentives and digital-asset regulation. Guatemala offers a larger neighbouring market, Costa Rica a more conventional stability premium, and Panama a territorial tax system and established banking sector. Figures current as of 2026.
| Country | Corporate tax | Signature story | Signature edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Salvador | 30% · tech 0% | The security dividend | Native USD, crypto rules |
| Guatemala | 25% | The biggest market next door | Scale, harder streets |
| Costa Rica | 30% | The talent premium | Stability at a price |
| Panama | 25% | The banking platform | Territorial system |
| Nicaragua | 30% | The sanctions overhang | Cheap, and priced why |
El SalvadorNative USD, crypto rules
Corporate tax30% · tech 0%
Signature storyThe security dividend
GuatemalaScale, harder streets
Corporate tax25%
Signature storyThe biggest market next door
Costa RicaStability at a price
Corporate tax30%
Signature storyThe talent premium
PanamaTerritorial system
Corporate tax25%
Signature storyThe banking platform
NicaraguaCheap, and priced why
Corporate tax30%
Signature storyThe sanctions overhang
Requirements
What a Salvadoran SA de CV actually requires.
01
Two shareholders - an SA de CV requires two shareholders at formation; they may be of any nationality, and one may hold a nominal share.
02
Minimum capital - $2,000 - the capital is real, with 5% paid in at incorporation.
03
Legal representative - an in-country representative is required for filings and official notices and is included in the package.
04
Registered office - a Salvadoran address is required for CNR and tax correspondence.
05
Tax registrations - NIT, IVA and municipal registrations are completed alongside incorporation.
06
Payroll registrations - ISSS and AFP registrations apply from the first hire, and the employer burden should be modelled from the start.
How it works
From application to a registered company - within weeks.
To open a company in El Salvador, the first decision is which regime applies: standard, technology law, DASP or free zone. The CNR registration itself is relatively fast, while tax, banking and special-regime applications determine the realistic overall timeline.
01Same day
Free consultation
We decide first whether the project belongs under the tech law, DASP regime, free zone or standard SA de CV.
022-3 days
Structure & documents
Shareholding, capital and KYC are prepared in one coordinated package.
033-7 days
CNR incorporation
The deed is executed and filed through the one-stop registry system.
043-7 days
Tax & municipal
NIT, IVA, municipal licensing and the legal representative are put in place.
052-8 weeks
Regime applications
Tech-law qualification, DASP registration or free-zone status where relevant.
062-4 weeks
Bank account
A USD banking file is prepared for Banco Agrícola, Cuscatlán, BAC or another suitable institution.
Quick facts
Legal formSA de CV
Corporate tax30% · tech 0% ×15
VAT13%
Dividends5%
CurrencyUSD - native
Standard timeline1-2 weeks
Renewal & accountingFrom $1,200/year
The technology-law exemption is a separate qualification process based on what the company actually builds and where. For eligible businesses, it is the mechanism that turns the ordinary 30% regime into a 15-year zero-tax treatment.
On the ground
On the ground in El Salvador.
Prifinance - El Salvador
San Salvador
San Salvador, El Salvador
01
Central America specialists
Your setup runs with San Salvador counsel who file CNR and tax work weekly.
02
Tech-law & DASP positioning
Qualification files and CNAD registrations built with the incorporation.
03
USD-native accounting
Books without conversion noise. And crypto-aware where the model needs it.
04
Also in Hong Kong, London, Dubai & more
A network of offices supporting cross-border structures.
We also have offices in
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
5/F, Yau Lee Centre, 45 Hoi Yuen Road, Kwun Tong
Vilnius
Lithuania
Gedimino pr. 2
London
United Kingdom
7 Bell Yard
Prague
Czech Republic
Vlkova 532/8, Žižkov
Berlin
Germany
Rankestraße 26
Madeira
Portugal
Rua da Alegria 31, 1F
Budapest
Hungary
Korányi Sándor u. 4
Istanbul
Türkiye
Perpa Ticaret Merkezi, A Blok
Dubai
UAE
33 Level, Al Saqr Business Tower
Toronto
Canada
1110 Finch Avenue West, suite 406
Singapore
Singapore
3 Church Street, #29-68 Samsung Hub
Bangkok
Thailand
Unit P01, Penthouse, VASU1, 1 Sukhumvit 25 Alley
Foshan
China
A-Tower, Yuneng Digital Plaza, 46 Lishui Avenue South
Almaty
Kazakhstan
Republic Square 13
Bishkek
Kyrgyzstan
32 Razzakov Street
Taxation
A standard 30% regime with two genuine alternatives.
El Salvador’s ordinary corporate tax rate is 30%, while companies with income below $150,000 pay 25%. The two main alternatives are the 15-year exemption for qualifying technology companies and the free-zone regime. Full dollarisation separately removes the foreign-exchange line from treasury management.
Corporate tax - 30%
25% below $150,000 of income; this is the ordinary regime.
Tech law - 0%
15 years without income tax, capital gains tax or import duties for qualifying companies.
VAT - 13%
The standard rate, administered electronically.
Dividends - 5%
A relatively low withholding rate on distributions.
The levies that matter
Corporate income tax30% · small companies 25%
Tech-law companies0% ×15 years
VAT13%
Dividends5%
Payroll - employer, ISSS + AFP≈16%
Renewal & accountingFrom $1,200/year
Owners remain responsible for tax where they are resident. There is no separate FX exposure to manage because the US dollar is the domestic currency.
Your team
The specialists who'll handle your case.
Eugeniu Bevziuc
International Business Consultant
Walks you from first call to working company - structure, documents, timelines - in plain language, in five languages.
Alex Danila
Corporate Services Specialist
Handles CNR filings, tax registrations and the bank file day to day, so your Salvadoran company launches without delays.
Follow Prifinance
Active across our channels.
Watch: opening a company in El Salvador with Prifinance
The security dividend, claimed with the right regime - company, tech-law file, DASP registration and USD bank in one prepared project. Full support, start to finish.
Talk to a specialist →FAQ
Common questions about El Salvador company registration.
Can I open a Salvadoran company without visiting?+
Yes. An SA de CV can be incorporated by power of attorney, and registry filings are handled remotely. Banks often prefer to meet a signatory once, so many founders combine a short visit with the bank-account stage.
Is Bitcoin still legal tender?+
Formally, the legal framework remains in place, but the IMF agreement softened how it operates in practice: private acceptance is voluntary and the state’s own crypto activity is restricted. El Salvador is better described today as a crypto-friendly regulated market rather than a Bitcoin-only economy.
Who qualifies for the 15-year technology exemption?+
Companies genuinely developing software and applications, AI, cloud services, hardware and semiconductors may qualify under the 2023 innovation law. It requires a substantive application, and approval removes income tax, capital gains tax and import duties for 15 years.
Has security really improved that much?+
Yes. Homicide levels have fallen sharply to among the lowest in the Americas and daily business activity has normalised. The change was achieved through a state of exception and mass detentions, which have also drawn criticism from human-rights organisations and raised concerns about the concentration of political power.
What does full dollarisation actually provide?+
No local-currency devaluation risk, no conversion between a domestic currency and USD, and no separate exchange-control layer. Businesses can invoice, bank, pay salaries and repatriate funds in US dollars.
Can I open a bank account in El Salvador for a crypto business?+
Yes, although banking scrutiny remains serious. A CNAD DASP registration and a strong compliance file improve access, while local banks remain conservative. Banking strategy should be developed in parallel with the licensing process.
How do free zones and maquila work?+
The export-processing regime provides income-tax and customs exemptions for qualifying manufacturers and service exporters operating from approved zones. For textiles, assembly and BPO, it can be more attractive than the ordinary 30% corporate regime.
What are the payroll costs?+
Employer contributions to ISSS and AFP total roughly 16% on top of gross salary, with employee-side deductions in addition. This should be included in the hiring model from the outset.
Do I need a local partner or representative?+
A local partner is not required, and 100% foreign ownership is standard. A legal representative in El Salvador is required for filings and official notices.
How much does El Salvador company registration cost and how long does it take?+
Company formation starts from $2,900, while the package with a bank account starts from $4,900. CNR registration usually takes up to a week, while tax registrations and banking bring the realistic timeline to 2-4 weeks. Tech-law and DASP applications add 2-8 weeks, and annual renewal starts from $1,200.
Client notes
Google4.7★★★★★
Founders who wanted it done right.
Google4.7★★★★★
“As a software development crew at FewMoreTaps OÜ, we've had the pleasure of working with Prifinance on some key financial moves.First of all, navigating the world of corporate banking and finance can be a maze, but Prifinance made it feel like a walk in the park. They helped us set up a corporate bank account without the hassle of jumping on a plane or drowning in paperwork. Everything was done remotely, smoothly…”
Google
“I had their assistance in company registration and I would recommend them. They were answering all my clarification during the process and offering all their supportThank you Daniel and Irinia”
Google
“We found PRIFINANCE COMPANYvia the Internet and asked for help in organizing the opening of their company in Estonia. PRIFINANCE COMPANY specialists helped us a lot with this. Their professional, competent approach and knowledge of their business left us with only the best impressions.”
Google
“I'm thrilled with my experience with PriFinance! They helped me obtain a crypto license in Estonia without any hassle. The team was super understanding and always available to answer my questions and assist. It was great to see how they put effort into preparing the documents to ensure everything went smoothly. I'm delighted with the outcome and highly recommend PriFinance to anyone looking to get a license…”
Google
“Opening an account with Prifinance in a Swiss bank was such an easy and quick process that I was shocked. It all started with the first call, where I received detailed guidance on the required documents and the entire procedure.One of the key highlights was their attention to detail. As someone who usually gets tangled up in paperwork, I was pleasantly surprised when they sent me all the documents and…”
Google
“I recently had the pleasure of working with Boris.. and I must say, it was a fantastic experience. Boris went above and beyond to assist me with my residency needs. His professionalism, knowledge, and dedication truly stood out. I highly recommend working with Boris and the team!”
Google
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Start your Salvadoran company today.
Tell us about the business, and a specialist replies within one business day: SA de CV, tech law, DASP or a different flag, with a timeline and a fixed quote.
✓No obligation; the first consultation is free✓Tech-law and DASP eligibility scored before you pay✓Transparent fixed fees, confirmed up front✓EN · RU · ES speaking team