If Your Parents Are Salvadoran, Move to El Salvador With Tax-Free Belongings

If one of your parents is Salvadoran, you may qualify for Salvadoran nationality. With that nationality, you can take advantage of a new law that allows you to bring your household belongings, work tools, and even vehicles to El Salvador tax-free when relocating.

On August 19, 2025, the Special Law of Benefits and Protection for the Salvadoran Diaspora and People in Human Mobility entered into force, published in the Official Gazette (Diario Oficial, Volume 448, No. 156).

This legislation was unanimously approved by El Salvador’s Legislative Assembly and represents a milestone in supporting Salvadorans abroad and their families.

Important Note:
This tax-free benefit is available only for Salvadoran citizens. Foreign nationals are not eligible. The only exception applies to individuals born abroad who have one or both parents of Salvadoran nationality. In that case, they must first obtain Salvadoran citizenship before claiming the tax exemption to bring their belongings to El Salvador.

Moving your belongings is usually done in a container, either by ship or by land. While you travel to El Salvador by your preferred method (most commonly by air), your belongings are already on their way. When they arrive at customs, your belongings will not be taxed upon entry into the country.

To give you a better idea, we are sharing the following video of a Canadian woman who moved with her family from Canada to El Salvador. In the video, she talks about how she shipped her belongings by container.

In the case of Salvadorans, under the new benefit, they do not have to pay taxes (only Salvadorans) when bringing their belongings to El Salvador, as long as the limits are respected.

Why nationality matters

If you were born outside El Salvador but have at least one Salvadoran parent, you are entitled to apply for Salvadoran nationality.

This is the first step, because only Salvadoran citizens can claim the tax-free moving benefits established in the new law.

What belongings are tax-free?

The law specifies clear limits:

• Household goods (menaje de casa)
  Import up to US $100,000 in furniture, appliances, and personal belongings without paying taxes.
• Work-related tools and equipment
  Import up to US $100,000 in tools, machinery, or equipment for your profession or trade.
• Vehicles
  Bring up to two light vehicles (in good condition, no older than 8 years) without import taxes. The first registration fee is also waived.

👉 It is important to note that the tax-free benefit applies to belongings and work-related equipment, not to cash, businesses, or real estate.

How to apply

The process is designed to be simple:

1. Scan a QR code provided by authorized customs operators at a Salvadoran consulate abroad.
2. File a declaration with the General Directorate of Migration and Foreign Affairs stating your new address in El Salvador.
3. If needed, you can authorize a family member or trusted person in El Salvador with a simple power of attorney to receive your goods.

Legal source

These benefits are established in the Special Law of Benefits and Protection for the Salvadoran Diaspora and People in Human Mobility, approved by the Legislative Assembly and published in the Official Gazette, Volume 448, No. 156, on August 19, 2025.

Final thoughts

For children of Salvadorans abroad, this is a unique opportunity: obtain your Salvadoran nationality, and when the time comes to relocate, you can bring your home belongings, tools, and vehicles without paying taxes.

👉 Tip: Contact the nearest Salvadoran consulate to start your nationality process and get guidance on the moving benefits available under this new law.