Directory
Legal resources
Official laws, registry services, taxes, permits, consumer protection and guides for buyers from abroad.
27 entries · Last updated Oct 20, 2026
Foreign ownership: Article 109 of the Constitution
A foreigner, or a company with majority foreign capital, may not acquire rural land (tierras rústicas) if the buyer's country does not give Salvadorans the same right (reciprocity). The exception is land for industrial establishments. Article 109 does not restrict urban property. Check your case with a lawyer before you sign.
Law Búsqueda de Leyes y Decretos
Issued by: Asamblea Legislativa
Official search for El Salvador's laws and decrees.
- Cost
- Free
Registry Certificación extractada en línea (eCNR)
Issued by: Centro Nacional de Registros (CNR)
Order an official property-record extract online by registry number (matrícula); delivered by email with an electronic seal.
- Cost
- $8.86 per registry number (CNR FAQ)
Buying from abroad Constitución de la República, Art. 109 (tierras rústicas y extranjeros)
Issued by: Asamblea Constituyente (texto OEA)
A foreigner may not acquire rural land if Salvadorans lack the same right in that person's country (reciprocity), except land for industrial use.
- Cost
- Free
Registry Consulta de Clave Catastral (mapa)
Issued by: CNR – Instituto Geográfico y del Catastro Nacional (IGCN)
Free public map to locate a parcel and find its cadastral reference number (clave catastral).
- Cost
- Free
Checking professionals Consulta del estado de Abogados y Notarios
Issued by: Corte Suprema de Justicia (CSJ)
Official lookup to check whether a lawyer or notary is authorized and active (search by name, DUI or file number).
- Cost
- Free
Buying from abroad Guía del Inversionista (Invest El Salvador) 2025
Issued by: PROESA
Official investor guide for foreign investors, including property acquisition basics.
- Cost
- Free
Registry Inscripción de documentos en el Registro de la Propiedad Raíz e Hipotecas
Issued by: Centro Nacional de Registros (CNR)
Requirements to register sales, mortgages, donations and other property deeds with the national registry (CNR).
- Cost
- CNR registry fees (not itemized on the page)
Buying from abroad Investment Climate Statement – El Salvador (property rights section)
Issued by: U.S. Department of State
U.S. State Department report with a section on property rights in El Salvador.
- Cost
- Free
Buying from abroad Legal Assistance / Lawyer's List – U.S. Embassy San Salvador
Issued by: U.S. Embassy San Salvador
List of local attorneys willing to serve U.S. citizens; the Embassy does not endorse them.
- Cost
- Free
Law Ley de Inquilinato (D.L. 2591, 1958)
Issued by: Asamblea Legislativa (copia UES)
Governs residential and other property leases (rentals).
- Cost
- Free
Taxes and fees Ley del Impuesto sobre Transferencia de Bienes Raíces (D.L. 552, 1986)
Issued by: Asamblea Legislativa (PDF publicado por TAIIA)
Charges 3% on property transfers on the value above the exempt threshold (¢250,000 ≈ US$28,571.43).
- Cost
- 3% on the value above the exempt amount
Law Ley de Notariado (D.L. 218, 1962)
Issued by: Asamblea Legislativa (texto publicado por FGR)
Law governing notaries: public deeds, the protocol book and notarial duties.
- Cost
- Free
Law Ley de Propiedad Inmobiliaria por Pisos y Apartamientos (D.L. 31, 1961)
Issued by: Asamblea Legislativa
Governs condominium (horizontal) property: units, common areas and owners' obligations.
- Cost
- Free
Law Mercado de bienes raíces en El Salvador (informe UIF) / sujetos obligados
Issued by: Unidad de Investigación Financiera (UIF), Fiscalía General
Explains anti-money-laundering duties for real estate firms and agents (registration, compliance officer, reporting).
- Cost
- Free
Permits Permisos Ambientales para Actividades, Obras y/o Proyectos
Issued by: Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (MARN)
Environmental permit procedure for works and projects, filed through the SEA online platform.
Consumer protection Portal Inmobiliario – Defensoría del Consumidor
Issued by: Defensoría del Consumidor
Rights of home buyers dealing with developers (accurate information, delivery, defects) and how to file complaints.
- Cost
- Free
Guide Precalificación en línea FSV
Issued by: Fondo Social para la Vivienda (FSV)
Online tool to estimate eligibility for an FSV home loan.
- Cost
- Free
Guide ¿Qué hacer para asegurarte que tu inmueble está en orden y a tu nombre?
Issued by: Centro Nacional de Registros (CNR)
CNR guide on checking that a property is properly registered in the owner's name.
Guide Registro de Peritos Valuadores
Issued by: Superintendencia del Sistema Financiero (SSF)
Public register of SSF-authorized property appraisers.
- Cost
- Free
Permits Requisitos de trámites (calificación de lugar, permisos de construcción) – OPAMSS
Issued by: Oficina de Planificación del Área Metropolitana de San Salvador (OPAMSS)
Requirements for land-use clearance and building permits in the San Salvador metropolitan area.
Law Sección del Notariado – servicios y procedimientos
Issued by: Corte Suprema de Justicia (CSJ)
CSJ office that oversees notaries, their protocol books and certified copies.
- Cost
- Per the CSJ fee schedule (2025 guidelines)
Registry Servicios del IGCN (catastro, cartografía, datos geográficos)
Issued by: CNR – IGCN
Catalogue of CNR cadastral and geographic services, including agreement-based data access.
- Cost
- Varies; agreement-based services have fees
Taxes and fees Servicios en Línea – Ministerio de Hacienda (pago de impuestos, F09 Transferencia de Bienes Raíces)
Issued by: Ministerio de Hacienda – DGII
Treasury online services to file and pay taxes, including the property transfer tax.
Taxes and fees Solvencia municipal – Alcaldía de San Salvador Centro
Issued by: Alcaldía de San Salvador Centro
Certificate that municipal fees and taxes are paid up, often required to sell or register a property.
- Cost
- $5.00, valid 30 days (municipal ordinance)
Guide Tasas de interés activas vigentes (octubre 2026)
Issued by: Superintendencia del Sistema Financiero (SSF)
Monthly table of maximum published bank lending rates, including housing loans.
- Cost
- Free
Permits Urbanismo y construcción – Ministerio de Vivienda
Issued by: Ministerio de Vivienda (MIVI)
Housing Ministry urban-planning and construction procedures.
Guide Vivienda Cercana – condiciones, requisitos y documentos (PDF)
Issued by: Fondo Social para la Vivienda (FSV)
FSV's official guide for Salvadorans abroad and remittance recipients seeking a home loan.
- Cost
- Free