Resources
Buying from abroad (diaspora and foreign buyers)
Powers of attorney, banking, who can buy and residency basics.
Guide in review General information only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Valtorres is not a law firm. Check your situation with a notary, lawyer or accountant before you sign or pay anything.
Who can buy?
Salvadorans living abroad buy just like residents. Foreigners can generally own property too; the Constitution (Art. 109) restricts rural property for foreigners from countries that don't give Salvadorans the same right. Confirm your case with a notary.
Buying without traveling: the special power of attorney
You can give a special power of attorney (poder especial) to someone you trust in El Salvador so they sign for you. It's granted before a Salvadoran consul, or before a notary where you live and apostilled. Ask for it to describe the property and the exact powers.
Banking and payments
- El Salvador uses the US dollar, so there's no currency exchange if you pay in USD.
- Pay by traceable bank transfer, never in cash to third parties. Confirm payment instructions by phone with the notary.
- Some local banks offer mortgages to Salvadorans abroad; ask about income requirements and documents from the country where you live.
Residency
Buying property doesn't give you residency automatically. Residency is handled by the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería.