Permit Costs in El Salvador
Ministry of Health authorisations
| Premises | Fee |
|---|---|
| Non-food industry, investment under $5,000 | $40 |
| Non-food industry, investment $5,000 to $25,000 | $65 |
| Non-food industry, investment $25,000 to $100,000 | $90 |
| Non-food industry, investment over $100,000 | $110 |
| Commercial, service, recreational and cultural premises | $50 |
| Hotels and hostels | $75 |
| Pest control companies | $65 |
| Change of name or owner | $28.25 |
Source: Ministry of Health: payment form for environmental health services (PDF, in Spanish)1
The fees are set by Executive Agreements No. 11 (Diario Oficial, 28 January 2021) and No. 621 (7 July 2022), as listed on the ministry’s payment form.1
Food, drink and environmental permits
- Sanitary registration of a food or drink product: $35, valid for five years; a provisional registration costs $84.75 for three months.
- Environmental permit: the Ministry of Environment (MARN) service page lists no fee. Projects that need an environmental impact study pay for the study and must post a compliance bond equal to the cost of the environmental measures (Environment Law, article 29).
Source: Sanitary Regulation Authority (SRS): tariff (PDF, in Spanish); Transparency Portal: MARN environmental permit service2,4
Municipal licences
Each municipality sets its own licence and permit fees. In December 2024 San Salvador Centro published an ordinance with fees of up to 35 minimum wages by activity. After the President called the increases disproportionate, the municipality repealed it with Municipal Decree No. 6 of 14 March 2025. Other municipalities repealed 40 ordinances and amendments in the following month.5,6,3
San Salvador Centro now lists an $18 precalification plus the fee for each licence; a licence to sell alcoholic drinks, for example, costs $18 plus $365. Building permits in the metropolitan area are issued by OPAMSS at fees that depend on the project; the official eRegulations guide sets out the steps.7,8
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a sanitary permit cost in El Salvador?
The Ministry of Health charges $40 to $110 for a sanitary authorisation of an industrial site, and $50 for commercial, service and recreational premises.
How much does it cost to register a food product?
The Sanitary Regulation Authority charges $35 to register a food or drink product for five years.
Do municipal licence fees vary?
Yes, more than national fees. In March 2025 several municipalities repealed fee increases after the President objected to them.
Sources
- Ministry of Health: payment form for environmental health services (PDF, in Spanish)
- Sanitary Regulation Authority (SRS): tariff (PDF, in Spanish)
- Diario El Mundo: municipalities repealed 40 fee ordinances and amendments in a month (in Spanish)
- Transparency Portal: MARN environmental permit service (in Spanish)
- Judicial Documentation Centre: San Salvador municipal fee ordinance and its 2025 amendments (in Spanish)
- Diario El Mundo: President asks San Salvador Centro to reverse business licence costs, March 2025 (in Spanish)
- Municipality of San Salvador Centro: licences, registrations and permits (in Spanish)
- El Salvador eRegulations: construction permits
Figures checked 8 November 2026. Prepared by InvestSalvador.com for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.
