El Salvador Embassy in Berlin

The embassy provides visa information and assistance for Germans and legal residents of Germany planning to travel to El Salvador, though visa requirements vary significantly by nationality and purpose of visit. Citizens of Germany, other European Union member states, the United States, Canada, and numerous other countries benefit from visa-free entry to El Salvador for tourism and business purposes for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period under El Salvador's visa exemption policies and the Central America-4 Border Control Agreement (CA-4) covering El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Travelers under visa exemption must present a valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity beyond the intended departure date from the region. For visits exceeding 90 days or for purposes requiring specific authorization including employment, study, missionary work, or long-term residence, visa applications must be submitted to the embassy with appropriate documentation. Required materials typically include completed application forms, recent passport photographs, proof of purpose of stay (employment contract, university acceptance letter, business registration), proof of financial means to support the stay, police clearance certificates, and health certificates depending on visa category. The embassy processes visa applications in coordination with El Salvador's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant national authorities including immigration, labor, and education ministries. Processing times vary by visa type and individual circumstances, with tourism extensions and business visas generally processed more rapidly than employment or residency permits. Applicants are advised to apply well in advance of intended travel or start dates to allow sufficient processing time. The embassy also provides information about El Salvador's multiple entry requirements, temporary residence permits, permanent residence pathways, and citizenship procedures for Germans seeking to establish long-term connections with El Salvador.

Germany ranks among El Salvador's most significant European trading partners with bilateral trade relations characterized by German imports of Salvadoran agricultural products, particularly coffee, and German exports of machinery, industrial equipment, automotive products, chemicals, and technology to El Salvador. Germany represents one of the largest European importers of Salvadoran coffee, a cornerstone of El Salvador's agricultural export economy, with German coffee roasters and retailers valuing El Salvador's high-quality arabica coffee produced in volcanic highland regions. In 2023, bilateral trade totaled approximately €180 million, with German exports to El Salvador valued at €120 million covering machinery and mechanical appliances, electrical equipment and electronics, automotive vehicles and parts, chemical products and pharmaceuticals, precision instruments, and renewable energy technology. Salvadoran exports to Germany totaled approximately €60 million, dominated by agricultural products including coffee (representing over 70% of exports), sugar and confectionery products, textiles and garments, and manufactured goods. The bilateral investment protection and promotion agreement between Germany and El Salvador provides legal framework and security for German businesses operating in El Salvador and Salvadoran businesses engaging with German markets. The embassy's economic section promotes bilateral trade through business matchmaking, commercial intelligence, market research support, and facilitation of trade delegations and business missions. German companies with established presence in El Salvador span sectors including renewable energy, manufacturing, financial services, logistics, and retail, while Salvadoran companies export agricultural products, textiles, and manufactured goods to German markets. The German-Salvadoran Chamber of Commerce operates in San Salvador facilitating bilateral business connections, providing market entry support, organizing trade fairs and business events, and offering commercial services to German companies exploring Central American markets and Salvadoran companies seeking German partnerships.

The embassy actively facilitates Germany-El Salvador business relations through its economic section coordinating with Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI), the German-Salvadoran Chamber of Commerce based in San Salvador, and relevant Salvadoran economic authorities including the Ministry of Economy, PROESA, and sector regulatory agencies. German companies exploring Salvadoran markets can contact the embassy for initial market intelligence covering sector opportunities, regulatory requirements, competitive landscape, market entry strategies, and identification of potential Salvadoran partners and stakeholders. The embassy facilitates business matchmaking connecting German companies with Salvadoran importers, distributors, manufacturers, service providers, and investors seeking German technology, equipment, and partnerships. Key sectors for bilateral cooperation include renewable energy and energy efficiency where German technology companies offer solar, wind, and geothermal solutions for El Salvador's energy transition, water and environmental technology including water treatment systems, waste management solutions, and environmental monitoring equipment, manufacturing and industrial technology covering automation, machinery, and production systems, agricultural technology including irrigation systems, post-harvest processing equipment, and sustainable farming solutions, and infrastructure and construction including building materials, engineering services, and project management. The embassy supports German participation in Salvadoran trade fairs, sector conferences, and business delegations, providing logistical coordination, meeting facilitation, and protocol support for German business visitors. Salvadoran companies seeking German partnerships, technology, investment, or market access can contact the embassy for guidance on engaging German business networks, participating in German trade events, and connecting with German industry associations and chambers of commerce. The embassy also facilitates commercial diplomacy supporting resolution of commercial disputes, advocacy for regulatory clarity and fair treatment of German businesses, and promotion of bilateral trade and investment frameworks.

The Embassy of the Republic of El Salvador in Berlin maintains consular jurisdiction over all of Germany, providing consular services to Salvadoran nationals residing in or traveling through any German state. Salvadorans throughout Germany including major population centers in Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, and other cities can access consular services through the embassy. For visa and information services, residents of Germany regardless of location can contact the embassy regarding travel to El Salvador, visa requirements, and bilateral matters. The embassy coordinates with El Salvador's broader European diplomatic network including missions in Vienna (Austria), Geneva (Switzerland), Brussels (Belgium), Madrid (Spain), Paris (France), London (United Kingdom), Rome (Italy), and Lisbon (Portugal) to ensure comprehensive coverage of Salvadoran nationals and interests across Europe. Salvadorans residing in neighboring countries with no Salvadoran diplomatic representation may contact the Berlin embassy for guidance on accessing consular services through the nearest El Salvador mission. The embassy also represents El Salvador's interests in bilateral matters with Germany across all sectors including political, economic, cultural, and consular affairs.

The embassy is located in Berlin's Mitte district in the diplomatic quarter, easily accessible by public transportation and within walking distance of Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Berlin Central Station). Visitors should allow adequate travel time and arrive punctually for scheduled appointments. Embassy observes public holidays of both El Salvador (including Independence Day September 15, Salvadoran holidays) and Germany (including German national holidays, state-specific holidays in Berlin). During holiday periods, the embassy may operate on reduced schedules or be closed; check the embassy website or contact in advance when planning visits around holiday periods. El Salvador's security situation has significantly improved since 2022 following implementation of comprehensive anti-gang measures dramatically reducing homicide rates and violent crime throughout the country. German travel advisories for El Salvador have been updated to reflect improved security conditions while maintaining appropriate situational awareness guidance. El Salvador adopted Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021 alongside the U.S. dollar; however, the U.S. dollar remains the predominant currency for everyday transactions, and travelers should not assume universal Bitcoin acceptance. Germans traveling to El Salvador should consult current travel advisories from the German Federal Foreign Office (auswaertiges-amt.de) and register with the electronic crisis prevention system ELEFAND for emergency notifications. Salvadorans in Germany should register with the embassy's consular registry to receive updates, emergency notifications, and information about services and community events.