German Embassy in San Salvador

Embassy of Germany in San Salvador, El Salvador

Overview

The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in San Salvador serves as Germany's diplomatic mission to El Salvador, located in the Colonia Escalón district of the capital. Under Ambassador Friedo Sielemann, the embassy coordinates German-Salvadoran relations across political, economic, cultural, and consular dimensions. The embassy provides comprehensive consular services to German citizens throughout El Salvador, processes visa applications for Salvadorans and residents traveling to Germany, and facilitates bilateral cooperation in development, trade, education, and cultural exchange. Germany and El Salvador maintain traditionally good and friendly bilateral relations spanning over a century, with Germany ranking among El Salvador's most important European partners in trade and development cooperation. The embassy's strategic location in one of San Salvador's established diplomatic and residential districts facilitates its role as hub for German-Salvadoran cooperation, serving both the German community in El Salvador and Salvadorans seeking connections with Germany.
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Visa Services

The embassy processes Schengen visa applications for short stays (up to 90 days within any 180-day period) and national visa applications for long-term stays including work, study, family reunification, and other purposes. Online visa applications are available for certain visa categories with preliminary document completeness verification. All visa applicants must schedule appointments in advance through the embassy's online system and provide biometric data during their appointment. Processing times vary by visa type and individual circumstances. Required documents typically include valid passport (minimum 6 months validity), completed application form, recent passport photographs, travel itinerary and accommodation confirmation, travel insurance, proof of financial means, and purpose-specific documents (employment contracts for work visas, university acceptance for student visas, business invitation letters, etc.). Visa fees apply according to visa category. The embassy provides comprehensive visa information on its website and during consultation appointments. Applicants are advised to apply well in advance of intended travel dates to allow sufficient processing time.
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Consular Services

The Consular Section provides comprehensive services for German nationals in El Salvador including passport applications and renewals, German identity card (Personalausweis) processing, emergency travel documents, consular registration for Germans residing in El Salvador, civil status registration (births, marriages, deaths), German nationality and citizenship matters, notarial services (powers of attorney, affidavits, declarations), legalization and authentication of documents (German documents for use in El Salvador and Salvadoran documents for use in Germany), and emergency assistance for German citizens in distress. All consular services require appointments booked through the embassy's online appointment system. The embassy emphasizes prepared consultations with document completeness verification to ensure efficient processing. Emergency consular assistance is available 24/7 through the on-call service at +503 7930 4777 for German nationals facing arrest, hospitalization, death, document loss, or other urgent situations. For routine consular services, contact the embassy during office hours or book appointments online. German citizens residing in or traveling to El Salvador are encouraged to register with the consular section to receive emergency notifications and assistance when needed.
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Trade & Export Support

Germany and El Salvador maintain substantial bilateral trade relations with Germany consistently ranking among El Salvador's principal European trading partners. In 2024, German exports to El Salvador totaled approximately €155 million, covering machinery and industrial equipment, automotive and automotive parts, electrical equipment, chemical products and pharmaceuticals, renewable energy technology, and precision instruments. German imports from El Salvador amounted to €79 million, dominated by agricultural products (particularly high-quality coffee for which Germany is one of the largest European importers), textiles and ready-made garments, and manufactured goods. The bilateral investment protection and promotion agreement provides legal framework and security for German businesses operating in El Salvador. The embassy's economic section promotes bilateral trade through business matchmaking, commercial advocacy, market intelligence, and facilitating trade missions and business delegations. German companies have established presence in El Salvador across renewable energy, manufacturing, financial services, and retail sectors. The German-Salvadoran Chamber of Commerce, operating with embassy support, serves as coordination point for business interests.
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Investment Opportunities

German companies operate in El Salvador across sectors including renewable energy (solar, wind projects), manufacturing (machinery, chemicals, consumer goods), pharmaceuticals and healthcare, infrastructure and construction, and water and environmental technology. El Salvador offers opportunities for German investors in renewable energy expansion, infrastructure development (water treatment, transportation, urban development), manufacturing (El Salvador as export platform to North America under trade agreements), agriculture and food processing, and ICT and digital services. The embassy facilitates bilateral investment through its economic section, coordination with the German-Salvadoran Chamber of Commerce, and bilateral business councils. Key cooperation areas include renewable energy development, water and environmental technology, manufacturing, infrastructure modernization, and technology partnership.
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Business Support

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, and relevant business organizations. German companies exploring Salvadoran markets can contact the embassy for market intelligence, business matchmaking, regulatory guidance, facilitation of trade missions, networking events, and commercial advocacy. Key sectors for cooperation include renewable energy, water and environmental technology, manufacturing and industry, agriculture and irrigation technology, infrastructure, and vocational training. The embassy facilitates participation in bilateral forums, sectoral working groups, and business delegations. Looking ahead, 2025 is expected to bring multiple German business delegations exploring investment and trade opportunities in Central America, with the embassy actively supporting these commercial initiatives.
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Cultural & Educational Programs

Germany and El Salvador maintain extensive cultural and educational exchange facilitated by the embassy coordinating with German institutions and Salvadoran partners. The German School of San Salvador (Colegio Alemán), founded in 1965 with embassy support following establishment of the German-Salvadoran Cultural Association in 1958, offers bilingual German-Spanish education based on German pedagogical principles. The school serves both German expatriate children and Salvadoran families seeking international education, functioning as living symbol of cultural cooperation. Educational cooperation includes Salvadoran students studying in German universities (particularly engineering, medicine, sciences, technology), academic partnerships between German and Salvadoran universities enabling student and faculty exchanges, DAAD scholarships for international students, and research collaboration. Cultural cooperation includes German cultural events in El Salvador, Salvadoran cultural events in Germany, German language education through Goethe-Institut partnerships and the German School, and cultural festivals. The bilateral cultural agreement provides framework for artistic exchanges, academic cooperation, and cultural programming.
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Service Area

The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in San Salvador serves all of El Salvador with consular jurisdiction nationwide. German nationals throughout El Salvador can access consular services. For visa applications, residents of El Salvador can apply through the embassy in San Salvador.
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Appointment Information

All consular services require advance appointments booked through the embassy's online appointment system available on the embassy website (san-salvador.diplo.de). Online visa applications are available for certain visa categories. Public access hours are Monday-Friday 08:30-11:30. The embassy emphasizes prepared consultations with complete documentation to ensure efficient processing. For emergencies affecting German nationals outside office hours, contact the emergency on-call service at +503 7930 4777 (available 24/7). Embassy address: 77a Avenida Norte, esquina 7a Calle Poniente 3972, Colonia Escalón, San Salvador, El Salvador. Mailing address: Apartado Postal 693, San Salvador, El Salvador. For routine inquiries during office hours: +503 2247 0000. Follow the embassy on social media: Facebook and Instagram @alemaniaenelsalvador for updates, events, and information.
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Special Notes

The embassy is located in Colonia Escalón, one of San Salvador's established diplomatic and residential districts. Accessible by public and private transportation. Limited parking available at the embassy; strict enforcement of parking regulations for security reasons. Visitors should plan accordingly and consider alternative transportation options. Valid photo ID required for entry; security screening mandatory. Embassy observes German and Salvadoran public holidays. Security improvements in El Salvador since 2022 have significantly enhanced the country's safety environment. German official travel advisories have been adjusted to reflect improved security conditions while maintaining appropriate cautions. El Salvador's adoption of Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021 alongside the US dollar has not fundamentally altered the commercial environment, with the US dollar remaining the predominant currency for transactions. Germany is one of the largest European importers of Salvadoran coffee, reflecting the strong economic ties between both nations.
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