The Historic Center of San Salvador has rapidly transformed into a primary destination for tourism and commerce, driving an unprecedented surge in its gastronomic scene. To support this momentum, the Salvadoran Investment and Export Promotion Agency (Invest) has outlined the key steps for establishing a restaurant in this high-growth district:
- Step 1: Technical Guidance & Legal Formation: Investors begin by consulting with the Historic Center Planning Authority (APLAN) and Invest for preliminary technical advice. Next, investors must establish a legal entity, such as a Corporation (S.A. de C.V.) or a Simplified Share Company (SAS).
- Step 2: Commercial & Tax Registration: The newly formed business must register with the Trade Registry, followed by tax enrollment at the Ministry of Hacienda to obtain a Tax ID (NIT), VAT registration, and tax document authorization.
- Step 3: Labor & Employer Setup: Business owners must register as employers with the Salvadoran Social Security Institute (ISSS), contract a Pension Fund Administrator (AFP) for mandatory employee deductions, and register the workplace with the Ministry of Labor.
- Step 4: Permits, Construction, & Licensing: APLAN—the region’s primary authority offering potential tax incentives—evaluates land-use compatibility, grants construction permits, and approves signage. Invest notes that construction permits are usually granted within a 20-day timeframe. Following final inspection, APLAN issues the annual operating license, alongside required health, Fire Department, and Civil Protection safety clearances.
By standardizing these requirements, El Salvador offers international and domestic investors a clear, efficient path to enter San Salvador’s flourishing restaurant market.