El Salvador Citizenship for the Family: Children, Dual Citizenship and Loss of Status

The donation covers a family, but not every family. And the rules on keeping the status changed in 2026. Here is what I found in the official portal, the reform of 17 March 2026, the Constitution and the BRIDGES programme page.

Who is included

Family member	Included	Source
Main applicant	yes	portal
Spouse	yes	portal
Children under 18	yes	portal
Children over 18	no	BRIDGES
Parents	no	BRIDGES

I check the dates of birth first. A child who turns 18 while the file is being prepared falls out of the family application.

Children born abroad

The reform of 17 March 2026 changed article 164 of the migration law. Children under 18 born abroad before the parents obtained Salvadoran nationality are considered Salvadoran at the request of the parents, through a special DGME procedure, and must confirm it when they come of age. BRIDGES describes a rule for children born after naturalisation. The two texts do not say the same thing, so I mark the point as one to check for each family.

Dual citizenship

BRIDGES writes that naturalisation does not require you to renounce your current citizenship. The oath is a declaration of adherence. But the file needs a certificate from your embassy or authorities confirming that your country allows dual citizenship. Article 93 of the Constitution says that for nationals of countries outside Central America the keeping of the previous nationality is regulated by treaties on the basis of reciprocity. If your country forbids dual citizenship, this programme may cost you your first passport.

How naturalised citizenship can be lost

The reform of 2026 changed article 279. A naturalised Salvadoran loses the status:

• after more than 2 consecutive years of residence in the country of origin;
• after more than 5 consecutive years of absence from El Salvador without permission under article 280;
• after a final conviction for serious intentional crimes. In this case the status cannot be recovered.

Article 94 of the Constitution already contained similar grounds. The same reform requires temporary residents to spend at least 90 days a year in the country.

What this means in practice

If you live mainly in your country of origin, the two year rule matters. I advise families to plan their time and keep proof of travel, and to ask for the permission under article 280 before a long absence. This part of the law is new, and I have not yet seen how DGME applies it.