Home › Entry Requirements
San Marino Entry Requirements

San Marino Entry Requirements

Visa, immigration, and customs information

Important Notice Entry requirements can change at any time. Always verify current requirements with official government sources before traveling.
San Marino owns no airport, seaport, or railway. Every visitor arrives overland through Italy, so San Marino entry rules copy the Schengen/Italian system. Italian Border Police will process you at the final Italian checkpoint before the lone road that winds up to the republic. Since San Marino sits entirely within Italy, pack the same papers you would need for Italy: a valid European ID card for EU/EEA travellers or a passport valid for at least three months beyond your planned stay for everyone else. Once you cross the frontier there is no second control. All formalities happen on the Italian side. Keep those documents on you while inside San Marino. Hotels routinely ask for them at check-in, and the Guardia di Rocca runs spot checks, in summer when day-tripping crowds flood the country.

Visa Requirements

Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.

Visa-Free Entry
90 days within any 180-day period

Short-stay visitors holding passports from these countries can enter without prior visa

Includes
United States Canada United Kingdom Australia New Zealand Japan South Korea Brazil Argentina Chile Israel Singapore Malaysia United Arab Emirates Hong Kong SAR Macau SAR

Entry is granted at the Italian border post. Overland travel from Rimini is the standard route.

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA/eVisa)
90 days within any 180-day period

ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System), mandatory from mid-2025 for visa-exempt travellers

Includes
United States Canada United Kingdom Australia New Zealand Japan South Korea Brazil Argentina Chile Israel Singapore Malaysia United Arab Emirates Hong Kong SAR Macau SAR
How to Apply: Apply online only at europa.eu/etias; most approvals arrive within minutes. But allow up to 72 hours
Cost: €7 for ages 18-70, free for minors and seniors

ETIAS is linked to the passport used at application. You must present the same passport at the Italian border.

Visa Required
Duration printed on the Schengen C-visa (usually up to 90 days)

Travellers holding passports issued by countries not on the Schengen visa-exempt list

How to Apply: Apply at the Italian embassy or consulate in your country of residence. You must request 'Italy (Schengen)' not 'San Marino'

San Marino itself has no diplomatic missions. All visa matters are handled by Italy.

Arrival Process

The final immigration check takes place at the Rimini-San Marino motorway junction marked 'Dogana Italiana'. After this point the road climbs to Borgo Maggiore and then the historic centre.

1
Italian Border Control
Show passport or EU ID to the Italian officer. Your entry stamp (if needed) is placed here; San Marino has no stamps.
2
Customs Lane
Vehicles may be waved through. But officers can request a customs declaration if you exceed duty-free limits.
3
Enter San Marino
Drive or ride the funicular up to the capital. There is no further document check.

Documents to Have Ready

Passport or EU National Identity Card
Must be valid for the entire stay. Non-EU passports need at least three months' validity beyond departure from the Schengen area.
ETIAS or Schengen Visa (if required)
Carry the printed or mobile confirmation. Immigration officers may ask to see it.
Hotel Confirmation or Address
Proof of accommodation helps immigration verify onward plans.

Tips for Smooth Entry

Reach the Rimini checkpoint before midnight to avoid overnight closures; Italian police do not operate 24-hour lanes here.
Park at Borgo Maggiore and ride the cable car to the old town. Private cars are restricted inside the capital walls during peak season.

Customs & Duty-Free

Italian customs regulations apply to goods entering San Marino because the republic is outside the EU customs union. Purchases inside San Marino are duty-paid and may be brought back into Italy without extra paperwork.

Alcohol
1 litre of spirits over 22 % ABV, OR 2 litres under 22 %, plus 4 litres of wine
Must be 18 years or older
Tobacco
200 cigarettes OR 100 cigarillos OR 50 cigars OR 250 g loose tobacco
Must be 18 years or older
Currency
€10,000 or equivalent must be declared
Declaration form handed to Italian customs at the border
Gifts/Goods
€430 per adult for air/sea travellers, €300 for overland travellers
Applies to items bought outside the EU

Prohibited Items

  • Meat and dairy from non-EU countries, EU animal health restrictions
  • Counterfeit goods, subject to seizure and fines

Restricted Items

  • Firearms, advance Italian police permit required
  • Medication containing narcotics, carry prescription and doctor's letter

Health Requirements

San Marino has no border health posts. Italy's health rules apply on entry and in practice for the duration of your stay.

Required Vaccinations

  • None for standard travel

Recommended Vaccinations

  • Routine vaccines (MMR, DPT, flu), Hepatitis A/B for extended rural travel

Health Insurance

EHIC/GHIC cards cover emergency care for EU/UK citizens. Non-EU travellers should carry complete travel insurance covering Italy and San Marino.

Current Health Requirements: COVID-19 entry rules ended for Italy in 2023, but airlines or cruise operators may still request proof of vaccination or testing. Verify with your carrier.

Protect Your Trip with Travel Insurance

Comprehensive coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and 24/7 emergency assistance. Many countries recommend or require travel insurance.

Get a Quote from World Nomads
Read our complete San Marino Travel Insurance Guide →

Important Contacts

Essential resources for your trip.

Embassy/Consulate
Your country's embassy or consulate in Rome (nearest to San Marino)
Check your government's travel advisory website
Immigration Authority
Italian Ministry of Interior, entry and visa rules
For visa applications and official information
Emergency
Dial 112 from any phone for police, ambulance, or fire
Works throughout San Marino and Italy

Special Situations

Additional requirements for specific circumstances.

Traveling with Children

Minors need their own passport or EU ID. If only one parent is travelling, carry a notarised consent letter from the absent parent; Italian border police may ask for it.

Traveling with Pets

Dogs and cats must have an EU pet passport or EU-compliant health certificate, microchip, and current rabies vaccination. Entry is via Italy. No additional San Marino permit is needed.

Extended Stays

Tourist stays longer than 90 days are not permitted under Schengen rules. You would need to exit the Schengen area and re-enter. Work, study, or family reunification visas must be applied for through the Italian embassy before travel.

Know What to Pack

Climate-specific clothing, travel documents, electronics, and gear, with shopping links for every item.

View San Marino Packing List →

Ready to plan your trip to San Marino?

Now that you've got the research covered, here's where to go next.

Top Things to Do

Curated attractions, tours, and experiences in San Marino.

Browse activities →

Where to Stay

Best neighbourhoods and hotels for every budget.

Find hotels →

What to Pack

Climate-specific gear and essentials for San Marino.

See packing list →

Continue Planning Your Trip

Health & Safety

Stay safe while traveling for San Marino

Stay Connected

Internet and phone options for San Marino

Packing List

What to bring on your trip for San Marino

Budget Guide

Trip costs and money tips for San Marino