San Marino visas
San Marino is a small landlocked republic surrounded by Italy. It is not an EU or Schengen member and issues no short-stay tourist visa of its own: because the territory can only be reached by transiting the surrounding Schengen area, entry for short visits follows Schengen rules, while anyone intending to stay beyond 30 days must obtain a Sammarinese stay permit or residence. Whether a visa is needed, and which permit applies, depends on your nationality and the purpose of your stay. Information and procedures are managed by the Secretariat of State for Foreign Affairs (esteri.sm), with stay permits granted by the Gendarmerie's Foreigners' Office.
Sammarinese visa categories
Explore visa categories by the purpose of your trip.
- Visitor & short-stay visasShort stays in San Marino — tourism, visiting family or friends, business visits and transit, plus any visa-free or e-visa options.3 visas
- Work visasComing to San Marino to work — the employment and skilled-worker routes and the permits they require.1 visa
- Study visasStudying in San Marino — student visas and permits for accepted students.1 visa
- Family visasJoining or sponsoring a partner, child or other relative in San Marino.2 visas
- Business & investor visasInvesting, doing business or coming to San Marino as a highly skilled individual.2 visas
- Residence & citizenshipLiving in San Marino long term — residence routes and, where available, the path to citizenship.2 visas
Sammarinese visa application at a glance
From start to finish in five simple steps.
- 01Choose the right visa
- 02Check eligibility & documents
- 03Apply online
- 04Provide biometrics
- 05Wait for a decision
Who needs a visa for San Marino?
Visitors staying in San Marino for more than 10 days are required to obtain a permit under the current law. Nonetheless, the policy permits a number of exceptions to this rule. Stay permits in San Marino allow visitors to remain in the country for a minimum of three months and a maximum of twelve months.
Entry into San Marino
To enter San Marino, you will need to travel through Italy. Before you travel to San Marino, please review the Travel Advice for Italy. It is advised for you to keep checking the relevant websites until you travel for any updates.
Criteria To Apply For a San Marino Visa
The documents you will require are:
- Possess a passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended period of stay, with at least two blank pages and issued within the past ten years.
- Maintain evidence of sufficient funds.
- Hold documentation of your onward and return flights.
- Maintain documentation proving the reason of your travel.
- Hold all necessary travel paperwork for your future destination.
Processing Time for a San Marino visa
Processing times can vary depending on your individual circumstances. The average waiting time is around 4 weeks.
Who can visit San Marino without a visa?
The visa policy of San Marino allows many nationals to enter without a visa. These visa-exempt tourists may enter the country without a visa, but a valid passport is required.
- Azerbaijan.
- Gambia.
- Moldova.
- Eswatini.
- Tunisia.
- Turkey.
- Uganda.
San Marino — key facts
- Visa authority
- Secretariat of State for Foreign Affairs (Segreteria di Stato per gli Affari Esteri), with stay permits handled by the Gendarmerie's Foreigners' Office
- Application
- Online (in most cases)
- Biometrics
- Usually required
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Time zone
- Central European Time (CET/CEST, UTC+1/+2)
Sammarinese visas — people also ask
To enter San Marino, you are not need to pass through border control, but you must be in possession of a valid passport.
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.