San Marino
The Republic of San Marino is a European microstate enclaved within Italy. It is NOT an EU member, NOT in the Schengen Area, and uses the euro under a monetary agreement. EU immigration instruments (Blue Card, Single Permit, Long-Term Resident, EU digital-nomad schemes) do NOT apply. Immigration is governed entirely by national law: Legge 118/2010 on entry and stay of foreigners, its implementing regulation Decreto Delegato 151/2010 (which sets all fees, document checklists and deadlines), and Citizenship Law 114/2000 as amended. The law distinguishes temporary stay permits (Permessi di Soggiorno, 3-12 months, renewable) from stable Residenze, with most permits issued by the Gendarmeria - Ufficio Stranieri and investor/economic residences by the Dipartimento Affari Esteri. San Marino has no dedicated digital-nomad visa, no ancestry visa (descent is a citizenship mode), and is not a 1951 Refugee Convention signatory (humanitarian protection is discretionary).
Immigration Pathways
(10) Last updated: Jun 19, 2026 · 1 months agoNo pathways match your search.
National work stay permit for employed and seasonal workers, requiring a work clearance (nulla osta) from the Ufficio del Lavoro and an employer declaration. Issued by the Gendarmeria - Ufficio Stranieri. After 48 months the temporary work permit is interrupted and the worker must return home; a new application cannot be filed until 30 days after the interruption.
- Processing time
- Varies; appointment-based at the Ufficio Stranieri
- Validity
- 3-12 months, renewable; temporary work permit interrupted after 48 months total
- Language requirement
- No formal language test for the permit; Italian required for naturalization
- Documents
- 9 required
- Permanent residence
- Yes · Ordinary-permit holders may apply for Residenza Anagrafica after 5 continuous years (art. 20)
- Citizenship
- Yes · ~20 years continuous registered + effective residence (general rule)
Stay permit for enrolled students, requiring an enrolment certificate, health insurance with minimum EUR 30,000 annual cover, proof of housing and sufficient means. Renewal requires proof of passing at least one-third of the prior year's exams.
- Validity
- Up to 12 months, renewable for the duration of studies
- Language requirement
- Italian typically required for study programs
- Documents
- 7 required
Stable residence for a natural person holding at least 51% of a San Marino-law company's share capital. 2025 rules require hiring 1-3 employees by activity type and posting a guarantee deposit of EUR 75,000 (rising to EUR 150,000 in year two). Consolidates into Residenza Anagrafica after 10 years.
- Validity
- Stable residence; tied to ongoing activity
- Language requirement
- No language test for the residence; Italian required for naturalization
- Documents
- 5 required
- Permanent residence
- Yes · Consolidates into Residenza Anagrafica after 10 continuous years
- Citizenship
- Yes · ~20 years continuous registered + effective residence
Stay permit for entrepreneurial activity (valid 12 months, renewable up to 5 years) and an accelerated high-tech / innovative-enterprise track certified by San Marino Innovation, offering a 12-year benefit regime with simplified 1-year renewable permits for administrators, shareholder-employees and families.
- Validity
- 12 months, renewable up to 5 years; innovative track 1-year renewable within a 12-year regime
- Language requirement
- No language test for the permit; Italian required for naturalization
- Documents
- 6 required
- Permanent residence
- Yes · Consolidates into Residenza Anagrafica after 10 continuous years
- Citizenship
- Yes · ~20 years continuous registered + effective residence
Grants stable residence to foreign nationals who purchase San Marino property worth at least €500,000 (for personal/family use) or make a non-interest-bearing 10-year restricted deposit of at least €600,000 in securities issued by the Sammarinese State. A one-time government tax of €10,000 and an administrative application fee of €1,000 apply (plus €20,000 per accompanying family member). Private health insurance is mandatory. After 10 years the residence converts to full registered residence. The programme offers a 3% preferential tax rate on foreign-sourced dividends.
- Validity
- Stable residence; renewable
- Language requirement
- No language test for the residence; Italian required for naturalization
- Documents
- 4 required
- Permanent residence
- Yes · Consolidates into Residenza Anagrafica after 10 continuous years
- Citizenship
- Yes · ~20 years continuous registered + effective residence
Provides atypical residence with a 6% flat substitute tax on foreign pension income (3% for former international organisation officials with ≥ €120,000 annual income) for a renewable 10-year period. Since Law No. 64 of 28 April 2025, applicants must meet both an income AND an asset threshold: ≥ €120,000 annual gross income AND ≥ €300,000 in movable assets held specifically in San Marino banks throughout the residency. This replaced the previous OR-structure under which assets could be held abroad. After 10 years, residence converts to full registered residence.
- Validity
- Stable residence; renewable
- Language requirement
- No language test for the residence; Italian required for naturalization
- Documents
- 5 required
- Permanent residence
- Yes · Consolidates into Residenza Anagrafica after 10 continuous years
- Citizenship
- Yes · ~20 years continuous registered + effective residence
Family Stay Permit / Reunification (Permesso ordinario, ricongiungimento familiare) - DD 151/2010 art. 14, 16, 29
Stay permit for spouses, children and more-uxorio cohabitants (after birth of a recognized child) of residents. Minimum income (art. 29): EUR 12,000 gross for the applicant plus EUR 3,000 per additional family member, plus health insurance of at least EUR 30,000/year.
- Validity
- Renewable; ordinary permit can convert to Residenza Anagrafica after 5 years
- Language requirement
- No language test for the permit; Italian required for naturalization
- Documents
- 7 required
- Permanent residence
- Yes · Residenza Anagrafica after 5 continuous years of ordinary permit (art. 20)
- Citizenship
- Yes · Reduced 10-year rule for spouses/civil partners of Sammarinese citizens
Stable registered residence and the permanent status feeding naturalization. Reached by converting an ordinary stay permit after 5 continuous years, or automatically by consolidation of elective/economic/atypical residences after 10 continuous years. The carta di residenza is indefinite.
- Validity
- Indefinite (carta di residenza follows the residence)
- Language requirement
- No language test for residence; Italian required for naturalization
- Documents
- 3 required
- Permanent residence
- Yes · This is the permanent status
- Citizenship
- Yes · ~20 years continuous registered + effective residence (10 for spouses of citizens)
Atypical Residence — Reduced Taxation for Foreign-Income Earners (Residenza Atipica Soggetta a Regime Fiscale Agevolato)
A distinct residence category under Law No. 223 of 23 December 2020 (Article 69) for foreign nationals who derive income exclusively from abroad and have never previously held tax residence in San Marino. Residents pay a 7% substitute tax on net foreign income, subject to a minimum of €10,000 and a maximum of €100,000 per fiscal year, in lieu of ordinary San Marino income tax. A maximum of 100 new residences may be granted per calendar year. This pathway is entirely separate from the Atypical Residence for Retirees programme.
- Processing time
- 60 days from submission (State Congress decision)
- Validity
- Up to 15 years from first tax year; restrictions cease and residence converts to full registered status after 10 years
- Language requirement
- None specified
- Documents
- 8 required
- Permanent residence
- Yes · 10 years of registered residence (restrictions cease; conversion to full residence)
- Citizenship
- Yes · 20 years of continuous registered residence from entry into the standard register (or 10 years for qualifying spouses/civil partners of Sammarinese citizens)
Naturalization generally requires at least 20 continuous years of registered and effective residence, reduced to 10 years for spouses/civil partners of citizens (and adoptees). Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of Italian and pass a test on San Marino history and institutions. Renunciation of prior nationality is no longer required.
- Validity
- Permanent (citizenship)
- Language requirement
- Knowledge of Italian + San Marino history/institutions test (from 25 Feb 2026)
- Documents
- 4 required
- Permanent residence
- Yes
- Citizenship
- Yes · 20 years of continuous registered residence (10 years for qualifying spouses, civil partners, and adoptees of Sammarinese citizens). Dual/multiple citizenship permitted since 10 May 2026 (Law No. 27/2026).
