Permanent Residence in San Marino
2 documented routes of this kind in San Marino, each with its conditions, documents, official government fees and process.
Permanent Residence (Residenza Anagrafica) - L 118/2010 art. 19-22 / DD 151/2010
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
- Permanent residence
- This is the permanent status
- Citizenship
- ~20 years continuous registered + effective residence (10 for spouses of citizens)
Requirements
- 5 continuous years on an ordinary permit (conversion route), OR 10 continuous years on an elective/economic/atypical residence (consolidation route)
- Citizenship and pre-marriage family-status certificates
- Criminal record and pending-charges certificates
- Marriage extract confirming no separation pending (spouses)
Required Documents
- Citizenship certificate required
- Pre-marriage family-status certificate required
- Criminal record and pending-charges certificates required
- Marriage-act extract confirming no separation pending (spouses)
Official fees
- Residence filing fee incl. first carta di residenza (DD 151/2010 art. 1) 60 EUR
- Carta di residenza reissue 50 EUR
Process Steps
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1
Accumulate qualifying residence
Hold an ordinary permit for 5 continuous years, or an elective/economic/atypical residence for 10 continuous years.
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2
File residence application
Apply at the Ufficio Stranieri (or Ufficio di Stato Civile for family of citizens) with the required documents.
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3
Obtain carta di residenza
Undergo photo/fingerprint registration; receive the indefinite carta di residenza.
Official Sources
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
- Permanent residence
- 10 years of registered residence (restrictions cease; conversion to full residence)
- Citizenship
- 20 years of continuous registered residence from entry into the standard register (or 10 years for qualifying spouses/civil partners of Sammarinese citizens)
Requirements
- Never previously held tax residence in San Marino, or had not consolidated residence as of the entry into force of Law 223/2020
- All income generated from sources outside San Marino
- Not a San Marino citizen
- Demonstrate sufficient financial resources for self-support and relocating family members
- Private health insurance for the entire programme period
- Preliminary property purchase contract or rental agreement (conditioned on approval)
- Cannot hold San Marino public-sector employment or receive state contributions during the programme period
Required Documents
- Valid passport or travel document required
- Preliminary property purchase contract or rental agreement (conditional on approval) required
- Certificate of residence from country of last residence required
- Criminal records certificate from country of last residence required
- Tax compliance certificate from country of last residence required
- Statutory declaration confirming citizenship, 5-year residency history, and absence of criminal charges required
- Proof of sufficient financial resources for self and family required
- Private health insurance policy required
Official fees
- Administrative application fee 1,000 EUR
- Annual substitute tax on net foreign income (minimum) 10,000 EUR
- Annual substitute tax on net foreign income (maximum) 100,000 EUR
Process Steps
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1
Secure provisional accommodation
Obtain a preliminary property purchase contract or rental agreement in San Marino, conditioned on the grant of residence. This is a prerequisite for the application.
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2
Gather documentation
Collect all required certificates from your country of last residence: certificate of residence, criminal records, tax compliance, plus statutory declarations and proof of financial resources.
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3
Submit application to the Department of Foreign Affairs
Lodge the complete application package (including €1,000 administrative fee) with San Marino's Department of Foreign Affairs (Dipartimento Affari Esteri).
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4
State Congress review
The State Congress reviews the application within 60 days. The annual quota of 100 approvals applies; the decision is final and not subject to appeal.
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5
Register and pay annual substitute tax
Upon approval, register your residence and pay the 7% substitute tax on net foreign income (min. €10,000, max. €100,000) annually by 30 June each year.
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6
Conversion after 10 years
After 10 continuous years of registered residence, the atypical status ceases and full registered residence is granted, removing all restrictions on employment and benefits.