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Before you go to San Marino: what to know

Must know

  • Check Italian entry requirements before travelling through Italy.
  • For stays longer than 30 days, contact the Gendarmerie about a stay permit.

Entry and visas

Travel to San Marino passes through Italy. British visitors follow the shared 90/180 short-stay allowance stated by FCDO; check Italian visa and transit rules for your nationality. San Marino is not a Schengen member. A stay over 30 days, or planned work, requires registration and a stay permit from the Gendarmerie.

Passport validity: Non-EU short-stay visitors: issued within the previous 10 years and valid at least 3 months after planned Schengen departure.

At the border you may be asked for

  • Check Gendarmerie registration and permit requirements for a visit longer than 30 days or for work.

Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗

Money

Cash and cards are both common. Cards are accepted mainly in cities and tourist areas.

Payment networks: Mastercard

Apple Pay — no data · Google Pay — no data

  • Local banks provide card, POS and ATM services; confirm acceptance at individual shops. Nationwide foreign-card coverage was not established.

Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: visitsanmarino.com ↗, bsi.sm ↗

Rules and bans

Prohibited

  • Possession and use of illegal drugs is subject to a zero-tolerance policy.

Laws visitors break unknowingly

  • British drivers need their UK licence and a 1968 international driving permit.

Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗

Culture and clothing

Religion: Roman Catholic heritage.

Clothing: No general visitor dress requirement was independently confirmed; check venue rules.

Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: caa-mna.sm ↗

Climate

Mediterranean climate with mild to cool winters and warm sunny summers. The hilltop town can require layers; check the current forecast.

Month by month
  • January: Jan: mild to cool; take layers
  • February: Feb: mild to cool; take layers
  • March: Mar: check forecast; take layers
  • April: Apr: check forecast; take layers
  • May: May: check forecast; take layers
  • June: Jun: warm and sunny
  • July: Jul: warm and sunny
  • August: Aug: warm and sunny
  • September: Sep: cooler; rain possible
  • October: Oct: cooler; rain possible
  • November: Nov: cooler; rain possible
  • December: Dec: mild to cool; take layers

Best season: Choose dates around your activity and forecast; comfortable shoes help on uphill streets.

Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: caa-mna.sm ↗, sanmarinoaccessibletourism.com ↗

What to pack

  • Passport and Italian entry documents
  • Comfortable shoes for uphill streets
  • Layers and rain protection

Do not bring / prohibited to import

  • Assuming the souvenir tourist stamp grants immigration permission

Practical

Plugs: Two round pins; 50 Hz. Confirm voltage compatibility with your accommodation.

Water: Drinking-water safety not independently confirmed; follow local supply notices.

Traffic: drives on the right

Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: sanmarinoaccessibletourism.com ↗, gov.uk ↗

Entry rules change. Before your trip, check the website of the embassy or immigration service of the country.