San Marino (SM)
A compact, high-income microstate entirely surrounded by Italy, known for low taxes, strong public administration, hilltop heritage, cross-border dependence on Italy and a small but rules-heavy residence system.
Capital: San Marino City
Region: Europe
Language: Italian
Currency: EUR (€)
Cost of living: Moderate (index 65)
Emergency: 112
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Citizenship & Permanent Residency
Long-term settlement options in San Marino.
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Permanent Residency
Name
Registered Residence (Residenza Registrata)
Eligibility
Foreign nationals who establish lawful residence in San Marino through employment, business management, family reunification with a San Marino citizen or resident, or through the elective/atypical residence route (available to financially self-sufficient persons, retirees and remote workers) can register as residents. Registration of effective, continuous residence is the foundation for all subsequent status in San Marino.
Duration
Ongoing while qualifying grounds are maintained; the residence document is renewed periodically
Requirements
- ✓Valid qualifying basis: employment contract, business registration, family reunification, or approved elective/atypical residence
- ✓Proof of accommodation (lease agreement or property ownership)
- ✓Proof of financial self-sufficiency (for elective/atypical route)
- ✓Health insurance coverage
- ✓Clean criminal record
- ✓Registration at the Ufficio di Stato Civile
San Marino uses a registered residence system rather than a formal permanent-residency permit as understood in EU countries. Effective physical residence in San Marino is required — absence of more than a certain number of days per year can interrupt the qualifying clock for naturalisation. The elective and atypical residence routes can lead to registered status and eventually to naturalisation after 10 years (spousal/civil partner) or 20 years (general route) if all conditions are met.
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Citizenship
Name
Sammarinese Citizenship by Naturalisation
Eligibility
Foreign nationals who have maintained continuous, registered and effective residence in San Marino for at least 20 years may apply for naturalisation (general route). The requirement is reduced to 10 years for spouses or civil partners of Sammarinese citizens. Knowledge of Italian at B1 level and a test on San Marino's history and institutions are required. Law 25 February 2026 no. 27 removed the prior requirement for naturalisation applicants to renounce their existing citizenship.
Duration
Permanent Sammarinese citizenship once granted
Requirements
- ✓20 years of continuous registered and effective residence in San Marino (general route)
- ✓10 years of continuous registered and effective residence for spouses or civil partners of Sammarinese citizens
- ✓Italian language proficiency at B1 level (or an accepted exemption)
- ✓Pass the test on the history, institutions and civic principles of San Marino
- ✓Clean criminal record throughout the qualifying period
- ✓Genuine effective physical residence in San Marino (not merely formal registration)
- ✓Application to the competent San Marino authority
San Marino's 20-year general naturalisation requirement is among the longest in Europe. Law 25 February 2026 no. 27 is a landmark reform: naturalisation applicants are no longer required to renounce their prior citizenship under Sammarinese law, making dual citizenship fully permitted from 2026. Sammarinese citizenship gives access to an Sammarinese passport and, notably, the right to live and work in Italy and the EU under the 2002 San Marino–EU Treaty and bilateral San Marino–Italy arrangement, without formal EU citizenship.
Other Routes to Residency & Citizenship
Spousal or Civil Partner Route (10-Year Reduction)
Eligibility
Foreign nationals who are validly married to or in a registered civil union with a Sammarinese citizen may apply for naturalisation after 10 years of continuous registered and effective residence — half the general 20-year requirement. The marriage or civil union must be subsisting and genuine throughout the qualifying period.
Duration / Outcome
Permanent citizenship once granted
Requirements
- ✓Valid marriage certificate or civil union registration with a Sammarinese citizen
- ✓10 years of continuous registered and effective residence in San Marino
- ✓Italian language proficiency at B1 level
- ✓Pass the history and institutions test
- ✓Clean criminal record
- ✓No separation, annulment or other issue dissolving the relationship before the application
The 10-year spousal route is the most realistic naturalisation path for most foreign spouses of Sammarinese citizens. The 2026 law removing the renunciation requirement applies equally to this route.
Citizenship by Descent (Children of Sammarinese Citizens)
Eligibility
Children born to at least one Sammarinese citizen parent acquire Sammarinese citizenship at birth regardless of the country of birth. This is a right-based route requiring registration rather than naturalisation.
Duration / Outcome
Permanent from birth
Requirements
- ✓At least one parent must be a Sammarinese citizen at the time of birth
- ✓Birth registration at the Ufficio di Stato Civile (or the nearest Sammarinese diplomatic mission for births abroad)
- ✓Relevant civil documents
Children born in San Marino to non-citizen parents do not automatically receive Sammarinese citizenship (San Marino does not apply unconditional jus soli). The 2026 dual citizenship law benefits children born with dual-national status — they are no longer required to renounce one nationality under Sammarinese law.
🌍 Dual Citizenship
✓
Dual citizenship is allowed — San Marino enacted Law 25 February 2026 no. 27, which removed the general requirement for naturalisation applicants to renounce their prior citizenship. Dual (and multiple) citizenship is now fully permitted under Sammarinese law for all naturalised citizens and has always been permitted for citizens by descent. Your other country of citizenship may or may not permit dual nationality — confirm with your home-country embassy before applying.
Citizenship & Permanent Residency
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