Europe

No restrictions in this travel advice

Avoid all but essential travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all but essential travel to whole country

Avoid all travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all travel to whole country

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• General
 

• There is a low threat from terrorism, but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. See Safety and Security - Terrorism.
  
  
• The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not valid in San Marino as San Marino is not a Member of the European Union.
  
  
• You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See General - Insurance.
  
  
• Around 6,000 British nationals visited San Marino in 2010 (source: San Marino State Tourism Office). Most visits are trouble-free.
  
  
• The following are the emergency services numbers in San Marino: 112/113 (emergency service, gendarmerie), 115 (public safety, fire department, local police), 118 (emergency ambulance and medical services).
  

Safety and Security - Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism, but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.  
See our Terrorism Abroad page.

Safety and Security - Crime

Street crime is extremely rare. However, you should take the usual precautions with passports and money.

Be aware that alcohol and drugs can lead to you being less alert, less in control and less aware of your environment. Remember that drinks served in bars overseas are often stronger than those in the UK. Do not accept drinks from strangers or leave drinks unattended.

Safety and Security - Road travel

If you wish to drive in San Marino you must have a valid UK driving licence. You drive on the right-hand side of the road in San Marino (opposite to the UK). It is a legal requirement for motorists travelling within San Marino to carry one red warning triangle to be placed, in the event of an accident or breakdown, behind the vehicle. In addition, drivers are advised to keep in the car a spare pair of glasses (if needed for driving), a spare wheel, and a full set of spare bulbs plus the tools to change them. If at any time you have to leave your vehicle due to accident or breakdown, or whilst awaiting the arrival of the emergency services, it is obligatory to wear a reflective jacket. Failure to do so could result in a heavy fine.  

You should also carry a certificate of car insurance in case you are stopped.

At the time of entering the country, car insurance must be valid for more than three months.

If you have a car hire and have bought insurance, you should be given documentation. If you are using your UK insurance, carry your certificate with you at all times. This is generally only a solution for a stay shorter than three months. If you are staying longer, contact your insurance broker.  

San Marino has similar drink driving laws to Italy. The legal limit is 0.05%, also defined as 0.5 grams of alcohol per litre of blood (50 mg/100 ml of blood); this rule also applies to newly licensed drivers and to professional drivers. San Marino authorities are serious about drink driving and have strict penalties. A blood alcohol level below 0.08% will result in administrative sanctions; over this limit, criminal penalties will apply: the driver’s license and sometimes the vehicle will be confiscated.  

Seat belts are required for front seat and back seat passengers. No children under the height of 150 cm should be in the front seat. San Marino also has laws requiring small children to be in an approved child safety seat. Your hire car agency can provide a seat for you, just let them know at the time you reserve the car.

Talking on mobile phones when driving is forbidden by San Marino law. You can talk with a completely hands-free unit. Smoking while driving is also prohibited.

The speed limit is 70 km/h on some stretches of the highway, while in residential areas the speed limit is 30 and 50 km/h.

See our Driving Abroad page.

Safety and Security - Political Situation

Country profile - San Marino.

San Marino has strict rules on public drunkenness and applies a zero tolerance policy towards the possession and use of illegal drugs.

See our Your Trip page.

Entry Requirements - Visas

British nationals do not need a visa to visit San Marino. British citizens staying in San Marino for less than 20 days must be reported to the Ufficio Stranieri (Foreigners’ Office) of the local Gendarmerie by the hotel or by the person hosting the visitor.  British citizens staying for more than 20 days must apply for a permesso di soggiorno turistico  (permit for tourism) or for a permesso per motivi di lavoro (a work permit), which is issued for some categories of workers only.

Entry Requirements - Passport validity

You must hold a valid passport to enter San Marino. Your passport must be valid for the proposed duration of your stay; you do not need any additional period of validity on your passport beyond this. However, it is always sensible to have a short period of extra validity on your passport in case of any unforeseen delays to your departure.
You do not have to wait until your old passport expires to apply to renew it. Any time left on your old passport when you apply will be added to your new passport, up to a maximum of nine months. For passport applications in the UK, you should apply to the Identity and Passport Service.

Entry Requirements - Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 118 and ask for an ambulance.

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) does not provide health cover in San Marino. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation. Contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.

See our Travel Health pages for further advice on how to stay healthy when overseas.

General - Insurance

Make sure you have comprehensive travel and medical insurance cover. Check for any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. See our travel insurance page.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas see our When Things Go Wrong page.

General - Money

Even though San Marino is not a member of the European Union the local currency is the Euro

General - Contact Details

There is no British Consulate in San Marino. The closest British mission is in Rome, Italy.