Can San Marino citizens live and work freely in EU countries?

No, San Marino is not an EU member state, so Sammarinese citizens do not have automatic freedom of movement or right to work in EU countries like EU nationals do. However, San Marino has special agreements with Italy and the EU allowing certain privileges. For extended stays or work in EU countries, San Marino passport holders typically need to apply for appropriate visas or permits, though they benefit from visa-free short stays (up to 90 days in 180 days) in the Schengen Area.

Do I need a visa to visit the United States with a San Marino passport?

San Marino passport holders need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ESTA) to visit the United States for tourism or business stays up to 90 days. The ESTA must be applied for online before travel and is part of the Visa Waiver Program. It is not a visa-on-arrival but a pre-travel authorization that costs approximately $21 USD and is typically valid for 2 years.

Is military service mandatory for San Marino passport holders?

No, San Marino does not have mandatory military service. The country maintains a small voluntary military corps and ceremonial guards. There is no conscription requirement for Sammarinese citizens, making it one of the few European microstates without compulsory military obligations.

Which major countries require a visa for San Marino passport holders?

San Marino passport holders require visas for several countries including Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Brunei, Ghana, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Paraguay, Sudan, Turkmenistan, and Yemen. Additionally, countries like Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, United States, and South Korea require electronic travel authorizations (eTA/ESTA) before arrival, while Russia, India, Vietnam, and Nigeria offer e-visas that must be obtained online prior to travel.

Can San Marino citizens travel to China visa-free?

Yes, San Marino passport holders can travel to China visa-free for short stays. China is included in San Marino's visa-free access list. However, travelers should verify current entry requirements and duration limits before travel, as policies can change and may have specific conditions regarding purpose of visit and length of stay.

How do I renew my San Marino passport and how long does it take?

San Marino passports must be renewed through the Civil Registry Office (Ufficio del Registro di Stato Civile) in San Marino. Required documents typically include the expired or expiring passport, valid identity card, passport photos meeting biometric standards, and the applicable fee. Processing time is generally 2-4 weeks for standard applications. For citizens residing abroad, applications can be processed through San Marino's diplomatic representations or consular offices, though processing may take longer.

Do San Marino passport holders need a visa for the UK after Brexit?

San Marino passport holders do not need a visa for short visits (up to 6 months) to the United Kingdom for tourism or business. However, they must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before traveling, which became mandatory in 2024-2025 as part of the UK's post-Brexit immigration system. The ETA costs £10, is applied for online, and is typically processed within 3 days.

What is the difference between San Marino passport and Italian passport for travel?

While both passports offer strong visa-free access, Italian passport holders (as EU citizens) have broader rights including automatic freedom of movement, residence, and work throughout all EU/EEA countries without permits. San Marino passport holders have similar visa-free travel access to most countries (169 destinations) but lack automatic EU work and residence rights. For short-term travel to Schengen, UK, US, and most major destinations, both passports offer comparable access, but for long-term stays in EU countries, Italian citizenship provides significant advantages.

Can I use my San Marino passport to transit through major international airports?

Yes, San Marino passport holders can transit through most major international airports worldwide. For airports in the Schengen Area, UK, US, Canada, Australia, and most Asian hubs, transit is permitted though some countries require transit visas or electronic authorizations even for airside transit. For example, transiting through the US requires ESTA, Canada requires eTA, and Australia requires ETA even if not leaving the airport. Always check specific transit requirements for your route, as policies vary by country and length of layover.

San Marino Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 169 Countries

The San Marino passport ranks 19th globally in 2025, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 169 destinations worldwide. This powerful travel document provides citizens of one of the world's smallest republics with exceptional global mobility and convenient international travel privileges. San Marino passport holders enjoy seamless access to major regions including the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, and numerous other countries across Europe, the Americas, and beyond. The passport has maintained consistently strong performance over the years, demonstrating San Marino's positive international relations and diplomatic standing.

Global Rank

#19

out of 199 countries

Visa Free Access

169

countries worldwide

Mobility Score

out of 100 points

Quick Statistics for San Marino passport

122

Visa-Free

On Arrival

ETA Required

E-Visa

Visa Required

Source: Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Sammarinese Citizens

Popular destinations where San Marino passport holders can travel without a visa:

Country	Maximum Stay	Code
France	Up to 90 days	FR
Italy	Up to 90 days	IT
Spain	Up to 90 days	ES
Germany	Up to 90 days	DE
United Kingdom	Up to 180 days	GB

Visa Requirements by Country

Complete breakdown of visa requirements for San Marino passport holders

✅ Visa-Free

122 countries

🛬 Visa on Arrival

32 countries

🔐 ETA Required

15 countries

💻 E-Visa

27 countries

❌ Visa Required

30 countries

Historical Ranking Trend

San Marino's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Declined by 5 positions from 2006 to 2025

Official San Marino Passport & Travel Resources

Access official government resources for passport services, travel advisories, and visa information:

🔗

Ufficio Passaporti - Repubblica di San Marino

🔗

Segreteria di Stato per gli Affari Esteri

🔗

Ufficio del Turismo - Repubblica di San Marino

Compare San Marino Passport with Other Passports

See how San Marino's passport compares with other EUROPE in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
San Marino (You are here)	#19	169	42/100	81/100
Latvia	#10	182	78/100	62/100
Liechtenstein	#10	182	85/100	90/100
Lithuania	#11	181	85/100	88/100
Iceland	#11	181	92/100	88/100
Romania	#13	179	73/100	87/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

San Marino passport holders can visit 169 countries and territories without a visa or with visa-on-arrival in 2025. This includes 143 visa-free destinations, 31 visa-on-arrival countries, and 15 electronic travel authorization destinations. The passport ranks 19th globally on the Henley Passport Index.

Explore More Passport Rankings

Discover San Marino's passport power and compare with other countries to find the world's most powerful travel documents.

View All Passport Rankings

Last Updated: November 9, 2025

Source: IATA Travel Centre, Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

San Marino Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 169 Countries

Country

Maximum Stay

Code

Up to 90 days

Up to 90 days

Up to 90 days

Up to 90 days

Up to 180 days

Historical Ranking Trend

San Marino's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Declined by 5 positions from 2006 to 2025

Compare San Marino Passport with Other Passports

See how San Marino's passport compares with other EUROPE in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
San Marino (You are here)	#19	169	42/100	81/100
Latvia	#10	182	78/100	62/100
Liechtenstein	#10	182	85/100	90/100
Lithuania	#11	181	85/100	88/100
Iceland	#11	181	92/100	88/100
Romania	#13	179	73/100	87/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Quick Statistics for San Marino passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Sammarinese Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

San Marino's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Official San Marino Passport & Travel Resources

Compare San Marino Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How many countries can San Marino passport holders visit visa-free in 2025?

Can San Marino citizens live and work freely in EU countries?

Do I need a visa to visit the United States with a San Marino passport?

Is military service mandatory for San Marino passport holders?

Which major countries require a visa for San Marino passport holders?

Can San Marino citizens travel to China visa-free?

How do I renew my San Marino passport and how long does it take?

Do San Marino passport holders need a visa for the UK after Brexit?

What is the difference between San Marino passport and Italian passport for travel?

Can I use my San Marino passport to transit through major international airports?

Explore More Passport Rankings

Quick Statistics for San Marino passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Sammarinese Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

San Marino's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Official San Marino Passport & Travel Resources

Compare San Marino Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How many countries can San Marino passport holders visit visa-free in 2025?

Can San Marino citizens live and work freely in EU countries?

Do I need a visa to visit the United States with a San Marino passport?

Is military service mandatory for San Marino passport holders?

Which major countries require a visa for San Marino passport holders?

Can San Marino citizens travel to China visa-free?

How do I renew my San Marino passport and how long does it take?

Do San Marino passport holders need a visa for the UK after Brexit?

What is the difference between San Marino passport and Italian passport for travel?

Can I use my San Marino passport to transit through major international airports?

Explore More Passport Rankings