San Marino entry requirements for British passport holders (2026): visa and passport validity
Passport validity (FCDO rule): Issued less than 10 years before the date you arrive, and expiry date at least 3 months after the day you leave the Schengen area
Visa (FCDO): You can visit the Schengen area (and San Marino) without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, for the reasons listed in the FCDO text. Official visa text
Official source: GOV.UK – San Marino travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO) · page last updated 10 December 2025 · checked on 17 October 2026
Whether you need a visa and how long your British passport must be valid to enter San Marino, as published by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), quoted word for word, with a checker for your dates.
Other passports: Canadian passport · Italian citizens: documenti per italiani
Do I need a visa for San Marino with a British passport?
In short: You can visit the Schengen area (and San Marino) without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, for the reasons listed in the FCDO text.
Our one-line summary of the first FCDO sentence below, which matches a wording we recognise. It applies to British citizen passport holders; read the full official text, which may add conditions.
Entering the Schengen area: the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is fully operational (European Commission), so your fingerprints and photo may be registered at the border; GOV.UK says you do not need to take any action before you arrive. ETIAS is not in operation yet. Details and sources: EES and ETIAS status (checked on 17 October 2026).
You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area and San Marino for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel:
- as a tourist
- to visit family or friends
- to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events
- for short-term studies or training
The requirements for working in San Marino are different. Contact the San Marino Consulate in the UK for more information.
If you’re travelling to other Schengen area countries as well, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries in the 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.
Official source: GOV.UK – San Marino travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO), section “Visa requirements” · page last updated 10 December 2025 · checked on 17 October 2026
Passport validity: official text “Passport validity requirements”
San Marino follows Schengen area rules. Your passport must:
- have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago
- have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area
You do not need to pass through border controls to enter San Marino, but you must have a passport containing a valid entry stamp from a Schengen area country.
Official source: GOV.UK – San Marino travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO) · page last updated 10 December 2025 · checked on 17 October 2026
Check your passport for San Marino
Schengen rules count your whole trip in the Schengen area: if you visit several Schengen countries, enter the day you first enter the area and the day you leave the last Schengen country.
The check runs in your browser: your dates are not sent anywhere. It applies the FCDO sentence literally (for example “6 months” is counted as the same day of the month 6 months later).
For British passport holders only. These are the rules published by the UK government (FCDO) for British citizens. If you hold another passport, check your own government's advice. The airline and the border officials of the destination decide whether you can travel or enter: this site is information, not legal advice.
Recent FCDO updates to the entry requirements
- 10 December 2025: “New information about dual nationals returning to the UK (‘Entry requirements’ page).”
- 7 October 2022: “Removal of restrictions related to COVID-19 (‘Coronavirus’ and 'Entry requirements' pages).”
- 12 May 2022: “Clarification about current passport validity ('Entry requirements' page)”
- 2 March 2022: “Updated information on entry requirements for San Marino ('Entry requirements' page)”
- 22 December 2021: “Updated information on Schengen area rules for passport validity (‘Entry requirements’ page)”
Read the full FCDO travel advice for San Marino (safety, visas, health) before you travel.
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Same FCDO rule (Schengen: 3 months after leaving the area + 10-year issue rule)
and 19 more destinations with the same rule: see all
Passport validity rules for all destinations · Liquids rules by airport · EES and ETIAS status