San Marino entry requirements for Madagascar passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 30, 2026·View sources
Visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Madagascar passport holders need a visa to enter San Marino. Since San Marino has no airport, you'll fly into Italy and cross the land border — the visa rules follow Italy's Schengen requirements. As of 2026, you must apply for a Schengen visa at the Italian embassy before your trip.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application Schengen visa required | San Marino does not issue its own visas. You need a Schengen visa issued by Italy or another Schengen state. Apply at the Italian embassy or consulate in Madagascar. Processing takes 15 calendar days, costs €80 for adults, and requires a completed application form, passport photos, travel insurance, flight itinerary, and proof of accommodation.Apply for Schengen visa | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for entire stay | Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure date from the Schengen area. It must have at least two blank pages for entry/exit stamps. Airlines check this at check-in — if your passport expires sooner, you will be denied boarding. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Required for Schengen entry | Immigration officers at the Schengen border will ask for proof of a return or onward flight out of the Schengen area. A bus or train ticket to a non-Schengen country also works. Budget airlines check this before issuing a boarding pass. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or invitation letter | Have a confirmed hotel reservation for every night of your stay in San Marino or Italy. If staying with a friend, carry a signed invitation letter with their address and passport copy. Immigration may ask for this at the border. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Bank statements or cash | Carry bank statements from the last 3 months showing at least €50 per day of your stay, or a credit card with sufficient limit. Schengen officers occasionally ask for this at land borders. | Recommended |
No airport in San Marino — plan your Italian entry carefully
You must enter through Italy, so your visa application goes to the Italian embassy. Make sure your flight itinerary shows you arriving in Italy first. Don't book a flight that transits through another Schengen country without a visa — you'll be refused boarding.
San Marino is not in the EU but follows Schengen rules
San Marino uses the euro and has an open border with Italy. Your Schengen visa covers your entire stay. The maximum stay is 90 days within any 180-day period, same as the rest of the Schengen area.
What happens at the border
1
Apply for a Schengen visa at the Italian embassy
Submit your application at the Italian embassy in Antananarivo. Book an appointment online, bring your passport, photos, flight itinerary, hotel bookings, insurance, and bank statements. Processing takes about 15 calendar days.
2
Fly into an Italian airport
You'll land at Bologna, Rimini, or Florence — the closest airports to San Marino. Go through Italian border control, where they'll check your Schengen visa and stamp your passport.
3
Travel to San Marino by bus or car
From Rimini, take bus line 72 (€5 one way) or rent a car. The border with Italy is open — no passport check when crossing into San Marino. Keep your passport and visa handy anyway.
4
Enjoy your stay and exit before visa expiry
San Marino allows up to 90 days within any 180-day period under the Schengen visa. Leave before your visa expires, and exit through any Schengen airport.
Download San Marino Entry Checklist
PDF · Madagascar Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 30, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa single entry
Max stay90 days within 180-day period
Validity3 months from issue
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
Standard short-stay visa for tourism.
Tourist visa multiple entry
Max stay90 days within 180-day period per visit
Validity1 year
Cost€120 (~$130 USD)
Ideal for frequent travellers.
Long-stay visa (national D visa)
Max stayUp to 1 year
Validity1 year
Cost€99 (~$108 USD)
For work, study, or family reunification; requires sponsorship.
work visa
Work Visa (Permesso di Lavoro)
1 year, renewable
€100 (~$109 USD) application fee
For employment with a San Marino company. Requires job offer and work permit approval.
student visa
Student Visa (Visto per Studio)
Up to 1 year, renewable
€50 (~$54 USD) application fee
For enrollment in accredited educational institutions. Must show proof of acceptance and funds.
retirement visa
Retirement Residence Permit
1 year, renewable
€200 (~$217 USD) application fee
For retirees with sufficient passive income. Requires proof of pension or assets.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)Standard Schengen visa fee for Madagascar passport holders. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Allows multiple entries within validity period. | €120 (~$130 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayPenalty for exceeding authorized stay. | €50 (~$54 USD) per day, max €500 (~$543 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete documents20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through San Marino
No transit visa needed
San Marino has no airports; transit occurs via Italy. Schengen transit rules apply.
Airside transitAllowed
Exceptions & conditions
- Holders of valid Schengen visas or residence permits may transit without additional visa.
Health & vaccines for San Marino
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis ARecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)EssentialInfluenzaConsider
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisLow risk
Rare but present in rural areas; consider vaccination if hiking.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
San Marino
Ufficio Stranieri e Immigrazione
Via della Capannaccia, 10, 47890 San Marino
Mon–Fri 09:00–13:00
Handles visa extensions and residence permits. Appointments recommended.
Practical information for MG travellers
Country basics
CapitalSan Marino
LanguageItalian
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US driver's license for up to 6 months.
Money
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 0.86 EUR
Time zone
Local timeUTC+1
vs New York+6h
vs Los Angeles+9h
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,F,LType C (2 round pins), Type F (Schuko), Type L (3 round pins)
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Tap water is safe to drink throughout San Marino.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
No. San Marino has an open border with Italy, so a valid Schengen visa (or residence permit) is all you need. The same 90/180-day rule applies.
At the Italian embassy in Antananarivo, Madagascar. You can also apply through a VFS Global center if Italy outsources visa processing there. Check the embassy website for current procedures.
Standard processing is 15 calendar days from the date of your appointment. It can take up to 45 days if additional checks are needed. Apply at least 3–4 weeks before your trip.
No. The Schengen visa cannot be extended for tourism. You must leave before it expires. Overstaying can result in fines and a ban from the Schengen area.
There is no border control. You simply drive or walk across. However, Italian police may conduct random checks anywhere in the region, so always carry your passport and visa.
Yes, for the visa application. You need a policy covering at least €30,000 in medical expenses and repatriation. Once you're in San Marino, it's not checked at the border, but it's strongly recommended.
If you hold a residence permit from any Schengen country, you can enter San Marino freely for up to 90 days. A residence permit from a non-Schengen country does not exempt you from the visa requirement.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 30, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.