Bringing a pet to San Marino

Last reviewed October 2, 2026

San Marino is a landlocked microstate surrounded by Italy. In practice, pet dogs enter overland through Italy, and Italian border veterinarians apply EU Pet Travel Scheme checks (Regulation (EU) No 576/2013). San Marino has no international airport, no seaport, and no quarantine facility. Entry requirements depend on the dog's country of origin: EU-equivalent and low-risk origins need a microchip, rabies vaccination, and health documentation, while high-risk origins also need a rabies antibody titre test and an import permit.

Requirements for your pet

Showing requirements for a dog travelling from United States to San Marino.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian or an authorised private veterinarian issuing an EU pet passport (or a third-country certificate endorsed by the competent authority) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Breed restrictions

San Marino does not maintain a national breed ban list for dogs. However, because all arrivals pass through Italy, Italian breed-specific rules may apply at the border: Italy requires a special licence and insurance for owners of dogs registered as 'dangerous breeds' (e.g. Pit Bull, American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, etc.), and some airlines and ferry operators refuse to carry brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs and Boxers in cargo. Check with your carrier and the Italian border authority before travel.

Documents checklist

  • EU pet passport (or equivalent national pet passport) showing microchip number, rabies vaccination date and vaccine batch
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (primary vaccination at least 21 days before travel, or a valid booster)
  • Microchip certificate or the microchip number recorded in the passport
  • Signed owner's declaration that the movement is non-commercial (if travelling with more than 5 pets)

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip €30–60, rabies vaccination €20–50, EU pet passport €20–40, health certificate (if needed) €50–150. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the San Marino veterinary office.

For dogs from EU-equivalent territories (EU member states, Andorra, San Marino itself, Vatican City), an EU pet passport is sufficient. No titre test, no import permit, no quarantine. The 21-day wait after primary rabies vaccination applies; a valid booster given before expiry removes the wait.

Apply / official dog import page

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country (e.g. USDA APHIS-accredited vet for the US, DEFRA-authorised vet for the UK, or the national competent authority for other low-risk countries) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Breed restrictions

San Marino does not maintain a national breed ban list for dogs. However, because all arrivals pass through Italy, Italian breed-specific rules may apply at the border: Italy requires a special licence and insurance for owners of dogs registered as 'dangerous breeds' (e.g. Pit Bull, American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, etc.), and some airlines and ferry operators refuse to carry brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs and Boxers in cargo. Check with your carrier and the Italian border authority before travel.

Documents checklist

  • Veterinary health certificate issued by the origin country's competent authority within 10 days of travel
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number, vaccination date and vaccine validity
  • Microchip certificate or microchip number recorded on the health certificate
  • Proof of identity for the owner (passport) matching the certificate
  • Signed non-commercial movement declaration if travelling with more than 5 pets

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip €30–60, rabies vaccination €20–50, official health certificate €100–250, courier/endorsement fees vary. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the San Marino veterinary office.

Low-risk countries (most of Europe, US, UK, Japan, Australia, etc.) do not need a rabies titre test or import permit for San Marino. The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival and endorsed by the origin country's government veterinarian. The 21-day post-vaccination wait applies unless a valid booster is documented.

Apply / official dog import page

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 90+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country (e.g. USDA APHIS-accredited vet for the US, or the national competent authority for other high-risk countries) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Breed restrictions

San Marino does not maintain a national breed ban list for dogs. However, because all arrivals pass through Italy, Italian breed-specific rules may apply at the border: Italy requires a special licence and insurance for owners of dogs registered as 'dangerous breeds' (e.g. Pit Bull, American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, etc.), and some airlines and ferry operators refuse to carry brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs and Boxers in cargo. Check with your carrier and the Italian border authority before travel.

Documents checklist

  • Rabies antibody titre test (FAVN) result from an EU-approved laboratory, showing ≥0.5 IU/ml
  • Import permit issued by the San Marino veterinary authority (Ufficio Veterinario) before travel
  • Veterinary health certificate issued by the origin country's competent authority within 10 days of travel
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number, vaccination date and vaccine validity
  • Microchip certificate or microchip number recorded on the health certificate
  • Proof of identity for the owner (passport) matching the certificate
  • Signed non-commercial movement declaration if travelling with more than 5 pets

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip €30–60, rabies vaccination €20–50, FAVN titre test €100–250, import permit fee varies (often €50–200), official health certificate €100–250. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the San Marino veterinary office.

High-risk countries (CDC-flagged for dog rabies, e.g. Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East) require a rabies titre test and an import permit. The 90-day wait after the blood sample is mandatory. No quarantine on arrival if all documents are in order. If the titre test is not done or fails, the dog may be refused entry or quarantined at the owner's expense — confirm with the San Marino veterinary office before travelling.

Apply / official dog import page

Frequently asked questions

Up to 5 dogs (or cats or ferrets) may be moved non-commercially without an import permit or commercial health certification. If you bring more than 5, the movement is treated as commercial and you will need an import permit, a full veterinary health certificate for each animal, and possibly a commercial licence. The 5-pet limit applies per traveller, not per household.
It depends on where you are travelling from. If your dog is coming from an EU-equivalent country (e.g. Italy, France, Germany, Andorra, Vatican City) or a low-risk country (e.g. UK, US, Japan, Australia), no titre test is required. If your dog is coming from a high-risk country (e.g. Thailand, Russia, Morocco, India), a FAVN rabies antibody titre test showing at least 0.5 IU/ml is mandatory, and you must wait 90 days from the date the blood sample was taken before entering San Marino.
No. San Marino has no quarantine facility and does not impose quarantine on dogs with valid documentation. If your dog arrives without the required rabies vaccination, microchip or (for high-risk origins) titre test, it may be refused entry at the Italian border and returned to the origin country at your expense. There is no option to quarantine on arrival.
No. San Marino does not exempt emotional support animals or service dogs from import requirements. All dogs, including service dogs, must have a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before travel for a primary vaccination), and the appropriate health certificate. For high-risk origins, the titre test and import permit also apply. Airlines may have their own rules for cabin travel, but the border rules are the same for all dogs.
You need the original EU pet passport (or third-country veterinary certificate endorsed by the origin country's government vet), a rabies vaccination certificate showing the microchip number and vaccination date, and — if you are coming from a high-risk country — the FAVN titre test result and the San Marino import permit. The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival. Photocopies are not accepted. Italian border vets may also ask for proof of identity matching the certificate.
No. A microchip meeting ISO 11784/11785 is mandatory before any rabies vaccination is given. If the dog was vaccinated before being microchipped, that vaccination is not considered valid and the dog must be revaccinated and wait 21 days (or 90 days if a titre test is required). The microchip number must appear on all documents.
Plan for at least 4 months. The timeline: microchip first, then rabies vaccination, then wait 30 days, then blood sample for the FAVN titre test, then wait 90 days from the blood sample date before travel. Add time for the import permit (apply at least 4–6 weeks before travel) and the health certificate (issued within 10 days of arrival). From a low-risk country, the minimum is 21 days after a primary rabies vaccination.

Showing requirements for a cat travelling from United States to San Marino.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian or authorized private veterinarian endorsed by the competent authority of the origin country · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before entry and not expired
  • Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days before arrival
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
  • Pet passport (if issued by an EU-equivalent country) or equivalent travel document

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip €30–50, health certificate €50–150, rabies vaccination €20–50. No titer test or import permit applies in this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the San Marino veterinary authority.

Free-tier origins include Andorra, San Marino, Vatican City, and other territories with negligible rabies risk. The pet must be microchipped before or at the time of rabies vaccination. Cats under 12 weeks may enter without rabies vaccination only if accompanied by their mother and born in a free-tier country; this is rarely applicable for individual travellers.

Apply / official cat import page

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian or authorized private veterinarian endorsed by the competent authority of the origin country · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before entry and not expired
  • Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days before arrival
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
  • Pet passport (if issued by an EU country) or equivalent travel document

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip €30–50, health certificate €50–150, rabies vaccination €20–50. No titer test or import permit applies in this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the San Marino veterinary authority.

Low-risk origins include most of Europe, the US, the UK, Japan, and Australia. The pet must be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before entry. Cats under 12 weeks may enter without rabies vaccination only if accompanied by their mother and born in a low-risk country; this is rarely applicable for individual travellers.

Apply / official cat import page

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 90+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian or authorized private veterinarian endorsed by the competent authority of the origin country · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before entry and not expired
  • FAVN rabies titer test result from an EU-approved laboratory (≥0.5 IU/ml, test at least 30 days after first vaccination and 90 days before entry)
  • Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days before arrival
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
  • Import permit issued by the San Marino veterinary authority
  • Proof of treatment against ticks and tapeworms if required by the import permit

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip €30–50, health certificate €50–150, rabies vaccination €20–50, FAVN titer test €100–250, import permit fee €50–200. No quarantine fee applies if all conditions are met. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the San Marino veterinary authority.

High-risk origins are those flagged by the CDC for dog rabies, including Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East. An import permit must be obtained in advance from the San Marino veterinary authority. Cats under 12 weeks may not enter from high-risk countries under any circumstances.

Apply / official cat import page

Frequently asked questions

There is no fixed numerical limit for cats, but the movement must be non-commercial. If you bring more than 5 cats, authorities may treat it as commercial, requiring additional trade certificates and veterinary inspections. For 1–5 cats, standard pet travel rules apply. Check with the San Marino veterinary authority if you plan to bring more than 5.
Yes. San Marino does not grant exemptions for emotional support or service animals. All cats must comply with the same import rules: microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and—if coming from a high-risk country—a rabies titer test and import permit. Airlines may have their own cabin policies, but destination-country veterinary rules apply to all cats.
Cats from high-risk countries must have a FAVN rabies titer test at an EU-approved laboratory. The test must be done at least 30 days after the first rabies vaccination and at least 90 days before entry. The result must be ≥0.5 IU/ml. This test is not required for cats from low-risk or free-tier countries.
No. San Marino does not impose quarantine on cats that meet all entry requirements. If a cat arrives without the necessary documentation, it may be refused entry or placed in quarantine at the owner's expense.
The official veterinary health certificate must be issued within 10 days before arrival in San Marino. It must be signed by an official government veterinarian or an authorized private veterinarian endorsed by the competent authority of the origin country. The certificate must accompany the cat during travel.
Kittens under 12 weeks old may enter San Marino without rabies vaccination only if they are accompanied by their mother and born in a free-tier or low-risk country. For high-risk countries, kittens under 12 weeks are not allowed entry under any circumstances. In practice, most travellers with young kittens should wait until the kitten is at least 12 weeks old and vaccinated.
An import permit is required only for cats originating from high-risk countries. For cats from free-tier or low-risk countries, no import permit is needed. The permit must be obtained in advance from the San Marino veterinary authority (https://www.sanita.sm). Allow at least 2–4 weeks for processing.

Showing requirements for a ferret travelling from United States to San Marino.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Official health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip €30–50, health certificate €50–150, rabies vaccination €20–50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the San Marino veterinary authority.

For ferrets from EU-equivalent countries, no titer test or import permit is required. The ferret must be at least 3 months old at primary rabies vaccination and travel at least 21 days after that vaccination.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Official health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip €30–50, health certificate €50–150, rabies vaccination €20–50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the San Marino veterinary authority.

For ferrets from low-risk countries, a rabies titer test is not required if the ferret has a valid rabies vaccination. The health certificate must be issued by an official government veterinarian within 10 days of travel.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 90+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • FAVN rabies titer test result from an EU-approved laboratory
  • Official health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
  • Import permit issued by the San Marino veterinary authority

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip €30–50, health certificate €50–150, rabies vaccination €20–50, FAVN titer test €100–250, plus any import permit fee. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the San Marino veterinary authority.

For ferrets from high-risk countries, a rabies titer test and an import permit are required. The titer test must be done at least 30 days after primary vaccination and at least 90 days before travel. The import permit must be obtained in advance from the San Marino veterinary authority.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Your ferret needs an ISO 11784/11785 microchip, a rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel, and an official health certificate issued within 10 days of travel. No titer test or quarantine is required for ferrets from the US.
Only if your ferret is coming from a high-risk country. If required, the FAVN test must be done at least 30 days after primary rabies vaccination and at least 90 days before travel, in an EU-approved laboratory.
No. Quarantine is not required for ferrets entering San Marino if all other requirements are met.
Up to 5 ferrets per traveller. More than 5 is considered commercial movement and additional requirements apply.
No. Emotional support and service ferrets must meet the same entry rules as other ferrets.
The ferret must be at least 3 months old at primary rabies vaccination and travel at least 21 days after that vaccination, so the minimum age at entry is 3 months and 21 days.
You need a rabies vaccination certificate, an official health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, and proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip. From a high-risk country, you also need a FAVN titer test result and an import permit.

Good to know

All dogs arrive overland through Italy, so the practical inspection point is the Italian border (e.g. Rimini, Bologna, Ancona, or any road crossing into Italy). San Marino's veterinary authority (Ufficio Veterinario, Dipartimento Sanità) recognises EU pet passports for dogs. Original documents must travel with the dog; photocopies are not accepted at the Italian border.

Airline rules & connecting flights

Government import rules are only half the picture — your airline sets its own pet policy on top of them: whether your petcan fly in the cabin at all, size/weight limits for the carrier, breed embargoes (many airlines refuse brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs and pugs in cargo), and seasonal heat restrictions. Check your specific airline's pet policy before booking — see IATA's Traveler's Pet Corner .

If your flight has a layover, the transit country can have its own pet rules — sometimes these apply even if you never leave the airport. If you're transiting through another country on the way to San Marino, check that country's pet-entry/transit rules separately (search "pets" on this site for that country too).

For guidance only. Pet import rules change without notice and a wrong step can mean quarantine or a refused entry for your animal — always confirm current requirements with San Marino's official veterinary/agriculture authority and your airline before travelling.