Study Permit for San Marino: Gendarmerie Documents, Insurance and Funds

Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.

San Marino is a small republic surrounded by Italy, and it runs its own immigration procedures. This guide is limited by what the university publishes. The University of the Republic of San Marino (UNIRSM) describes the residence permit for study in its pages for incoming exchange students. We did not find an equivalent page for full-degree students, and neither the university nor the pages we read set out entry-visa rules. Treat the list below as the best published guide and confirm with the International Office before you travel.

Who applies and where

The university states that international exchange students, whether they come from countries inside or outside the Schengen area, must apply for a Residence Permit for Study Purposes directly at the San Marino Gendarmerie, at its Foreigners Office. You apply after you arrive in San Marino and have your enrolment certificate from the university. The International Office, at international@unirsm.sm, offers support with the application.

If you plan to enrol for a whole degree rather than an exchange, ask the International Office whether the same procedure and documents apply. Do not assume the exchange list is complete for you.

Documents for the Gendarmerie

UNIRSM lists these documents for the permit:

a copy of your identity document or passport, with the original for checking
your certificate of enrolment at UNIRSM
four passport-style photos in ICAO format
a certificate on pending criminal proceedings or charges, or on their absence, issued in San Marino. You request it at the Foreigners Office when you apply, by self-certification, with €15 in revenue stamps
a similar certificate from the competent authority of your home country, issued no more than six months before you arrive in San Marino. If it is not in Italian, it must be translated and the translation certified by a notary
proof of private health insurance with a minimum annual coverage of €30,000, valid in San Marino, together with a document from the Economic Benefits Office of the Social Security Institute confirming that the cover is valid
your most recent tax return and any other documents that show you can support yourself

The health insurance step

The insurance has two parts. First you buy a private policy valid in the territory of San Marino with annual cover of at least €30,000. Then you fill in the university's request form and email it, with a copy of the policy, to the Social Security Institute's Economic Benefits Office, Health Care section. The office returns the form completed and stamped, and you present it to the Gendarmerie with the other papers. UNIRSM publishes the form and the office's email address. Our catalogue does not include insurance prices.

Proof of funds

The university asks for your latest tax return and any other documentation that shows you can support yourself. The pages we read give no minimum sum. The size of the amount is therefore something to ask the Foreigners Office or the International Office, not to assume.

Housing before you apply

UNIRSM has no student residence. The Student Office gives international students a list of available accommodation, and the International Office can help. You will need an address while you deal with the permit, so arrange housing before you start the procedure.

On arrival

For exchange students, the university says to go to the Student Office within two days of arriving. There you collect your university badge, your enrolment certificate and your SMaC card. Then you deliver the permit documents to the Gendarmerie. See also study a semester in San Marino.

Practical advice

Ask for your criminal record certificate at home early. It must be recent enough, and a translation needs a notary.
Buy insurance only after you have confirmed with the International Office that the policy meets the €30,000 rule and can be validated.
Keep several copies of every document, since you hand over originals and copies at the Gendarmerie.

Where to look next

Official sources

Always check current information on the official website of the university before you apply.