San Marino nationality law explained

San Marino nationality law is contained in the provisions of the Law on Citizenship (2000) which was amended in 2004 and 2016 and in the relevant provisions of the San Marino Constitution. A person may be a citizen of San Marino through birth, descent or through naturalisation.

Short Title:San Marino Citizenship Act
Legislature:Grand and General Council
Long Title:An Act relating to San Marino citizenship
Enacted By:Government of San Marino
Status:amended

Acquisition of citizenship

At birth

Any child born within the territory of San Marino is automatically a citizen of San Marino if both parents were citizens of San Marino. In the case of only one parent being a citizen of San Marino, 12 months after the child turns 18, both of the parents must declare that the child wishes to choose the citizenship of the parent that is a citizen of San Marino.[1] [2]

Citizenship by birth can also happen if:

By descent

Any child born outside of San Marino has a claim to citizenship if at least one of his/her parents are a citizen of San Marino.

The children of all San Marino citizens of 18 years of age, who permanently reside within the territory of San Marino for a minimum of 10 years, are eligible for citizenship.

By naturalisation

Anyone with a valid residence permit who has lived in San Marino for 30 years can apply for naturalisation through the Grand and General Council provided they:[3]

Loss of citizenship

Voluntary

Voluntary renunciation of San Marino Citizenship is allowed under law provided it does not render the person stateless.

Involuntary

San Marino citizenship is presumed to be lost when someone acquires foreign citizenship.

People who became citizens of San Marino through naturalisation may have their citizenship revoked if it was obtained by fraud, false representation or the concealment of any material fact.

Dual citizenship

San Marino does not recognise dual citizenship and any citizen who obtains foreign citizenship loses their San Marino citizenship.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 28 November 2012 . Answers of the Republic of San Marino to OHCHR's requests for information on discrimination against women in nationality-related matters . OHCHR.
  2. Web site: Citizenship - Citizenship - Legislationline. 31 May 2020. 21 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200621060800/https://www.legislationline.org/topics/topic/2. dead.
  3. Web site: San Marino Citizenship - Government.