Is San Marino an EU country?
San Marino is a small, independent country located in southern Europe, inside Italy. It is one of the oldest republics in the world, dating back to 301 AD. San Marino is especially known for its beautiful scenery, historic buildings and unique culture. But is San Marino a member of the European Union (EU)?
San Marino and the European Union
San Marino is not a member of the European Union. Although it is located in the middle of the EU country Italy and has close relations with many EU countries, San Marino has maintained its independence and decided not to join the EU. However, this does not mean that San Marino is completely separated from the EU. On the contrary, San Marino has several agreements and cooperation arrangements with the EU.
Cooperation agreements and integration
San Marino has signed several agreements with the EU that facilitate trade, travel and other forms of cooperation. These agreements include, among others:
- Customs union: San Marino is part of the EU customs union, which means that goods can move freely between San Marino and the EU without customs fees.
- Schengen area: Although San Marino is not officially a member of the Schengen area, in practice it has open borders with Italy, allowing for free movement.
- Cooperation agreements: San Marino has concluded several cooperation agreements with the EU in various fields, such as education, health and the environment.
Special status of San Marino
San Marino’s special status as a non-EU country with close relations with the Union offers it several advantages. It can benefit from the EU’s internal market and other forms of cooperation without having to comply with all EU rules and regulations. This gives San Marino more flexibility and autonomy in decision-making.
Sources
More information about the relations between San Marino and the EU can be found in the following sources:
