Visiting San Marino with a dog, and what the rules say

Taking a dog to San Marino is easier than you might think on the paperwork and a good deal more limited on transport. I’ve gathered the rules published by the UK government, Spain’s agriculture ministry, AASS and the bus company, and I’ll also tell you what no source clears up, which is quite a lot.

What paperwork does your dog need?

For a British dog, the key point is that San Marino is treated like the EU. Spain’s agriculture ministry explains that San Marino, like Andorra, Monaco and the Vatican, is listed in Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2026/636 and counts as equivalent to the EU for animal health. In any case you can only reach it through Italy, so your dog enters the EU on the way.

That means the GOV.UK rules for travelling to an EU country. A microchip fitted before or at the same time as the rabies vaccination, a jab given once the dog is at least 12 weeks old, and a wait of at least 21 days after the first vaccination. Then an animal health certificate from your vet, valid for 10 days to enter the EU, six months for onward travel and six months to come back to Great Britain, with a new one for every trip. Residents of England, Scotland and Wales can’t use a pet passport to get into the EU. You’ll go through a travellers’ point of entry on arrival, and no more than five pets can travel in a private vehicle.

The Spanish ministry adds a caveat I wouldn’t ignore. Not every country on that list applies the rules reciprocally, and while an EU pet passport is often enough, some ask for extra requirements. I haven’t found any Sammarinese rule that adds anything, but a word with your vet costs nothing. For the human side of the border, see San Marino entry requirements.

The bus from Rimini is the first hurdle

The shuttle between Rimini and San Marino is how most people go up, and it’s the strictest with dogs. Bonelli only takes dogs and cats of up to 10-12 kilos, in a carrier or muzzled, and charges the full fare. A guide dog travels free. If your dog is heavier than that, this bus is out, and the other ways to arrive are in getting to San Marino.

That’s why, with a medium or large dog, I’d drive. There’s no border check between Italy and San Marino, the dog rides with you and you leave the car in one of the town car parks.

Up top, the cable car and AASS buses

Once you’re in San Marino, public transport is more relaxed. The cable car from Borgo Maggiore up to the old town takes dogs on a lead with a muzzle, or in a carrier, and charges large dogs an extra ticket. The scheduled buses and the SMUVI on-demand service apply the same terms, with one warning worth knowing. The driver can limit or refuse access if an animal disturbs passengers or compromises safety.

Pack the muzzle even if your dog never wears one. It’s what all three services will ask for, and without it the dog doesn’t board.

Where it’s clear and where it isn’t

San Marino Outlet at Falciano welcomes dogs on a lead, and it’s the only shop that says so. In the old town, Hotel Cesare says on its website that it takes small animals on request, and Hotel Titano welcomes small pets. And camping in San Marino takes dogs for €2 to €4 a night, with a run for them.

Almost everything else I couldn’t confirm. Neither the State Museums nor the diocese say whether dogs can go into the towers, museums or basilica, and I found no Sammarinese rule on dogs in public spaces. My approach would be the usual one for any Italian historic centre, lead on at all times, bags to clean up and a quick ask before going into any building. The upside is that the best of San Marino is outdoors, and the battlemented path between the first and second towers makes an ideal dog walk. It’s in my guide to the Witches’ Passage.

If something goes wrong

If your dog falls ill, keep your own vet’s number and the hotel’s to hand, as I couldn’t find an official list of emergency vets in San Marino to pass on. Faetano’s council page mentions an animal shelter run by the APAS association, but that’s a local rescue, not a service for visitors.