San Marino

San Marino is the oldest surviving republic in the world, a small state enclosed within Italy whose roots go back to the year 301. With around 34,000 inhabitants (2024), it has preserved its independence and republican institutions for seventeen centuries — a living testimony to the endurance of self-government in Europe.

Though not a member of the Union, San Marino is closely woven into European life: it forms a customs union with the EU and uses the euro. After negotiations concluded in December 2023, the Association Agreement between the EU, San Marino and Andorra was signed in October 2026. Once ratified, it will give the republic access to the single market — with the free movement of goods, services, capital and people — on terms comparable to those of Norway or Iceland.

San Marino embodies a conviction dear to the European Democrats: that the European project is built by every people that shares its values, however small — and that bringing Europe's neighbours closer to the Union, with common rights and rules, makes the whole continent stronger.