San Marino
Membership in EU:
Political system:Republic
Capital city:San Marino
Total area: 61.2 km²
Currency:Euro (EUR)
Economy | Business Protocol | Legislative and Political System | More about the Country | Order a Business Information Report (BIR)
Economy
Statistical Office

Office of Economic Planning, Data Processing and Statistics
Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of San Marino
Entrepreneurship in the Country

Entrepreneurs in San Marino
In the second half of the 20th century tourism became the most important activity in the country, as it contributes over 50% of San Marino's gross domestic product. Other key industries are trade and ceramics. San Marino's source of income is also postage stamps, which are mostly sold to philatelists and collectors of coins and tourist visas. The majority of the land is still rural, but the share of agriculture in GDP has declined.
Track-Trace Shipments
International Trade Shows
Business Directories

Pagine Gialle di San Marino L'Agenda
Local Communities

Business Protocol
Business Meetings

Appointments are mandatory and should be made in writing (in Italian) 2 to 3 weeks in advance.
Reconfirm the meeting by telephone or fax (again in Italian).
Many companies are closed in August, and if they are open many Italians take vacations at this time, so it is best not to try to schedule meetings then.

The goal of the initial meeting is to develop a sense of respect and trust with your business colleagues from San Marino.
Have all your printed material available in both English and Italian.
Hire an interpreter if you are not fluent in Italian.
It is common to be interrupted while speaking or for several people to speak at once.
People often raise their voice to be heard over other speakers, not because they are angry.
Although written agendas are frequently provided, they may not be followed. They serve as a jumping off point for further discussions.
Decisions are not reached in meetings. Meetings are meant for a free flow of ideas and to let everyone have their say.
Business Negotiation

People in San Marino generally take a more leisurely approach to life and want to get to know the people with whom they do business.
Allow your business colleagues from San Marino to set the pace for your negotiations. Follow their lead as to when it is appropriate to move from social to business discussions.
Hierarchy is the cornerstone of their business. They respect power and age.
Negotiations are often protracted.
Never use high-pressure sales tactics.
Always adhere to your verbal agreements. Failing to follow through on a commitment will destroy a business relationship.
Heated debates and arguments often erupt in meetings. This is simply a function of the free-flow of ideas.
Decisions are often based more on how you are viewed by the other party, than on concrete business objectives.

Legislative and Political System
President

Captains Regent of San Marino
Government

Grand and General Council of San Marino
The State Congress of San Marino
Ministries

Municipal Councils of San Marino
Constitutional Court

College of Guarantors
Legislation

Institutional Organizations in San Marino
Gateway to the European Union
More about the Country
Geographical Characteristics

The Republic of San Marino is one of the smallest countries in the world. It is a landlocked enclave, completely surrounded by Italy in the southern Europe.

The majority of the territory is still rural, the major products are grains, wine and fruits; only a small part of the country is forested. Today there is no railway in the country, since the line to Rimini was destroyed during the World War II and it was never reconstructed. San Marino has no airports, but there is an international heliport.
Languages

Italian.
Short History

According to the legend the republic was founded by the mason Saint Marinus from Rab, who left the island in the 4th century (in the period of persecution of the Christians under the Roman emperor Diocletian) and escaped to the Apennine Peninsula, where he built a small church and founded the new community of Christians.

The present-day borders were established in San Marino in 1463, but since then it was occupied three time, but not for long.
Time Zone

GMT/UTC + 1
International Dialing Code

+378
Average Temperatures

July 26 0C, January 11 0C.
Opening Hours of Banks

Monday - Friday: 8.30am – 4.30pm.
Opening Hours of Post-Offices

Monday - Friday: 8.00am – 7.00pm.

 

Saturday: 9.00am – 3.00pm.
Opening Hours of Shops

Legally permitted opening hours:

 

Monday - Saturday: 9.00am – 8.00pm.
Credit Cards

Credit cards are widely accepted in San Marino in cities and holiday resorts. The most common credit cards such as American Express, MasterCard and Visa are accepted in numerous hotels, restaurants and shops. Almost all petrol stations will accept credit cards.
Foreign Currency Exchange

Apart from the banks, foreign currency can be also exchanged in exchange offices, hotel receptions, tourist agencies, petrol stations and department stores.
Mobile Telecommunications

The country is almost entirely covered by mobile telephony signal. The main operators have concluded contracts with larger European and world operators. Mobile phones in the country are designed to function within the network of frequency bands 900 MHZ and 1800 MHZ. You can host in the following mobile networks: PRIMA.
Emergency Telephone Numbers

Police

113

Medical emergency

118

Fire emergency

115
Population of the State

Statistics San Marino
Population of the Capital

San Marino Statistics
Demographics

Statistics San Marino
Religion

Statistics San Marino
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