Introduction
The following advice is intended to help all those planning to visit San Marino for the San Marino v Northern Ireland football match to be held on Friday 1st September. Kick-off is 20:45hrs local time.
As well as this advice, please check out our travel advice for Italy.
Passports and visas
You do not need a visa to travel to Italy but you must hold a valid passport. For stays of up to three months your passport must be valid for the proposed duration of your stay; you do not need any additional period of validity on your passport beyond this. However, it is always sensible to have a short period of extra validity on your passport in case of unforeseen delays to your departure.
Remember your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) though please be aware that this is not valid in San Marino so please ensure you take out good travel insurance – it could save you a lot of money if you get into difficulties.
In San Marino and in Italy it is obligatory to carry ID with you at all times – you will also need your ID to enter the stadium.
Travel Arrangements
The nearest airport to San Marino for commercial flights is Bologna. From there it is a 90 minute car journey. Alternative airports are Milan and Venice.
Stadium – how to get there
There will be a shuttle bus service between Rimini (Piazza Alberto Marvelli) and San Marino – both to the stadium and to the old town, on match day. The service will start at 09:15 and continue until 19:15. The transport will remain at the stadium to facilitate the return of supporters post match with a departure back to Rimini at 22:45 from the stadium. Tickets will cost €15, valid for all shuttles taken.
Alternatively there are regular buses that travel from Rimini to San Marino or taxis. The journey time by bus is around 45 minutes.
Visiting fans will be seated in the South Stand (exclusive to Irish supporters). Fans will enter through an initial cordon with a visual ticket check 50 metres from the stadium. Here police will examine all tickets and direct you to the relevant entrance gate. Supporters will enter the South Stand through one of four points, where a pat-down search and bag search will take place by stewards and a further ticket check by police. To avoid a last minute bottleneck you should get to the stadium early. Remember to bring your passport and your supporters members’ card.
Stadium Security
Entry tickets to the Stadium are holder specific, and cannot be passed to other parties. The ticket holder is required to produce an identity document (passport) to enter the stadium and the name on the ticket must match that on the passport. They should also bring their Irish Supporters members card. Spectators are not permitted to take the following items into the Stadium: alcohol, weapons, (or any item that could be used as a weapon), drums, megaphones, fireworks, plastic bottles with tops, glass bottles and cans containing liquid, belts with large buckles, large umbrellas, large flags.
Personal Security
As in any other city beware of pickpockets and bag snatchers at airports, railway stations, around the town centre and when using public transport. Only carry what you need, leave spare cash and valuables in hotel safety deposits. Carry a photocopy of the personal details pages of your passport and keep it in a safe place separate from your passport.
Keep in mind that most of the seats in the San Marino stadium are not under cover, so dress appropriately.
Stolen passports
If your passport is stolen report the loss to the local police as soon as possible and obtain a copy of the police report. Please be aware that you cannot travel back to the UK without a valid travel document. You will need to apply to the Consular Section of the British Embassy in Rome during opening hours for an Emergency Travel Document (4 hours by train) or to the British Consulate in Milan (3 hours by train). This will mean applying for an Emergency Travel Document at the British Embassy or the British Consulate on the Monday after the game.
The Emergency Travel Document is a temporary one-way travel document which will allow you to return to the UK or back to your country of residence. You will need to produce the following:
- a copy of the police report reporting the passport stolen;
- an acceptable form of identification, if possible (e.g. driving licence and/or photocopy of your lost passport);
- one passport-size photograph. We are able to provide a photo at the Embassy for a cost of €5 paid only in cash;
- a fee of €117 or £100 (payable in cash or by credit card except American Express)
- any details you may have of your return travel arrangements
- authorisation from both parents if you are under 16
Lost wallets
If you lose your wallet please try to cancel your credit cards as soon as possible. British consular officials cannot give you money to help you return home. You can transfer money from relatives or friends in the UK using many of the reputable commercial money transfer agencies in Italy including Western Union and Moneygram and Consular staff can assist you in this. You can also use most major credit cards (and debit cards carrying the Maestro and EC logos) to obtain money from Italian cash machines if you have your PIN. Consular staff can provide you with telephone and internet facilities during opening hours.
If you are arrested
British consular officials can visit you in prison (if you request it) and can put you in touch with local lawyers if you need one. They cannot get you out of prison, represent you in court or pay your bills. If you wish to see a consular official please make this request clear to the local police authorities.
Consular Assistance
The Consular Section of the British Embassy in Rome is open to the public from 09:00 – 12.00 and 14.00-15.00 Monday-Fridays. Milan Consular Section is open from 09.30 – 12.30 and 14.00 – 16.00 Monday-Fridays.
The contact number for those requiring consular assistance including emergencies during your visit to San Marino is 0039 06 4220 0001.
The address for the British Embassy Rome is Via XX Settembre 80/a, 00187 Rome, Italy.
The address for the British Consulate in Milan is Via S. Paolo, 7 20121 Milan, Italy.
Local Emergency Services:
- 118 Medical Services
- 113 Police
- 112 Carabinieri
- 115 Fire services
We hope you enjoy the game and your visit to San Marino!
Follow this news feed: HM Government