Languages in San Marino

The Dipartimento Istruzione e Cultura and the Segreteria di Stato coordinate public education-related language provision. The Scuola Superiore, UNIRSM and Istituto Confucio San Marino, the Ufficio Politiche Attive del Lavoro and the Ufficio di Stato Civile each have different roles. Italian is the main language for education, public administration, everyday procedures and the language requirement connected with citizenship. English has particular value in school, employment and international mobility. No official course for a distinct Sammarinese language or dialect was evidenced in the reviewed sources. The Corsi Serali di Lingua per Tutti provide the widest non-formal offer. In the 2025/26 programme, courses included English from A1 to C1, English conversation at B1 and B2, Spanish at A1 and B1 with B1 conversation, and basic French, German, Russian, Japanese and Chinese. The programme also included basic Italian as a foreign language and basic or pre-intermediate Italian Sign Language. Courses ran from 3 November 2025 to 29 April 2026 at Fonte dell'Ovo. Standard courses had 44 meetings of 90 minutes; conversation courses had 60-minute meetings; Italian Sign Language had 22 weekly meetings. Attendance was normally in person. Remote participation was limited to illness or accident supported by a medical certificate. Citizens, residents, soggiornanti and foreigners could apply. Non-residents could contact the provider by email. The minimum age was 15, and applicants generally needed a Licenza Media; minors required parental consent. An online placement test assigned learners to a suitable level. A course opened only when at least 12 people registered. Standard courses cost €340 plus a €15 stamp duty, conversation courses €260 plus €15, and Italian Sign Language €220 plus €15. Books were charged separately. Reductions included 20% for pensioners receiving less than €1,500 per month, 40% for unemployed people and non-working students, and 50% for teachers, museum staff and ISS staff. Forze dell'Ordine and holders of special humanitarian permits could attend free of charge. A participant with at least 75% attendance received a certificate showing the achieved level. English B1 and B2 also offered a separate certification examination costing €20. The Ufficio Politiche Attive del Lavoro can recognise course certificates for points in relevant employment procedures, but these certificates do not have the same status as Cambridge, TOEFL or IELTS qualifications. The office also accepts attestati di conoscenza di lingue straniere in application and job-matching lists. A B1 or B2 course may provide points, but it does not guarantee a job. No general language obligation under private employment law was evidenced. Schools provide additional pathways. At the Scuola Superiore, students in all study tracks can prepare for PET at B1 and FIRST at B2. The Linguistico track additionally offers preparation for DELF at B1 or B2, DELE at B1 and Goethe-Zertifikat B1. These examinations are voluntary, and a student may take an examination without attending the related course. Law 96/1986 provides for a second foreign language at middle-school level, while Decree 98/2005 provides for English at elementary-school level. Language learning also affects citizenship procedures. Applicants generally need Italian at B1 and must prove it with a recognised language certificate or with a qualification or five years of attendance at an Italian-language school. Exceptions include certain people under 18 under the relevant legal status and people aged 80 or over. The language evidence is submitted online through the IOL process. Applicants must also complete a separate written multiple-choice test on history and institutions in Italian. Passing normally requires at least two thirds of the answers; the test is generally held twice a year, costs €30 and produces a result within 30 days. This test is not itself a language examination, but it connects functional Italian use with the citizenship procedure. Children and teenagers can follow school-based language routes or time-limited projects. The 2026 Centri Estivi included an immersive English programme from 22 June to 17 July at Fonte dell'Ovo for students in middle school, upper secondary school and CFP, and a Chinese language and culture programme from 22 June to 3 July at Istituto Confucio in Montegiardino for elementary-school students. English Summer Camp Ireland was a state selection project for 34 participants aged 15 to 17, with an additional Young Adults offer from age 16. UNIRSM and Istituto Confucio San Marino provide Chinese courses with face-to-face teaching, native-speaking teachers and materials included. Teaching is in English. The first week is free, courses can run with at least three participants, and an online option adds 10% to the fee. Digital access is otherwise limited: IOL supports pre-registration for state courses and the citizenship test, while the evening courses are generally face-to-face. The reviewed sources did not establish a local public state language-learning platform for independent online study. The practical priority is usually Italian for integration, administration, everyday life and citizenship, English for school and work, and other languages according to a specific educational, professional or personal purpose.