Alessandro Amadei’s term as president of Comites San Marino will come to an end in the first days of December.
After two consecutive terms, Amadei must step down from the elective council, in line with regulations that prohibit a third consecutive term for members of the Committees of Italians Abroad (Comites).
In his end-of-term review, he looks back on the main issues addressed, focusing in particular on the double taxation of pensions for former cross-border workers and on the reform of San Marino citizenship law, which eliminated the requirement to renounce one’s original citizenship in order to obtain San Marino citizenship through naturalization.
“Looking back at the journey undertaken over these years, the prevailing feeling is one of deep gratitude for the honour our fellow citizens have granted us, giving us the opportunity to represent them, to give voice to their needs and to work for the common good,” writes Amadei, thanking those who supported the Committee through years marked by the pandemic, international tensions and economic hardship.
The outgoing president recalls that one of the main goals was to strengthen ties between the Italian community living in San Marino and the institutions, starting with the Italian Embassy, with which he highlights the cooperation developed throughout his mandate.
This work also involved associations, through joint initiatives such as the Dialogue Forum, supported by Comites as an opportunity for exchange between different groups.
Among the issues still unresolved, Amadei points above all to the pensions of former cross-border workers, who in several cases find themselves facing tax demands from both states.
“Many retired former cross-border workers have taxes withheld at source by the San Marino tax authorities, only to later receive a tax demand from Italy’s Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate), which often refuses to recognize the tax credit, even imposing penalties.
All of this despite the existence of a bilateral convention against double taxation between Italy and San Marino concerning pensions.”
Comites has sought to keep attention on this issue, along with the broader question of retirees’ economic conditions. Amadei points to the progressive erosion of purchasing power, which particularly affects those receiving the lowest pensions, and calls for measures to support elderly people who are no longer self-sufficient.
“Mechanisms need to be introduced to raise the lowest pensions up to the threshold set by law, and a monthly allowance should be provided for non-self-sufficient elderly people, to help cover care costs — such as those for caregivers or for medical and pharmacological treatments — issues raised repeatedly at public meetings also organized with A.F.I.S., the newly founded association that protects the rights of cross-border workers.”
On the citizenship front, however, Amadei claims a concrete achievement. On 25 February 2026, the Grand and General Council (Consiglio Grande e Generale) approved law number 27, which allows those who obtain San Marino citizenship through naturalization to retain their original citizenship.
This was a change long championed by Comites, which on 8 October 2023 had submitted Arengo Petition number 32 specifically calling for the abolition of the renunciation requirement.
“With the Grand and General Council’s approval of the law eliminating the obligation to renounce one’s original citizenship for those obtaining San Marino citizenship through naturalization, we have reached a historic milestone.
This is a choice that modernizes the rules, reduces bureaucratic obstacles and strengthens integration and social cohesion — a step of institutional maturity that makes the Republic of San Marino more inclusive and more in tune with the times.”
The outgoing president thanks the government, in particular the Secretariat of State for Internal Affairs, which put forward the bill, as well as the political forces from both the majority and the opposition who voted in favour of the reform. In his assessment, this choice recognizes the contribution that naturalized citizens can make to the Republic.
“By approving Law no. 27 of 25 February 2026, the Council chamber clearly understood that inclusion and integration are fundamental pillars for a small state like San Marino, which — given its size — needs the human resources, ideas, skills and courage of new generations.”
As the handover approaches, Amadei also reflects on the institutional role of Comites and the responsibility of those who take on its representation. He thanks the members of the elective council for their commitment and urges future representatives to remain closely attentive to the needs of the Italian community.
“To whoever picks up the baton for the next term, I wish fruitful, peaceful and forward-looking work. The challenges of the future will demand ever faster responses, with particular attention to the needs of young people, never forgetting the historical memory of Italian emigration, a phenomenon that continues to grow.”
Youth emigration and the relationship between Italians abroad and their country of origin are therefore among the issues Amadei leaves to the next Committee, which will be tasked with carrying on the work of representing the Italian community living in the Republic of San Marino.
