San Marino Pay will launch on 1 January 2027, a single application to be installed on all staffed POS terminals operating across the territory.
The Grand and General Council (Consiglio Grande e Generale) gave its approval with 31 votes in favour and one abstention. The system will automatically issue the SMAC fiscal receipt for electronic payments and will also allow cash takings to be recorded.
A paper copy will be printed only upon the customer’s request.
“The heart of this measure lies in the introduction, starting 1 January 2027, of the single San Marino Pay application, designed to be installed on all staffed POS payment terminals operating in the territory,” explains Secretary of State Stefano Canti. The goal is to combine payment and fiscal registration of a purchase into a single tool, cutting down the steps required of merchants.
The application will work with both the physical and digital SMAC card, but will also handle purchases by those without the card and transactions between San Marino-based businesses. The way receipts are issued will also change: “The operator will have the option to print a receipt only upon the customer’s explicit request, while the customer’s unconditional right to receive a copy remains guaranteed.”
Sandra Stacchini (PDCS) backs the measure and links it to commitments made by the majority on fiscal matters: “This decree follows through on what the majority intended when amending the general income tax legislation: fighting evasion and increasing controls.”
Fabio Righi (D-ML) also welcomes the simplification, but asks for clarification on costs, terminal compatibility, and the conditions for merchants.
Particular concern centres on the role of the technical provider: “Another point I’d like to draw attention to is the dependence on the technical operator: SIM card supply, remote maintenance, and data exchange documentation are all heavily centralised.
It would be worth verifying that this does not lead to overly burdensome contractual terms or barriers to entry for new operators.”
Canti indicates a monthly fee of 15 euros. For operators already registered with the SMAC circuit for tax purposes as well, 25% of the cost will fall on the business and 75% on the State. For those not registered in the fiscal system, the split is reversed: 75% will fall on the operator and 25% on the State.
Matteo Zeppa (Rete) welcomes the reduction in paper use, but also brings up news of an investigation into an alleged fraud in the beverage sector that, he says, may involve San Marino-based companies.
He calls for attention to the sectors already flagged by the commission on criminal infiltration: “This is a problem, because we cannot ask operators to carry out tax checks and consumers to show their card every time, only to then see San Marino’s reputation take another hit.”
For Manuel Ciavatta (PDCS), the real advantage lies in managing takings: “The true value of this tool is that it will simplify payment methods for all businesses, since it covers every option — from card to cash — within a single, direct system.”
