Meeting Addresses Key Concerns for Italian Community
COMITES San Marino, the representative body for Italian citizens residing in the Republic of San Marino, held a significant meeting with representatives from the Italian political party Italia Viva on October 17, 2025. The discussions, which took place in San Marino, focused primarily on challenges faced by cross-border pensioners and the implications of various European directives.
The meeting saw the participation of Alessandro Amadei, President of COMITES San Marino, and members of Italia Viva's provincial group for Rimini-San Marino. Also present was Massimo Ceccaroli, President of the Association of Cross-Border Workers Italy-San Marino (AFIS), alongside a group of Italian residents and workers.
Challenges for Cross-Border Pensioners
A central theme of the discussion was the persistent issue of 'unjust double taxation' affecting cross-border pensioners in 2025. Despite European directives that aim to prevent such dual taxation, many Italian pensioners working between San Marino and Italy continue to face this burden. Participants also highlighted the lack of recognition for Law 104, which provides support for individuals with disabilities, for San Marino's cross-border workers.
San Marino and Italy have a Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) dating back to 2002, with an amending protocol in 2012, yet practical challenges remain. The dialogue underscored the need for more effective implementation and potential updates to existing agreements to better protect the rights and financial well-being of these citizens.
European Directives and San Marino's Integration
The meeting also touched upon the broader context of European directives and San Marino's relationship with the European Union. While San Marino is not an EU member state, it maintains strong ties, including a customs union since 1991 (updated in 2002) and the use of the Euro as its official currency. Negotiations for a comprehensive Association Agreement between the EU and San Marino, Andorra, and Monaco concluded in December 2023, with a proposal for signing put forward in April 2024. This agreement aims to further integrate San Marino into the EU internal market.
COMITES San Marino emphasized that the Republic is keen to sign an agreement with the European Union, particularly referencing Article 5, which stipulates non-disparity between workers. This reflects a desire for greater harmonization and protection of workers' rights in line with European standards.
Roles of COMITES San Marino and Italia Viva
COMITES San Marino serves as a vital link between the Italian community in San Marino and Italian consular authorities, working to identify and address the social, cultural, and civil needs of Italians abroad. Its executive body is led by President Alessandro Amadei. Italia Viva, a liberal political party founded in Italy in 2019 by Matteo Renzi, advocates for reforms and European integration, positioning itself in the political center. Their engagement in this meeting signals a collaborative effort to resolve cross-border issues and strengthen bilateral relations between the two entities.
5 Comments
Muchacha
The DTA has been useless for years. This is just political theater.
Donatello
Italia Viva is just using this for PR. They don't care about pensioners.
Raphael
Finally, some progress on double taxation! This is overdue.
Leonardo
The proposed Association Agreement with the EU holds promise for harmonization, especially Article 5 on worker disparity. Nevertheless, ensuring these agreements translate into tangible improvements for everyday citizens is the real challenge.
Donatello
The involvement of COMITES and Italia Viva is a good sign for advocacy. Yet, the lack of recognition for Law 104 shows significant gaps in current cross-border worker protections that need immediate legislative attention.