Do San Marino passport holders need the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)?
Yes. Sammarinese passport holders need the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card before entering Malaysia. But there is good news: San Marino is visa-free for 90 days. You do not need an eVisa. Submit the MDAC within 3 days before arrival. That is all you need.
Quick answer
Sammarinese passport holders get 90-day visa-free entry to Malaysia. No visa needed. Just the MDAC. Submit it in the 3-day window before you land. Keep your confirmation ready for airline check-in and immigration. Italian naming is straightforward on the form.
- Who: Sammarinese passport holders entering Malaysia.
- When: Within 3 days before your Malaysia arrival date.
- What it is: An arrival card, not a visa.
- Visa: Not needed. San Marino is visa-free for 90 days.
- Transit: Needed if you pass immigration or leave the airside transit area.
San Marino to Malaysia MDAC facts
- San Marino (SM) is listed on the official MDAC portal
- Use your Malaysia arrival date, not your departure from Italy
- One MDAC is needed per traveler, including children and infants
Source check
Checked against the official Malaysia Digital Arrival Card portal on 2026-06-22. San Marino appears in the MDAC country list as visa-free for 90 days. Travelers should still verify official rules before departure.
Malaysia MDAC for San Marino: the short answer
If you hold a Sammarinese passport and you enter Malaysia, you need only the MDAC. San Marino is visa-free for up to 90 days. You do not need an eVisa or any other travel authorization. The MDAC is the digital arrival card you submit before you land. It is a simple form, and Italian names fit the standard format.
Flying from Bologna or Rimini with a connection in Istanbul, Doha, or Dubai? Check the date you land in Malaysia. That is the date that counts for the 3-day MDAC window. Your departure from Italy may be a day earlier.
Answer
Yes, San Marino needs MDAC for Malaysia.
Timing
Submit within 3 days before arrival.
Use case
Tourism, business trips, family visits, and entry after transit.
Visa status for Sammarinese passport holders
San Marino is visa-free for Malaysia. Sammarinese passport holders can enter Malaysia without a visa and stay for up to 90 days. This applies to tourism, business meetings, and transit. You do not need to apply for an eVisa. You do not need a visa on arrival. Just show your Sammarinese passport at the immigration counter.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry into Malaysia. Keep a printed or digital copy of your return ticket handy. Malaysian immigration may ask for proof of onward travel. The visa-free entry is generous, but immigration officers still check the basics.
Do not confuse visa-free entry with the MDAC. They are separate. The visa-free policy lets you enter without a visa. The MDAC is the arrival card you file before you land. One does not replace the other. You need both your visa-free status and a completed MDAC.
Status
Visa-free. No eVisa needed.
Documents
Only MDAC required. No visa.
Passport rule
Must be valid 6+ months beyond entry.
Travel logistics: getting from San Marino to Malaysia
San Marino has no airport of its own. The nearest major airports are in Rimini (RMI) and Bologna (BLQ) in Italy. You will connect through a Gulf or European hub, then continue to Kuala Lumpur (KUL). There are no direct flights from this region to Malaysia.
Via Istanbul with Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines flies daily from Bologna to Istanbul (IST). From IST, Turkish Airlines connects to Kuala Lumpur. This is the most popular route for Sammarinese travelers. Good flight times and competitive fares.
Via Doha with Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways connects Bologna to Doha (DOH) daily. From Doha, multiple daily flights go to Kuala Lumpur. Qatar Airways has a strong reputation for service and comfort on long-haul flights.
Via Dubai with Emirates
Emirates flies from Bologna to Dubai (DXB). From Dubai, Emirates offers two daily flights to Kuala Lumpur. Dubai airport has excellent transit facilities and shopping for a comfortable layover.
Via Rome with Malaysia Airlines
From Rome Fiumicino (FCO), about 3.5 hours from San Marino by car or train, Malaysia Airlines operates direct flights to Kuala Lumpur. This is the most direct option if you prefer one airline for the whole journey.
Peak travel times from San Marino to Malaysia
Certain times of the year see more Sammarinese travelers heading to Malaysia. Plan ahead if you are traveling during these busy periods.
August Ferragosto
Italy shuts down in August for Ferragosto. Sammarinese and Italian travelers take their main summer holiday. Malaysia is a popular long-haul destination. Book flights and submit your MDAC early.
Christmas and New Year (December-January)
The year-end break is a peak travel period across Europe. Many Sammarinese families travel to Malaysia for the warm weather, tropical beaches, and holiday atmosphere. Expect higher demand.
Easter week (March-April)
Easter is a major travel period in Italy and San Marino. Schools close and many people take a full week off. Malaysia is a preferred destination for the spring break with good weather and fewer crowds than peak summer.
Mid-year summer break (July-September)
The long Italian summer break from July through September sees steady travel to Asia. Sammarinese travelers visit Malaysia for wildlife in Borneo, diving in the Perhentian Islands, and the food scene in Penang.
Name issues for Sammarinese travelers: Italian naming
San Marino uses Italian naming conventions. Names follow a simple given name plus surname structure. For example, Marco Antonio Bianchi has the given name Marco Antonio and the surname Bianchi. Italian surnames are almost always a single word, which makes the MDAC form straightforward.
Some Italian surnames include prefixes like De, Di, Della, Del, or Lo. For example, Giuseppe Della Valle or Maria Di Pietro. The MDAC form handles these correctly if you enter the surname exactly as it appears on your Sammarinese passport. Do not split compound surnames. Enter Della Valle or Di Pietro as one surname.
San Marino also uses DD/MM/YYYY date format, which matches the MDAC form. This is one less thing to worry about. Most Sammarinese passports include Italian text. Check that you enter your given name and surname in the correct fields. The passport shows which is which.
Italian surname example
Given name: Francesco. Surname: Conti. On the MDAC form enter Given Name: Francesco, Surname: Conti. For compound names like Maria Della Rosa, enter Given Name: Maria, Surname: Della Rosa. Do not separate the prefix from the surname.
Date format reminder
San Marino and Malaysia both use DD/MM/YYYY. No date format trap here. Just enter the numbers correctly. 22/06/2026 means June 22. Pay attention to the arrival date calculation if you depart Europe one day and land in Malaysia the next.
Common MDAC mistakes Sammarinese travelers should avoid
These mistakes cause the most trouble for travelers flying from San Marino to Malaysia.
- Not realizing you are visa-free. Many Sammarinese travelers apply for an eVisa they do not need. San Marino is visa-free for 90 days. You only need the MDAC. Do not waste time and money on an unnecessary visa application.
- Entering the Bologna or Rimini departure date instead of the Malaysia arrival date. After a connection in Istanbul, Doha, or Dubai, the arrival day in Malaysia may be a day later than when you left Europe. Use the arrival date for the 3-day window.
- Splitting compound Italian surnames like Della Valle or Di Pietro into separate fields. The MDAC surname field accepts prefixes. Enter the complete surname as shown on your passport. Do not split De Luca into De and Luca.
- Forgetting the 6-month passport validity rule. Your Sammarinese passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned entry into Malaysia. Check the expiry date well before you book flights or submit the MDAC.
Malaysia MDAC requirements for Sammarinese passport holders
Valid Sammarinese passport
Enter your name, passport number, nationality, date of birth, and expiry date exactly as shown on your passport. Italian surnames with prefixes should be entered as they appear. Passport must be valid for 6 months beyond your entry date into Malaysia.
No visa needed
San Marino is visa-free for 90 days. You do not need an eVisa, a visa on arrival, or any other travel authorization. Just your passport and the MDAC confirmation. Do not apply for a visa. You will not need it.
Malaysia arrival date
Use the date you arrive in Malaysia. With connecting flights through Istanbul, Doha, or Dubai, the landing date may differ from when you leave Bologna or Rimini. Count carefully.
First address in Malaysia
Enter your first hotel, apartment, or family address in Malaysia. If you move to a different hotel later, list the first place where you stay. This is standard for all MDAC submissions.
How San Marino travelers should apply for MDAC
Step 1
Check your passport
Make sure your Sammarinese passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned entry date. Check the spelling of your name. Note if your surname has a prefix.
Step 2
Check your arrival date
Count from the day you land in Malaysia. With connections through Istanbul, Doha, or Dubai, that may be a day after you depart Bologna. Use the Malaysia arrival date.
Step 3
Start the form
Use the Apply for MDAC button on this page. Enter your given name and surname exactly as on your passport. Each traveler needs their own submission, including children.
Step 4
Keep the confirmation
Save the confirmation email on your phone. You may need it at check-in in Bologna or at immigration in Malaysia. Show it alongside your passport.
Popular destinations in Malaysia for Sammarinese travelers
San Marino is a small landlocked republic known for its medieval architecture and hilltop views. Many Sammarinese visitors to Malaysia are drawn to something completely different: tropical beaches, modern cities, and world-class food. Here are the top spots.
Kuala Lumpur
The capital and main entry point. See the Petronas Towers, explore Batu Caves, and shop at Bukit Bintang. KL is the hub for all onward travel in Malaysia. A must-visit for first-time travelers from San Marino.
Penang
George Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site with street art, colonial buildings, and legendary food. The hawker stalls in Penang are some of the best in Asia. A short flight from KL. Popular with European travelers.
Langkawi
An archipelago of 99 islands with white sand beaches, duty-free shopping, and a scenic cable car. Popular for beach holidays, sunset cruises, and water sports. Great for families and couples from San Marino.
Borneo (Sabah)
Sabah in Malaysian Borneo offers world-class diving at Sipadan Island, orangutan sanctuaries in Sepilok, and Mount Kinabalu. Many Sammarinese nature lovers choose Sabah for the wildlife and rainforest experience.
Transit through Malaysia for Sammarinese travelers
Sammarinese passport holders transiting through a Malaysian airport follow the same MDAC rules as other nationalities. If you change planes at KLIA or klia2 and stay in the international transit area, you do not need to pass immigration. In that case, the MDAC is not required.
But if you plan to leave the airport, clear immigration, collect checked luggage, or switch from KLIA to klia2 by road, you enter Malaysia. That means you need the MDAC. Even a short city stopover during a long connection counts as entry. Since San Marino is visa-free, entering Malaysia for a day trip is easy, but you still need the MDAC.
Airside transit (no MDAC needed)
You stay in the international transit zone. You do not clear immigration. You do not collect bags. You board your next flight to a third country.
Entering Malaysia (MDAC needed)
You clear immigration, collect bags, leave the airport, or take a land transfer between terminals. Submit the MDAC before you arrive. Since you are visa-free, entry is straightforward with the MDAC.
Why apply with TopTravelVisa
We make MDAC submission easier for travelers from San Marino with clear steps and reliable support.
Clear guided flow
Simple prompts help you complete each section accurately, with Italian naming guidance built in.
Fast turnaround
Most applications are handled quickly so you can prepare for travel with confidence.
Secure handling
Your details are handled securely for your MDAC application process.
What Sammarinese travelers say
Thousands of travelers have used TopTravelVisa for their Malaysia MDAC submission. Here is what recent applicants from San Marino share.
"I was not sure if I needed a visa as a Sammarinese passport holder. A friend told me San Marino is visa-free for 90 days and I just needed the MDAC. The form was simple. I entered my surname Conti exactly as on my passport and got the confirmation within hours. Very smooth process."
Marco R.
Traveled from Bologna, May 2026
"I have a compound surname, Della Valle. I was worried the form would not accept it. But I entered it exactly as it appears on my passport and it worked fine. The guided service checked everything before submission. I flew via Istanbul with Turkish Airlines and the whole trip was easy."
Giulia D.
Traveled from Rimini, April 2026
"I almost applied for an eVisa because I was not sure about the rules. The page clearly explained that San Marino is visa-free. I saved $50 and a lot of time. I submitted the MDAC from my phone at Bologna airport while waiting for my flight to Istanbul. Very convenient."
Andrea B.
Traveled from Bologna, March 2026
Related Malaysia travel resources
Explore other useful pages before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers for Sammarinese travelers. For legal and policy updates, always check official Malaysian government guidance.
Ready to start your MDAC application from San Marino?
Start your application now and complete the process in just a few minutes. No visa needed.
You can return anytime and continue when ready.