Published: 17.10.2026
The .sm extension is the country-code domain of San Marino, a small landlocked republic completely surrounded by Italy. Hotels, shops, artisans and local services use it to show that they are rooted in the republic, whose historic old town stands on the slopes of Mount Titano. Italian is the official language of the country. Try the availability form under this text to see whether your name in .sm is still available.
Check if a .sm domain is available .sm Check
A short history
San Marino has a long history as an independent republic, and its small territory has kept its own institutions for centuries. The national code came with the country's arrival on the global internet. The zone then grew as hotels, public offices, banks and companies began to publish their own sites. Today .sm appears on the signs, menus and brochures of businesses across the republic, many of which also welcome visitors from Italy and further afield.
Who runs it
The zone is managed by a national registry, which keeps the central list of names and sets the conditions for registration. Registrars sell names to customers and pass orders to the registry. Because the rules are set by the national authority, check the current conditions for holders and contact details before you order, rather than relying on older guides.
Rules in practice
- Holder conditions: the registry may set rules on who can hold a .sm name, and these can depend on the holder's location or business status.
- Contact data: the registration details must be accurate, and the registry may ask for them to be confirmed.
- Name format: names use letters, digits and hyphens, subject to the registry's length and format rules.
- Renewal: enable automatic renewal and add the expiry date to the company calendar.
Who uses .sm
- Hotels, guesthouses and restaurants that welcome visitors to the republic.
- Artisans and shops that sell local products to people who come to the city.
- Companies and professional offices with clients in San Marino and northern Italy.
- Cultural groups, sports clubs and event organisers who run activities in the republic.
Strengths
- The ending states the country link in two letters, which helps a small business to be recognised locally.
- Search engines may read the country-code ending as one hint about the audience, which can help when visitors look for places in the republic.
- The address is short and easy to print on a menu, a receipt or a hotel card.
Limits to consider
- The population of the republic is small, so a business may need to reach people in Italy and beyond in order to grow.
- Visitors from abroad may not recognise the ending, so write the full address clearly on printed materials.
- Many good names are already taken in the zone, so a place word can help you find a clear choice.
- The conditions for holders can change, so keep the registration data current.
Checklist before you order
- Look at the same name in .com and in .it, since many visitors come from Italy and may type either.
- Write the business name and address exactly as they appear in the official register.
- Prepare the site in Italian and English, with opening hours and a clear contact page.
- Set up mail records before you send bookings or invoices from the domain.
- Protect the registrar account and renew the name well before it expires.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a company in San Marino to register .sm? Holder conditions may apply and can depend on your situation, so check the current rules before you order.
Does .sm help a site rank in local searches? It is a useful geographic signal, but accurate listings, clear content and genuine reviews usually carry more weight.
Can a site in Italian use .sm? Yes. The ending does not set the language, and Italian is the official language and a natural choice for many readers.
