San Marino in World War II: Not Neutral

San Marino's Wartime Stance

Contrary to common assumption, San Marino was not neutral during World War II. The microstate declared war on Germany on September 21, 1944, aligning with the Allies in the conflict's final phase.

Context

• San Marino had maintained neutrality for centuries.
• In 1944, as Allied forces advanced up the Italian peninsula, the Sammarinese government chose to formally join the Allied side.
• The declaration was largely symbolic; San Marino's tiny territory was occupied by German troops briefly before liberation.

Today, San Marino is a neutral state in practice but not by formal treaty obligation.