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Aircraft registration in San Marino (T7-)

Prefix: T7- Supervision: CAA-SM Registry with: 2012 Fleet: about 1,000 aircraft Term: 24–48 hours Operations: private and commercial

San Marino is one of the most dynamic European business aviation registries. The registry is managed by the Republic's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA-SM), and operational services for owners are provided by the San Marino Aircraft Registry.

The registry is built around fully electronic document management and flexible ownership structure requirements: foreign companies and individuals register aircraft through the election of a domicile, without establishing a local company.

Key facts about the registry

Registration plate: "T7-" plus three to five letters, numbers or combinations thereof.
A personalized badge is provided free of charge and can be transferred to another aircraft.
Foreign owners elect a domicile with a representative in San Marino - form SM 27.
All changes in ownership, operator or representative must be notified to the regulator using form SM 113.
The registration procedure is set out in publication CAP 01 «Registration of Aircraft».
EASA maintenance standards are recognised and Article 83-bis practice is available.

How to Register a Plane in San Marino: 8 Steps

Preliminary check

We assess the type and age of the aircraft, its technical condition and operating history for compliance with CAP 01 requirements.

Election of domicile

We register a domiciled representative in San Marino using form SM 27 – there is no need to establish a local company.

Selecting a registration plate

We agree with the CAA-SM on the desired T7- combination of three to five characters; the regulator checks it against the database and confirms the reservation.

Preparation of documents

We collect proof of ownership, leasing and management agreements, insurance policies, and a complete set of technical documentation.

Submitting an application

We send the package to CAA-SM via electronic document management—the procedure is carried out remotely, without a personal visit.

Airworthiness inspection

We conduct aircraft condition checks and maintenance records; organizations operating under EASA standards are accepted.

Deregistration and inclusion in the register

We deregister the aircraft in its previous jurisdiction and add it to the San Marino registry—this process typically takes 24–48 hours.

Issuance of documents and maintenance

We obtain a registration certificate and an airworthiness certificate, apply the markings, and then notify the regulator of the changes using Form SM 113.

Who is this register suitable for?

San Marino is suitable for owners who value speed of registration, a recognizable personal mark, and the ability to operate both privately and commercially within the European legal framework without entering into EU jurisdiction.

Supervisory authority - Civil Aviation Authority of San Marino (CAA-SM). Regulatory requirements and fee amounts change periodically, so we confirm the current list of documents and deadlines at the project launch. JetHunter specialists provide turnkey registration and flag change support: we select a jurisdiction that matches the ownership structure and routes, prepare the required documentation, and manage the process until the certificate is issued.

← All aviation registers

A registry is chosen not for prestige but for where the aircraft will be maintained and who finances it. Changing the flag later costs more than doing the maths calmly at the outset.

Alexey Mordvintsev, founder of JetHunter, President of the Association of Business Aviation Industry Professionals (APIDA), 14 years in business aviation

Market data and sources

EASA: European airworthiness requirements apply regardless of the flag the aircraft is registered under
ICAO: the state of registry is responsible for oversight under the Chicago Convention, and that defines the scope of inspections
FAA: the US registry remains the largest in the world, but requires meeting ownership rules that are verified before filing

Frequently asked questions

How can a non-resident register an aircraft in San Marino?

Foreign owners must elect a domicile with a representative in San Marino, which is documented using form SM 27. The registration procedure is set out in the regulator's publication CAP 01 "Registration of Aircraft.".

Is it possible to get a personal registration plate?

Yes. The badge consists of the prefix "T7-" and three to five letters, numbers, or a combination thereof. A personalized badge is provided free of charge and can be transferred to another aircraft.

What do I need to notify the regulator about after registration?

All changes in ownership, operator, or representative must be notified using Form SM 113. Failure to notify promptly may jeopardize the validity of the registration.

Are EASA standards recognized in San Marino?

Yes, EASA maintenance standards are recognized. This simplifies working with European service centers and selecting an airworthiness support provider.

Is Article 83-bis available in San Marino?

Yes, Article 83-bis agreements are available—oversight functions are transferred to the state of the operator. This is a standard instrument when an aircraft is based outside the jurisdiction of registration.

How does a deal work: stages and timeline from deposit to handover?

The standard path takes 6–10 weeks. Step 1: a letter of intent (LOI) with price and terms — 3–5 days. Step 2: a 5–10% deposit into escrow and signing of the purchase agreement. Step 3: a pre-purchase inspection — 1–3 weeks. Step 4: rectification of findings and price adjustment. Step 5: closing — simultaneous transfer of funds, title and risk, technical acceptance and ferry of the aircraft.

What is a pre-purchase inspection and who pays for it?

A pre-purchase inspection (PPI) is an independent check at a certified centre: airframe, engines, corrosion, records and compliance with airworthiness directives. It takes from 3 days on a turboprop to 2–3 weeks on a heavy jet and costs $15–100K — paid by the buyer. By market practice the seller pays to rectify airworthiness-affecting defects. A seller refusing a PPI is grounds to walk away.

What taxes and duties apply when importing and registering an aircraft?

The import budget depends on jurisdiction. In the EU the main items are any customs duty (most business-jet codes carry reduced or zero rates) and import VAT, which varies by country of entry (for example 19–22% in much of Europe). Registration in Aruba, San Marino or the Isle of Man under operation outside the EU allows a temporary-admission regime. We produce an exact calculation before the LOI is signed — an error here costs millions.

What should you do after buying an aircraft?

After purchase the aircraft must be entered into service: choose a registry (Aruba, San Marino, Isle of Man or a national one), sign a management and maintenance contract with an operator, enrol the engines on a programme (ESP/JSSI), arrange insurance, hangar and crew, and plan the first maintenance. We support all of these steps. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.

How do you verify an aircraft's legal status and history before buying?

Before a deal we check: title and absence of liens or leases (a registry title search), the full maintenance history and airworthiness-directive records, the status of heavy maintenance checks and engine time remaining, any incident involvement, and compliance with export rules. We organise this review and an independent pre-purchase inspection before any funds move. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.

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