Among the first requests made by the Council of San Marino Communities abroad during its establishment meeting in October 1980 was the organisation of summer Cultural Stays in San Marino.

Established by means of Government Decision no. 18 of 26 January 1981, the Cultural Stays are aimed at spreading the knowledge of San Marino culture among young people residing in the various emigration countries and at favouring cultural exchanges among new generations of San Marino citizens in the world.

The above Decision established that costs be borne by the State and set out the number of participants in relation to the number of members of each Community, as well as the age group, i.e. between 18 and 25 years. It also entrusted every Association with the selection of candidates. Subsequently, upon request by the Argentinian Communities, the maximum age was raised to 28.

Decision no. 3 of 14 March 2011 amended the participation criteria, establishing a ratio of one participant every 100 members. However, the Associations with a lower number of members could send one participant, while the Associations with a number of members equal to or exceeding 1,000 could send a maximum of 10 participants.

The first edition of the Cultural Stays was held in the summer of 1981. In 2005, when the 25th anniversary of the Cultural Stays was celebrated, the Council decided that the four most deserving young people of the last edition of the Cultural Stays representing the four emigration geographical areas (Argentina, Belgium-France, Italy and the USA) had to be invited every year to the annual Council.

All young people residing abroad aged between 18 and 28 who wish to take part in the annual edition of the Cultural Stays can apply to the Association located closest to their place of residence, even though they are not members of an Association of San Marino citizens abroad.