Monaco

Capital Monaco

Currency EUR

Languages French

Official fee 120 – 165,080 EUR

Monaco is a sovereign micro-state on the French Riviera. It is not a member of the EU or EEA and not part of the Schengen area, though it is integrated into the Schengen zone in practice via its customs and border union with France. There is no EU Blue Card, single permit, digital-nomad visa, researcher directive, EU family-reunification directive, or golden/investment visa in Monegasque law. Non-EEA nationals must obtain a French Type-D long-stay visa before applying for a Monaco residence permit. Monegasque nationality is primarily jus sanguinis and cannot be purchased; naturalisation is wholly discretionary and granted by the Sovereign Prince.

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Immigration Pathways

(7) Last updated: Jun 7, 2026 · 5 days ago

7 of 7 pathways lead to long-term settlement — 6 to permanent residence, 6 to citizenship.

7 of 7 pathways are backed by official government sources.

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Work / Employment High confidence

Work Permit (Permis de travail) and Employee Residence

Employer-driven work authorisation issued by the Service de l'Emploi, subject to a priority-of-hiring rule. The work permit underpins the employee's residence permit application.

Processing time: Typically ~2–6 weeks (practitioner estimate; not an official published SLA). Only the 4-day priority window is an official statutory timeframe.
Validity: Tied to the specific employer and role; linked residence permit initially valid 1 year (Temporaire).
Language requirement: No formal test for the work permit itself; foreign documents must be translated into French.
Documents: 7 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Privilégié (long-term) permit available after 10 years' residence (reducible to 1 year in special cases).
Citizenship: Yes · Naturalisation possible after 10 years' ordinary residence after age 18, but wholly discretionary.

Requirements

A confirmed job offer from a Monaco-based employer who files the application
Employer must clear the 4-day priority-hiring window before proposing a foreign candidate
Candidate must pass a free mandatory medical examination by the Employment Medical Service
Clean police record
Foreign documents translated into French (legalisation/apostille may be required)
Non-EEA nationals require a French Type-D long-stay visa for the linked residence permit

Required Documents

Valid passport or national ID required
Signed job offer from the Monaco employer required
Qualifications and CV required
Proof of accommodation required
Health insurance required
Clean police record extract required
Pre-printed 'request for engagement / issue of a work permit' form (sent pre-filled by the Employment Office) required

Official fees

Linked residence permit, first issuance 80 EUR

Process Steps

1
Employer files the job offer

Employer lodges the job offer with the Service de l'Emploi.
2
Priority window

The 4-day priority-hiring window elapses.
3
Submit engagement request

Employer submits the pre-printed request-for-engagement / work-permit form.
4
Medical examination

Candidate passes the free mandatory medical examination by the Employment Medical Service.
5
Work authorisation issued

Work authorisation is issued. Work may not begin before the permit is issued; written permission must be obtained beforehand.
6
Residence permit

The work permit underpins the worker's residence-permit application.

Official Sources

Self-employment / Freelance High confidence

Independent Means / Residence Permit for Self-Sufficient Persons

Residence on the basis of sufficient independent resources, evidenced by a Monaco bank reference, without local employment.

Processing time: Not published officially; practitioners report roughly several weeks to ~3 months once the file is complete.
Validity: Temporaire permit valid 1 year, renewable.
Language requirement: No formal language test for the permit.
Documents: 6 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Ordinaire after 3 years; Privilégié (long-term, 10-year) after 10 years' residence.
Citizenship: Yes · Naturalisation possible after 10 years' ordinary residence after age 18, wholly discretionary.

Requirements

Proof of sufficient independent resources (bank reference, pension, professional income, or declaration of support)
Secured accommodation in Monaco (deed, registered tenancy, or certificate of free accommodation)
Non-EEA nationals: French Type-D long-stay visa obtained beforehand
Clean criminal-record extract from each country of residence over the prior 5 years

Required Documents

Valid passport + (non-EEA only) French Type-D long-stay visa required
Proof of accommodation (property deed, registered tenancy agreement, or certificate of free accommodation) plus recent electricity bill/contract required
Proof of sufficient resources (Monaco bank reference < 1 month old, pension, professional income, or declaration of financial support) required
Birth certificate (less than 3 months old) required
Criminal-record extract (less than 3 months old) from each country of residence over the previous 5 years required
Signed 'Declaration of honour for initial residence permit application' required
Marriage certificate; children's passports/custody proof (if applicable)

Official fees

First issuance 80 EUR

Civil-status/address update 30 EUR

Duplicate (lost card) 80 EUR

Estimated total 190 EUR

Process Steps

1
Obtain French long-stay visa (non-EEA)

Non-EEA nationals obtain a French Type-D long-stay visa from the French consulate. EEA/Swiss/Norway/Iceland/Liechtenstein nationals skip this.
2
Secure accommodation and bank attestation

Secure accommodation and obtain a Monaco bank attestation of resources.
3
Collate documents

Collate the full document set.
4
Submit application

Submit online via teleservice, or in person/by post to the Residency Section.
5
Interview

Attend an interview bringing all original documents.
6
Biometric registration

Attend a second appointment for biometric card registration and issuance; pay the €80 fee.

Official Sources

Official Apply for a residence permit (docs, €80, steps) · Monaco Government — monservicepublic.gouv.mc

Company Formation High confidence

Self-Employment and Company Formation (SARL / SAM / Sole Proprietorship)

Establish a business in Monaco via authorisation from the Department of Economic Expansion (DEE), then obtain residence as company director or partner.

Processing time: DEE review commonly ~2–4 months (statutory max framed as 3 months; SARL statutory review 45 days). Post-authorisation notary + RCI registration adds ~2–4 weeks. End-to-end company + residency + bank account typically 3–6 months.
Validity: Business authorisation is ongoing; linked residence permit initially valid 1 year.
Language requirement: No formal language test; documentation in French.
Documents: 7 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Privilégié (long-term) permit after 10 years' residence (reducible to 1 year in special cases).
Citizenship: Yes · Naturalisation possible after 10 years' ordinary residence after age 18, wholly discretionary.

Requirements

A registered office/business premises in Monaco (mandatory)
Minimum share capital depending on vehicle (SARL €15,000; SAM €150,000)
Detailed activity description and multi-year business plan (DEE practice)
Clean criminal record per partner
Subsequent residence permit application as director/partner

Required Documents

Completed application for permit to carry out a business activity in Monaco required
Two original copies of the articles of association registered with the Tax Services required
A 'Personal Information' form per partner required
Civil-status document (nationality certificate / ID / passport) per partner required
Birth certificate per partner required
Criminal record (less than 3 months old) per partner required
Lease/purchase of business premises in Monaco required
Board resolutions (if a partner is a legal entity); transfer deeds (if buying an existing business)

Official fees

SARL minimum share capital 15,000 EUR

SAM minimum share capital 150,000 EUR

Linked residence permit, first issuance 80 EUR

Estimated total 165,080 EUR

Process Steps

1
File activity-authorisation application

File with the DEE. Statutory review is 45 days from notification of eligibility.
2
Register in the RCI

On authorisation, register in the Trade and Industry Registry (RCI), with capital deposit certificate and publication in the Journal de Monaco.
3
Register with IMSEE

Register with Monaco Statistics (IMSEE) to obtain the NIS number.
4
Declare to Tax Services

Make the declaration to Tax Services.
5
Social security registration

Register the manager with social-security funds CAMTI / CARTI.
6
Residence permit

Apply for the residence permit as company director/partner.

Official Sources

Official How to establish an SARL (€15,000 capital, 45-day review, RCI steps) · Monaco Government — monentreprise.gouv.mc

Family Reunification Medium confidence

Family Residence and Spouse of a Monegasque National

Family members establish residence under the standard residence-permit regime by proving cohabitation/support; spouses of Monegasque nationals have a dedicated 5-year permit category.

Processing time: Not published officially; comparable to the standard residence-permit timeline (several weeks to ~3 months).
Validity: Spouse of Monegasque permit valid 5 years; other family members per the standard residence categories.
Language requirement: No formal language test for the family permit.
Documents: 4 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Privilégié (long-term) after 10 years' residence (reducible to 1 year in special cases).
Citizenship: Yes · Spouses may declare for nationality after 20 years of marriage (10 years if married before 1 July 2022).

Requirements

Proof of cohabitation with / support from a Monaco resident or national
Spouse of Monegasque: marriage to a Monegasque national plus at least 1 year residence
Host's proof of accommodation and sufficient resources
Non-EEA family members: French Type-D long-stay visa beforehand

Required Documents

Marriage certificate required
Children's passports and custody proof (if applicable)
Host's proof of accommodation required
Host's proof of resources required
Valid passport + (non-EEA only) French Type-D long-stay visa required

Official fees

Spouse-of-Monegasque permit, first issue 80 EUR

Spouse-of-Monegasque permit, renewal 40 EUR

Estimated total 120 EUR

Process Steps

1
Obtain French long-stay visa (non-EEA)

Non-EEA family members obtain a French Type-D long-stay visa.
2
Gather family documents

Collate marriage/custody documents and the host's accommodation and resource proof.
3
Submit to Residency Section

Submit the residence-permit application under the standard regime.
4
Interview and issuance

Attend interview and biometric appointment; pay the fee.

Official Sources

Permanent Residence High confidence

Long-Term Residence (Carte de séjour privilégiée) and Residence Categories

Progression from Temporaire to Ordinaire to Privilégié (long-term) residence permits based on accumulated years of residence.

Processing time: Not published officially; renewals processed at a scheduled appointment.
Validity: Temporaire 1 year; Ordinaire 3 years; Privilégié 10 years; Spouse of Monegasque 5 years.
Language requirement: No formal language test for residence renewals.
Documents: 4 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Privilégié (long-term) after 10 years' residence (reducible to 1 year in special cases).
Citizenship: Yes · Naturalisation possible after 10 years' ordinary residence after age 18, wholly discretionary.

Requirements

Maintain continuous legal residence in Monaco
Ordinaire: 3 years' prior residence
Privilégié (long-term): 10 years' prior residence (reducible to 1 year in special cases)
Continued proof of accommodation and resources at each renewal

Required Documents

Valid passport/ID required
Signed sworn statement required
Latest electricity bill required
Latest rent receipt (if applicable)
Proof of resources (payslip, business authorisation, or bank reference) required
Certificate of accommodation (if neither owner nor tenant)

Official fees

Temporaire first issue 80 EUR

Ordinaire first issue 100 EUR

Privilégié first issue 160 EUR

Privilégié renewal 80 EUR

Late renewal fee 50 EUR

Estimated total 470 EUR

Process Steps

1
Hold Temporaire permit

Begin with the 1-year Temporaire permit.
2
Renew to Ordinaire

After 3 years' residence, obtain the 3-year Ordinaire permit.
3
Apply for Privilégié

After 10 years' residence, apply for the 10-year Privilégié (long-term) permit.
4
Renew on time

Renew on or before each expiry date via the online service, attending an appointment to collect the card and pay the fee.

Official Sources

Citizenship / Naturalization High confidence

Monegasque Nationality (Naturalisation, Marriage, Descent)

Nationality is primarily jus sanguinis; naturalisation requires 10 years' residence after age 18 and is wholly discretionary, granted by the Sovereign Prince. No citizenship by investment exists.

Processing time: No statutory decision deadline published; naturalisation is discretionary and rarely granted (fewer than ~20 per year).
Validity: Permanent (citizenship).
Language requirement: French-language proficiency assessed for naturalisation.
Documents: 4 required
Citizenship: Yes · Naturalisation after 10 years' residence post-age-18 (discretionary); marriage declaration after 20 years (10 if married before 1 July 2022).

Requirements

Naturalisation: at least 10 years' ordinary residence after age 18 (waivable at the Prince's discretion)
Renounce previous nationality
Exempt from military service in country of origin
French-language proficiency and integration assessed
Marriage route: 20 years of marriage (10 years if married before 1 July 2022), continuous cohabitation, spouse remains Monegasque

Required Documents

Proof of qualifying residence period or marriage duration required
Civil-status and birth records required
Evidence of renunciation of previous nationality (naturalisation) required
Proof of exemption from military service in country of origin (naturalisation) required

Process Steps

1
Meet residence/marriage threshold

Accumulate the required residence (10 years for naturalisation) or marriage duration (20 years, or 10 if married before 1 July 2022).
2
Submit application

Apply to the Department of Justice with civil-status and supporting records.
3
Investigation

Department of Justice consults authorities (including France under the 1962 convention) and reports to the Prince.
4
Sovereign decision

The Sovereign Prince grants or declines; naturalisation is wholly discretionary with no legal right.

Official Sources

Official Acquiring Monegasque nationality · Monaco Government — monservicepublic.gouv.mc

Asylum / Humanitarian Medium confidence

Asylum / Refugee Protection (processed via France/OFPRA)

Monaco operates no asylum determination system of its own; claims are handled through France's procedure (SPADA, GUDA, OFPRA, CNDA), with UNHCR coverage via its Representation in France.

Processing time: Set by the French Ministry of the Interior (fast-track/normal procedures), not by Monaco; UNHCR France does not publish a fixed time-limit.
Validity: Refugee status / subsidiary protection per French law.
Language requirement: None to lodge the claim.
Documents: 1 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Per French residence rules for recognised refugees/beneficiaries of subsidiary protection.

Requirements

Physical presence in France to lodge the claim (Monaco has no own asylum procedure)
Registration at the territorially competent one-stop shop (GUDA)
Cooperation with the OFPRA interview process

Required Documents

Identity/travel documents if available
Evidence supporting the protection claim
Proof of address / SPADA domiciliation required

Official fees

Asylum procedure 0 EUR

Process Steps

1
Contact SPADA

Contact a SPADA to obtain a one-stop-shop appointment (in Paris/Île-de-France, call OFII first).
2
Register at GUDA

Register the claim at the GUDA with territorial jurisdiction over your residence.
3
OFPRA examination

OFPRA examines the claim, conducts an interview, and decides on refugee status or subsidiary protection.
4
Appeal to CNDA

If rejected, appeal to the National Court of Asylum (CNDA), with automatic legal-aid eligibility in most cases.

Official Sources

Official Asylum in France (SPADA → GUDA → OFPRA → CNDA) · UNHCR France
Official UNHCR – Monaco · UNHCR

Some pathway details are machine-translated and may contain minor inaccuracies. Always verify with official sources.

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