Monaco is a sovereign city-state on the French Riviera, known for its luxury lifestyle, casinos, and favorable tax system. Although not part of the EU or Schengen Agreement, Monaco's territory is part of the Schengen Area through its customs union with France. The Schengen visa policy applies, so most visitors from visa-exempt countries can enter for up to 90 days without a visa. Monaco does NOT have a digital nomad visa - residency requires substantial financial resources (minimum EUR 500,000 bank deposit) and is designed for high-net-worth individuals. No personal income tax, capital gains tax, or wealth tax for residents.
6
Visa Types
89
Nationalities visa-free
🪪Your Passport:
Visa requirements vary by nationality
🎫 Available Visa Types
⭐Recommended for Digital Nomads
Tourist
Schengen Short-Stay (Tourist)
Monaco follows the Schengen visa policy. Visa-exempt nationals can enter for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Others need a Schengen visa from a French consulate. No separate Monaco tourist visa exists.
90 days
Duration
€80
$87 fee
+€50 additional
✅ Key Benefits
✓Access to entire Schengen Area
✓No separate Monaco visa required
✓Visa-free for many nationalities
✓Entry through Nice airport (22km away)
✓No passport control between France and Monaco
📋 Requirements (6)
•Valid passport (minimum 3 months validity beyond stay, issued within last 10 years)
•Proof of accommodation in Monaco or France
•Proof of sufficient funds (EUR 50-100/day)
•Return or onward travel tickets
•Travel insurance with minimum EUR 30,000 coverage (for visa applicants)
•Purpose of visit documentation
📝 Application Process
Embassy Required⏱ 15 working days (up to 45 days in complex cases)
1Check if your nationality is visa-exempt for Schengen
2If visa required, apply at French consulate in your country
•No passport stamps at Monaco border (open border with France)
•Get a souvenir passport stamp at tourist office
⭐Recommended for Digital Nomads
Special Program
Temporary Residence Permit (Carte de Sejour Temporaire)
First-time residence permit for foreigners wishing to stay in Monaco for more than 3 months. Valid for 1 year, renewable. Requires proof of accommodation and substantial financial resources (EUR 500,000+ bank deposit) or employment.
365 days
Duration
€179
$194 fee
+€5,200 additional
💰 Income Requirement
Minimum $500,000/per_year
Alternative: Employment contract in Monaco, being supported by a spouse/relative who is a Monaco resident, or pension income
✅ Key Benefits
✓Legal residence in Monaco
✓No personal income tax
✓No capital gains tax
✓No wealth tax
✓Access to Monaco banking system
✓Free movement in Schengen Area
✓High security and quality of life
✓Prestigious address
✓Path to permanent residency
📋 Requirements (9)
•Valid passport
•Long-stay visa (Type D) from French consulate (for non-EU/EEA nationals)
•Proof of accommodation in Monaco (ownership deed, rental contract, or host letter)
•Bank certificate from Monaco bank confirming EUR 500,000+ deposit OR employment contract
•Criminal record certificate less than 3 months old (from last 5 years of residence)
•Health insurance coverage
•CV detailing education, career, and reasons for moving to Monaco
•Birth certificate (legalized/apostilled)
•Marriage/divorce certificates if applicable
📝 Application Process
Embassy Required⏱ 2-5 months from application submission
1Secure accommodation in Monaco (rent or purchase)
2Open bank account in Monaco and deposit minimum EUR 500,000
3Obtain bank certificate confirming financial self-sufficiency
4For non-EU nationals: Apply for Type D visa at French consulate
5Gather all required documents (translated to French/English/Italian)
6Submit application to Residency Section of Public Security Department
Process: Apply for renewal at least 2 months before expiry. Must demonstrate continued residence and financial stability.
Renewal: Renewable for 3 consecutive years. After 3 years, can apply for Ordinary Residence Permit (3-year validity).
💡 Pro Tips
•Budget at least EUR 1-2 million for first year (bank deposit + accommodation + living)
•Property prices average EUR 52,000/sqm - highest in world
•Some banks require EUR 1-3 million minimum for relationship
•Hire a local lawyer or relocation service
•Non-EU citizens must get Type D visa BEFORE arriving
•Interview will ask about education, work, family, reasons for move
Ordinary Residence Permit (Carte de Sejour Ordinaire)
Special ProgramPopular
Residence permit for foreigners who have lived in Monaco for 3 years. Valid for 3 years, renewable. Provides greater stability than temporary permit.
1095d
Duration
€100
$109 fee
+€50 additional
📍Apply: Embassy
⏱4-8 weeks
🔄Extendable +1095d
View full details
💰 Cost Breakdown
EURUSD
Required
Ordinary residence permit feeFirst issuance fee
€100$109
Additional (estimated)
Renewal feeFor subsequent renewals
€50$54
Required Total
€100$109
+ Additional (estimated)
€50$54
Estimated Total
€150$163
💱1 USD = 0.92 EUR•Updated Nov 28, 2025
💡 Costs may vary. Additional costs are estimates and may not all apply to your situation. Always verify current fees with official sources.
📋 Requirements
•Valid passport
•Previous temporary residence permit(s) showing 3 years residence
•Continued proof of accommodation
•Continued proof of financial self-sufficiency
•Current criminal record certificate
•Proof of having spent required time in Monaco
📝 Application Steps
1Complete 3 years of residence on temporary permit
2Maintain all residence requirements
3Apply for upgrade to ordinary permit at Residency Section
4Provide updated documentation
5Attend interview if required
6Receive 3-year ordinary residence card
⚠️ Restrictions
•Must maintain all residence requirements
•Must spend minimum 3 months per year in Monaco
•Work requires separate authorization
•Does not grant citizenship
💡 Tips
•Apply for upgrade promptly after 3 years
•Maintain consistent residence and banking relationship
•Keep all documentation updated
Privileged Residence Permit (Carte de Sejour Privilegiee)
Special ProgramPopular
Long-term residence permit for foreigners who have lived in Monaco for 10 years. Valid for 10 years - effectively permanent residency. Pathway to citizenship after additional requirements.
3650d
Duration
€160
$174 fee
+€80 additional
📍Apply: Embassy
⏱2-4 months
🔄Extendable +3650d
View full details
💰 Cost Breakdown
EURUSD
Required
Privileged residence permit feeFirst issuance fee
€160$174
Additional (estimated)
Renewal feeFor 10-year renewal
€80$87
Required Total
€160$174
+ Additional (estimated)
€80$87
Estimated Total
€240$260
💱1 USD = 0.92 EUR•Updated Nov 28, 2025
💡 Costs may vary. Additional costs are estimates and may not all apply to your situation. Always verify current fees with official sources.
📋 Requirements
•Valid passport
•Documentation proving 10 years continuous residence
•Proof of genuine residence (not just legal presence)
•Continued proof of financial self-sufficiency
•Clean criminal record
•Demonstrated integration into Monaco community
📝 Application Steps
1Complete 10 years of continuous residence
2Demonstrate genuine residence (spending significant time in Monaco)
3Apply for privileged permit at Residency Section
4Provide comprehensive residence history
5Undergo interview and background check
6Receive 10-year privileged residence card
⚠️ Restrictions
•Must have genuinely lived in Monaco for 10 years
•Citizenship requires renouncing other nationalities
•Must maintain residence requirements
•Minimum 3 months per year in Monaco
💡 Tips
•Keep detailed records of time spent in Monaco
•Maintain continuous banking relationship
•Integrate into local community
•Consider citizenship carefully - Monaco does not allow dual citizenship
Work Permit (Permis de Travail)
Work
Required for all foreigners taking paid employment in Monaco. Employer-driven process - must have job offer from Monaco-based company. Tied to specific employer and position.
365d
Duration
€80
$87 fee
+€100 additional
📍Apply: Embassy
⏱2-4 weeks after employer submits request
🔄Extendable +365d
View full details
💰 Cost Breakdown
EURUSD
Required
Work permit processingFree, but employer handles application
€0<$1
Residence permit feeRequired in addition to work permit
€80$87
Additional (estimated)
Medical examinationRequired by Employment Medical Service
€100$109
Required Total
€80$87
+ Additional (estimated)
€100$109
Estimated Total
€180$195
💱1 USD = 0.92 EUR•Updated Nov 28, 2025
💡 Costs may vary. Additional costs are estimates and may not all apply to your situation. Always verify current fees with official sources.
📋 Requirements
•Valid passport
•Employment contract from Monaco-based employer
•Proof of qualifications for the position
•Residence permit (or application in progress)
•Medical clearance from Employment Medical Service
•For non-EU: Type D visa from French consulate
📝 Application Steps
1Receive job offer from Monaco-based employer
2Employer contacts Service de l'Emploi (Employment Office)
3Employment Office checks for available local candidates (4-day period)
4If no local candidate available, employer requests work permit
5Complete medical examination
6Apply for residence permit simultaneously
7Receive work permit upon approval
8Begin employment
⚠️ Restrictions
•Tied to specific employer and position
•Changing job requires new permit
•Employer must prove no local candidate available
•Priority system favors locals and residents
•Cannot freelance or work for multiple employers
💡 Tips
•Many Monaco workers live in France and commute
•Employer handles most of the paperwork
•Medical examination required before starting work
•French citizens have priority after Monegasques
•Consider that housing in Monaco is extremely expensive
Long-Stay Visa (Type D for Monaco)
Special Program
Required for non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals before applying for Monaco residence permit. Obtained at French consulate. Allows entry to Monaco to apply for residence card.
90d
Duration
€99
$107 fee
+€150 additional
📍Apply: Embassy
⏱15-30 working days
🔄No extension
View full details
💰 Cost Breakdown
EURUSD
Required
Long-stay visa feeFrench consular fee for Type D visa
€99$107
Additional (estimated)
Document legalizationApostille and translation costs
€150$163
Required Total
€99$107
+ Additional (estimated)
€150$163
Estimated Total
€249$270
💱1 USD = 0.92 EUR•Updated Nov 28, 2025
💡 Costs may vary. Additional costs are estimates and may not all apply to your situation. Always verify current fees with official sources.
📋 Requirements
•Valid passport (minimum 1 year validity)
•Proof of accommodation in Monaco
•Bank certificate from Monaco bank (EUR 500,000+ deposit) OR employment contract
•Criminal record certificate from last 5 years of residence
•Birth certificate (legalized/apostilled)
•Marriage certificate if applicable
•CV with reasons for settling in Monaco
•Health insurance
•Completed long-stay visa application form
📝 Application Steps
1Secure accommodation in Monaco
2Open Monaco bank account and deposit required funds
3Obtain bank certificate proving financial self-sufficiency
4Gather all required documents
5Apply at French consulate nearest to your residence
6Attend visa interview
7Wait for processing (15-30 days typically)
8Receive Type D visa and travel to Monaco
9Apply for residence permit within 90 days of arrival
⚠️ Restrictions
•Must apply BEFORE traveling to Monaco
•Must apply for residence permit within 90 days of arrival
•Only for settlement purposes, not tourism
•Requires substantial documentation
💡 Tips
•Apply at French consulate, not Monaco embassy
•Have all Monaco arrangements in place before applying
•Bank certificate is crucial - without it, visa will be refused
•Allow plenty of processing time
•Consider hiring a relocation specialist in Monaco
No, Monaco does NOT have a digital nomad visa. Unlike countries like Portugal, Croatia, or Albania, Monaco has no special visa for remote workers. The only way to live in Monaco long-term is through the standard residence permit (Carte de Sejour), which requires either: (1) A minimum EUR 500,000 bank deposit in a Monaco bank to prove financial self-sufficiency, OR (2) An employment contract with a Monaco-based company, OR (3) Starting a business in Monaco. Monaco is designed for high-net-worth individuals, not budget-conscious digital nomads. The cost of living is among the highest in the world.
Can I work remotely in Monaco as a tourist?
This is a gray area. Tourists can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period under Schengen rules, but working (even remotely for a foreign company) technically requires residence authorization. Monaco authorities do not actively enforce this for short-term visitors doing remote work, but you would not be legally covered. For legitimate long-term remote work from Monaco, you would need a residence permit, which requires the substantial EUR 500,000+ bank deposit or other qualifying criteria. Monaco is simply not set up for digital nomads.
How much money do I need to get Monaco residency?
The minimum bank deposit required for Monaco residency (for those without employment) is EUR 500,000, which must be maintained in a Monaco bank account at all times. However, this is just the entry point. In practice, you will also need: (1) Accommodation in Monaco - average property prices are EUR 52,000/sqm, the highest in the world. A modest studio might cost EUR 1-2 million; (2) Living expenses in one of the most expensive places on Earth; (3) Private health insurance; (4) Some banks require EUR 1-3 million minimum for private banking relationships. Realistically, you should budget EUR 2-5 million minimum to establish yourself in Monaco.
Do I need a visa to visit Monaco?
Monaco follows Schengen visa rules because of its customs union with France. If you are from a country that can enter the Schengen Area visa-free (including EU, USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, and about 60 other countries), you can visit Monaco for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. If your country requires a Schengen visa, you must apply at a French consulate - there is no separate Monaco tourist visa. Monaco has no airport, so you will enter through Nice, France (22km away).
What taxes do Monaco residents pay?
Monaco residents pay NO personal income tax, NO capital gains tax, NO wealth tax, and NO property tax. Inheritance tax is 0% between spouses and direct relatives (parents/children). This is the main reason wealthy individuals seek Monaco residency. However, there are some exceptions: (1) French nationals who became Monaco residents after January 1, 1957 must still pay French income tax for 5 years; (2) Companies earning more than 25% of revenue from outside Monaco pay 25% corporate tax; (3) VAT of 20% applies to goods and services. To benefit from the tax advantages, you must be a genuine resident spending significant time in Monaco.
How do I open a bank account in Monaco?
Opening a bank account in Monaco is challenging and expensive. For residency applicants, you MUST open an account and deposit minimum EUR 500,000 to obtain the bank certificate proving financial self-sufficiency. Requirements include: valid passport, proof of address, source of funds documentation, tax returns from previous country, and an in-person meeting. Many banks require EUR 1-3 million minimum for a relationship. The process takes 2-4 weeks and involves extensive due diligence. Banks include: CMB Monaco, Compagnie Monegasque de Banque, Societe Generale Private Banking Monaco, Julius Baer Monaco, and Edmond de Rothschild Monaco.
Do non-EU citizens need a visa for Monaco residence?
Yes. Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens must obtain a Type D long-stay visa from a French consulate BEFORE applying for Monaco residence. The process is: (1) Secure accommodation in Monaco; (2) Open Monaco bank account and deposit EUR 500,000+; (3) Obtain bank certificate; (4) Apply for Type D visa at French consulate in your home country; (5) Travel to Monaco after visa approval; (6) Apply for residence permit within 90 days. EU/EEA citizens can apply directly for Monaco residence without the Type D visa step.
How long does it take to get Monaco citizenship?
Monaco citizenship (naturalization) requires: (1) At least 10 years of continuous residence in Monaco; (2) Renunciation of all other citizenships - Monaco does NOT allow dual nationality; (3) Demonstrated integration into Monaco society; (4) Approval by the Prince of Monaco. The typical path is: 3 years on temporary residence permit, then 3+ years on ordinary permit, then 10 years on privileged permit = 16+ years minimum. Citizenship applications are reviewed individually and approval is not guaranteed. Most long-term residents choose to maintain their residence permit rather than give up their original citizenship.
Can I work in Monaco with a residence permit?
Having a residence permit does NOT automatically allow you to work in Monaco. You need a separate work permit (Permis de Travail), which is employer-driven. The process: (1) Get a job offer from a Monaco-based employer; (2) Employer requests work permit from Service de l'Emploi; (3) Employment Office checks for available local candidates (4-day waiting period); (4) If no local candidate found, permit is granted. Priority is given to: Monegasque citizens first, then Monaco residents, then French citizens. Many Monaco workers actually live in France and commute.
Is Monaco in the EU or Schengen Area?
Monaco is NOT in the European Union and NOT a signatory to the Schengen Agreement. However, Monaco's territory is effectively part of the Schengen Area through its customs union with France (Convention on Good Neighbourly Relations of 1963). This means: (1) Schengen visa rules apply to Monaco; (2) There are no border controls between France and Monaco; (3) A Monaco residence permit allows free movement in the Schengen Area; (4) Monaco uses the Euro but is not in the Eurozone. Monaco has its own government, laws, and residence requirements separate from France and the EU.
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Important Disclaimer
Visa requirements can change frequently. This information is provided for general guidance only and should not be considered legal advice. Always verify current requirements with the official embassy or immigration authorities before making travel plans. Last updated: December 1, 2025