Acquiring real estate in the Principality is a decisive step, but it is not sufficient on its own to grant resident status. Once the real estate purchase process in Monaco is completed, any foreign person aged at least 16 must obtain a residence card issued by the Monegasque authorities to live legally in the Principality more than three months per year. This guide takes you step by step from the first procedures to the delivery of your title, distinguishing the process for European nationals from that of nationals outside the European Economic Area (EEA).
Monaco is neither a member of the European Union nor of the European Economic Area. Its access regime is based on the Franco-Monegasque Neighbourhood Convention of 18 May 1963, which organizes the conditions of entry and establishment of foreigners on the territory. This text implies that non-EEA nationals must first obtain an authorization issued by the French authorities before starting any procedure in the Principality. For the foreign buyer, the procedure therefore takes place in two steps: first in France, then in Monaco. Ignoring this preliminary step leads to rejection of the file.
In 2025, the Monegasque real estate market recorded 493 transactions for a total amount of 5.9 billion euros, according to the IMSEE Real Estate Observatory 2025. A property deed proves ownership of a property, but it is only one supporting document among others in the residence file. Authorities verify that the accommodation is suitable for the number of people in the household, that financial resources are sufficient, and that the applicant has a clean criminal record. Real estate purchase is therefore a decisive asset, but not sufficient on its own.
Citizens of the 27 European Union member states, as well as those of Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein, benefit from a simplified procedure. They only need to present themselves at the Residents Section of the Public Security Directorate with a valid national identity card or passport. This facility does not exempt them from gathering proof of housing and resources. Since 1 January 2021, British nationals no longer benefit from this regime following Brexit: they now follow the same procedure as non-EEA nationals, with the obligation to obtain a settlement visa.
The file includes a valid passport or identity card, proof of housing (property deed or lease registered with Monegasque authorities), a criminal record extract less than three months old for each country of residence over the past five years, as well as a sworn statement available on monservicepublic.gouv.mc. Any document written in a language other than French, English or Italian must be translated by a sworn translator.
For any national of a country outside the EEA, the first step is carried out at the French consulate or embassy in the country of current residence. The aim is to obtain a long-stay visa type D, specifically issued for Monaco. Without this visa, no residence card file can be submitted in the Principality. Required documents include the completed OFII form, the Monegasque property deed or lease contract, proof of financial resources and an apostilled criminal record. This visa also applies to accompanying minor children. For a full overview of conditions specific to foreign buyers, you can consult our guide on real estate purchase conditions in Monaco for foreigners and non-residents. A limited exemption exists: a foreigner already present in the Principality and holding accommodation may request, under Article 5 of the Franco-Monegasque Convention, authorization to submit their visa application directly at the French Embassy in Monaco, without having to leave the territory.
If you already reside in France for more than one year with a valid French residence permit, you do not need to request a new visa. A residence transfer procedure is possible via the French Embassy in Monaco, immigration service. This process involves coordination between French and Monegasque authorities, and concerns in particular buyers of Monegasque properties who reside in France and wish to transfer their main residence there.
Once conditions are met, the file can be submitted online via the monservicepublic.gouv.mc platform, or by post to the following address: Residents Section, 9 rue Suffren-Reymond, 98000 Monaco. The Section receives applicants by appointment only, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (telephone: +377 93 15 30 15). If the file is deemed admissible, an electronic notification invites the applicant to schedule an individual interview appointment, at which they must present originals of all documents. If the file is accepted, a second appointment is scheduled for biometric enrollment and physical delivery of the card.
Whatever your profile, authorities require a valid passport (with settlement visa for non-EEA), proof of housing (property deed, registered lease or accommodation certificate signed by the host), as well as a clean criminal record less than three months old for each country of residence over the past five years. The property deed must mention the number of rooms, as the accommodation must be suitable for the household size: a couple with two children must justify at least a three-room apartment. In case of acquisition via an SCI, the company statutes and a document confirming your role within this structure will also be required.
The nature of your resources determines additional documents to provide. An employee of a Monegasque company must provide a certificate from the Employment Service, a job offer or an employment contract. A self-employed worker or company manager must provide an extract from the Register of Commerce and Industry less than three months old. For company creation, a receipt from the Economic Expansion Directorate is sufficient to initiate the request. A rentier or investor must present a bank certificate from a Monegasque bank confirming sufficient capital: the threshold retained in practice is at least 500,000 euros, although it is not written in any official text. This certificate must be less than one month old at the time of submission. A retiree must provide proof of pension indicating the amount received, accompanied by their last three bank statements proving regular payments.
The Monegasque system provides four categories of cards, which evolve with length of residence.
Obtaining the residence card does not guarantee its renewal. To maintain resident status, the holder must stay in Monaco more than 90 days per year. Beyond the administrative dimension, duration of presence also opens right to Monegasque tax residence: conditions and associated patrimonial advantages are detailed in our guide on taxation and patrimonial advantages in Monaco. A buyer who does not stay sufficiently in the Principality may see renewal of their card refused.
In case of definitive departure, the card must be returned to the Public Security Directorate within eight days before departure. A frequently unknown point: if you let your card expire and leave Monaco, the acquired residence seniority is entirely lost. In case of later return, the counter restarts at zero with a new one-year temporary card as starting point.
Opening an account in a Monegasque bank must be initiated early in the process, as it may be required as proof of resources. Monegasque financial institutions apply strict acceptance criteria for non-residents, and delays may be long. It is advisable to start this process in parallel with the visa file. Once the account is opened, it will notably be used to set up SMEG (Monegasque Electricity and Gas Company), whose bill constitutes a recognized proof of residence by authorities.
Once resident, you will be required to produce a residence certificate for certain common procedures, notably with embassies, social funds or private organizations. This document is distinct from the residence card. It is issued by the Public Security Directorate to holders of a valid card and its validity period is six months. Since 18 December 2025, the request can be made online with electronic payment, for a stamp duty of 5 euros. For certificates for tax purposes, a separate procedure applies: the two certificates are not obtained in the same way and cannot replace each other.
Monaco does not have a family reunification system under European law. The spouse and dependent children may submit their own residence card application by justifying the same criteria as the main resident: suitable housing, sufficient resources and regular status. Children under 16 do not receive a residence card, but may obtain a Minor Foreign Travel Document (DCEM) to facilitate travel. For school-age children (6 years and older), pre-enrollment in a Monegasque school is required when applying for a visa for non-EEA nationals.
The nature of the accommodation is verified by authorities. Certain types of property are excluded: state housing, commercial leases, offices and maid’s rooms are not accepted as primary residence, except in very specific cases such as domestic staff housed by their employer.
A dwelling that is too modest compared to the applicant’s financial situation may also raise questions: authorities expect consistency between housing standard and declared income level. According to the IMSEE Real Estate Observatory 2025, more than eight out of ten sales in 2025 concerned properties of four rooms or more, reflecting market expectations in terms of living space.
If you are still actively searching, you can consult real estate properties for sale in Monaco.
Criminal, tax or banking documents must be recent: less than three months for criminal record and company register extract, less than one month for bank certificate. Any document written in a language other than French, English or Italian must be translated by a sworn translator. An expired or untranslated document leads to rejection of the file. Some foreign documents such as the American FBI Background Check or the German Führungszeugnis may require several weeks to obtain: it is advisable to anticipate these delays well in advance of submission. In case of doubt, the Residents Section can be contacted at +377 93 15 30 15 before file preparation.
No. The property deed is one supporting document among others, but it does not grant automatic resident status. Authorities also examine suitability of housing, financial resources and applicant’s criminal record.
The residence card is the title that allows residence in the Principality. The residence certificate is a separate document, valid for six months, issued to holders of a valid card to justify domicile to third-party organizations.
Yes. Any non-EEA national must obtain a long-stay visa type D from the competent French consulate before submitting a file in Monaco. Without this visa, the residence card application cannot be processed.
Renewal of the residence card may be refused. The minimum required presence is 90 days per year. In case of definitive departure and card expiry, acquired residence seniority is lost and the counter fully resets in case of return.
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