Monaco Carte de Séjour: Complete Guide to the Monaco Residence Permit (2025)

The Monaco Carte de Séjour, also known as the Monaco residence permit in English, is the official document required for any foreign national who wishes to live in Monaco for more than three months. Issued by the Monaco Immigration and Residence Department, it serves as the legal basis for establishing long-term residency in Monaco.

Unlike a French residence permit, which is issued by French authorities, the Monaco Carte de Séjour is specific to Monaco and processed locally. However, non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals must first obtain a French long-stay visa (Type D) before they can apply for residency in Monaco.

Once granted, the residency card confirms your legal status as a resident and is necessary for essential aspects of daily life, from opening a bank account and setting up utilities to accessing Monaco’s healthcare and education systems.

There are three categories of Monaco residence cards:

• Temporary Residence Card (1 year): The entry-level permit, renewable annually.
• Ordinary Residence Card (3 years): Granted after several renewals of the temporary card, offering greater stability.
• Privileged Residence Card (10 years): Issued after 10 years of continuous residence and commonly referred to as the equivalent of Monaco permanent residency.

Applicants qualify by meeting Monaco’s residency requirements, including proof of sufficient financial means, accommodation in Monaco (owned or rented), valid health insurance, and a clean criminal record.

The Monaco residence permit is highly sought-after because it combines lifestyle, financial, and mobility advantages rarely found elsewhere.

• Tax efficiency: Monaco levies no personal income tax, no capital gains tax, and no wealth tax for most residents. Inheritance tax is 0% between spouses and in direct parent–child relationships. Corporate tax only applies when more than 25% of revenue is generated outside of the country, making Monaco one of Europe’s most appealing destinations for wealth preservation and succession planning.
• Schengen Area mobility: The Monaco residence permit allows holders to live in Monaco and enjoy visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Area for short stays, up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Although Monaco is not a member of the EU or EEA, it participates in the Schengen Area through a bilateral agreement with France.
• Location and connectivity: Monaco is integrated with French border controls, giving residents easy access to the Schengen Area. Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is just 30 minutes away and connects Monaco residents to global destinations quickly.
• Quality of life: Residents of Monaco enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the world, marked by its safety, luxury real estate, top-tier healthcare, international schools, and year-round sunshine on the French Riviera.
• Prestige and stability: Beyond financial advantages, a Monaco residence signals status and offers entry into an exclusive, secure community. Its reputation as a financial hub makes it especially appealing to entrepreneurs, investors, and high-net-worth individuals.

What’s the Monaco residence permit application process?

The process of applying for the Monaco residence permit involves the following steps:

1. Secure Entry Visa (if applicable)

• Non-EU nationals must obtain a French long-stay visa (Type D) via a French embassy.

2. Prepare supporting documents

Applicants must prepare:

• Valid passport.
• Birth, marriage, or divorce certificates.
• Clean criminal record extracts.
• Proof of accommodation in Monaco (lease, property deed, or utility bill).
• Evidence of sufficient funds (bank reference, employment contract, or company ownership).
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage.
• Passport-style photographs.
• Signed Attestation on Honour (Attestation sur l’Honneur).
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) detailing the applicant’s background, motivation for settling in Monaco, and the quantified and detailed origin of their financial and real estate resources.

3. Submit application

• File the application with the Residents Section of the Monaco Government.
• Attend an official interview to verify identity, supporting documents, and convey intentions.

4. Processing

• The residence permit application takes around 2 to 5 months to process depending on nationality and complexity.

5. Receive residence card

• The initial Monaco residency card is valid for 1 year and must be renewed annually.

6. Renewal and upgrading

• After three renewals, residents may qualify for the 3-year residence card.
• After 10 years of continuous residence, applicants may request the Privileged 10-year card (permanent residency).

While Monaco law does not explicitly publish physical presence requirements, the authorities expect proof of genuine residence: 

• Typically at least 90 days per year stay in Monaco. 
• Evidence such as utility bills, rental payments, or local spending may be requested. 

Extended absence risks non-renewal of the permit. 

The fees for the Monaco Carte de Séjour are relatively modest compared to the financial commitments required to secure residency. 

The administrative cost for issuing or renewing a residence card is usually a few hundred euros, depending on the type of card (in other words, a 1-year, 3-year, or 10-year residence permit). 

However, the true cost of Monaco residency lies in meeting the financial eligibility requirements: 

• Accommodation: Renting a property in Monaco typically requires at least a one-year lease, with rents starting from around €3,000 to €5,000 per month for smaller apartments. Purchasing property is significantly more expensive, with average prices per square meter among the highest in the world. 
• Bank deposit: A minimum of €500,000 deposited in a Monaco bank is generally required to demonstrate financial self-sufficiency. 
• Living expenses: Monaco has one of the highest costs of living globally, including utilities, healthcare, schooling, and day-to-day expenses. 

In short, while administrative fees are low, applicants should expect substantial upfront and ongoing financial commitments in line with Monaco’s exclusivity. 

The Monaco residence permit also provides a long-term pathway to Monegasque citizenship, though this process is selective and discretionary.

• Naturalization: Foreign nationals may apply for citizenship after ten years of continuous, legal residence in Monaco.
• Requirements: Applicants must demonstrate genuine integration into Monaco, including community ties and compliance with local laws.
• Discretionary approval: Citizenship is granted by Sovereign Ordinance of the Prince of Monaco, meaning final approval lies with the state.

While residency in Monaco is attainable for those meeting the criteria, citizenship remains highly exclusive.