Monaco Carte de Séjour: Guide to the Monaco Residence Permit in 2026

The Monaco Carte de Séjour, called 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 Direction de la Sûreté Publique, the Residency Section of the Monaco Police Department, it serves as the legal basis for establishing long-term residency in the principality. 

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 four categories of Monaco residence cards: 

• Temporary Residence Card (1 year): The entry-level permit, renewable annually 
• Ordinary Residence Card (3 years): Issued after three years of residence in Monaco 
• Spouse of a Monegasque National Card (5 years): The card for foreign spouses of Monegasque nationals that is granted after one year of residence. 
• Privileged Residence Card (10 years): Issued after ten 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. 

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

1. Secure Entry Visa (if applicable) 

• Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals must obtain a French long-stay visa (Type D) via a French Embassy. Non-EU/EEA/Swiss applicants already living in France for over a year can request a residency transfer via the French Embassy in Monaco instead of a fresh Type D visa. 

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 two to five months to process depending on nationality and complexity. 

5. Receive residence card 

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

6. Renewal and upgrading 

• After three years of living in Monaco legally you can apply for the 3-year residence card. 
• After ten years of continuous residence, applicants may request the Privileged 10-year card, which is what many consider permanent residency in Monaco. 

While Monaco law does not explicitly publish physical presence requirements, the authorities expect proof of genuine residence. This includes evidence such as utility bills, rental payments, or local spending. 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 following fees apply, according to the official website of the Principality of Monaco:

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 rent 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 around €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.  

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, according toMonaco has a restrictive approach to dual nationality. In principle, dual citizenship is not recognized under Monegasque law. 

• Foreign nationals who successfully apply for Monaco citizenship are typically required to renounce their previous nationality. 
• There are limited exceptions based on bilateral treaties, but these are rare. 
• As a result, most applicants who value retaining their original passport opt to remain long-term residents under the Privileged Residence Card rather than pursuing naturalization. 

For many, Monaco residency alone delivers the desired lifestyle and tax benefits without the complexities of giving up their original citizenship. 

Monaco has a restrictive approach to dual nationality. In principle, dual citizenship is not recognized under Monegasque law. 

• Foreign nationals who successfully apply for Monaco citizenship are typically required to renounce their previous nationality. 
• There are limited exceptions based on bilateral treaties, but these are rare. 
• As a result, most applicants who value retaining their original passport opt to remain long-term residents under the Privileged Residence Card rather than pursuing naturalization. 

For many, Monaco residency alone delivers the desired lifestyle and tax benefits without the complexities of giving up their original citizenship.