Monaco (MC)

Must be valid for the entire duration of your intended Monaco stay plus at least 3 months beyond. Non-EU nationals entering Monaco via France (the only land border) must have a Schengen-compatible passport. Take at least 4 certified photocopies before leaving home.

Non-EU/EEA nationals must obtain a French long-stay visa (Visa de Long Séjour — VLS-TS, type D) before arriving. Monaco has no independent consular presence in most countries and is accessible only through France. Apply at the French embassy/consulate in your home country. The French VLS-TS is the prerequisite for the Monaco residence card application.

A signed lease agreement or property ownership document for an address within Monaco. Monaco does NOT accept domiciliation at a French address — you must demonstrate actual Monaco residence (strictly enforced by the Sûreté Publique). The document must show a Monaco street address. Hotels may provide a domiciliation letter as a temporary measure.

Bank statements for the last 3–6 months demonstrating sufficient stable income. Monaco requires proof of financial autonomy — in practice the standard is significantly above the official minimum. Employed applicants provide an employment contract and payslips instead of bank statements.

A clean criminal record certificate from your home country (and from any country you have lived in for over 1 year in the past 5 years). Must be issued within 3 months of the Monaco residence application. Documents from Hague Apostille Convention member countries must be apostilled; documents from non-member countries require full embassy or consular legalisation. Translation into French required if not already in French.

Original birth certificate with full translation into French. For family member applications: also needed for spouse and children. Apostille required for countries outside France and Monaco.

Required if applying as a spouse of a Monaco resident or for family reunification. Must be apostilled and translated into French if not issued in France or Monaco.

The official Monaco residence permit issued by the Direction de la Sûreté Publique after submitting your residence application and passing the background check. Three tiers: Temporary (1 year), Ordinary (3 years), Privileged (10 years). This is the cornerstone document for Monaco residency and access to Monaco's social system.

Once enrolled in Monaco's social security system (CCSS), you receive a health coverage card. Employed residents are enrolled by their employer. Self-employed and non-working residents must register directly. The card proves your coverage at the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace and affiliated clinics.

Issued by the Direction des Services Fiscaux de Monaco once established as a Monaco resident. Essential for proving Monaco tax residency to your home country. Confirms you are domiciled in Monaco and not subject to income tax. Required by banks, investment firms, and home-country tax authorities.

Employed expats need an employment contract with a Monaco-registered employer. Non-EU workers additionally need an authorisation de travail from the Direction du Travail de Monaco. Monaco employers must demonstrate the position cannot be filled by a Monégasque or Monaco-resident national before hiring a foreigner.

Opening a Monaco bank account requires strong KYC documentation (source of funds, source of wealth for larger amounts). Major Monaco banks: BNP Paribas Monaco, Société Générale Monaco, HSBC Private Bank Monaco, Julius Baer Monaco. Documentation requirements are rigorous; allow 4–8 weeks for account opening.

A medical certificate from a Monaco-approved doctor is required for initial residence card applications. The doctor confirms general health status. The Sûreté Publique provides a list of approved doctors. This is not required for card renewals once residency is established.

If importing a vehicle to Monaco: register it with the Direction des Services Fiscaux within 3 months of establishing residency. Monaco-registered vehicles carry the MC prefix. Insurance from a Monaco or French insurer is required. If driving a French-registered vehicle, it may remain French-registered during the registration process.