Monaco Residency
Procedures
Anyone has the opportunity to stay in Monaco for a period not exceeding three months without going through any formalities other than those necessary to travel to France. However, anyone (other than Monégasque nationals) wishing to make Monaco their primary residence, must obtain a Monégasque residence card (“Carte de Séjour”) from the Monégasque authorities. European nationals (see list of countries) just need to hold a valid national identity card showing their name, date and place of birth and nationality.
Applications for a residence card is split into four categories:
1) Non-EU nationals who reside outside of France,
2) Non-EU nationals residing in France for less than a year,
3) Non-EU nationals residing in France for over a year, and
4) European nationals.
1) Non-EU nationals who reside outside of France, must first obtain a visa as indicated below in Step 1 and 2.
2) Non-EU nationals residing in France for less than one year,must return to their home countries to apply for a visa as in Step 1 and 2.
3) Non-EU nationals residing in France for over a year, must apply for a transfer of residence to the French Embassy in Monaco and then apply for a Monaco residence card as in Step 2.
4) EU nationals can proceed directly to Step 2 to obtain their residence card.
Step 1: Request for Long-term visa for the Principality
By virtue of the Franco-Monégasque Convention of 1963, France administers visa applications on behalf of Monaco. An application is submitted during an appointment at the French Consulate in the country where the applicant has been resident during the preceding six months. The following documents are required:
1-The application form for a long stay visa, duly completed in French and filed in person together with 4 photocopies of each of the document listed below and Euro 99 for the visa fee
:
2-Six recent photographs in color (size 35x45).
3-A photocopy of a valid passport (minimum 6 months validity).
4-A certificate from the police authorities in the country of their nationality stating "no police record" and if applicable, a certificate from the police authorities from the country where the applicant is currently residing.A translation in French must also be prepared by a qualified translator
5-An affidavit sworn by the applicant in the presence of a Solicitor/Commissioner for Oaths, stating that the applicant has never been convicted of a criminal offence of any kind or disqualified to trade in any jurisdiction and that they have no pending affairs with any court of law or the Police in any jurisdiction.
5-A sworn statement by the applicant that they have never been convicted.
6-Proof of sufficient means to live in Monaco.This can be provided by (i)submitting an “Engagement de Travail” to work in Monaco, or (ii) a request for authorisation to set up a business or a company, or (iii) a bank reference attesting to sufficient means to live without taking up employment in Monaco.
The “Engagement de Travail” is an undertaking of employment from an authorised
Monaco employer, duly stamped by the Employment Department of the Principality.The bank reference is a letter in French from a bank affirming the applicant has sufficient means, and would preferably come from a Monaco-based bank.An accompanying letter from a solicitor, accountant or bank in the last country of residence naming the source of income should be provided.
If the applicant intends to set up a business in Monaco, a formal application must be completed in French(refer to the Business in Monaco section).
7-Proof of marriage for spouses of French nationals, Monegasque or foreign residents living in Monaco.
8-Proof of accommodation includes (i) a rental contract, or a promise of rental, or (ii) a certificate of free lodging or (iii) a deed of property ownership, or (iv) a written undertaking by the applicant to produce one of these documents within the three months following their arrival in the Principality.
In the case of a certificate of free lodging (“Certificat d’Herbergement Gratuit”)this is an official form that must be signed by the person undertaking to provide free lodging for the applicant and further signed by the owner of the property or their representative.
The applicant must also countersign the document.A copy of the registered lease or title of property must also be provided.
9-For children their parents they will need to complete an application form, pay a fee of Euro 99, and provide 6 photographs, a photocopy of their passport, a school certificate, and birth certificate.
Once the visa has been approved by the French authorities (this can take between three and six months), the applicant is informed by letter and must go to the Consulate to have the visa stamped in their passport (in some cases it is possible to have the authorisation sent to the French Consulate in Monaco where the passport may be stamped).The applicant must then apply to the Monégasque authorities for a residence card (“Carte de Séjour”).This application must be made to the Residents Section of the Directorate of Public Security within eight days of arrival in the Principality.
NB Residents of France holding a French Carte de Séjour do not need a visa and may therefore make an application for a Monégasque Card as explained in Step 2 below without going through the above procedure.However, it can in certain cases take several months to obtain a French "Carte de Séjour" and the temporary “Récépissé” issued upon application is not valid when applying for residence in Monaco.
Step 2: Carte de Séjour Application
EU nationals (see list of countries) can apply directly to the Residents Section of the Directorate of Public Security for a residence card ("Carte de Séjour").
After obtaining the visa in Step 1 above, any person over the age of sixteen years can apply for the residence card ("Carte de Séjour"). The applicant will have to go the Residents Section of the Directorate of Public Security and ask for an application form. This will be provided if the applicant can present a valid passport (if necessary with a visa) together with a letter from a Monaco estate agent confirming they are engaged to find a property for the applicant.
An appointment for an interview will be fixed within three to five weeks of applying. A reponse for the issue or otherwise of the residency card will be sent to the applicant within 2 to 6 weeks following the interview.
The following documentation must be submitted at the interview:
1-The completed application form.
2-One recent photograph. A second photo identification will be made at the interview.
3-A valid passport stamped with the visa (if applicable).
4-A birth certificate.
5-A marriage certificate (if applicable).
6-An extract of the applicant's criminal record, or an equivalent legal document.
7- Proof of sufficient income to live in Monaco.
This can be provided in several ways by submitting :
(i) an “Engagement de Travail”.This must come from an company that has obtained the permission of the Department of Employment in Monaco to offer the applicant employment,
or (ii) a document authorizing the creation of a company.If the applicant intends to set up a business in Monaco, a formal application must be completed in French (refer to the Business in Monaco section),
or (iii) a bank reference attesting to sufficient income from a Monaco based bank.The letter issued by the bank must be written in French, it must certify that the applicant has sufficient income without engaging in gainful employment.The applicant will need to open two accounts with their chosen Monaco bank : a current account and an escrow account. This letter must be accompanied by a document indicating the source of income.
8-Proof of accommodation.This can be done by providing (i) a lease, or (ii)a certificate of free accommodation or (iii) a deed of Monaco property ownership.
In the case of a certificate of free lodging, (only reserved for close family or household employees), an official form must be signed by the landlord and the property owner or his representative. A copy of the lease or property title must also be provided.
9- For European residents, they must also include a valid National Identity Card, where available.
At the interview the applicant will be asked questions about their education, qualifications, work experience, details of their children, their ages and schooling, their parents, and other family members.
Renewal of the Carte de Séjour
There are 4 types of cards :
1)Temporary residence card valid for 1 year for a duration of stay in Monaco of three months minimum. This must be renewed annually for the first 3 years of residency.
2)Ordinarily residence card valid for 3 years for a duration of stay in Monaco of three months minimum. This card can be applied for in the 4th year of residency.
3)Privileged residence card valid for 10 years for a duration of stay in Monaco of six months plus 1 day minimum.This card can be applied for in the 10th year of residency.
4)Joint residence card can be applied for where the spouse is not Monegasque,but is married to a Monegasque citizen.
For the renewal of a residence card, the following documents are required :
-A completed form (available from the Directorate of Public Security,Residents Section)
-A copy of the lease or property deed,
-A copy of the last two electricity bills (or the last four electricity bills if it is the renewal of 10 year card)
-A letter from the bank showing sufficient income.
-A certificate of employment(if employed) or an extract from the Register of Commerce RCI (if the owner of a company).
EBC Corporation assists in all matters for clients and their families wishing to re-locate to Monaco, especially with advice for residency applications. We can assist you with accommodation, school placement and other administrative and living concerns such as insurance and driver’s licences.
