The following publication presents a comprehensive procedure for applying for a resident card in Monaco for the first time.
All persons aged 16 or over who wish to become permanent residents of Monaco or to spend more than three months in Monaco must apply to the Monaco authorities for a residence permit ('carte de séjour').
The procedure for applying for a residence permit differs depending on whether the applicant is a citizen of a European Economic Area (EEA) country:
Non-EEA applicants must apply for a long-stay D visa at the French embassy closest to their current place of residence before they can apply for a residence permit in Monaco.
A visa must generally be obtained prior to moving to Monaco, but in exceptional circumstances and under certain permits, an applicant may apply for a visa once in Monaco directly at the French Embassy in Monaco.
Applicants for EEA citizenship do not need a visa to enter Monaco, and an application for a residence permit can be made directly to the Monaco authorities.
1. Procedure for the first application for a residence permit
1.1. Application
Once all the necessary documents have been collected, an application must be submitted to the Housing Department of the "Sûreté Publique" (Monaco Police), which must include details of the applicant's personal, professional and financial circumstances and be supported by documents. Once your application has been submitted, the administration will review it prior to scheduling a time to discuss your case. The timeframe may vary depending on the complexity of the request and the workload of the authorities. During this time, the administration may require additional documents and information prior to granting an appointment, so it is important to stay up to date on the status of your application.
1.2. Meeting with the police
The applicant must attend the assigned appointment in person at the offices of the Monaco Police Residence Department. Depending on the language spoken by the applicant, it may be necessary to arrange for an interpreter to accompany the applicant.
It is also necessary to bring all original documents that have been uploaded online. Some documents may also require translation by a sworn translator. During the interview, the applicant will be asked to submit the original documents, confirm the information contained in the application and answer additional police questions (e.g. reason for going to Monaco, questions about personal, professional or financial situation). The duration of the meeting will depend on the applicant's situation and the number of applicants (single, couple or family). The duration of the interview will depend on the applicant's situation and the number of applicants in the family.
1.3. App overview
After this meeting, the applicant's file will be checked by the police, which may take several weeks. The exact timeframe may vary depending on the applicant's profile as well as the current police workload. During this time, you may need to provide the police with additional documents and/or information to process your application. The application for a first residence permit must be approved by both the Monaco police and the government.
1.4. Collecting a resident card
Once the application is approved, it will be necessary to organize a second meeting in order for the applicant to collect the residence permit in person. During this meeting, the applicant pays the required fee (EUR 80.00 for the first temporary residence permit), leaves fingerprints and takes a photo, and collects the document constituting the first residence permit.
1.5. Change of situation
After obtaining a residence permit, a resident of Monaco must inform the administration of any changes in the situation that may occur (change of address, new citizenship, children, marriage, divorce, etc.). Depending on the change in circumstances, you may need to submit a new application for an updated resident card.
2. Conditions for applying for a stay in Monaco
2.1. Accommodation
The applicant must have adequate accommodation in the Principality of Monaco. The size of the property will depend on the applicant's personal circumstances and the number of people living with the applicant. Property can be rented or purchased. It is also acceptable for the applicant to live with a spouse or close relative.
2.2. Financial resources
The applicant must provide proof of sufficient income and/or savings in Monaco. The funds should be considered sufficient to enable the applicant and his dependents, if any, to take up residence in Monaco.
Alternatively, the applicant may be financially supported by a parent, spouse or partner.
2.3. No convictions
All applicants must provide evidence of full criminal records from the last two countries where they lived in the last five years before moving to Monaco.
2.4. Identity card and birth certificate
A valid identity document and an original copy of the birth certificate must be provided: if the applicant has more than one nationality, he/she may choose which nationality he/she wishes to use for a residence permit.
2.5. Family situation
The applicant must provide evidence of his current family situation: marriage certificate, divorce, information about cohabitants, children, etc.
3. Requirement of effective time spent in Monaco
The requirements for effective time spent each year in Monaco are important for tax and administrative reasons.
Monaco residents may have to apply for various documents proving their real residence in Monaco as well as tax residence in the Principality. The basic documents in this regard include: certificate of residence, certificate of tax residence, usual place of residence in the Principality of Monaco.
The first residence permit, known as a "temporary residence permit", will be valid for one year and will have to be renewed in the month preceding its expiry within the next three years after settling in Monaco. An "ordinary permit" may then be issued to the person concerned every three years up to ten years of residence, with the applicant being granted a "privileged permit" after a decade.
According to the latest jurisprudence of the Supreme Court (July 12, 2022), the renewal of a residence permit is not subject to a minimum stay of three months in the Principality during the year preceding the renewal. However, the actual stay in Monaco can and should be a criterion taken into account by the administration when assessing the need to renew the residence permit.
