Moving to Monaco
5 ways to move to Monaco in our guide: 1 pay-to-stay route, 1 business / startup route, 1 work visa, 1 student visa, 1 spouse visa.
No digital nomad visa. Checked against official sources on .
Monaco is a small, dense place where settling in usually means showing you can live there without taking a local job, or that you have a business or employer already lined up. The residence routes here are mostly about proving a suitable home in Monaco and enough resources, and the paperwork runs through the Monegasque authorities rather than a single visa office.
Retire or live on savings · 1
Independent means card
First stay: 1 yr
Business / Startup · 1
Business owner card
First stay: 1 yr
Work · 1
Employee card
First stay: 1 yr
Student · 1
Student card
First stay: 1 yr
Spouse visas · 1
For people married to, or in a partnership with, a citizen or permanent resident.
Spouse of a resident
First stay: 1 yr
Tax
Monegasque nationals and residents, other than French nationals, pay no income tax in Monaco; the only direct tax is on the profits of industrial and commercial activities. The exemption turns on genuine establishment in Monaco rather than a day count. For businesses, corporate income tax applies where turnover is earned mostly outside Monaco, and a start-up scheme gives new firms a period without corporate income tax followed by a reduced profit base. Tax and residence are separate questions, so take advice on your own situation.
Standard rules
Personal tax: no income tax for residents other than French nationals
0% tax
Details
- On: No personal income tax
- Who: The exemption covers activities carried out in
Monegasque nationals and residents, except French nationals, pay no income tax in Monaco.
Taxed on
No personal income tax; the only direct tax is the tax on profits of industrial and commercial activities.
Who it applies to
- The exemption covers activities carried out in, and persons genuinely established in, the Principality.
- Monaco levies no wealth tax, annual property tax or council tax.
Exclusions
- French nationals are governed by the 1963 France-Monaco tax convention.
- The exemption does not affect the rules applied by other States.
Tax residence
The exemption is defined by genuine establishment in Monaco.
Visas
A residence card is the basis of establishment in Monaco; the card itself does not grant the tax position.
Other taxes
VAT is levied on the same basis and at the same rates as in France; registration duty is 0.5% to 7.5% or a fixed EUR 10 (≈ $11); inheritance and gift tax applies only to assets in Monaco.
Checked against official sources on Change log
Standard rules
Corporate income tax: 25% for companies earning over 25% of turnover outside Monaco
25% tax
Details
- On: Taxable profit after deducting expenses
Commercial and industrial businesses earning more than 25% of turnover outside Monaco pay corporate income tax at 25% for financial years starting on or after 1 January 2022.
Taxed on
Taxable profit after deducting expenses, including the pay of the entrepreneur and directors who work in the firm.
Who it applies to
- Firms carrying out industrial or commercial activity with more than 25% of turnover generated outside Monaco.
Exclusions
- Income from patents and copyright is outside the tax if received by natural persons, but taxable when received by companies.
- Capital gains on asset sales may be exempt if reinvested in the firm under conditions.
Tax residence
The nature of the activity and the location of transactions decide liability, not the legal form.
Visas
Independent of the residence card.
Other taxes
VAT follows French rules and rates.
Checked against official sources on Change log
Special regime
Business start-up scheme: two years without corporate income tax, then reduced profit base
Tax relief
Details
New businesses are exempt from corporate income tax for two years, then taxed on 25%, 50% and 75% of profit in years 3 to 5.
Taxed on
Profit of the new business: 0% in years 1 and 2, then 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of profit in years 3 to 6.
Who it applies to
- Firms created in Monaco that are within the scope of corporate income tax and carry on a genuinely new business.
Tax residence
Applies to firms created in Monaco.
Visas
Relevant to business owners holding a business permit and residence card.
Other taxes
The standard corporate rate after relief is 25%.
Checked against official sources on Change log
Checked against official sources on Change log
Monaco in pictures
Switch to later · 1
Spouse visas
Spouse of a citizen
First stay: 5 yrs
Path to permanent residence · 1
- PR after 10 years · Privileged residence card (carte de séjour privilégié)
Arriving in Monaco: first steps
- Sort out your entry conditions first, since these differ by nationality and EEA nationals need no visa.
- Secure a home in Monaco suited to your household, whether as owner, shareholder of the owning company, tenant or guest of a close relative or partner.
- Gather your resource evidence: a recent Monaco bank attestation for savings, an Employment Service attestation for a job, or a trade register extract for a business.
- Prepare your identity and status documents, such as a passport with the establishment visa, a recent birth certificate and a sworn statement for first-time applicants.
- Apply for the temporary residence card that matches your situation and pay the issue fee for a first card.
- If you have a spouse, partner or children, plan their own card applications, remembering that children under sixteen receive a travel document instead.
Questions people ask
Can I retire or live in Monaco on my savings or pension?
Monaco has 1 retirement or pay-to-stay route. Independent means card gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed.
Can I move to Monaco by starting a business?
Monaco has 1 business or startup route. Business owner card gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed.
What work visas does Monaco offer foreigners?
Monaco has 1 work visa. Employee card gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed.
How do I get a student visa for Monaco?
Monaco has 1 student visa. Student card gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed.
Can I join my spouse or partner in Monaco?
Yes. Monaco has 1 spouse visa. Spouse of a resident gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed.
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