---
title: "Monaco Business owner card requirements 2026: 1-year stay"
url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/monaco/residence-business-owner/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-12
---

Monaco · Business / Startup

# Monaco Business owner card

**First stay:** 1 yr

Temporary residence card for business owners and company managers

Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

- **First stay:** 1 yr (Temporary card valid one year; an ordinary card valid 3 years (first card EUR 100 (≈ $110)) is available after 3 years of residence, and a privileged card valid 10 years (first card EUR 160 (≈ $180)) after 10 years of effective residence (the 10 years can be reduced to 1 year in particular cases).)
- **Who can apply:** Any passport (EEA and third-country nationals listed by Monaco (including Andorra, Switzerland and San Marino) need no visa; other nationals need a long-stay establishment visa (type D) from the French consulate nearest their last home, or a transfer of residence from the French embassy in Monaco if settled in France for over a year.)
- **Family:** Family can join (Spouse or partner and children can be supported by the resident and apply with their own cards; children under 16 get a travel document instead.)
- **Tax angle:** Tax relief (Business start-up scheme: two years without corporate income tax, then reduced profit base: 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.)

## Key facts

Business owner card is a business / startup route for Monaco. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source.

- **Government fees:** €80 ≈ $89
- **First stay:** 1 yr

## Cost, time and long term

**Government fees: €80 ≈ $89**

- EUR 80 (≈ $89) Issue fee for a first temporary residence card (renewal EUR 40 (≈ $45)).

**Renewal: Renewable**

The temporary card is valid one year and renewable; an ordinary 3-year card is available after 3 years of residence.

[Government of Monaco](https://monservicepublic.gouv.mc/thematiques/nationalite-et-residence/residence/residents/la-carte-de-sejour)

**Permanent residence: After 10 years of residence**

A 10-year privileged card is available after 10 years of residence with effective presence in Monaco (the 10 years can be reduced to 1 year in particular cases); an ordinary 3-year card comes after 3 years.

[Government of Monaco](https://monservicepublic.gouv.mc/thematiques/nationalite-et-residence/residence/residents/la-carte-de-sejour)

**Citizenship: After 10 years of residence**

Naturalisation can be requested after 10 years of habitual residence in Monaco after age 18, and is granted at the Sovereign Prince's discretion.

[Legimonaco](https://legimonaco.mc/tnc/loi/1992/12-18-1.155/)

### What you'll need

#### Who can apply

- The applicant is 16 or older and runs or plans to start a business in Monaco as sole trader, manager or company administrator.
- Foreign nationals need a business permit from the Business Development Agency before operating a sole trade.
- Future company founders first obtain a receipt from the Department of Economic Expansion confirming the company application is admissible.
- The applicant has a home in Monaco suited to the household, as owner, shareholder of the owning company, tenant or guest of a close relative or partner.

#### What you must show

- Resources shown by a trade register extract under three months old, or a Kbis extract for French activity.
- Issue fee EUR 80 (≈ $89) for a first temporary card.

#### Documents

- The business permit application form, a personal information form, ID and a criminal record under three months old.
- For a new business, a tenancy agreement, title deed or occupancy agreement for the premises.
- A passport with the establishment visa, a birth certificate under three months old and a sworn statement for first-time applicants.
- Proof of housing: electricity contract or last bill plus a deed of ownership, a registered lease or a free-hosting certificate.
- A criminal record extract under three months old from each country of residence in the last five years.
- Documents in languages other than French, English or Italian need a sworn translation.

#### Steps

1. The business permit application goes to the Business Development Agency, which has forty-five days to decide once it is eligible.
2. Apply online through the dedicated service or on paper at the Residents Section, 9 rue Suffren-Reymond.
3. A complete file is followed by an individual interview with original documents.

#### After you arrive

- After the permit, register the business, get a statistical number and declare the company to the tax services.

## When you become tax resident

How Monaco decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.

- **Stay on this route:** **1 year at first, renewable**
- **Tax residence:** The exemption is defined by genuine establishment in Monaco.
- **Income tax:** Monegasque nationals and residents, except French nationals, pay no income tax in Monaco.
- **Regime tied to this route:** **Two years without corporate income tax, then reduced profit base** · Tax relief 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.

[All tax rules for Monaco](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/monaco/tax/) Tax records checked 10 Oct 2026

## What you need to arrange

- **Accommodation** For a new business, a tenancy agreement, title deed or occupancy agreement for the premises
- **Certified translation** Documents in languages other than French, English or Italian need a sworn translation
- **Police certificate and civil documents** The business permit application form, a personal information form, ID and a criminal record under three months old

Taken from this route's requirements above. The authority's own list is the one that counts.

**Full official text**

Residence card for foreign nationals who set up or run a business in Monaco under a business permit from the Minister of State. (sources 1, 2, 3)

#### What you must show and pay

- A fee of EUR 80 (≈ $89) · Issue fee for a first temporary residence card (renewal EUR 40 (≈ $45)). (source 2)

#### Requirements

- The applicant is 16 or older and runs or plans to start a business in Monaco as sole trader, manager or company administrator. (sources 1, 3)
- Foreign nationals need a business permit from the Business Development Agency before operating a sole trade. (source 3)
- Future company founders first obtain a receipt from the Department of Economic Expansion confirming the company application is admissible. (source 1)
- The applicant has a home in Monaco suited to the household, as owner, shareholder of the owning company, tenant or guest of a close relative or partner. (source 1)
- Resources shown by a trade register extract under three months old, or a Kbis extract for French activity. (source 1)
- Issue fee EUR 80 (≈ $89) for a first temporary card. (source 2)
- The business permit application form, a personal information form, ID and a criminal record under three months old. (source 3)
- For a new business, a tenancy agreement, title deed or occupancy agreement for the premises. (source 3)
- A passport with the establishment visa, a birth certificate under three months old and a sworn statement for first-time applicants. (source 1)
- Proof of housing: electricity contract or last bill plus a deed of ownership, a registered lease or a free-hosting certificate. (source 1)
- A criminal record extract under three months old from each country of residence in the last five years. (source 1)
- Documents in languages other than French, English or Italian need a sworn translation. (source 1)
- The business permit application goes to the Business Development Agency, which has forty-five days to decide once it is eligible. (source 3)
- Apply online through the dedicated service or on paper at the Residents Section, 9 rue Suffren-Reymond. (source 1)
- A complete file is followed by an individual interview with original documents. (source 1)
- After the permit, register the business, get a statistical number and declare the company to the tax services. (source 3)

#### Stay

- Temporary card valid one year; an ordinary card valid 3 years (first card EUR 100 (≈ $110)) is available after 3 years of residence, and a privileged card valid 10 years (first card EUR 160 (≈ $180)) after 10 years of effective residence (the 10 years can be reduced to 1 year in particular cases).
- Initial permitted stay: 12 months.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

#### Nationality

EEA and third-country nationals listed by Monaco (including Andorra, Switzerland and San Marino) need no visa; other nationals need a long-stay establishment visa (type D) from the French consulate nearest their last home, or a transfer of residence from the French embassy in Monaco if settled in France for over a year.

#### Work

Operate the business covered by the business permit.

#### Family

Spouse or partner and children can be supported by the resident and apply with their own cards; children under 16 get a travel document instead.

Checked 2026-10-12

## Official sources

1. [Demander une carte de séjour](https://monservicepublic.gouv.mc/thematiques/nationalite-et-residence/residence/nouveaux-arrivants/demander-une-carte-de-sejour) · Government of Monaco (MonServicePublic) · checked 2026-10-11
2. [La carte de séjour](https://monservicepublic.gouv.mc/thematiques/nationalite-et-residence/residence/residents/la-carte-de-sejour) · Government of Monaco (MonServicePublic) · checked 2026-10-11
3. [How to set up a business as a sole trader](https://monentreprise.gouv.mc/en/themes/starting-and-managing-a-business/starting-a-business/obtaining-authorisation-declaring-a-business/how-to-set-up-a-business-as-a-sole-trader) · Government of Monaco (MonEntreprise) · checked 2026-10-11
4. [Loi n. 1.155 du 18 decembre 1992 relative a la nationalite (Art. 3 and 5)](https://legimonaco.mc/tnc/loi/1992/12-18-1.155/) · Legimonaco (Government of the Principality of Monaco) · checked 2026-10-11

## Business owner card and its alternatives

| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business owner card | – | 1 yr, renewable | – |
| [Startup Visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/startup-visa-89-4/) Portugal | Needs savings of €6,446+ ≈ $7,200 | 2 yr, renewable | – |
| [Entrepreneur visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/entrepreneur-visa/) Spain | – | 3 yr, renewable | – |
| [Startup Visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/startup-visa/) Italy | Needs savings of €50k+ ≈ $56k | 1 yr, renewable | – |
| [Business investor permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/business-investment-b2/) Greece | Needs an investment of €500k+ ≈ $559k | 5 yr, renewable | – |

## Questions people ask

### How much money do I need for the Business owner card?

A fee of EUR 80 (≈ $89). Issue fee for a first temporary residence card (renewal EUR 40 (≈ $45)).

### How long can I stay on the Business owner card?

Temporary card valid one year; an ordinary card valid 3 years (first card EUR 100 (≈ $110)) is available after 3 years of residence, and a privileged card valid 10 years (first card EUR 160 (≈ $180)) after 10 years of effective residence (the 10 years can be reduced to 1 year in particular cases).

### Can I work on the Business owner card?

Operate the business covered by the business permit.

### Can I bring my family on the Business owner card?

Spouse or partner and children can be supported by the resident and apply with their own cards; children under 16 get a travel document instead.

### Does the Business owner card lead to permanent residence in Monaco?

Time on the Business owner card counts toward permanent residence in Monaco, which the rules allow after 10 years of residence. Time on the Business owner card counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 10 years of residence.

### Is there a tax break for Business owner card holders in Monaco?

Business start-up scheme: two years without corporate income tax, then reduced profit base: 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. It's separate from the visa and has its own conditions.

## Tax

Special regime

### [Business start-up scheme: two years without corporate income tax, then reduced profit base](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/monaco/tax/#tax-mc-start-up-profit-relief)

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 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

[Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/monaco/tax/)

## More in Monaco

[Independent means card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/monaco/residence-independent-means/) [Employee card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/monaco/residence-employee/) [Student card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/monaco/residence-student/)

## Business / startup visas elsewhere

[🇩🇪 Self-employed permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/self-employment-21/) [🇫🇷 Entrepreneur / freelancer](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/entrepreneur-liberal/) [🇬🇧 Innovator Founder](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/innovator-founder/) [🇳🇱 DAFT self-employed](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/daft-self-employed/) [🇨🇾 Startup visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/startup-visa/) [🇦🇱 Self-employed permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/albania/self-employed/)

≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.

## How this was checked

**Checked on 2026-10-12 against 4 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources.

Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.

1. [Demander une carte de séjour](https://monservicepublic.gouv.mc/thematiques/nationalite-et-residence/residence/nouveaux-arrivants/demander-une-carte-de-sejour) · Government of Monaco (MonServicePublic) · checked 2026-10-11
2. [La carte de séjour](https://monservicepublic.gouv.mc/thematiques/nationalite-et-residence/residence/residents/la-carte-de-sejour) · Government of Monaco (MonServicePublic) · checked 2026-10-11
3. [How to set up a business as a sole trader](https://monentreprise.gouv.mc/en/themes/starting-and-managing-a-business/starting-a-business/obtaining-authorisation-declaring-a-business/how-to-set-up-a-business-as-a-sole-trader) · Government of Monaco (MonEntreprise) · checked 2026-10-11
4. [Loi n. 1.155 du 18 decembre 1992 relative a la nationalite (Art. 3 and 5)](https://legimonaco.mc/tnc/loi/1992/12-18-1.155/) · Legimonaco (Government of the Principality of Monaco) · checked 2026-10-11

Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.