Applying for a residence permit in Monaco: a complete guide
At Petrini Exclusive Real Estate Monaco, we are committed to providing our clients with a unique and personalized experience. Our website is designed to be a reference platform for all your real estate procedures in the Principality. Here you will find a wide range of properties available for sale, purchase and rent, as well as a collection of practical and informative guides to support you at every stage of your project in Monaco.
Our goal is to provide you not only with real estate solutions adapted to your needs, but also to offer you complete support in all your administrative procedures, especially with regard to the application for a residence permit. We know that this question, just like how to become a resident in Monaco, is frequently asked by our clients. That's why we've put together this handy guide.
In addition to our real estate services, we provide detailed information on administrative procedures, local activities, and the facilities of life in the Principality. Thanks to our expertise and our local network, we assist our clients in their efforts to obtain a residence permit and to settle in Monaco.
This article answers one of the most frequent questions we receive from our customers: how to get a residence permit in Monaco ? We'll walk you through the essential steps, the different types of cards available, and how to renew or change them, to make your administrative journey as simple as possible.
Obtaining a residence permit in Monaco
To obtain a residence permit in Monaco, several conditions must be met. Whether you are a citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA) or a third-country national, you will need to provide proof of identity, housing and sufficient financial resources to live in the Principality.
-
European nationals : They benefit from a simplified procedure without the need for a visa, but must prove their ability to live financially in the Principality and provide proof of accommodation (lease contract, property deed).
-
Non-EU nationals : They must obtain a settlement visa before submitting their application for a residence permit in Monaco. The documents to be provided are similar to those of European nationals, but the procedure includes this additional step.
-
The necessary documents : Regardless of your nationality, you will need to provide an identity document, proof of housing, proof of financial resources and an extract from the criminal record less than three months old.
Once these documents have been gathered, the file is submitted to the Public Security Residents' Section for an in-depth analysis, followed by a mandatory interview. To learn more about the details of this procedure, you can read our full article on How to become a Monegasque resident, which explores all the steps in detail.
The different types of resident cards in Monaco
Monaco offers several types of residence cards, depending on the desired length of residence, the family situation, and the status of the applicant. Each type of card has specific characteristics in terms of validity period and renewal. Here is an overview of the different types of residence permits available to residents in the Principality of Monaco.
1. Temporary Resident Card
The temporary resident card is often the first card issued to new residents. It is intended for people who are moving to Monaco for the first time and serves as a temporary status before being able to obtain a longer-term residence permit.
- Validity period : 1 year.
- Renewal : The temporary resident card is renewable each year, for a maximum of 3 years.
- Conditions for renewal : Renewal is subject to verification that the resident continues to meet the requirements of housing, financial resources and good character. It is important to keep proof of accommodation and income up to date with each renewal request.
After three consecutive years of residence with the temporary card, the resident can apply for the ordinary resident card.
2. Ordinary resident card
The ordinary resident card is generally issued to people who have already resided in the Principality for at least three years with a temporary card. It offers a more stable residency status, with a longer validity period than the temporary card.
- Period of validity : 3 years.
- Renewal : The ordinary resident card is renewable once, for a further 3 years. After six years of continuous residence (three years with the first card and three additional years with the renewed card), the resident can apply for the privileged resident card.
The same conditions as those of the temporary card apply for renewal, including the provision of proof of accommodation and financial resources.
3. Privileged resident card
The privileged resident card is the most stable resident status in Monaco, often considered a long-term status. It is granted to people who have resided in the Principality for at least ten years, or in certain specific cases, earlier, subject to the approval of the authorities.
- Period of validity : 10 years.
- Renewal : The privileged resident card is renewable indefinitely every ten years. This card allows you to benefit from a long-term resident status, without the need to renew the card frequently as with temporary or ordinary statuses.
- Advantages : In addition to the long period of validity, this card offers a high degree of residency stability and is often combined with additional tax and administrative benefits.
The eligibility criteria are stricter, and it is essential to have an effective presence in Monaco for at least 6 months and 1 day per year to maintain this status.
4. Monegasque spouse card
The Monegasque spouse card is issued to foreigners married to a Monegasque citizen. This type of card allows the spouse to live in the Principality and to benefit from a special resident status.
- Period of validity : 5 years.
- Specific conditions : The applicant must prove that they are married to a Monegasque citizen and that the couple has been living together in the Principality for at least one year.
This card is renewable provided that the marriage remains valid and that the resident continues to meet the requirements of good character and housing.
5. Special Resident Card
In certain specific cases, other residence permits may be issued according to specific criteria, such as cards for cross-border workers or specific statuses for people in positions of responsibility or in international institutions based in Monaco. These cards are assigned on a case-by-case basis.
Summary key points for the different types of resident cards:
- Temporary card : Valid for 1 year, renewable 3 times maximum.
- Ordinary card : Valid for 3 years, renewable once.
- Preferred Card : Valid for 10 years, renewable indefinitely.
- Monegasque spouse card : Valid for 5 years, for spouses of Monegasque citizens.
- Special cards : For certain specific professions or statuses, issued on a case-by-case basis.
Renew or modify the residence permit
Once you have obtained your Monaco residence card, it is important to keep it up to date, especially if it is about to expire, if it is lost, stolen or damaged, or if your personal circumstances change. Here are the steps to follow for renewing or modifying your Monegasque resident card.
1. Renewal of the residence permit
When your residence permit expires (whether it is a temporary, ordinary or privileged card), you must apply for renewal before the deadline. The procedures are similar to those carried out for the first application, but with some simplifications.
Steps for renewal:
- Check the expiry date : The residence card must be renewed before it expires. The authorities recommend submitting the renewal application at least one month before the due date.
- Required documents :
- A copy of the expiring residence permit,
- An up-to-date proof of accommodation (lease, deed of ownership, certificate of accommodation),
- Proof of up-to-date financial resources (employment contract, bank certificate, etc.),
- An extract from the criminal record of less than three months, if requested by the authorities.
The renewal procedure is relatively straightforward if your situation has not changed since the initial issuance of the residence permit.
2. Replacement of lost, stolen or damaged residence permit
If your residence permit has been lost, stolen or damaged, you will need to request a duplicate from the Residents' Section. The steps are as follows:
- Declaration of loss or theft : You must first report the loss or theft of your residence permit to the Monegasque authorities, by filling out an official declaration.
- Documents required for the duplicate :
- A copy of the report of loss or theft (obtained after reporting the incident),
- A new passport photo,
- Payment of the administrative fee for the issuance of the duplicate.
The duplicate is usually issued quickly once the application has been submitted.
3. Change your residence permit in the event of a change of marital status, address or nationality
It is imperative to update your residence permit if your personal situation changes. Whether it is a change of civil status (marriage, divorce), nationality or address, this information must be updated with the Monegasque authorities.
Steps for changing the residence permit:
- Required documents : You will need to provide supporting documents relating to your new situation, such as:
- A marriage certificate or a divorce certificate for changes in civil status,
- Proof of your new address if you have moved (lease contract, property deed),
- An official document regarding your change of nationality, if applicable.
The Residents' Section will update your residence permit based on the information provided.
4. Get a Certificate of Residence
In some situations, you will need to provide a certificate of residence for administrative procedures, such as proving your presence in the Principality in the eyes of the foreign tax authorities or for local formalities.
Different types of certificates of residence:
- Certificate of residence for administrative purposes : This certificate is often requested to complete certain local formalities and prove that you reside in Monaco.
- Certificate of residence for tax purposes : This document proves that you reside in Monaco for more than six months per year and that you are therefore a tax resident in the Principality.
These certificates are issued by the Public Security and require a specific application, accompanied by documents proving your actual residence in Monaco (proof of accommodation, proof of expenses, etc.).
Summary key points for renewal and amendments:
- Renewal : To be done before expiration, with updated receipts.
- Duplicate : In the event of loss, theft or damage, a declaration must be made and a duplicate requested.
- Modification : For any change of marital status, address or nationality, the card must be updated.
- Certificate of residence : To be requested for certain administrative or tax formalities
Personalised support to obtain your residence permit in Monaco
Applying for a residence permit in Monaco can seem like a complex process, but with the right information and support, it is quite possible to navigate easily through the various administrative steps. Whether you are a European national or not, the procedures require rigorous preparation with precise proof concerning your identity, your accommodation, your financial resources and your morality.
At Petrini Exclusive Real Estate Monaco, we are committed to making this process easier for our clients by offering a personalized service, not only for the acquisition or rental of a property, but also to guide you through all your administrative procedures, including the application for a residence permit. Thanks to our expertise, our local network and our online resources, we support you throughout the process to ensure that you settle in the Principality with peace of mind.
Whether you need to renew your residence permit, make changes, or are planning to become a long-term resident in Monaco, our team is here to advise you and provide you with the right solutions for your needs.
Feel free to contact us for any assistance or to view our comprehensive guides that will help you better understand life in Monaco and the opportunities it offers.
