Purchase costs in Monaco: what you need to know to buy with peace of mind
Buying a property in Monaco is much more than just an investment: it is an opportunity to enter one of the most prestigious and stable markets in the world. But behind the beauty of the Principality's residences are specific acquisition rules, very different from those in force in other countries.
Indeed, Monaco has its own legal, tax and notarial system, which involves acquisition costs that are clearly regulated, but sometimes complex to anticipate. Registration fees, notary fees, agency fees, etc. These costs vary according to your buyer profile (resident, local civil company or foreign company) and the type of property (old, new or off-plan).
At Petrini Exclusive Real Estate, we have been supporting a demanding international clientele for more than 40 years in the success of their real estate projects in the Principality. Our role does not stop at the transaction: we are present at every stage – from the selection of the property to the signing at the notary, but also afterwards, thanks to our tailor-made rental and asset management service . We are your constant presence in Monaco, your link with the Principality.
This is why we wanted to offer you a precise and up-to-date insight into the costs of real estate acquisition in Monaco. A guide designed to help you budget for your purchase with peace of mind, and make your decisions with confidence.
Acquisition by a Monegasque natural person or civil company
This first part concerns the most frequent case in Monaco: the purchase of a so-called "resale" property — in other words, the acquisition of an existing property, already built and previously owned by an owner. This type of operation constitutes the majority of transactions in the Principality.
The acquisition costs in this context — whether you are a natural person or a civil company registered in Monaco — amount to 6.25% of the price of the property, broken down as follows:
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Registration fees: 4.75%
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Notary fees: 1.5%
These fees are collected by the notary on behalf of the Monegasque administration when the authentic deed is signed. They apply only to resales; acquisitions of new property or property in a future state of completion (VEFA) benefit from a specific tax regime that we will discuss later in this article.
The reservation deposit: a contractual commitment
When an agreement is reached between the parties, the buyer pays a deposit corresponding to 10% of the sale price, deposited in the notary's escrow account. It is important to note that this deposit is not an additional charge. This is a partial payment of the purchase price, which will be deducted from the final amount to be paid at the time of signing the deed.
This commitment allows the property to be officially reserved during the period before the final sale, while offering legal guarantees to both parties.
Agency fees: to be included in the overall budget
In addition to the acquisition costs collected by the State, the buyer must take into account the agency fees. Supervised by the Monegasque Real Estate Chamber, they are established at:
Indicative fee simulation
For example, for a property sold for €2,000,000:
| Expense Item |
Estimated Amount |
| Registration fees (4.75%) |
95 000 € |
| Notary fees (1.5%) |
€30,000 |
| Agency fees (3% + VAT) |
€72,000 |
| Total acquisition costs |
197 000 € |
In this simulation, the client will have already paid a reservation deposit of €200,000, deposited in the notary's account at the time of the sales agreement. This deposit will of course be deducted from the total price to be paid when the final deed is signed, and does not constitute an additional fee in any way.
Acquisition of a new property in Monaco
While the purchase of a resale property remains the most common form of acquisition in Monaco, many new developments are emerging and attracting a clientele wishing to benefit from the latest standards of comfort, energy performance and contemporary architecture. These acquisitions also benefit from a significantly reduced tax rate.
Reduced taxation for new properties
In the case of a purchase of a new property that has never been inhabited, the acquisition costs are significantly lower than those applied to resale properties. They represent only 2.5% of the price of the property, broken down as follows:
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Registration fees: 1%
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Notary fees: 1.5%
This advantageous tax regime aims to encourage investment in new projects, while offering legal certainty equivalent to that of a traditional acquisition.
Real estate agency fees
As with any transaction in Monaco, the buyer will also have to pay the agency fees, set by the Monegasque Real Estate Chamber:
These costs are due to the signing of the authentic deed and must be integrated into the overall acquisition budget.
Example of simulation for a new property
Let's take the example of a new apartment acquired at the price of €2,000,000. Here is an estimate of the costs to expect for the buyer:
| Expense Item |
Estimated Amount |
| Registration fees (1%) |
20 000 € |
| Notary fees (1.5%) |
€30,000 |
| Agency fees (3% + VAT) |
€72,000 |
| Total acquisition costs |
122 000 € |
As with resales, the buyer pays a reservation deposit equivalent to 10% of the sale price, i.e. €200,000 in this example, when signing the reservation contract at the notary's office. This deposit is deducted from the final amount to be paid at the time of the authentic deed, and does not constitute an additional fee in any way.
Acquisition by an offshore or foreign company
The acquisition of a property in Monaco through an offshore or foreign company is subject to a specific tax rate, higher than for acquisitions in your own name or via a Monegasque civil company.
Increased acquisition costs to increase transparency
In this type of arrangement, the acquisition costs reach 11.5% of the price of the property, broken down as follows:
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Registration fees: 10%
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Notary fees: 1.5%
This dissuasive tax system is part of a clear desire by the Monegasque authorities to limit opaque legal structures and to promote the traceability of the beneficial owners.
A strong commitment to transparency
Contrary to popular belief, Monaco cannot be equated with a tax haven. On the contrary, the Principality has been making significant efforts for several years in the areas of tax compliance, the fight against money laundering and international cooperation.
The objective of this increase is to discourage offshore arrangements that do not always make it possible to clearly identify the beneficial owners. The real estate sector, in particular, is subject to a strict framework:
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Approved real estate agencies, such as Petrini Exclusive Real Estate Monaco,
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Notaries,
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Partner banks,
are all bound by obligations of enhanced vigilance, reporting and control.
As responsible and committed professionals, we welcome these measures, which strengthen the security of transactions and the international reputation of the Monegasque financial centre.
Real estate agency fees
As with any purchase in Monaco, the buyer must also provide for agency fees, set at:
Fee simulation for a foreign company
For example, for a property worth €2,000,000, the costs to be expected are as follows:
| Expense Item |
Estimated Amount |
| Registration fees (10%) |
200 000 € |
| Notary fees (1.5%) |
€30,000 |
| Agency fees (3% + VAT) |
€72,000 |
| Total acquisition costs |
€302,000 |
As with other cases of acquisition, a deposit of 10% (i.e. €200,000 here) is paid to the notary when the preliminary agreement is signed, and deducted from the final purchase price.
What to remember about acquisition costs in Monaco
The acquisition of a property in Monaco is part of a rigorous tax and legal framework, designed to offer investors security and clarity. Acquisition costs vary according to the type of property and the profile of the buyer, but are systematically based on two main components: registration fees and notary fees.
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For the purchase of a property for resale by a Monegasque natural person or civil company, registration fees amount to 4.75% of the sale price.
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For a new property or property acquired under VEFA (Sale in the Future State of Completion), they are reduced to 1%.
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In the event of an acquisition by a foreign or offshore company, these fees are increased to 10%, in order to deter opaque structures and increase the transparency of transactions.
In addition to these fees, there are fixed notary fees of 1.5%, regardless of the type of transaction or the profile of the buyer. In Monaco, only three notarial offices are authorised to instrument deeds of sale, thus guaranteeing a high level of reliability and control.
It is also customary for the buyer to pay a reservation deposit equivalent to 10% of the price of the property when signing the sales agreement. This deposit, kept in the notary's escrow account, is not an additional cost, but an advance on the final price, deducted at the signing of the authentic deed.
In the event of withdrawal by the buyer without a reason provided for in a suspensive clause, the deposit is kept by the seller as contractual compensation. Conversely, if the seller withdraws, he will have to pay the same amount in compensation to the buyer.
Real estate agency fees in Monaco
In addition to the acquisition costs collected by the State and notary fees, the buyer must also provide for agency fees, which are a budget item in their own right in a real estate transaction in the Principality.
Agency fees are regulated by the Monegasque Real Estate Chamber, in order to ensure homogeneity of practices between approved professionals and to establish a climate of trust between sellers, buyers and intermediaries.
For the buyer, these fees amount to:
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3% of the sales price excluding tax,
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+ VAT in force at 20%, i.e. a total of 3.6% including VAT of the sale price.
In principle, they are the responsibility of the buyer, unless otherwise specified in the sales mandate or negotiated between the parties.
These fees cover much more than just putting people in touch. At Petrini Exclusive Real Estate, they include:
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Rigorous identification of the property according to your criteria,
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Preparatory administrative procedures,
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Negotiating the price and contractual conditions,
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Coordination with notarial offices,
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Support until the signing of the authentic deed,
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And, beyond that, the management of your property if you wish to delegate the rental or patrimonial dimension.
Buying a property in Monaco is a strategic approach, both patrimonial and personal. But behind the attractiveness of the Monegasque market lies a demanding regulatory structure, designed to guarantee transparency, legal certainty and the sustainability of investments.
Understanding the various costs associated with the acquisition – registration fees, notary fees, contractual deposits or agency fees – is essential to establish an accurate budget and avoid any unpleasant surprises.
At Petrini Exclusive Real Estate, our mission is to support you at every stage of your project, providing you not only with a rigorous selection of exceptional properties, but also with a perfect mastery of the Monegasque legal and tax framework.
With more than 40 years of experience in the region, we are your local relay, your real estate advisor, and the guarantor of a controlled investment. Whether you want to buy a primary or secondary residence or make a rental investment in Monaco, our team is at your disposal to build a tailor-made project with you, with complete peace of mind.
