Monaco Public Security: New building at the service of security
The modernised command centre of the Monaco Public Security, equipped with video surveillance screens. The Sûreté Publique de Monaco is the Principality's national police directorate, responsible for maintaining order and security in Monaco. This is an essential step for anyone wishing to settle in Monaco, as it is with this institution that newcomers take the steps to obtain their residence permit (Monegasque resident permit). Its historic headquarters, located near Port Hercule, has just been given a makeover: after two years of work, the new Public Security building was inaugurated at the end of January 2024, completely renovated and expanded to better meet the current needs of Monegasques and residents Foreign.
In this context, understanding the conditions for living in Monaco is essential before starting your life project in the Principality. Many newcomers are wondering which neighborhoods to settle in and can check out our full list of Monaco neighborhoods to choose the environment that will suit them best. In addition, for those who are interested in professional opportunities, it is essential to know the steps to work in Monaco and thus ensure a successful installation.
The historic headquarters of the Sûreté Publique, located near Port Hercule, has just been given a makeover: after two years of intense work, the new building was inaugurated at the end of January 2024. It has been completely renovated and expanded to better meet the needs of Monegasques and the many foreign residents attracted by the exceptional setting and the advantages of practical life in Monaco, in particular the quality of services such as security, health or education.
A modernised and expanded building
The Public Security building, built in the 1960s, has undergone a spectacular transformation. Raised by four additional floors, it has seen its surface area increase from approximately 6,600 m² to 9,500 m², making it possible to accommodate more than 225 civil servants compared to 142 previously. On the outside, the façade has been repainted in the red and white colours of Monaco, and inside everything has been refurbished to offer more spacious, ergonomic and high-tech premises. The new headquarters includes an ultramodern Operational Command and Supervision Centre of approximately 200 m², equipped with a video wall for video surveillance of the entire territory. On the roof, a landing strip for drones has been built to allow the use of these devices in security operations. A brand new data centre, a state-of-the-art forensic laboratory and even a police museum complete the facilities, making this building a technological showcase for Monegasque security. Thanks to these improvements, Monegasque police officers can now work in optimal conditions, and all the services of the Security (administrative police, urban police, judicial police, police academy, etc.) are centralised on the rue Suffren-Reymond site.
A model of security for the Principality
The primary mission of the Public Security is to guarantee an exceptional level of security in the Principality. Monaco also has one of the lowest crime rates in the world: you can walk the streets at night and feel completely safe, a rarity in other cities. This tranquility is not the result of chance. The Principality benefits from a very advanced surveillance system (video protection cameras covering the entire territory 24 hours a day, neighbourhood police stations, etc.) as well as a reinforced police presence – Monaco has one of the highest ratios of police officers per capita in Europe. The optimal coordination between human resources and advanced technologies has an effective deterrent effect, which explains the low crime rate observed year after year. In 2023, for example, street crime fell by a further 17%, confirming Monaco's reputation as one of the safest places on earth. This exemplary level of security contributes greatly to Monaco's attractiveness to investors and families who choose to live there. (To find out more, see our article dedicated to security in Monaco.)
Residency procedures: the Public Security Residents' Section
In addition to maintaining order, the Public Security plays a crucial administrative role in welcoming new residents. Indeed, any foreigner over the age of 16 who wishes to live in Monaco for more than three months must apply for a residence permit with the Monegasque authorities. In concrete terms, this procedure is carried out at the Public Security Residents' Section (Administrative Police Division), located at 3 rue Louis-Notari in Monaco. It is in this dedicated service that you will submit your Monegasque residency application (official form, identity document, proof of housing in the Principality, proof of sufficient financial resources, extract from the criminal record, etc.). Recently, it has been possible to make an appointment online and even submit some of the documents via the government platform MonGuichet.mc, which simplifies the first steps. However, a physical presence is still required: once the file has been pre-registered, the Residents' Section will summon the applicant for a mandatory interview in the premises of the Public Security. During this interview, an officer will carefully check the authenticity and completeness of each document provided, and ask questions about the installation project (motivations, professional situation, family, etc.). This step allows the Public Security to carry out a thorough morality investigation guaranteeing the integrity of the future residents – any false declaration or falsified document would result in an immediate refusal.
If all the conditions are met, the residence permit is granted by the Minister of State, and the Monegasque resident card can then be issued. The first residence permit, known as a temporary one, is valid for one year. It must then be renewed : the resident will obtain a card valid for 3 years after several annual renewals, then a so-called "privileged" resident card valid for 10 years after 10 years of presence in the country. All these formalities for renewing a residence permit (as well as declarations of change of address or obtaining duplicates in the event of loss) are also carried out with the Residents' Section – Monaco has also digitised these procedures so that they can, in part, to be done online without any problems. On the day the card is handed over, the security officers enrol the holder biometrically (taking a photo in accordance with Monegasque standards, fingerprints, etc.), and the Principality now offers the possibility of activating a unique digital identifier on the card. This chip allows each resident to use their residence permit to authenticate themselves on the Monegasque administration's online services or even to digitally sign official documents – a further technological innovation that testifies to Monaco's modernity in terms of e-government.
Practical tips for new residents
Moving to Monaco may seem complex as the requirements are so high, but it is also the guarantee of a safe and exclusive living environment. Our Petrini Exclusive Real Estate Monaco agency is here to accompany you at every stage of your project, from the search for the ideal property to the actual obtaining of your resident card. We have experience in international cases and will be able to guide you through the administrative formalities as well as in the choice of the district or accommodation that best suits your needs. Once settled, you will be able to quickly integrate into local life – for example by joining the Club of Foreign Residents of Monaco (CREM), which organises meetings and events for the expatriate community. To conclude, here are some common questions that newcomers ask:
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Where should I apply for a residence permit in Monaco? – The initial application for Monegasque residency is made to the Residents' Section of the Public Security, located at the police headquarters (9 rue Suffren-Reymond / administrative entrance rue Louis-Notari). It is recommended to make an appointment in advance and to prepare a complete file before going there.
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What are the conditions for becoming a Monegasque resident? – You must be over 16 years old and be able to present several guarantees: accommodation in Monaco (rental of an apartment for at least one year, acquisition of a property, or accommodation with a relative with a certificate), sufficient financial resources to live in the Principality (income from an activity in Monaco, funds deposited in a Monegasque account, paid for by a guarantor, etc.), as well as a clean criminal record. These criteria are scrupulously examined by the Public Security during the study of the file. (See our guide on how to become a resident in Monaco for a detailed overview of the procedures and conditions.)
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Is Monaco really a safe country? "Absolutely ! Monaco is considered one of the safest places in the world, with crime close to zero. The low number of crimes can be explained by the deterrent police presence (more than 600 officers for about 40,000 inhabitants) and an omnipresent video surveillance network. For example, street crime has fallen from 59 incidents in 2022 to only 49 in 2023, i.e. less than one incident per week. Residents and visitors can therefore feel safe at all times, which greatly contributes to the quality of life in the Principality.
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How long does it take to obtain a resident card? – The entire process can take a few weeks to a few months. Once the application has been submitted and the interview has been completed, the Public Security Department conducts an in-depth investigation with the local and international authorities to check the candidate's background. If everything is in order, the residence permit is issued and you are summoned to collect your residence permit (generally allow 4 to 8 weeks from the beginning to the end of the procedure). Thereafter, the annual renewal of the temporary card is very fast (applications are now possible online), and after three years of legal residence, you will be able to obtain a card valid for 3 years, then 10 years after ten years of presence in the Principality.
In short, the Monaco Public Security embodies both the guarantee of the exceptional security enjoyed by the Principality and the obligatory point of passage for those who wish to become Monegasque residents. Thanks to its new, modern building and now optimised procedures, it offers an efficient welcome to new residents while ensuring the well-being of all residents. Do not hesitate to contact our experts for any real estate installation or investment project in Monaco : we will be delighted to put our expertise at your service to ensure that your arrival in the Principality takes place in the best conditions.
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