Apply for a residence card (carte de séjour) in Monaco
Obtain the right to live in Monaco. You must secure accommodation in the Principality, prove sufficient financial means, and provide a clean criminal record. Non-EU nationals must first obtain a long-stay visa through France before applying locally.
- Timeline
- Around 2-3 months once accommodation and the bank attestation are in place
- Cost
- Administrative fees; the main cost is securing accommodation and the required bank balance
- Steps
- 6 stages
Deadline — read this first
Non-EU nationals must obtain the French long-stay visa before applying in Monaco; the residence card is then renewed periodically.
Who can file
Adults intending to reside in Monaco; the route differs for EU and non-EU nationals.
Step by step
- 1
Secure accommodation in Monaco
Rent or buy suitable accommodation in the Principality; a tenancy or property deed is a core requirement of the application.
- 2
Open a Monaco bank account and obtain an attestation
Open an account with a Monaco bank and obtain an attestation of sufficient funds; the bank sets the amount it considers adequate.
- 3
Obtain a French long-stay visa if non-EU
Non-EU nationals apply through the French consulate for a long-stay visa (type D) marked for Monaco before applying locally.
- 4
Assemble supporting documents
Gather a valid passport, proof of accommodation, the bank attestation, a clean criminal-record certificate and health cover.
- 5
Submit the application to the Residents' Section
File the residence-card application with the Residents' Section of the Public Security Department and attend any interview.
- 6
Receive and later renew the card
Collect the first residence card (temporaire), and apply for the ordinaire and privilège cards as you accumulate years of residence.
Documents you must produce
- Valid passport (and French long-stay visa for non-EU nationals)
- Proof of accommodation in Monaco (lease or property deed)
- Bank attestation of sufficient means
- Clean criminal-record certificate
- Proof of health insurance
Common mistakes that sink cases
- Non-EU applicants skipping the mandatory French long-stay visa step.
- Underestimating the bank balance the chosen bank will require for its attestation.
- Failing to secure genuine accommodation, the practical bottleneck in an expensive market.
- Assuming residence removes French tax exposure; French nationals remain taxable in France.
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