Every Monaco visa category and its key facts. Eligibility varies by type - open a card for the conditions and the official page.
Schengen Short-Stay Visa (Type C) - Tourist
Allows non-EEA, non-Schengen-exempt nationals to visit Monaco and the Schengen Area for tourism for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Monaco does not issue its own visas; this visa must be obtained from the embassy of the Schengen country serving as the primary European entry point.
Details tourist
Schengen Short-Stay Visa (Type C) - Tourist × Allows non-EEA, non-Schengen-exempt nationals to visit Monaco and the Schengen Area for tourism for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Monaco does not issue its own visas; this visa must be obtained from the embassy of the Schengen country serving as the primary European entry point.
Monaco has no independent visa issuance system. Non-EEA nationals who are not Schengen-visa-exempt must apply for a Schengen Type C short-stay visa at the embassy/consulate of the Schengen country that is their primary destination or first point of entry into Europe. Once a valid Schengen visa is held, entry to Monaco requires no additional formalities. EEA nationals and Monaco-designated 'associated states' (UK, Andorra, San Marino, Vatican City, Switzerland) are visa-free for stays up to 90 days. Apply here ↗ Visa-Free Entry (EEA and Associated States)
Nationals of EEA member states and countries Monaco treats equivalently (UK, Andorra, San Marino, Vatican City, Switzerland) may enter and stay for up to 90 days with only a valid passport or national identity card. No visa is required.
Details tourist
Visa-Free Entry (EEA and Associated States) × Nationals of EEA member states and countries Monaco treats equivalently (UK, Andorra, San Marino, Vatican City, Switzerland) may enter and stay for up to 90 days with only a valid passport or national identity card. No visa is required.
Confirmed visa-free countries include: Germany, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Vatican City, France, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Iceland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania, United Kingdom, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland. Passport or valid national identity card required. Confirmed across multiple Monaco official embassy pages in June 2026 (re-confirmed 2026-06-29). Apply here ↗ Visa-Free Entry (Schengen-exempt third-country nationals)
Nationals of non-EEA countries that are exempt from the Schengen short-stay visa requirement may enter Monaco without a separate visa for stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period, in accordance with the Schengen external border rules Monaco follows.
Details tourist
Visa-Free Entry (Schengen-exempt third-country nationals) × Nationals of non-EEA countries that are exempt from the Schengen short-stay visa requirement may enter Monaco without a separate visa for stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period, in accordance with the Schengen external border rules Monaco follows.
Monaco official pages direct visitors to France's Service-Public.fr for the authoritative list of Schengen-visa-exempt nationalities. ETIAS (expected Q4 2026, fee €20 for ages 18-70, 3-year validity) will add a pre-travel authorisation requirement for these nationals transiting Schengen territory to reach Monaco. EES became fully operational 10 April 2026. A transitional period of at least 6 months applies after ETIAS launch. Apply here ↗ Monaco Business Permit (Authorisation to Carry Out a Professional Activity)
Required for foreign nationals wishing to set up and run a business or carry out a self-employed / professional activity in Monaco (sole trader or company). Issued by the Minister of State.
multiple entry up to 45d processing online
Details business
Monaco Business Permit (Authorisation to Carry Out a Professional Activity) × Required for foreign nationals wishing to set up and run a business or carry out a self-employed / professional activity in Monaco (sole trader or company). Issued by the Minister of State.
multiple entry up to 45d processing online
Foreign nationals must obtain a business permit (autorisation d'exercice) from the Minister of State, examined by the Business Development Agency, before operating as a sole trader or setting up a company. The statutory review period is 45 days from notification that the application is admissible. Since September 2025 sole-trader applications can be filed fully online via MonGuichet.mc. Authorised operators must register with the self-employed social-security schemes CAMTI/CARTI. A business permit underpins the self-employed route to a Monaco residence permit. Apply here ↗ Monaco Residence Permit (Carte de Séjour) - Long Stay
Any person aged 16 or over wishing to stay in Monaco for more than 3 months must obtain a Monaco residence permit. Non-EEA nationals must first obtain a French long-stay Type D visa before applying. Covers all long-stay purposes including work, study, and family.
multiple entry ~$88 valid 365d
Details other
Monaco Residence Permit (Carte de Séjour) - Long Stay × Any person aged 16 or over wishing to stay in Monaco for more than 3 months must obtain a Monaco residence permit. Non-EEA nationals must first obtain a French long-stay Type D visa before applying. Covers all long-stay purposes including work, study, and family.
multiple entry ~$88 valid 365d
First residence permit fee is €80. Non-EEA nationals must first obtain a French long-stay (Type D) Schengen visa or transfer from French residency of over one year. The permit requires proof of sufficient funds (amount at discretion of Monaco bank providing reference), accommodation in Monaco, and police background check (criminal records extract less than 3 months old from last country of residence within the past 5 years). After 10 years of ordinary residence from age 18, holders may apply for Monegasque naturalisation. A valid Monaco residence permit allows non-Schengen nationals to travel within the Schengen Area without a short-stay visa. No fixed minimum deposit amount is stated on official pages - the widely cited €500,000 figure appears only in third-party sources. A personal interview is mandatory once the application file is complete. Apply here ↗ Monaco Work Authorisation (Work Permit)
Required for any foreign national taking up salaried employment in Monaco. The employer applies to the Monaco Employment Service (Direction du Travail) for authorisation to hire; the employee also needs a residence permit (and, if non-EEA, a French long-stay Type D visa first).
Details work
Monaco Work Authorisation (Work Permit) × Required for any foreign national taking up salaried employment in Monaco. The employer applies to the Monaco Employment Service (Direction du Travail) for authorisation to hire; the employee also needs a residence permit (and, if non-EEA, a French long-stay Type D visa first).
All employment in Monaco requires a work permit regardless of nationality. The employer submits the hiring/renewal authorisation application to the Employment Service (Service de l'Emploi / Direction du Travail) with a €5 stamp duty; appointments are booked via MonGuichet.mc. Recruitment follows a statutory priority order (Monegasque nationals first, then residents) under Act No. 629. Non-EEA workers must hold a valid residence permit authorising employment, obtained after a French long-stay Type D visa. This is a distinct authorisation from the residence permit itself. Apply here ↗ Residence Permit - Spouse of a Monegasque National
Residence permit for a foreign national married to a Monegasque citizen. (Family members joining a non-Monegasque foreign resident instead apply under the general residence permit.)
multiple entry ~$88 valid 1825d
Details family
Residence Permit - Spouse of a Monegasque National × Residence permit for a foreign national married to a Monegasque citizen. (Family members joining a non-Monegasque foreign resident instead apply under the general residence permit.)
multiple entry ~$88 valid 1825d
Distinct residence-permit category issued to the foreign spouse of a Monegasque national (minimum 1 year of residence). Valid 5 years; first-issue fee €80, renewal €40. Non-EEA spouses must first obtain a French long-stay Type D visa via the French consulate before applying. Family members joining a non-Monegasque foreign resident apply under the general 'temporary' or 'ordinary' residence permit rather than this specific category. Apply here ↗ Residence Permit for Retired / Financially Self-Sufficient Persons
Residence permit for foreign nationals who do not intend to work in Monaco and support themselves through a pension or sufficient savings.
multiple entry ~$88 valid 365d
Details retirement
Residence Permit for Retired / Financially Self-Sufficient Persons × Residence permit for foreign nationals who do not intend to work in Monaco and support themselves through a pension or sufficient savings.
multiple entry ~$88 valid 365d
The official first-permit application explicitly defines a non-working applicant category: retirees provide proof of pension, and self-funded applicants provide a reference letter (less than 1 month old) from a Monaco banking establishment confirming sufficient funds to live in Monaco. Issued as a 'temporary' residence permit valid 1 year (renewable), first-issue fee €80. Non-EEA applicants must first obtain a French long-stay Type D visa. Monaco publishes no fixed minimum deposit; the widely cited €500,000 figure appears only in third-party sources. This self-sufficiency route is Monaco's de facto residence-by-means path - there is no citizenship- or investment-by-investment visa program. Apply here ↗ Residence Permit - Student
Residence permit route for foreign nationals coming to Monaco to study (e.g. at the private International University of Monaco). Study is one of the recognised applicant categories for the Monaco first residence permit; there is no standalone Monaco student visa.
multiple entry ~$88 valid 365d
Details student
Residence Permit - Student × Residence permit route for foreign nationals coming to Monaco to study (e.g. at the private International University of Monaco). Study is one of the recognised applicant categories for the Monaco first residence permit; there is no standalone Monaco student visa.
multiple entry ~$88 valid 365d
Study is an official applicant category for the Monaco first (temporary) residence permit - applicants must submit proof of student status. Issued as a temporary permit valid 1 year (renewable), first-issue fee €80. Non-EEA students must first obtain a French long-stay (Type D) visa for Monaco via the French Consulate before applying; EEA and Swiss nationals need no visa. Applicants must be at least 16 years old. Apply here ↗ Ordinary Resident Permit (Carte de Séjour Ordinaire)
Second-tier Monaco residence permit for foreign residents who have completed at least 3 years of continuous residence in the Principality, extending the right to reside for a longer period than the initial temporary permit.
multiple entry ~$110 valid 1095d
Details other
Ordinary Resident Permit (Carte de Séjour Ordinaire) × Second-tier Monaco residence permit for foreign residents who have completed at least 3 years of continuous residence in the Principality, extending the right to reside for a longer period than the initial temporary permit.
multiple entry ~$110 valid 1095d
Available after 3 years of residence in Monaco. Valid 3 years. First-issue fee €100, renewal €50. This is a progression tier of the same carte de séjour, not a separately-chosen visa. Ten years of ordinary residence from age 18 is the precondition for eligibility to apply for Monegasque naturalisation. Non-EEA holders retain Schengen travel rights via the Monegasque permit. Apply here ↗ Privileged Resident Permit (Carte de Séjour Privilégié)
Highest-tier, longest-validity Monaco residence permit for foreign nationals who have genuinely resided in the Principality for at least 10 years (reducible to 1 year in special cases at the government's discretion). Nearest equivalent to permanent residence in Monaco.
multiple entry ~$176 valid 3650d
Details other
Privileged Resident Permit (Carte de Séjour Privilégié) × Highest-tier, longest-validity Monaco residence permit for foreign nationals who have genuinely resided in the Principality for at least 10 years (reducible to 1 year in special cases at the government's discretion). Nearest equivalent to permanent residence in Monaco.
multiple entry ~$176 valid 3650d
Requires at least 10 years of genuine residence in Monaco (reducible to 1 year in special cases). Valid 10 years - the longest Monegasque residence permit and the nearest thing to permanent residence; Monaco issues no separate settlement/permanent-residence permit. First-issue fee €160, renewal €80. Non-EEA holders retain Schengen travel rights via the permit. Apply here ↗