Monaco:Visa Requirements

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Monaco Visa Requirements Map

Monaco: Visa Requirements

Visa requirements may change. Always verify the latest information through official government sources.

Visa-Free Entry Requirements

  • Passengers staying in Monaco for less than three months must carry a valid passport or an accepted identity document appropriate to the entry regime applicable to them. The right of entry with an identity card is valid only for passengers covered by the relevant free movement or exemption arrangement.
  • The passport used for entry at the external Schengen border must be in good condition, have been issued within the last ten years, and remain valid for at least three months after the planned date of departure from Schengen. The number of blank pages required in the passport for visa-free entry is not explicitly specified in the central official source. A separate central requirement applicable to all visa-free passengers for a biometric or machine-readable passport is not explicitly specified.
  • The short stay must not exceed 90 days in total within any 180-day period. Other short stays in the Schengen area are also included in this calculation.
  • Border authorities may request documents showing the purpose of travel, conditions of stay, and the possibility of leaving the country. The passenger must be able to present a hotel reservation covering the entire duration of stay, a private accommodation certificate in Monaco, or other valid proof of accommodation.
  • A return or onward travel ticket or financial means sufficient to purchase such a ticket by the planned return date must be demonstrated. Those travelling for business purposes may be asked for supporting documents regarding profession, position, meeting, employer, or the organisation that will receive the passenger.
  • A separate minimum financial means amount applicable to all passengers for Monaco is not explicitly specified in the central official source. The official reference amount used for entry at the external Schengen border via France is 65 euros per day when a hotel reservation is presented, and 120 euros per day when no hotel reservation is presented. If the reservation covers only part of the stay, 65 euros per day is used for the days with a reservation and 120 euros per day for the remaining days. When a valid private accommodation certificate is presented, the daily reference amount is 32.50 euros.
  • For short-term trips for tourism or business purposes not exceeding 90 days, unless an exemption applies, travel health insurance valid throughout the Schengen area must be held. The insurance must cover medical repatriation, emergency treatment, and hospital expenses, and provide a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros.
  • If staying with a private individual, an accommodation certificate issued by the Monaco authorities may be requested. This certificate must be obtained by the host in Monaco before the trip and sent to the passenger for presentation during visa or border control.
  • For short-stay passengers covered by the EES, travel document information, date and place of entry, and biometric data such as facial image and fingerprints are recorded upon their first entry at the external Schengen border. A passenger who refuses to provide biometric data may be refused entry to the Schengen area.
  • Visa-free entry does not guarantee admission to the country. Border authorities may refuse entry if passport, purpose of travel, accommodation, financial means, insurance, or return conditions cannot be demonstrated.
  • For children and minor passengers, the requirement for a birth certificate, parental consent form, or custody document may vary depending on the child's travel arrangement and the practice of the country of border crossing. A single central list of documents applicable to all minor visa-free passengers has not been published.
  • A general requirement applicable to all passengers concerning a vaccination certificate or health certificate is not explicitly specified in the central official source.

Consular Visa Application Requirements

  • For short-term travel where Monaco is the main destination, the required visa is issued as a short-stay Schengen visa valid for Monaco and the Schengen area by the competent French consulate. For persons wishing to work, study, or settle in Monaco for longer than three months, long-stay Monaco visa applications are also processed through French consular authorities and submitted for approval by the Monaco authorities.
  • As a rule, the application must be made through the French embassy, consulate, or officially authorised application centre responsible for the country where the applicant legally resides. An application made from another country may be accepted if there are exceptional circumstances justifying the inability to apply in the country of legal residence.
  • The France-Visas application assistant generates a list of documents based on nationality, passport type, country of legal residence, purpose of travel, duration of stay, and personal situation. The personalised checklist generated by the system must be followed. Documents specific to the purpose of travel should not be considered a universal requirement for all applicants.

Short-Stay Schengen Visa

  • The application form must be completed online via France-Visas, the generated form and application receipt printed, and signed by the applicant. A form containing errors must be filled in again rather than corrected, and the correct version must be included in the application file.
  • The original and a copy of the passport must be submitted. The passport must be in good condition, have been issued within the last ten years, contain at least two blank pages, and remain valid for at least three months after the planned date of departure from Schengen.
  • Two recent identity photographs complying with ICAO standards must be submitted. The photograph must be between 35 and 40 millimetres in width, the face measurement from chin to forehead between 32 and 36 millimetres, and the face must cover approximately 70 to 80 percent of the photograph. The background colour and the maximum date of taking the photograph are not explicitly specified in the central official source.
  • Depending on the purpose of travel, flight or transport reservation, return or onward ticket, travel itinerary, hotel reservation, private accommodation certificate, invitation letter, employer letter, assignment certificate, student certificate, or commercial documents may be requested. The exact list is generated according to the purpose of travel selected in the application assistant.
  • An applicant who will stay with a private individual in Monaco may be required to present a tourist accommodation certificate issued by the relevant unit of the Monaco Police Department. The certificate must be obtained by the host in Monaco. The issue fee for the certificate is a 5-euro tax stamp.
  • Financial means can be demonstrated by personal bank account statements for the last three months, the last three salary slips, credit or debit card account statements, traveller's cheques, or similar documents. A separate minimum account balance specific to Monaco is not explicitly specified in the central official source.
  • For short-term tourist or business travel, unless an exemption applies, health insurance valid throughout the Schengen area and covering the entire duration of travel must be presented. The insurance must cover medical repatriation, emergency treatment, and hospital expenses, and provide a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros.
  • During the application, photographs and fingerprints are taken. Applicants over 12 years of age applying for their first biometric visa must appear in person and provide ten fingerprints. If biometric data taken during a previous Schengen visa application is not older than 59 months, fingerprints may not be taken again. The file must still contain a current ICAO-compliant photograph.
  • A separate application form, passport, photograph, and personal document file must be prepared for each child. Fingerprints are not taken from children under 12 years of age. Birth certificate, custody document, parents' passports, and consent of the non-travelling parent may be requested according to the child's personal situation and the checklist of the consulate where the application is made.
  • The standard short-stay Schengen visa application fee is 90 euros. The reduced fee for children aged between 6 and 12 years is 45 euros, and the fee for children under 6 years is zero. A different fee or exemption may apply due to certain agreements, family ties, or application purposes.
  • If an authorised external service provider is used, an additional service fee may be charged. The local currency equivalent of the fee, the accepted payment method, and the service charge vary depending on the country where the application is made. A single payment method applicable to all application centres is not specified in the central official source. The application fee is generally not refunded even if the visa is refused.
  • A short-stay visa application must be made at least two weeks before the planned travel and should not be submitted more than six months before the travel date. The appointment waiting time must also be taken into account.
  • The official processing time varies depending on nationality, purpose of travel, place of application, security checks, and the need for additional documents. A single exact processing time applicable to all short-stay applications with Monaco as the main destination is not specified in the central official source.
  • A short-stay visa permits a stay of up to a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. The visa may be single-entry or multiple-entry. Persons demonstrating a need for frequent travel and reliable use of previous visas may be issued a multiple-entry visa valid for between six months and five years. A multiple-entry visa does not eliminate the 90-day/180-day rule.
  • The issuance of a visa does not guarantee entry to the country. At the border, documents showing passport, accommodation, financial means, purpose of travel, insurance, and return conditions may be requested again.

Monaco Long-Stay Visa

  • The long-stay visa application form must be completed online, printed, and signed. This obligation applies separately to all applicants, adults and children.
  • One recent, colour photograph measuring 3.5 × 4.5 centimetres must be submitted. More detailed Monaco-specific technical requirements regarding the background colour and date of taking the photograph are not explicitly specified in the central official source.
  • Photocopies of all pages containing entries of all passports belonging to all nationalities held by the applicant, whether valid or not renewed, must be submitted. If a valid residence permit exists in the country of application, a photocopy of it must also be included in the file.
  • The passport must be in good condition, have been issued within the last ten years, contain at least two blank pages, and remain valid for at least three months after the expiry date of the requested long-stay visa. An exception to the last validity requirement may be applied in justified urgent cases.
  • A person who will work under an employment contract lasting between three and six months in Monaco must present the employment contract approved by the Monaco Employment Service.
  • An adult applicant wishing to settle in Monaco must submit a curriculum vitae explaining the reasons for settlement and the detailed and numerical origin of their financial assets and real estate resources.
  • A birth certificate must be submitted legalised or apostilled, depending on the country of issue, and translated. Where applicable, documents showing marriage, divorce, or death of a spouse may also be subject to the same authentication and translation rules.
  • The applicant must submit criminal record certificates obtained from the competent authorities of the countries of residence during the five years preceding the arrival in Monaco, not older than three months at the date of application. The documents must be translated, legalised, or apostilled as required.
  • The purpose of the planned stay must be demonstrated with documents appropriate to the applicant's situation. Employees must present the employment contract approved by the Monaco Employment Service. Persons establishing a business must present the receipt of the application for authorisation to set up a company or commercial activity and detailed statements of bank accounts, at least one of which is held in Monaco.
  • Persons who will support themselves without working may present a bank document certified by a Monaco bank showing sufficient means of subsistence. A universal minimum amount required in the bank account is not explicitly specified in the central official source.
  • For an applicant who will be supported by a third party, a letter of support, documents showing the sponsor's financial resources, a copy of the sponsor's passport, and residence permit must be presented. Students must present proof of income or financial support together with a school enrolment or attendance certificate.
  • Accommodation must be demonstrated by a property deed, rental contract, or free accommodation certificate. A person who is a property owner must present a title deed or a property certificate showing the number of rooms in the dwelling. A tenant must present a rental contract registered with the Monaco authorities.
  • If staying free of charge with another person, a free accommodation certificate obtained from the Monaco Public Security unit must be presented. The certificate must be accompanied by a copy of the host's rental contract or property deed and the host's Monaco residence permit or national identity card.
  • The applicant must submit a declaration of honour containing information on marital status, nationality, and residence. The declaration must state that the person has not been convicted in their own country or elsewhere, that there is no legal prohibition preventing them from carrying out a commercial activity, and that there is no ongoing issue with police or judicial authorities.
  • For a child holding their own individual passport, a separate visa application form, a birth certificate legalised or apostilled depending on the country of issue and translated, a school attendance certificate where applicable, and one front-facing photograph must be submitted.
  • The long-stay visa application fee is generally 99 euros. A reduction or exemption may apply for certain application categories. The payment method, local currency equivalent, and any external service provider fee vary according to the country where the application is made.
  • The official processing time for a long-stay Monaco visa is not explicitly specified in the central official source. The application is sent to the Monaco authorities and the visa is issued only after approval by the Monaco authorities. Additional review or document verification may extend the processing time.
  • A single central timeline specific to Monaco regarding how far in advance the application must be made before travel is not explicitly specified. Sufficient time must be allocated for the appointment, consular review, and approval by the Monaco authorities.
  • The exact validity period, number of entries, and permitted activities of the long-stay visa are shown on the issued visa sticker. A provisional long-stay visa may be issued for an approved employment contract of three to six months. The validity period of other long-stay categories depends on the purpose of application and the decision of the Monaco authorities.
  • A travel health insurance requirement and minimum insurance coverage amount applicable to all applicants for a long-stay Monaco visa are not explicitly specified in the central official source.
  • Persons aged 16 and over who wish to reside in Monaco for longer than three months within a year or to settle must apply for a Monaco residence permit after arriving in the country.
  • The French consulate or the Monaco authorities may request additional documents, original documents, translation, legalisation, apostille, personal interview, or additional verification from the applicant.
Population
38,087(2026 est.)
Official language
French
Government type
Constitutional monarchy
Continent
Europe
Capital
Monaco City
Currency
Euro
Area
2.08 km²
Phone code
+377

Monaco: Key Destinations

Monaco, the second smallest country in the world, is centered around its capital, Monaco-Ville, perched on a rocky promontory. The principality is famous for the glamorous Monte Carlo district, home to the iconic Casino de Monte-Carlo and the luxurious Hotel de Paris. Nice Côte d'Azur Airport in nearby France serves as the primary international gateway for visitors flying in.

Beyond its luxurious reputation, Monaco boasts a rich cultural scene with the Prince's Palace, the Oceanographic Museum, and the annual Monaco Grand Prix. The country is a hub for business and finance, hosting numerous multinational corporations and banks. Its Mediterranean coastline offers stunning views and small beaches like Larvotto.

Most visitors arrive via Nice, then take a short bus or train ride into Monaco. The principality is compact and walkable, with a reliable public bus system connecting key areas. Many travelers combine a visit with the French Riviera, exploring nearby cities like Cannes and Saint-Tropez along the coast.