The Riviera Jewel of Glamour, Racing & Tax-Free Living
Yes. Since 1869 Monaco has levied no personal income tax on its residents. The main exception is French nationals, who remain subject to French income tax under the 1963 bilateral convention.
No. Individuals resident in Monaco pay no capital gains tax and no annual wealth tax, and there is no property or council tax on homes.
Possibly, unless you genuinely break tax residence there. Each country has its own residence tests, and treaties matter. You typically must move your home, spend most of the year in Monaco, and shift your economic and family centre before your former country stops taxing you.
Only on assets located in Monaco, and the rate depends on the family relationship: 0% between spouses and in the direct line (parents/children), rising to 16% between unrelated persons. Assets held abroad are generally outside Monegasque inheritance duty.
Companies and self-employed activities earning more than 25% of their turnover outside Monaco pay business profits tax at 25%. Genuinely local businesses are exempt. VAT applies at the French standard rate of 20%.
If you are not employed in Monaco (and therefore not affiliated to the state social funds), yes — you must hold comprehensive private health insurance, and proof of cover is required for the residence application. Employees are covered through the Caisses Sociales de Monaco.
The Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace (CHPG) is Monaco's principal public hospital, offering general and specialist care and emergency services. Specialist private centres also operate, such as the Centre Cardio-Thoracique for cardiac care.
On a French-style model: you generally pay the practitioner and then reclaim the covered portion from the Monegasque social funds or your private insurer. Coverage levels depend on your scheme.
Yes. Because Monaco's health arrangements are closely tied to France and Nice's hospitals are minutes away, cross-border treatment is common. Confirm that your insurance or social cover extends to French providers.
It helps a great deal, since French is the official language, but you can manage initially because English and Italian are widely spoken in business, hospitality and among the international community. Learning French makes administration and daily life much easier.
Extremely. Monaco is one of the safest countries in the world, with extensive video surveillance and a very high ratio of police to residents. Petty crime is rare and the streets feel secure day and night.
Housing and prime dining are exceptionally expensive, but the absence of income and property tax offsets this for many, and residents routinely shop for groceries and everyday goods in neighbouring France where prices are lower.
Nice Côte d'Azur airport is about 30 km away, reachable by car or train in under an hour, or by a roughly seven-minute helicopter transfer with Monacair for those in a hurry.