Monaco: a practical guide – everything you need to know before your visit
In a nutshell
- Monaco is a sovereign state covering an area of 2.08 km² and governed as a constitutional monarchy;
- French is the official language, the euro is the currency, and the Principality is fully covered by the 5G mobile network;
- Monaco is renowned for its safety and its sunny climate.
Monaco or Monte-Carlo?
Although there is often confusion in everyday speech, Monaco and Monte-Carlo do not refer to the same thing. Monaco is the country as a whole, the Principality, whilst Monte-Carlo is one of the districts of Monaco , just like Fontvieille or La Condamine. It should be noted that Monaco does not have a capital.
Language, currency and formalities
- The official language of Monaco is French.
- Currency: the euro.
- Entry requirements for Monaco: a valid identity document for nationals of European Economic Area countries.
Visitors from countries outside the EEA must present a valid passport and apply in advance for a Schengen visa. Nationals of certain countries are exempt from visa requirements for stays of less than ninety days.
- Currency exchange and VAT: several bureaux de change are available throughout Monaco for exchanging non-eurozone currencies.
As in France, Monaco offers a VAT refund service on purchases for visitors who are residents of a non-EU Member State or a third country.
Conditions: you must be at least 16 years old and be staying in Monaco for less than six months.
How it works: make a purchase of at least 175 euros in the same shop, which will provide a tax-free form stating the VAT exemption. Declare your purchases at airport customs on your return, then collect your VAT refund (between 12 per cent and 16 per cent of the purchase price) from a dedicated counter.
Please note: in Monaco, the shopping centre Métropole Shopping Monte-Carlo has a dedicated counter where you can claim your VAT refund directly in cash.
Population, area and administration
- Population of Monaco: 38,857 inhabitants (2025 figures), of whom 9,333 are Monegasque nationals.
- Area: 2.08 km². Monaco is the second-smallest state in the world, after the Vatican.
- Climate: Mediterranean, characterised by mild winters, hot summers and, on average, over 2,500 hours of sunshine per year.
- Political system: a hereditary and constitutional monarchy, governed by the 1962 Constitution. H.S.H. Prince Albert II, heir to the Grimaldi dynasty, exercises sovereign authority.
Catholicism is recognised as the state religion by the Constitution.
Emergency numbers and useful services
Fire Brigade: 18 or 112
Police and emergency services: 17 or (+377) 93 15 30 15
European emergency number (from a mobile phone): 112
Princess Grace Hospital – A&E: (+377) 97 98 97 69
Out-of-hours doctor: 116 117, 7 days a week from 7.00 pm to 7.00 am
For other times, out-of-hours chemist and osteopath: see the Monaco Santé website
Sea rescue: 196
Lost property: (+377) 93 15 30 18
Embassies and Consulates in Monaco
Telephone network
The Principality has its own telephone network and the international dialling code: +377, which must be dialled to reach a Monegasque number from abroad. To call another country from Monaco, you must use the + sign, followed by the country code and the number.
Monaco Telecom is the Principality’s national telecoms operator. It provides fixed-line and mobile telephone services, internet access and television. Its mobile network offers 5G technology, which is available throughout the whole of Monaco.
For subscribers to the main French mobile network operators, the phone automatically connects to Monaco Telecom’s unified mobile network via roaming (check with your operator for any applicable tariff conditions).
Monegasque culinary specialities
A blend of Provençal and Ligurian traditions, Monegasque cuisine celebrates sun-ripened vegetables, olive oil and seafood. Monaco’s signature dish is the barbagiuàn, a small fried pastry usually filled with Swiss chard and cheese. Other traditional dishes include stocafi, a stew made with dried cod, tomatoes, olives and aromatic herbs, as well as Monegasque fougasse, a sweet treat flavoured with orange blossom and garnished with almonds and aniseed.
Unusual features of Monaco
Monaco has a number of unique features that often surprise its visitors. Here are a few of them:
- the Prince’s Carabiniers ensure the security of the Prince's Palace and the Sovereign Family. On the Place du Palais, you can also watch the Changing of the Guard , every day at 11.55 am sharp, in a meticulously timed ceremony. But did you know that some of these soldiers have another string to their bow? To become a Carabiniere, being a musician can in fact prove to be a significant asset. The Company has its own orchestra, comprising brass and woodwind instruments, which has provided musical accompaniment for numerous events in the Principality for over fifty years;
- whilst Monaco is renowned for its casinos , Monegasque citizens are not allowed to gamble there. This rule dates back to Prince Charles III’s decision in the19th century to protect his subjects from the risks associated with gambling, whilst the casinos were intended to attract foreign customers and support the country’s economy. Another reason was to prevent Monegasque croupiers from being tempted to cheat by favouring their relatives;
- During the day, the tiny state of Monaco takes on a whole new scale: in addition to its roughly 38,800 residents, there are nearly 57,000 commuters, mainly from France and Italy. On working days, this means that more than 95,000 people populate the Principality’s small territory. Not to mention the visitors…