This page contains frequently asked questions, advice and links for researching the business environment in and around Monaco and Monte Carlo. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or an experienced business manager, we hope you find the information below useful. If you need some more specific or in-depth help with your business research, then please contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Living and working in Monaco

What's happening in Monaco

Official Organizations and Departments

Associations

Living and working in Monaco

Q. How can I find a job in Monaco?

Monaco is a great place to live, but it can be tough to find work. The largest employer by far is Monte Carlo SBM, which runs the casinos and many of the luxury hotels. However, with positions being first offered to Monegasques and current residents, it's not easy to get a foothold. As with most places, there are several temporary job agencies, such as Manpower and Adecco, which offer employment and recruitment services. Some jobs are advertised in the local press, and in English on Riviera Radio or the AngloInfo job forum. You could also try the Emploi Monaco website, or contact the largest employers directly.

Q. Can I move to Monaco and then find a job?

As with most countries, you can enter Monaco as a tourist and stay for a period of 3 months without registering with the authorities. However, if you want to set up residence in the Principality, you must apply to the police for a residence permit. The application process takes about 3 months and you'll need to show that you can support yourself while in Monaco, either with a job or with money in the bank. In addition, you'll need evidence that you have a place to live, and that you have no previous criminal convictions. You'll be asked to fill out a form with some personal details, and will have to attend an interview with the police. Once all the formalities have been completed, your application will be processed.

More information can be found in French only on the Monaco Police website, or in English through the Monaco Government portal.

Q. Is it possible to set up my own company in Monaco?

There are a number of ways in which you can either work for yourself or set up your own business in the Principality. Monaco IQ can't give you advice on doing this, other than a little basic information. Generally, you'll need to be resident in Monaco, or one of your directors must be resident. There are lots of documents that you must submit to the Direction de l'Expansion Economique (DEE), and in most cases, the procedure takes approximately 3 months. For more information, check the Official Monaco Government Portal pages for setting up companies. The business enterprise section of the website contains all the information you need, most of which has been translated into English.

What's happening in Monaco

Q. Where can I get current news about Monaco?

Check our home page for political, economic and social stories about Monaco in English. Since the official language here is French, and the Principality's border is with France, the majority of news stories are also in French. The most popular local media are the Monaco Matin newspaper, the Monaco Info television news reports, and the Monaco Telecom "actualites". Some of these provide online feeds which we've aggregated for you on our news sources page.

Q. What conferences are coming up in Monaco/Monte Carlo?

Monaco has many venues that have their own websites to advertise forthcoming events. The Grimaldi Forum is a large congress centre that hosts business conferences and exhibitions. We try to list upcoming business events in the blog on this website too.

Q. Are there any investors in Monaco who'd be interested in my new business idea?

The Monaco Venture Capital Association (MVCA), or The Monaco Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (to give it the full title) is an organization that's dedicated to supporting and developing the venture capital and private equity industry in Monaco. If you're looking for an investor in Monaco, or you're an investor looking for a potential investment, then this is the organization to contact.

Q. Are there any entrepreneurs in Monaco/Monte Carlo that I can talk to?

The Association of Italian Entrepreneurs of Monaco (AIIM), or Associazione degli Imprenditori Italiani del Principato di Monaco, has a website but at the time of writing, it's only in Italian and French, and most of the information is in the Italian pages. It also produces a bilingual magazine. The organization aims to support and develop Italian entrepreneurship and relationships with Monaco.

Junior Chamber Monaco

The Junior Chamber Monaco is part of the Junior Chamber International organization. Membership is open to 18-40 year olds.

Monaco Chamber of Commerce

The Chambre de Developpement Economique de Monaco helps companies wishing to invest in Monaco. The website contains some statistics about the economy.

Societe des Bains de Mer (SBM)

SBM owns the casino, luxury hotels and night clubs in Monaco.

NIC Monaco

The Network Internet Center of Monaco controls the use of the .mc domain name for websites.

Monaco Trades Unions

The Union des Syndicats de Monaco (USM) is a federation of trade unions representing over 35 professions in the Principality that support and protect employee rights.

Official Monaco Government Portal

The first place to start looking for business and residential information. Many of the documents are in French, however most of the information has been translated into English.

Press Centre

The press centre deals with public relations by publishing press releases, photographs and official speeches. Anyone wishing to make a film needs to apply for authorization from the Department of the Interior. You can download a form from either the press website in Word format, or the government portal in Pdf format.

Local Government (La Mairie)

The mayor, currently Georges Marsan, and the local council are responsible for the day to day administration of community services in the Principality.

National Council

The National Council (Conseil National) is elected by the people of Monaco every 5 years. The most recent election was 2008, when the UPM won 20 out of the 24 seats available, and took their places for a second term of government.

Libraries in Monaco

Please see our new library page for details of libraries, archives and document centres in Monaco.