Food and Drink
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Port Hercule (Brasserie de Monaco, Rascasse)
- Best Food Delivery App
- Del Monaco (Local high-end delivery), UberEats (limited from Beausoleil)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Barbagiuan (Swiss chard and ricotta fritters) at A Roca
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Eqvita (Rue du Portier) - Plant-based fine dining
- Best Dessert Spots
- Chocolaterie de Monaco (Official supplier to the Prince)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Marché de la Condamine (Indoor market with diverse local stalls)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.fr (Select 'Monaco' as country for tax clarity)
- Grocery Delivery
- Carrefour Monaco (via City application or website)
- Local Brewery
- Brasserie de Monaco (On the Port, serving organic local beer)
- Wine Bars
- Wine Palace Monte-Carlo (Over 2,300 references)
- Street Food Stalls
- Les Halles de la Condamine (Gourmet food court)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Song Qi (High-end Chinese), Maya Bay (Thai/Japanese)
Business
- Property Tax
- No annual property tax or council tax
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €55,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €2,200,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- N/A (Entire city is prime); nearby Beausoleil (France) approx. €12,000 per m²
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €60,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €3,600,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Jardin Exotique area: Approx. €45,000 per m²
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €70,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €5,600,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €50,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €4,000,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (Applicable if >25% of turnover is generated outside Monaco)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% (Principality does not levy withholding tax)
- Tax System
- Territorial; No personal income tax for residents (except French nationals)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 0% (Personal Income Tax)
- VAT
- 20% (Aligned with French VAT system)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC rules for individuals
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 4.5% - 7.5% (Registration duty/notary fees)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- 0% tax on worldwide income (Requires residency permit and 500k EUR bank deposit)
Essentials
- City
- Monaco-Ville, Monaco (The Old Town / 'Le Rocher')
- Population
- 1,100 (Monaco-Ville district); ~39,000 (Total Principality)
- Internet Speed
- Average 150-500 Mbps via Monaco Telecom fiber optics
- Currency & Banking
- 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. High-end banking (CMB Monaco, Julius Baer)
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and high quality (Eau de Monaco)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E/F sockets (Standard European)
- SIM Card
- Monaco Telecom (Note: French SIMs like Free/Orange often roam here but data limits apply)
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut (widely used), Barclays Monaco, CFM Indosuez
- Accommodation
- Ultra-luxury rentals; Studios from €4,500/month via Monte-Carlo Real Estate
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards accepted for even small amounts like €2
- Short Term Rentals
- Strict regulations; Airbnb options are limited (mostly in nearby Beausoleil, France)
- Budget Accommodation
- Non-existent in Monaco-Ville. Nearest is Hôtel de France or Adagio Monaco Palais Joseph
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Monaco-Ville for history; Monte Carlo for shopping and casinos
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Fontvieille (modern amenities) or Beausoleil (French side, more affordable)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Office Monaco (Price: €60/day) located at 17 Av. d'Ostende
- Best Cafe for Work
- Metropole Shopping Monte-Carlo (Bar & Lounge) or Eqvita (organic, laptop friendly)
- Networking Events
- Monaco Private Label events and Startup Weekend Monaco at Monaco Tech
- Social Events for Expats
- Internations Monaco Chapter; British Association of Monaco gatherings
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Monaco Taxi app (Standard rate €15-20 within city); Uber works only for drop-offs
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- MonaBike (electric bike share: €1 single trip, €18 monthly pass)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Larvotto Beach (Newly renovated Public/Private beach access)
- Top Regional Airline
- Air France (via Nice Côte d'Azur Airport - NCE)
- Top International Airline
- Delta, Emirates, British Airways (via NCE)
- Highway Access
- A8 Autoroute (La Provençale) connecting to France and Italy
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Gare de Monaco-Monte-Carlo (Underground hub)
- Public Transport Passes
- Monaco Bus (CAM) - €2 per ticket, €10 for 24 hours
- Regional Travel
- TER Regional Trains to Nice (20 mins, €4.50) and Menton (10 mins, €2.80)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Princess Grace Hospital Centre (CHPG) - Av. Pasteur
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Yoga Shala Monaco (Rue de la Turbie) - Classes from €25
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- MonaMove (Outdoor smart gym at Port Hercule) - Free; World Class Monaco (€3,000+ annually)
- Laundry Services
- Pressing de Monaco (Rue Grimaldi) - High-end dry cleaning and laundry
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Prince's Palace of Monaco, Oceanographic Museum
- Museums & Art Venues
- Nouveau Musée National de Monaco (Villa Paloma/Villa Sauber)
- Historical Sites
- The Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate (where Grace Kelly is buried)
- Religious Sites
- Saint-Charles Church, Sainte-Dévote Chapel
- Annual Events
- Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix (May), Monaco Yacht Show (September)
- Cultural Districts
- Monaco-Ville (Old Town) labyrinthine medieval streets
- Theater Venues
- Opéra de Monte-Carlo (Salle Garnier), Théâtre Princesse Grace
- Local Markets
- Condamine Market (Daily local produce and food)
- Music Scene
- Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival (November)
- Street Art
- Monaco Open Air Museum (Sculpture path throughout the city)
- Cooking Classes
- Metropole Monte-Carlo Guest Chef Experiences
- Art Galleries
- Opera Gallery Monaco (Palais de la Scala)
- Historic Buildings
- Casino de Monte-Carlo (Charles Garnier architecture)
- Local Heritage
- The Monegasque language (taught in local schools, seen on street signs)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Jardin Exotique de Monaco (Cactus garden with sea views)
- National Parks Nearby
- Mercantour National Park (1.5 hours drive inland)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Promenade des Champions; coastal path to Cap d'Ail
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Tête de Chien (Located in La Turbie, overlooking the entire Principality)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Saint-Martin Gardens (Monaco-Ville cliffs)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- None permitted (Strict environmental and safety laws)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- La Poste Monaco (Distinct from French La Poste)
- Tech Repair Services
- Iconic (Apple authorized service provider, Rue Grimaldi)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Espace Saint-Antoine (Sports complex)
- Language Classes
- Alliance Française (Nearby in Nice) or private tutors in Monaco
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Médiathèque de Monaco (Louis Notari Library)
- Community Centers
- Espace Léo Ferré
- Gaming Lounges
- None; Private clubs only
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino de Monte-Carlo, Sun Casino, Casino Café de Paris