Nationality of Monaco: all obtaining pathways
Monaco requires ten years of residence after reaching the age of majority for ordinary naturalization, a period reduced to five for those who resided before it. Marriage to a Monegasque citizen opens the pathway between five and ten years of union, depending on the case.
1Naturalization by residence
Naturalization by residence
Requirements
- Habitual residence in Monaco for 10 years after the age of 18 (art. 5)
- Inquiry into the applicant's morality and situation (ordonnance souveraine)
- Proof of loss of previous nationality (and definitive exemption from foreign military obligations)
- Also naturalizable: those who cannot lose their previous nationality until acquiring another (must lose it within 6 months of the ordinance)
- No residence condition: foreigners the Prince deems worthy of this distinction (art. 6)
- Minor children of a naturalized parent become Monegasque (with right to decline at majority)
- Nationality may be revoked by sovereign ordinance: conviction for offences against State security (within a year of conviction) or on judicial-services report within 5 years of naturalisation
Documentation
- Application to the Department of the Interior
- 10-year residence certificate (or 5 years if coming of age in Monaco)
- Criminal record certificate
- French language command proof
- Proof of means of subsistence
- Declaration renouncing the previous citizenship
- Valid passport
- Birth certificate
2Naturalization through marriage
Naturalization through marriage
Requirements
- Marriage to a Monegasque national + 20 YEARS from the celebration (art. 3)
- Community of life must not have ceased at the time of application (except widowhood without remarriage)
- The Monegasque spouse must NOT have acquired nationality through a previous marriage
- The acquisition must not cause loss of Monegasque nationality for the applicant's children
- Acquisition BY DECLARATION (conditions set by sovereign ordinance), not naturalisation
Documentation
- Marriage certificate
- Identity document of the Monégasque spouse
- Residence certificate in Monaco
- Criminal record certificate
3Citizenship by birth (ius sanguinis)
Citizenship by birth (ius sanguinis)
Requirements
- At least one parent is a Monégasque citizen (ius sanguinis)
- Citizenship is transmitted by ius sanguinis
- Being born in Monaco does not automatically grant citizenship (no ius soli)
Documentation
- Birth certificate
- Identity documents of the parents
- Proof of the parents' Monégasque citizenship
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Monaco
How many years of residence does Monaco require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of Monaco (Naturalization by residence), the term is 10 years of habitual residence in the Principado after turning 18 (art. 5). The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
Can the nationality of Monaco be obtained by marriage?
Yes, through the Naturalization through marriage pathway (Declaration after 20 years from the celebration of the marriage with a Monegasque (art. 3)). The complete requirements appear in the fact sheet of that pathway.
What documentation does naturalization in Monaco require?
The Naturalization by residence pathway requires: Application to the Department of the Interior; 10-year residence certificate (or 5 years if coming of age in Monaco); Criminal record certificate; French language command proof; Proof of means of subsistence; among 3 more documents.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Monaco?
Monaco provides 3 pathways: Naturalization by residence, Naturalization through marriage, Citizenship by birth.
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