Monegasque nationality
The Principality of Monaco may be very small, but more than 140 different nationalities cross paths every day. And of the 38,000 residents, only 9,000 are Monegasques, which is a little more than 20% of the population. This figure can be explained by the very strict conditions for obtaining nationality. Here, there is no "droit du sol": children born in Monaco do not automatically obtain nationality, except for those born of unknown parents
On the other hand, the right of blood is perfectly recognized: to be Monegasque, a child must be born of at least one parent having the nationality. This rule also applies to adoption
It is also possible to acquire Monegasque nationality by marrying a Monegasque man or woman, but there again, nothing automatic, quite the contrary! The union only gives the right to nationality after twenty years of living together (compared to ten a few months ago). If the applicant is widowed before this date, he or she can obtain nationality, provided that he or she does not remarry. In case of divorce, Monegasque nationality is withdrawn
Finally, people who have resided in the Principality for at least ten years can apply for naturalization. But it is the Sovereign Prince himself who accepts or not this request. Some conditions must be applied: the Principality checks in particular the family ties in Monaco and the good integration of the resident.
Monegasque nationality can be withdrawn, either because the person chooses to renounce it or because he or she acquires a foreign nationality. In this case, dual nationality is retained only in the context of marriage (a prevention in case the marriage ends in divorce). A Monegasque may also lose his nationality if he voluntarily joins a foreign army without the authorization of the Government. Anyone who has lost his or her nationality may apply to the Prince for reinstatement
The status is extremely protected, as nationality offers a plethora of benefits, starting with exemption from income tax, property tax and council tax (the Principality draws on VAT instead). Nationality also gives the right to certain social benefits, as well as to national priority
The national priority
Given the minority number of Monegasques in Monaco, they benefit from the national priority. Being a Monegasque means that they have priority in terms of employment, whether public or private, and access to housing at rates that are much more attractive than those on the market. In the same way, Monegasque children, or children of whom at least one parent is Monegasque, must be accepted in a nursery school on request. Children of residents are accepted within the limits of available places
The Children of the Country
Some families have been established in Monaco for several generations, are born, live, work and die in the Principality but still do not have Monegasque nationality. They are the children of the country
This very particular status has been the subject of many questions and has given rise to a desire for official recognition. Even if the Children of the Country are not Monegasque, they actively participate in the life of the Principality. The Government of Monaco and the National Council have recently addressed the issue. A law was voted to define the Children of the Country and to guarantee them priority in housing (behind Monegasques, of course)
Residents of the Principality
Some particularly wealthy foreigners are very attracted to the Principality. It is therefore no coincidence that Monaco has nearly 30,000 residents of various nationalities. Residents have chosen to live in Monaco for at least three months a year
To be considered as a resident, one must of course live in Monaco, guarantee sufficient financial resources and prove good character (i.e. have a clean criminal record). It is under these conditions that residents (over 16 years old) can obtain a residence permit and be completely exempt from income tax... provided they are not French. Indeed, an agreement between France and the Principality dating from 1963 stipulates that French nationals must still pay income tax, even if they are established in Monaco
The employees
There are an extremely large number of employees in Monaco, which explains why the Principality is so full during the week and so empty on weekends (excluding events). Every day, 45,000 French and Italians commute to work in Monaco. Monaco's contracts come with their own set of advantages but also disadvantages
Starting with access to employment itself: due to the national priority, a Monegasque seeking employment must be preferred to the hiring. Then come, in order, the residents and children of the country, the inhabitants of the neighboring communes (Beausoleil, La Turbie, Cap d'Ail and Roquebrune) and, finally, the outsiders. An employer must prove that the priority candidates do not have the required skills if he wishes to hire a foreigner. Employment is also less protected in Monaco than in France, as employment contracts can be terminated without justification
On the other hand, salaries are generally much higher, due to lower charges for companies. French employees must still pay taxes in France, but their pension contributions are more advantageous
How do the laws work in Monaco?
All these decisions concerning the acquisition of Monegasque nationality, the rights of the country's children or retirement for foreign employees are strictly regulated by law and are regularly modified, softened or, on the contrary, tightened. In Monaco, the legislative power is articulated around two main bodies: the Government of Monaco and the National Council.
The Princely Government
Until 1911, the Prince had full powers. But after the revolution of the Monegasque people in 1910, Albert I agreed to give it up. But unlike France, here there is no strict separation between the executive and the legislative. The members of the Government Council of Monaco have the initiative of the laws. They are divided into five ministerial departments: "the Interior", "Finance and the Economy", "Social Affairs and Health", "Public Works, the Environment and Urban Planning" and "Foreign Relations and Cooperation".
The Council of Government is chaired by the Minister of State (the equivalent of the Prime Minister in France). This position has its origins in the 1911 Constitution. Until 2005, an agreement with France specified that only a French national could hold this position. Now, a Monegasque can also become Minister of State, but the Sovereign Prince must have the agreement of the French government to select and appoint him. Since 2020, it is the senior French civil servant Pierre Dartout who assumes this role. He signs the ministerial decrees, presents the Government's bills to the Prince and transmits the bills presented by the Prince to the National Council
The Prince also has a Crown Council around him. Seven members (of Monegasque nationality), including a president, are appointed for a three-year term by the Prince, three of whom are proposed by the National Council. Their role is to advise the Prince, in particular on the question of international treaties or the dissolution of the National Council
The National Council
This is the parliament of the Principality, whose current president is Stéphane Valeri. It is, in a way, the equivalent of our National Assembly and Senate, except that it is unicameral. Created in 1911 under Albert I, after the revolution of the Monegasque people, it is now composed of 24 members elected for a five-year term
Three political parties are currently represented in the National Council: Priorité Monaco (with a large majority), Horizon Monaco and Union Monégasque.
You must be at least 25 years old and have been a Monegasque citizen for five years to stand for election. The National Council has acquired more and more competences over the years and through reforms
However, the elected representatives do not have the right to initiate legislation: they can, however, make proposals for laws, which are examined by the Government of Monaco, which then decides whether to turn them into a bill or to interrupt the legislative process
The National Council is also solely responsible for passing laws and the budget, which are then promulgated by the Prince.
What about the judiciary?
According to the 1962 Constitution, this power belongs to the Prince, but he must delegate its full exercise to the courts and tribunals. The latter render justice in the name of the Prince. Monegasque law is largely inspired by French law: the codes promulgated by Napoleon Bonaparte have been applied to Monaco as well. Nevertheless, Monegasque law has many specificities, acquired over time
A town hall in Monaco
Although Monaco is a state and not a city, it also has a city hall. Fifteen members form the Communal Council, elected by direct universal suffrage for a four-year term. These elected officials then vote for the mayor (currently Georges Marsan). The town hall manages the organization of local life: animations, cultural, artistic, traditional or leisure events, civil status, green areas and public gardens, the management of markets, sports halls and municipal swimming pools or social action, such as municipal day care centers or home care and leisure activities for the elderly
