Europe

No restrictions in this travel advice

Avoid all but essential travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all but essential travel to whole country

Avoid all travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all travel to whole country

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• General
 

• There is no resident British Diplomatic Mission in Monaco. See General .
  
  
• There is an underlying threat from terrorism.   Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• Most visits are trouble-free. The main types of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Monaco in 2010 was for replacing lost or stolen passports.
  
  
• You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See the General - Insurance .

Safety and Security - Terrorism
There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. See our Terrorism Abroad page.

Safety and Security - Crime
Police have issued warnings that counterfeit Euro notes are in circulation on the continent. You should be aware and take all precautions to ensure that notes you receive, from sources other than banks and legitimate Bureaux de Change, are genuine.

Street crime is rare. However, you should take the usual precautions of taking care of passports and money.
 
Be vigilant when travelling on trains to and from Monaco as thefts have occurred.  Thefts have also occurred at Nice airport, particularly at the car rental parks where bags have been stolen as drivers are loading their cars. 

See our Victims of Crime Abroad page.
 
Safety and Security - Local Travel
Access to Monaco is by road, rail or helicopter from Nice airport.

Safety and Security - Road Travel
If you wish to drive in Monaco you must have a valid UK driving licence, insurance and vehicle documents. If you are driving a vehicle that does not belong to you then written permission from the registered owner may also be requested.

The minimum age for driving a car in Monaco is 18 years old.

Be aware that speed limits are strictly enforced as are the laws concerning anyone who drives while over the alcohol limit.

Further advice on driving outside the UK can be obtained from motoring organisations such as the AA and RAC. See our Driving Abroad page.

Apart from on the beaches and in bathing areas, it is not permitted to walk about in swimsuits, stripped to the waist, or bare foot. Appropriate clothing must be worn in all public establishments and especially in religious buildings.

See our Your Trip page.

Entry Requirements - Visas

France handles immigration and customs matters for Monaco. Normal documentation required for entry into France is required for entry into Monaco. If your passport describes you as a British Citizen you will not need a visa to enter France. Other British passport holders should check the current entry requirements here and if necessary confirm with the nearest French Diplomatic mission.

Entry Requirements - Passport validity

You must hold a valid passport to enter Monaco. Your passport must be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. No additional period of validity beyond this is required. However, it is always sensible to have a short period of extra validity on your passport in case of any unforeseen delays to your departure. You do not have to wait until your old passport expires to apply to renew it. Any time left on your old passport when you apply will be added to your new passport, up to a maximum of nine months. For passport applications in the UK, you should apply to the Identity and Passport Service.

Entry Requirements - Travelling with children

For information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the French Embassy in London.

Monaco is not a Member of the European Union and therefore EU reciprocal medical arrangements do not apply. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) does not provide health cover in Monaco. It is essential that you have comprehensive travel and medical insurance cover.

Exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. See our HIV and AIDS page.

Seek medical advice before travelling to Monaco and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the  NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

See our Travel Health page.

General - Insurance

You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. Check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See our Travel Insurance page.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then see our When Things Go Wrong page.

General - Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.

General - Emergency assistance

There is no resident British Diplomatic Mission in Monaco. The British Ambassador to Monaco resides in Paris.  Routine consular matters are covered by the British Consulate in Marseille which can, if necessary, call upon the assistance of the resident British Honorary Consul in Monaco. In case of emergency, contact the British Consulate in Marseille , 24 ave du Prado, 13006 Marseille Tel: 04 91 15 72 10, Fax: 04 91 37 47 06.

General - Money

Even though Monaco is not a member of the European Union the local currency is the Euro.