Monaco Residency by Investment
Monaco Residency for US Citizens
Guidance for Americans Intersted in Monaco
Zenturo Ltd. helps US citizens establish residency in
Monaco, the tax-friendly principality on the French
Riviera. Two things every American should know up front: Monaco
residency does not grant EU citizenship or
an EU passport, and as a US citizen you remain subject to US
federal tax on your worldwide income wherever you live. If your
goal is a second passport, please note Monaco is not an option.
Instead, please review the
Citizenship by Merit option of Malta (EU).
We reply within one business day. Government License: AKM-DALI ·
Company Registration: C-39472 · VAT ID: MT-18142026
Below is a straight explanation of how Americans qualify, what to expect, and where Monaco does (and does not) fit in a second-passport plan.
How US Citizens Qualify for Monaco Residency
Monaco does not run a "golden visa" or donation program. A residence permit (carte de séjour) is granted to applicants who secure accommodation in Monaco and prove they can support themselves. Americans typically qualify through one of these routes:- Bank deposit — open an account with a Monaco bank and place funds the bank considers sufficient, commonly from €500,000.
- Monaco company — form a company in Monaco that creates local employment (about 10 jobs).
- Employment — hold an employment contract with a Monaco-based company.
- Family support — be supported by a close relative already resident in Monaco.
Every route requires proof of accommodation, owned or rented — and Monaco real estate is among the most expensive per square meter in Europe. Studio apartments can rent for around €5,000 per month, while one-bedroom apartments often exceed €10,000 per month. Purchasing a modest 500 sq. ft. apartment may require a budget of €1 million or more.
Why US Citizens Choose Monaco
- No personal income tax on residents (see the US tax note below).
- Safety and stability — one of the lowest crime rates in the world.
- Schengen access — live on the Riviera with visa-free travel across the 29-country Schengen area.
- Connectivity — Nice International Airport is about 30 minutes away, with direct links to major US hubs.
The US tax reality — read this first.
The United States taxes its citizens on worldwide income regardless
of where they live. Becoming a Monaco resident does not, by
itself, end your US filing obligations: you will still file
US returns and report foreign accounts (FBAR/FATCA). Monaco’s
zero-income-tax environment can still be valuable, but the benefit
is different for a US citizen than for most other nationalities.
We coordinate with cross-border tax advisors and give you a
realistic picture before you commit.
Realistic Timeline
- A Monaco residence-card application generally takes around three months once accommodation and a Monaco bank relationship are in place. Monaco citizenship is a separate matter: naturalization is possible only after roughly ten years of residence and is granted rarely, at the discretion of the Sovereign. No advisor can promise it.
If You Actually Want a Second Passport
Many Americans arrive interested in Monaco but are really after a second citizenship they can keep alongside their US passport. Monaco cannot offer that; Malta can. Malta permits dual citizenship, so you keep your US passport, and its Citizenship by Merit framework lets qualified applicants file after only eight months of residence status — versus the decade Monaco requires with no guarantee. Alternatively, for a lower-cost, clearly defined investment threshold, a lifelong EU residence permit through Malta is the more realistic route. American clients can also speak with our Malta team for US citizens directly.Request a Free, Confidential Assessment
Tell us your situation and our staff will reply by email, usually within one business day — including evenings and weekends. Please note we cannot assist with asylum cases, tourist visas, passport renewals, or job referrals.Quick Answers
Q: Can a US citizen get a Monaco passport?
A: Realistically, no. Monaco citizenship requires about ten years
of residence and is granted rarely, at the Sovereign’s discretion;
there is no investment or donation route. Monaco residency gives
you the right to live there, not a passport.
Q: Will moving to Monaco lower my US taxes?
A: Not automatically. The US taxes citizens on worldwide income
wherever they live, so you keep filing US returns and FBAR/FATCA
reports. Monaco’s no-income-tax status can still help, but
the US benefit is limited — get cross-border advice.
Q: How much money do I need for Monaco residency?
A: There is no fixed government fee, but Monaco banks commonly expect
a deposit from €500,000, and you must secure Monaco accommodation,
which is among Europe’s most expensive.
Q: I want a second passport I can keep with my US one —
what should I do?
A: Consider Malta, which allows dual citizenship and lets qualified
applicants pursue citizenship by merit after eight months of residence
status.
Contact our Malta team to get a free assessment of your case.
Q: Are you licensed?
A: Yes — Zenturo Ltd. (Malta company C-39472), operating since
2006; licensed agent AKM-DALI issued by Komunità Malta.
Zenturo Ltd.
Residency & Citizenship by Investment Programs Worldwide394A / 395A, Triq il-Kbira San Guzepp
Santa Venera SVR 1016, Malta
Phone: +356 9950 5515
WhatsApp: +356 9991 4125
Telegram: +356 9991 4125
WeChat: ZenturoSupport
Service Inquiries: service@zenturo.com
General Counsel: legal@zenturo.com
Company Registration No.: C-39472
VAT ID: MT-18142026
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Zenturo Ltd. is a global professional services firm with an international reach, providing services to businesses and high-net-worth individuals worldwide since 2006.
Our technology-centric approach offers client support at the lowest cost possible without fees charged by intermediaries.
Transparency, honesty, and integrity are at the core of our values.
Our immigration attorneys are government-licensed Authorized Registered Mandatories, a designation required by the Malta Government to file Malta citizenship or residency by investment applications.
We offer several communication channels, including email, phone, chat, Zoom, and private in-office meetings.
Zenturo Ltd.
Residency & Citizenship by Investment Programs Worldwide
394A / 395A, Triq il-Kbira San Guzepp
Santa Venera, SVR 1016
Malta
Phone: +356 9950 5515
WhatsApp: +356 9991 4125
Telegram: +356 9991 4125
WeChat: ZenturoSupport
Service Inquiries: service@zenturo.com
General Counsel: legal@zenturo.com
Company Registration No.: C-39472
VAT ID: MT-18142026
- "They explained the program very clearly and addressed all of my questions." NH
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