Monaco travel advice

Travel Summary

• The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at: www.who.int has further details. Check Swine Flu for further information.
  
  
• There is no resident British Diplomatic Mission in Monaco. 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 an emergency you should contact the British Consulate in Marseille. See the General section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• Most visits are trouble-free. The main types of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Monaco in 2007 was for replacing lost or stolen passports.
  
  
• Monaco is not a Member of the European Union and therefore EU reciprocal medical arrangements do not apply. We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

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.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Local Travel

Access to Monaco is by road, rail or helicopter from Nice airport.

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.

You should 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.

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

Local laws and customs

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.

For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.

Entry requirements

Visas

France handles immigration and customs matters for Monaco. Normal documentation required for entry into France is required for entry into Monaco. Therefore, if you are a British Citizen or British Subject with Right of Abode in the UK, you will not need a visa to enter Monaco.

Other British passport holders should confirm the current entry requirements with the nearest French Diplomatic mission. All British passport holders require a valid passport.

Passport validity

There is no minimum passport validity requirement but you should ensure that your passport is valid for the proposed period of your stay.

Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.

Health

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.

You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should 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.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

General

Insurance

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.

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. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

Emergency assistance

There is no resident British Diplomatic Mission in Monaco. 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.

Money

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

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.