Conditions for acquiring Monegasque citizenship:
1. By birth: Monegasque citizenship is not automatically acquired by birth on the territory of Monaco. Exception: the child born in Monaco to unknown parents.
2. By descent: Every person born of a Monegasque father is a citizen of Monaco regardless of the child’s country of birth or of the nature of the acquisition of the Monegasque citizenship of the father. According to Law No. 1155 on Nationality (December 18, 1992), Monegasque citizenship is automatically acquired by every person born of a mother who was born Monegasque and still is at the date of that person’s birth and by every person born of a Monegasque mother and who has a Monegasque-born ancestor on the mother’s side of the family.
3. By marriage: According to Law No. 1155/1992, any foreign woman marrying a Monegasque man can acquire Monegasque nationality by declaration. Citizenship may be granted after a waiting period of five years from the date of marriage on condition that the woman is still married to her Monegasque husband at the time of the request. The only exception is in the case of widowhood which has not been followed by remarriage. A Monegasque woman marrying a foreigner may retain her Monegasque citizenship unless prevented by the laws of her husband’s country.
4. By naturalization – Conditions for acquiring citizenship by naturalization:
- The applicant has the proof to have lived for ten years uninterruptedly in Monaco or has a ten year residence permit.
- The applicant must prove the loss of previous citizenship.
- The applicant is free from any obligation to perform military service abroad.
5. By declaration – Monegasque citizenship may be acquired by means of a declaration made before a Registrar by any person who has reached majority in the following cases:
- By reason of birth - the applicant must prove that he lives and had his legal domicile during his minority in the Principality.
Cases
- the applicant must be born in Monaco of a parent born Monegasque, regardless of the parent’s later nationality.
- the applicant must be born in Monaco of a Monegasque (not born Monegasque) parent who has an ancestor of the same branch born Monegasque, even if the parent or ancestor has lost this nationality.
- By reason of adoption – a major foreigner adopted by a Monegasque may acquire Monegasque nationality by means of a declaration made before the Registrar.
Conditions:
- he has to prove the loss of his previous nationality;
- he has to prove that he has established his domicile or habitual residence in Monaco for at least ten years.
For a minor foreigner adopted by a Monegasque, it is his legal representative who acts in his name. He has the possibility to repudiate his Monegasque nationality in the year following his majority if his consent was not sought for.
In the case of a Monegasque adopted by a foreigner, he may retain his nationality in case he does not acquire that of the person adopting him.
Other stipulations
Exceptions from fulfilling the condition requiring ten years residence:
- any foreigner considered worthy of this favor by the Prince;
- a woman married to a naturalized Monegasque citizen or to a foreigner requesting naturalization;
- minors of a naturalized foreigner, with the condition that they reside in Monaco at the moment of their request.
Municipal rule
The person obtaining Monegasque nationality obtains political rights (as elector or candidate) after five years from the date of the acquisition of Monegasque nationality. The request must be addressed, on stamped paper, directly to the Prince.
Dual citizenship
Dual citizenship is not recognized.
Loss of citizenship:
- Voluntary — is permitted under Monegasque law.
- Involuntary — grounds for loss of Monegasque citizenship:
- Acquiring of foreign citizenship;
- Military service performed abroad.