Guía de Mónaco: datos interesantes

To introduce yourself as a resident of Monaco welcomes an association like no other place in the world. If you say you’re from New York, for example, or Paris, or even Hong Kong, people will not instantly assume you’re wealthier than most. But to utter “I live in Monaco” is a statement like no other because, indeed, Monaco is a place like no other.

In Monaco, the second-smallest country in the world, real estate prices are now as much as €53,000 per m2 — €5 million can buy you a small apartment of roughly 1000 square feet / 100m2 — making it the most expensive real estate on the planet. And if the sky-high real estate costs weren’t enough to convince you, one quick stroll down any one of its windy streets means pedestrians will be walking past a bevy of custom Lamborghinis, McLarens, and Ferraris (all driving the 31 miles per hour typical speed limit throughout Monaco).

Much of what makes Monaco such a desirable locale is well known: the legendary hotels, the Cote d’Azur climate, and –of course– its unique tax benefits for the ultrarich. But what it’s really known for is its wealth. It is so wealthy that it doesn’t even measure poverty rates. There are no homeless or poor people. In fact, to live comfortably in Monaco, you’ll either need a hefty trust fund or an income of at least €250,000 per adult.

Monte Carlo, Monaco’s glitziest and most famous district, is filled with five-star uber-luxury hotels, exotic supercars, high-end designer boutiques, and the famous Casino de Montecarlo.

With this Monaco and Monte-Carlo travel guide, Iconic Riviera will give you a sneak-peek of the opulent lifestyle the Principality offers, as told by a resident of Monaco. This is just one of several Monaco guides on Iconic Riviera.

Monaco: The Essentials

Tamaño: Con tan solo 200 hectáreas, es el segundo país más pequeño del mundo (solo el Vaticano es más pequeño). Tiene solo dos kilómetros cuadrados. Es aproximadamente del tamaño del Central Park de Nueva York. Es diez veces más grande que el Museo del Louvre, tres veces más grande que el National Mall de Washington D. C., un tercio del tamaño de un distrito parisino promedio, o solo una cuarta parte de los jardines del Palacio de Versalles.

Currency: The currency is the same as the rest of the European Union, the Euro €. Like the rest of Europe, Monaco also has robust social programs, including housing subsidies for the Monegasque citizens, free education, and affordable healthcare.

Language: French is the official language, but most people understand and speak English, many as native speakers — and many also speak Italian and Russian. It’s helpful to know French (especially if you need to visit the hospital, where many receptionists refuse to speak English), but you can get along without it.

Citizenship

Because of the lucrative subsidies and benefits that you get when you become a citizen, it’s extremely rare to be granted citizenship, even after living in Monaco for many decades. Monégasques were born Monégasques. It’s the blood line that matters. Of course, there are exceptions, for example, you can ask for Monégasque citizenship after 10 years of being married to a Monégasque (but you almost certainly won’t receive it, and you’ll need to give up your other citizenships if you do). Or if you’re a celebrity or you’ve done something muy special for the principality, the Prince might consider offering it to you as a special favor.

That’s why most of the people who live in Monaco are citizens of other countries while also being residents of Monaco…

Who Lives in Monaco

Para residir en Mónaco, debe alquilar un apartamento (el alquiler mínimo es de unos 5000 € al mes) y demostrar que dispone de al menos 500.000 € (por residente) en una cuenta bancaria monegasca. Los apartamentos más cómodos parten de unos 10.000 € al mes, y algunos se alquilan hasta por 300.000 € al mes. Para comprar, el precio aproximado es de unos 50.000 € por m².

More ultra-high-net-worth individuals have chosen to make Monaco their home, by population density, than anywhere else on Earth, with one in 39 homeowners being classed as a UHNWI (“ultra high net worth” — meaning they have a minimum of $30 million in liquid money in a bank account).

The high cost of living is balanced out by the fact that residents save money by not paying any tax on their personal income. American and French citizens can’t benefit from this (unless they renounce their citizenship and have an alternate passport), as both countries tax their citizens even while residing in Monaco.

La población de Mónaco es de aproximadamente 38.000 habitantes y está creciendo (aquí se muestran los últimos informes estadísticos). Los residentes se han mudado aquí desde otros 140 países. En Mónaco, aproximadamente una cuarta parte de la población es francesa (en su mayoría familias francesas que se establecieron en Mónaco antes de octubre de 1957; los nuevos residentes franceses deben pagar el impuesto sobre la renta francés), poco menos de una cuarta parte son italianos y casi el 8% son británicos.

Despite there being a local Russian-language magazine and Russian being the predominant language you hear on the streets of Monaco, the census says that only 12.5% of the population are Russian passport holders. However, since most wealthy Russians swapped their Russian passport for that of Cyprus (or other countries) before moving to Monaco, the actual percentage of Russian-born residents is much higher.

The average life expectancy for the people of Monaco is 89.5 – the longest life expectancy in the world.

Solo el 22% de la población es monaghanesa (ciudadana de Mónaco) y el 78% restante reside en Mónaco. La edad media de los monegascos es de 44,4 años, y casi el 14% de los nacionales tiene más de 75 años. En 2021, el Principado contaba con 9573 monegascos, de los cuales 8980 vivían en Mónaco y 593 en el extranjero.

Aquí están los datos del último Monaco census:

Lack of Female Inclusivity in the Workplace

Despite its efforts to modernize, Monaco is still behind the times on the gender equality front. Monaco is still a deeply patriarchal place, and the laws reflect that — including an outdated, ages-old rule dictates that it is the Prince’s son (not his daughter) who must take the throne.

In Monaco, women make 20% less income than men do, for the same work. Regarding the 531 government roles filled in 2022, 158 went to women and 373 went to men. 

De acuerdo a IMSEE, only 28% of Monaco’s corporate governors are female, only 29% of senior roles at limited liability companies are held by women, and at public limited companies, only 1 in 5 (22%) people in charge is female. Women represent only 19% of those employed in the financial and insurance industries, and 21% in information and communication jobs.  

Monaco’s Neighborhoods

Before we go any further in this travel guide, we will explain the difference between Monaco and Monte-Carlo. Many seem to confuse one with the other. Consequently, several hotels that are not in Monte-Carlo still use the words ‘Monte Carlo’ in their name, so be careful to check a map before booking, or you may end up walking 30 minutes to Monte-Carlo from your ‘Monte Carlo’ hotel!

Monaco is the country or city-state. Whereas, Monte-Carlo is one of the neighborhoods within. There are nine other neighborhoods within the city-state. The most well-known is Monte Carlo, where the casino is located. Also famous is Monaco-Ville with its other name Le Rocher (The Rock) which is the oldest area and houses the Palace and Monaco’s jail. La Condamine is a popular area known for the main port (Port Hercule), which has a large event space used for the Gran Premio de Mónaco y el Salón Náutico de Mónaco. Larvotto is where the beach and many fantastic restaurants are located. Then there is Fontvieille (where you’ll land if you arrive by helicopter), which is the newest residential area partially reclaimed from the sea — and where the local police and firefighters live. The other areas are mostly just residential and not attractive to tourists.

Getting Around in Monaco

Monaco is at the foot of the Alps mountain range Y es muy empinado. Moverse por Mónaco puede ser frustrante debido a la falta de Uber (sí, lo sé, es frustrante para muchos turistas y residentes). Por suerte, hay muchos aparcamientos claramente señalizados. Pero cuidado: si tienes un vehículo grande, puede que no quepa en algunos.

Locals know where all the (somewhat hidden) elevators are, so they can walk places quickly, but if you don’t, then you’ll likely be getting some good uphill exercise in order to get to your destination by foot. Here’s a guide to getting around in Monaco (and where the elevators are!)

How Monaco is Governed

The Monaco government is what’s called a ‘Unitary Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy’. It is an independent City-State (Monaco is not part of France). A hereditary constitutional monarchy sets the Head of the State, and the Sovereign Prince is the head of the government. The Consultative Constitutional Assemblies assist in governing. H.S.H. Prince Albert II reigns as the current monarch.

Mónaco es miembro con derecho a voto de las Naciones Unidas y forma parte de trece organizaciones de la ONU, como la UNESCO y la OMS. El Tratado franco-monegasco de 1861 reconoció oficialmente a Mónaco como estado soberano.

A pesar de la independencia de Mónaco y su política exterior independiente, su defensa es responsabilidad de Francia. No obstante, Mónaco mantiene dos pequeñas unidades militares.

Mónaco es predominantemente católico romano. Es también la religión del Estado. Aun así, la Constitución garantiza la libertad de culto. El lema es «Deo Juvante», que en español significa «Con la ayuda de Dios».

Safety and the Monaco Police

Monaco has the largest police force and police presence in the world, on both a per-capita and per-area basis. With nation-wide video surveillance, three police stations, and one police officer per 73 residents, Monaco has safety standards so strict that it is known as the safest square mile in the world. Compare that to NYC, one of the USA’s most policed and safest cities, which has one officer per 233 residents.

The 519 police officers are carefully selected from the French police force and must go through an additional two-year intensive training program to serve in Monaco. It’s a very desirable position as they get a high salary and a free seaside apartment in Fontvieille, Monaco.

The Monaco police don’t mess around: the rules are extremely strict and the court system in Monaco almost always pronounces maximum sentences. So behave yourself!

Mónaco cuenta con un sistema de videovigilancia 24 horas que abarca toda la superficie del Principado, incluyendo la mayoría de los vestíbulos de los edificios residenciales, un sistema de transmisión digno de los mejores ejércitos del mundo y la posibilidad de bloquear cualquier acceso de entrada y salida del Principado en cuestión de minutos. Y no olvidemos a los equipos de vigilancia dentro del Casino y en todos los establecimientos de juego y hoteles.

This works well for residents and tourists, as you won’t need to worry about your diamond bracelet or designer bag being stolen, or your child going missing. If your child wanders off, the police will be able to track him/her with facial-recognition video tracking and find your child in a matter of minutes.

Echa un vistazo a nuestro guide to Monaco’s jail!

Documentary: An Insider Look at Monaco

Durante un año, las cámaras de este documental siguieron al Príncipe en su día a día, tanto en la presidencia como en familia, entre bastidores en los palacios principescos y en el extranjero. Verá su despacho personal en lo alto de una de las torres del palacio, hasta las habitaciones más privadas donde siempre se reúne con la familia, eventos deportivos en prestigiosas galas benéficas, obligaciones políticas y pasiones personales, tanto en Mónaco como en el extranjero. El gobernante de Mónaco comparte por primera vez su vida pública y privada.

A Visual Overview of Monaco

SBM has created an visita virtual interactiva of Monaco. It’s a fun way to virtually ‘walk’ around Monaco and tour inside some of the landmark buildings, hotels and casinos.

More Travel Guides to Monaco and Monte-Carlo

Like art? To find the art in the Principality, check out this travel guide to Monaco’s art scene.

The Principality has many beautiful parks and gardens perfect with picturesque and Instagram-worthy views. See this guide to Monaco’s parks for more.

And, are you curious how billionaires live a life of luxury in Monte Carlo? Take a look at this billionaire-life travel guide.

For the best shopping experiences, see this guide to Monaco’s shopping centers.

Wondering about the royal family? Check out our guide to the history of Monaco.

We’ve also created a complete guide to the Monte Carlo Casino y the Opera House.

Este es un mapa de Mónaco realmente útil.Puedes filtrar el mapa para ver los baños públicos, estaciones de bicicletas, fuentes, parques para perros, dispensadores de gel y mucho más más cercanos. La sección de aparcamiento te permite consultar la disponibilidad de plazas en tiempo real por aparcamiento.

And check Iconic Riviera regularly as we add more travel guides every week!

Important Monaco Contacts