Can I Travel To Monaco From The UK? Updated Monaco Travelling Restrictions

“Everybody seems to live rather well down here in Monaco!”, famously and humorously quipped by Sir Roger George Moore, the third generation James Bond. As funny as it may sound, it unintentionally encapsulates Monaco in a sentence: it’s fickle yet oddly pleasant.

You know how the cliché goes; good things come in small packets. Monaco, as a country, is as small as it gets. This sovereign city-state is in fact the second smallest country in the world, second only to the Vatican. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in quality. Perhaps that’s what lures people to travel to Monaco.

A Monaco vacation would be as plush as it gets. In a country where one third of the population is millionaires, it comes as no surprise that this tiny state is the heaven for the sybarite. It is, in reality, a heaven for tax dodgers and gamblers around the globe. Still, that doesn’t stop the average Joe from enjoying this place in their own way.

Unfortunately, your financial status amounts to next to nothing in the face of the COVID virus. Monaco, and France in general, was a victim of the rampaging pandemic, which makes accessing the Principality extra frustrating. Thankfully, strict restrictions imposed by the Monaco Government was of massive importance in keeping its residents safe and its visitors happy.

But, in order to get into Monaco, you must have a good grasp of Monaco travel restrictions. Keep with us to update the latest information on Monaco travel advice before planning a trip to Monaco.

Covid-19 Situation in Monaco 

Monaco is abnormally small. It is, as a country, smaller than many cities in the world. But perhaps that’s a blessing in disguise, as the low number of citizens in a limited space provides for great coronavirus control and vaccination. In reality, Monaco is one of the few countries that didn’t suffer tremendously from the wrath of COVID.

Up until the point of writing this article, Monaco has recorded a total of 6,837 infections and 44 coronavirus-related deaths. Compared to its population of 39,671. While the infection rate of Monaco has reached a whopping 17% of the population, the fact that the country has managed to keep the death rate at 0,1% is truly astounding. It’s the testament to the country’s ability to treat covid patients, as well as distributing vaccines.

It’s interesting, however, as Monaco practises freewill vaccination, as in only those you volunteer and apply will get vaccination. Regardless, the country has reached roughly 65% vaccination rate, among which about 60% has been fully vaccinated.

It’s fortunate, in addition, that there hasn’t been a case of Omicron variant recorded in Monaco. That doesn’t mean, however, that the Principality is impervious to this variant, but it’s a great sign that indicates the success of the Principality’s current endeavour to combat the pandemic.

As Monaco is virtually enclosed in France, it’s recommended that you should also check the current French’s covid situation before travelling to Monaco if you aren’t travelling by air. Do refer to our article on travelling to France in COVID.

Vaccination procedure in Monaco

Any person over the age of 12 is eligible to get the vaccine doses for free. Children from the age of 5 to 11 can apply for vaccination if they’re at risk of severe forms of COVID-19 or living or in close contact with an immunocompromised individual. When applying for the vaccination, children must be accompanied by their parents or a legal representative. They must also complete the authorisation. Do refer to the official Monaco Government’s website for further information.

If you’re not a Monaco resident but still wish to receive your vaccination, you can apply for it. If you’re working in the Principality, you must acquire proof of employment.

In order to get vaccinations in Monaco, you must register yourself. In specific, you must contact the local COVID call centre and voice your wish to be vaccinated or register through the official government website. After that, you will receive contact to arrange an appointment to get yourself vaccinated.

Can I travel to Monaco During Covid?

Yes, in short. But your travel experience is going to depend on several factors, the primary one would be where you came from. Like many other countries, Monaco categorises other countries and territories into three zones: green, orange, and red zones. Different regulations will be applied depending on the zone of origin.

Zone of Origin Classification

Green Zone

The countries and territories below are grouped into the green zone:

• European Union Member States;
• Andorra;
• Argentina;
• Australia;
• Bahrain;
• Canada;
• Comoros;
• Hong Kong
• Jordan;
• Kuwait;
• Lebanon;
• Liechtenstein;
• New Zealand;
• Norway;
• Qatar;
• Rwanda;
• San Marino;
• Saudi Arabia;
• Senegal;
• South Korea;
• Switzerland;
• Taiwan;
• Uruguay;
• United Arab Emirates;
• Vanuatu;
• the Vatican.

Orange Zone

Every country not appearing on the list of green zone or red zone belongs to this group of orange zone.

Red Zone

The countries and territories below are grouped into the red zone:

• Afghanistan;
• Belarus;
• Botswana;
• Brazil;
• Costa Rica;
• Cuba;
• Eswatini;
• Georgia;
• Mauritius;
• Lesotho;
• Malawi;
• Moldova;
• Montenegro;
• Mozambique;
• Namibia;
• Pakistan;
• Russia;
• Serbia;
• South Africa;
• Suriname;
• Turkey;
• Ukraine;
• Zambia;
• Zimbabwe.

Requirements for Travellers from Abroad

The requirements are based on the countries where travellers depart from and not their home country. For example, if you are Canadian and you’re arriving in Monaco from Brazil, then the red zone regulations will be applied. Noted that, when the term “full vaccination” is mentioned below, it means:

• For the Janssen Vaccine: 28 days after the 1st dose;
• For other vaccines, 7 days after the 2nd dose, or a single dose for those who have contracted COVID-19.

The requirements for all travellers arriving in Monaco from any zone are similar, but the exemptions for each zone are different. Anyone aged over 16 arriving from the any countries must present the following document upon entering the country:

• A negative result of a PCR or antigen test within the latest 24 hours;
• Full vaccination;
• A certificate, or proof of recovery from COVID-19: a positive PCR test taken more than 11 days ago and within the last 6 months.

Exemptions for Those Arriving from Green Zone

If you’re arriving in Monaco but not staying in any accommodation in Monaco, the cases below are exempted from presenting the above documents:

• Residents of the French departments of Alpes-Maritimes or Var;
• Residents of the Province of Imperia in Italy;
• Commuter workers and cross-border students;
• Professionals from abroad coming in to perform a service whose urgency or frequency render them incompatible with the performance of regular COVID tests;
• Road transport professionals coming in for their work.

Exemptions for Those Arriving from Orange Zone

If you’re arriving in Monaco and fail to present a complete vaccination or a certificate of recovery, you must conform with the following requirements:

• Justify your inability to present required documents (personal or family reason, a health or professional reason that cannot be postponed);
• Present the negative result of a PCR or antigen test of less than 24 hours.

You must also agree to either:

• Isolate yourself for 7 days on arrival in Monaco;
• Present the negative result of two new PCR tests, the first carried out within 24 hours of your arrival and the second carried out in less than 7 days later.

Exemptions for Those Arriving from Red Zone

If you’re arriving in Monaco and fail to present a complete vaccination or a certificate of recovery, you must conform with the following requirements:

• Justify your inability to present required documents (personal or family reason, a health or professional reason that cannot be postponed);
• Present the negative result of a PCR or antigen test of less than 24 hours;
• Isolate for 10 days and perform a new PCR test at the end of the isolation period.

Monaco Entry Requirement

Visa

Anyone wishing to enter the Principality of Monaco must present a visa. What kind of visa, however, depends on where you came from.

The European Economic Area

People coming from the European Economic Area and associated states aren’t required to present a visa upon entering Monaco. They only need to present a passport or a valid identity card. Those places include:

• Andorra;
• Austria;
• Belgium;
• Bulgaria;
• Czech Republic;
• Cyprus;
• Denmark
• Estonia;
• Vatican City;
• France;
• Finland;
• Germany;
• Greece;
• Hungary;
• Ireland;
• Italy;
• Iceland;
• Latvia;
• Liechtenstein;
• Lithuania;
• Luxembourg;
• Malta;
• Norway;
• the Netherlands;
• Poland;
• Portugal (including the archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores);
• Romania;
• United Kingdom;
• San Marino;
• Slovakia;
• Slovenia;
• Spain;
• Sweden;
• Switzerland.

Other places

People coming from places outside The European Economic Area and its associated states wishing to enter Monaco must present a valid passport and a Schengen visa.

There are exemptions for stay of less than 90 days for people from certain countries. Do refer to the list on the French Public Service Website for further details.

Vaccine

As mentioned above, aside from a few exemptions, anyone entering the Principality of Monaco must be fully vaccinated, which means at the time of entering the country, they must either have had the 1st dose of Jansen vaccine for at least 28 days or have had the 2nd dose of other vaccine for at least 7 days (or the 1st dose for those who have contracted the Coronavirus).

In order to travel around Monaco, you’d need to carry a Health pass with you at all, as you will be required to present this document upon entering many public places. The Principality of Monaco has issued 2 types of healthy pass:

• The MONACO SAFE PASS, which is valid in Monaco and all European Union countries;
• The European Health Pass, which is valid in European Union countries as well as in countries with agreements with France and the European Union.

What is a health pass?

It’s a document, whether in hard copies or digital form, that indicate your health status, more specifically:

• Your vaccination status;
• Your recovery from COVID-19 (if you have contracted the virus);
• Your possession of a COVID-19 test.

The health pass includes a QRCode that is to be scanned by the people in charge.

Best Time to Visit Monaco

Monaco’s weather is nice throughout the year. With balmy sun all year round, Monaco is a perfect destination for anyone at any time of the year. However, if you’re a perfectionist who only settles for the absolute best, April and October are the best choices. It’s perfect, not quite because of the weather as it's great throughout the year, but more so because of the off season so it’s a tad more affordable in this lavish place.

The summer is also perfect for visiting Monaco, but be wary, this tourist hotspot will be packed full of people on every corner, but again, isn’t that liveliness part of the reason why many came here in the first place?

10 Best Places to Visit in Monaco

The fact that Monaco is crammed into less than a kilometre square doesn’t equate to a lackadaisical offering in destination. In fact, squeezed into this French Riviera region stands some of the most glorious and fascinating landmarks for both the elite and the everyman alike.

Casino de Monte Carlo

The emblem of Monaco. The epitome of opulence. The amalgamation of any and everything that glorifies Monaco into the land of luxury – Casino de Monte Carlo.

Image from World Casino Directory

Promoted by Charles the third all the way back in 1866, the casino triumphed over periods of hard knocks and ended up in booming success, becoming what it is today. Its name actually means “casino of Mount Charles”, an ode to the prince who spearheaded its construction in the first place.

While inveterate gamblers unite to get their regular doses, many just come here for its glamorous marble-and-gold design. From afar, the Casino de Monte Carlo appeared more akin to a palace. On the inside, furbished salon, towering columns, marbled statues, and dazzling chandelier makes for an unbelievably lavish complexion. Visiting this place is a truly memorable experience, and it’s one not to be missed when visiting Monaco.

Musée Océanographique de Monaco

Quite literally a cliff-hanger, the Musée Océanographique de Monaco (the Oceanographic Museum) is renowned for its epic and one-of-a-kind display of marine life.

Image from Musée Océano

The main show is the six-metre-deep lagoon with transparent glass surroundings, through which visitors get to see sharks and other marine predators swirling around colourful and stunning coral reefs. Aside from this, there are about 90 other tanks in this aquarium, housing up to 450 Mediterranean and tropical species floating jubilantly in 66,000 gallons of freshly pumped sea water daily.

Historophiles will find the shallower level fascinating. Here sits two large rooms where they can get to learn the course of oceanography through photographs, specimens, and interactive displays.

Circuit de Monaco

Nestled along the elegant coastline of Monaco, Circuit de Monaco during the Monaco Grand Prix is a spectacle to be witnessed.

Image from Pinterest

If there’s a title for the single most glamourous trophy in the world of Formula One racing, then the Monaco Grand Prix title would casually take the cake. The crowd is to be credited for such high praises. Appearing adjacent to the spot are some of the most well-heeled crowds: on the circuit sees the rich viewing the race, on the yachts mooring the harbour sees the super-rich observing from afar, champagne in hand. In which part of the world do one get to witness people enjoying sports from a yacht with champagne?

Le Rocher

Perhaps the last place in Monaco that has been able to retain some of its antique prestige, Monaco Ville, often known as Le Rocher is an outcast of Monaco, but a well-loved one.

Image from Visit Monaco

The quaint town is small, but there’s no shortage of gorgeous places to visit. As this town was once the stronghold of the Grimaldi dynasty, there are many imposing palaces and squares. The first thing that will catch your attention is the Prince’s Palace, a broad square in which at precisely 11:55 am every day a ceremony takes place where guards dressed in immaculate white uniform march in perfect coordination.

Other noticeable buildings include the Placette Bosio, the Chapel of Mercy, etc. It’s also here in Le Rocher where the Musée Océanographique mentioned right above is situated.

Prince’s Palace

If you’ve come all the way up to Le Rocher, might as well spend a day visiting this witness of history.

Image from French Riviera

Built atop the Le Rocher, this one fortress-looking palace is the stronghold and the haven for the Grimaldi royal family. Most of the palace is now the home of the current prince of Monaco, Prince Albert II, and is therefore kept out of reach to outsiders. However, visitors can still get a glimpse of the luxury life that was once the inspiration for the entire development of Monaco as a sovereign state.

Cathédrale de Notre-Dame-Immaculée

Also known as Monaco Cathedral, this cathedral is one of the most important and most beautiful cathedrals in France.

Image from Visit Monaco

Constructed in 1875-1903 and consecrated in 1911, the Monaco Cathedral was meant to be dedicated to Saint Nicolas. It has since become the tomb of many of the Grimaldis. It is here where, from September to June, mass is sung by the singers of the Cathedral Choir School at 10 am every Sunday.

Jardin Exotique de Monaco

French for “exotic garden of Monaco”, this phenomenal garden does capture the essence of what it takes to be called “exotic”.

 

Image from French Riviera Pass

Although the garden was opened in 1933, many of the succulent plants have been collected and transported all the way from Mexico since the 1860s. As the collection displayed to the visitors started 150 years ago, it comes as no surprise that there are upwards of 1000 species of cacti and succulents. The icing on the cake is, at the top plateaus of this three-acre garden, there’s a breath-taking panoramic view of Monaco's bay.

Roseraie Princesse Grace

We get it. Cacti and succulents are cool and all, but they don’t meet the mass audience’s standard of beauty. If you do feel so, why don’t you head over to this “Princess Grace Rose Garden”.

 

Image from Monaco Nature Encyclopaedia

This was meant to be a memorial to Grace Kelly, wife of Prince Rainier III. Spreading more than 5000 metre square, this garden houses over 4,000 rose bushes, visitors are bound to be in awe of the overwhelming perfume as soon as they step foot in the garden. It’s here where the International Competition of Roses is held, so if you’re a big fan of roses or flowers in general, try to coincide your Monaco visit with the occasion.

Collection des Voitures Anciennes

Speaking about Prince Rainier III, we must mention one of his most luxurious possessions. French for “Vintage Cars Collection”, this massive car collection of Prince Rainier III wouldn’t quite cater to everyone's taste, but it’s certainly a site not to be missed.

 

Image from See Monaco

Prince Rainier was a huge car lover, and starting from the early 1950s, he has been amassing cars, everything from Ferraris, Maseratis, Lamborghinis, Rolls-Royces, even some F1s. There are also some of the rarest, most prestigious models of these respective brands. In 1993, the prince decided to exhibit the collection to the public, and it’s been a fascinating destination ever since.

The Nouveau Musée National de Monaco

French for “The New Museum of Monaco”, this museum is dedicated to promoting the contemporary visual art of Monaco.

 

Vila Paloma. Image from Visit Monaco

There are two locations for the exhibition: Villa Paloma and Villa Sauber. The reason behind this is because of the country’s history, where it’s been characterised by interpersonal dialogue between the great minds of the country.

Covid-19 Monaco Travel Advice

If you must travel to Monaco from the UK, make sure to regularly check with the official website of the Principality of Monaco for the latest update. If you’re not fluent in France, you can check the UK’s foreign travel advice page for updated content.

Khoa Pham