Monaco Spain Visa: What Monaco Residents Need to Know
Key Facts for Monaco Residents
- Visa Required: Yes for stays over 90 days
- Short Stay: 90 days visa-free (Schengen rules)
- Most Common Visas: Non-Lucrative, Digital Nomad, Entrepreneur
- Processing Time: 30-60 days at consulate
- Spanish Consulate: Marseille (jurisdiction), Nice (nearby)
- Citizenship Timeline: 10 years
- Tax Treaty: NO (critical consideration)
If you’re a Monaco resident considering Spain, here’s the essential truth about the monaco spain visa situation: you can visit without a visa for up to 90 days, but living here requires proper residency. Monaco isn’t in the EU or EEA, so you don’t have free movement rights. The 90-day Schengen exemption is for tourism and short business trips, not establishing your life.
The bigger consideration isn’t the visa process. It’s taxes. Monaco has no personal income tax. Spain taxes up to 47%. And there’s no tax treaty between the two countries. This requires careful planning before you move.
Why Monaco Residents Choose Spain
Monaco residents make this transition for clear reasons:
Space. Monaco is 2.02 km² with over 39,000 residents. It’s the most densely populated country on Earth. Spain offers room to breathe.
Lifestyle diversity. Monaco has its casinos and yacht clubs. Spain offers Barcelona’s cultural scene, Andalusia’s historic cities, Balearic beaches, and everything in between.
Cost. Even Barcelona is more affordable than Monaco. Significantly so.
Family. Spanish schools, both public and international, offer excellent education. Healthcare through Spain’s public system ranks among Europe’s best.
Your Visa Options
Not sure which visa fits your situation? Each path has different requirements, timelines, and tax implications. Book a consultation and we’ll map out the optimal visa and tax strategy for your move.
Spanish Consulates for Monaco Residents
Marseille – Consulate General of Spain (Visa Jurisdiction)
38 rue Edouard Delanglade
13006 Marseille, France
Note: Monaco residents apply for Spanish visas here
Nice – Consulate General of Spain (Nearby)
4, Boulevard Jean Jaurès
06300 Nice, France
Tel: +33 4 93 92 54 84
Email: [email protected]
Processing time is typically 15-60 calendar days. Apply up to 6 months before your intended move.
Tax Considerations: Critical for Monaco Residents
NO Tax Treaty Between Monaco and Spain
This is significant. Unlike most country pairs, Monaco and Spain have NO double taxation agreement. While Monaco has 30+ tax treaties, Spain isn’t among them.
What This Means:
- Double taxation risk: If Spain considers you still tax resident based on 183-day rule, economic interests, or family ties, Spain taxes worldwide income with no offset for Monaco’s zero tax
- Spanish-source income: Even non-residents pay 24% flat rate on Spanish rental income, dividends, etc., with no deductions for Monaco residents
- Exit tax: Spain has strict exit tax rules and monitors moves to low-tax jurisdictions like Monaco
- Information exchange: A Tax Information Exchange Agreement exists between Monaco and Spain for data sharing
Beckham Law
Special regime for qualifying new residents: flat 24% on Spanish-source income for 6 years. Worth exploring if you qualify. Learn about Beckham Law eligibility.
The 0% to 47% jump requires careful planning. Book a consultation before making your move. The Beckham Law may help if you qualify, but it has specific requirements and limitations.
Required Documents
For Visa Application:
- Passport valid for at least 1 year
- Criminal record certificate from Monaco (apostilled)
- Criminal records from any country where you’ve lived 5+ years
- Medical certificate from authorized doctor
- Private health insurance covering Spain, full coverage
- Proof of accommodation in Spain
- Financial documentation varies by visa type
- Application form completed and signed
- Photos passport size, white background
- Visa fee
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Monaco residents need a visa for Spain?
For stays under 90 days, Monaco citizens are visa-exempt under Schengen rules. For living in Spain (over 90 days), you need a proper residency visa. The most common options are Non-Lucrative, Digital Nomad, or Entrepreneur visas.
Is there a tax treaty between Monaco and Spain?
No. This is critical information. Monaco and Spain have no double taxation agreement. Moving from Monaco’s 0% income tax to Spain’s rates (up to 47%) requires careful tax planning. The Beckham Law may help qualifying new residents.
Where do Monaco residents apply for Spanish visas?
The Spanish Consulate General in Marseille has jurisdiction for Monaco residents. The Nice consulate is geographically closer but Marseille handles visa applications.
How long does visa processing take?
Standard processing is 15-60 calendar days depending on visa type and documentation. You can apply up to 6 months before your intended move date.
Can I work in Spain with a Non-Lucrative visa?
No. The Non-Lucrative visa specifically prohibits work in Spain. If you need to work, consider the Digital Nomad visa (for remote work) or Work visa (for Spanish employment).
We Handle Everything
Spanish bureaucracy is relentless. Visa applications, tax residency, NIE appointments, ongoing compliance. Getting any of it wrong costs time and money. We handle the paperwork and planning so you can focus on actually building your life here.
When you’re ready, contact us for a consultation. We’ll assess your situation and create a clear roadmap.
This guide provides general information about moving from Monaco to Spain. Requirements can change. Contact us for personalized advice on your situation. Information accurate as of January 2026.