Monaco is a sliver of coast between the French Riviera and the sea, and most visitors come for the day from Nice or another Riviera town to see Monte Carlo, the Prince's Palace on the Rock and the yachts in the harbour, arriving by train, by road or on a cruise ship. It is not in the EU, and it is outside the Roam Like at Home area. Its national operator is Monaco Telecom, so a European SIM that connects to it is roaming at its operator's own rates.
Key facts for Monaco
- EU roaming: not covered by Roam Like at Home
- Local networks: varies by plan
- Emergency numbers: 112 from a mobile; police 17; fire 18; ambulance 15
- Embassies: France and Italy in Monaco; the UK, the US and Spain cover it from Paris or Marseille
Getting there
Monaco has no airport. Nice Côte d'Azur is the nearest, with a helicopter link that takes about seven minutes, and the coastal trains, including international services, stop at Monaco's station. Cruise ships and yachts use the Hercules and Fontvieille ports. There are no border checks between France and Monaco: the principality follows the Schengen rules, France handles immigration for it, and you can stay for 90 days in any 180. Cash of 10,000 euros or more must be declared.
Why your phone switches networks
Monaco is surrounded by France, so on the streets near the border your phone can sit on a French network in one place and on Monaco Telecom a few steps further on. It works the other way too: in neighbouring Beausoleil or Cap-d'Ail, or on the coast towards Menton, a phone can pick up Monaco Telecom without leaving France. On a French network an EU plan works as at home; on the Monaco network it is roaming outside the regulated area, and your operator sets the price. In France, choose a French network manually in your settings; in Monaco, check your operator's rate before using data.
Europe plans for travel eSIMs do not include Monaco. A Monaco plan covers the principality itself, and a World plan covers Monaco and France together, which suits a longer trip along the Riviera.
Getting around
Everything in Monaco is within walking distance, and the hills are easier than they look: about 80 public lifts and 37 escalators link the levels of the town. An electric boat bus crosses the harbour, and MonaBike electric bikes can be hired around the principality.
Dress code, safety and health
Walking around in swimwear, bare-chested or barefoot is allowed on the beaches and in bathing areas, but elsewhere it can earn you a fine. Street crime is rare, but thefts happen on trains to and from Monaco and at Nice airport, particularly in the hire-car parks. Ask locally before swimming in the sea, especially if you see jellyfish. Monaco is not in the EU, so the EHIC and the UK's GHIC are not accepted, and you need travel insurance with medical cover. The currency is the euro.
Getting connected
A travel eSIM set up at home spares you the roaming question: choose a Monaco plan for the principality alone or a World plan for Monaco and France together. Keep your usual SIM for texts and bank codes, with data roaming turned off.
Monaco Telecom is the national operator, working under a public concession from the government.
Consular protection: who to call in Monaco
- Call 112 from a mobile or 18 from a landline for an ambulance, the fire service or the police; 17 reaches the police and 15 an ambulance.
- France and Italy have embassies in Monaco. The UK covers Monaco from its embassy in Paris and has an honorary consul in Monaco, the US covers it from Paris and its consulate general in Marseille, and Spain's consulate general in Marseille covers Monaco.
- EU citizens whose country has no embassy or consulate in Monaco can go to the embassy of any other EU country, such as France or Italy, which must help them as it helps its own nationals (Article 23 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU).
- French is the official language.
Questions travellers ask about Monaco
Does my EU plan work in Monaco?
Only on roaming at your operator's own rates when you are on Monaco Telecom, because Monaco is outside Roam Like at Home. On a French network near the border, it works as at home.
Why did my phone switch to a Monaco network while I was in France?
Near the border, signals overlap. Select a French network manually and your EU plan works as usual.
Which network does a Telcomia eSIM use in Monaco?
It depends on the plan, with 4G and 5G where available.
Do I need a passport to visit Monaco?
There are no border checks with France, but carry your passport or EU identity card: Monaco applies the Schengen rules.
The short version
Install the eSIM before you travel, pick a Monaco or World plan, choose French networks manually in France, keep shirt and shoes on away from the beach, watch your bag on the trains, and save 112.
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