Selling property in Monaco as a foreigner: process and tax

In Monaco an individual seller usually pays no capital gains tax and the buyer carries most of the registration cost, but the notary-led process, the agent's fee and the owner's residence status need care.

In brief

As of 7 November 2026, a private seller in Monaco normally pays no capital gains tax there (a consultancy says so for individuals not under another regime), registration duty and notary fees of about 6% of the price fall mainly on the buyer, and the seller's agent fee can reach 5% (one agency). The sale is led by a notaire in two stages with a deposit of about 10%. Our planning range is 2 to 4 months. The practical risks are the small buyer pool, the agent's contract and your own residence status. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.

Who sells and how it works

Monaco is a small, closed market: few apartments change hands, most buyers are wealthy and foreign, and a sale is usually arranged through a Monaco agency. A non-resident owner can sell, either in person or through a power of attorney signed before a notary. Before you sign the agent's mandate, check three things: the fee (negotiated in the mandate), the length of any exclusivity and what the agent is entitled to if you find the buyer yourself.

The process, step by step

The mandate and the valuation. You agree the price range and the agent's fee, and the agent prepares the listing.
The written proposal. When a buyer makes a written offer and you accept it, the notaire is instructed.
The promise of sale. The notaire drafts a preliminary contract (a promesse or compromis de vente). The buyer pays a deposit of about 10% into the notary's escrow account.
The deposit rule, as described by agency pages: if the buyer withdraws after the price is agreed, the deposit goes to you; if you withdraw, it is returned and you may owe a penalty equal to the deposit. Have the notaire explain the exact conditions, including conditions such as financing.
The deed of sale. The deed is signed before the notaire, who transfers the funds, registers the new owner and releases any mortgage.

One agency puts completion at 2 weeks to 2 months from the written proposal. We plan 2 to 4 months because documents, a mortgage release and a power of attorney take time.

Documents you will need

Your ownership deed and proof of identity.
The certificate from the building's trustee (the syndic) on charges and any arrears.
A mortgage redemption figure, if there is a mortgage.
A power of attorney, if you sign from abroad.
Evidence of how you originally paid for the property, for the notaire's anti-money-laundering file.

Costs

Registration duty and notary fees: about 6% of the price on agency pages (4.5% to 6% on another site, up to 7.5% or 10% where a buying structure is not transparent). These fall mainly on the buyer. One portal reportedly still shows rates repealed on 1 October 2023, so confirm with a notaire.
Agent: one agency lists the buyer's side at 3% plus VAT and the seller's side at up to 5%. We found no standard seller rate, so negotiate it.
Your side may also include the cost of a mortgage release and a power of attorney.

Tax in brief

A consultancy says the sale of an apartment or villa in Monaco gives rise to no capital gains tax where the seller is an individual not under another regime. Two caveats. A French national stays under French rules in many cases because of the 1963 convention, and property you own in France is taxed in France on a sale (19% plus 17.2% social levies for non-residents, per a French association's sheet). Check your situation with an adviser in your home country as well; for the broader picture see the overview of selling taxes by country.

Your residence status

We found no source on whether selling your Monaco home affects a residence permit. If your permit depends on having housing in Monaco, ask the Monaco authorities before you sign the promise of sale, not after.

Anti-money-laundering checks and getting the money out

The notaire takes part in Monaco's strict anti-money-laundering regime and checks identity and the origin of funds. As a seller you will be asked to prove ownership and how you originally paid for the property. After the deed, the notaire pays you by transfer to the account you name. Receiving banks abroad run their own checks, which are tighter for holders of Russian, Belarusian, Kazakh and Ukrainian passports: see bank checks for Russian citizens living in the EU and repatriating money after a sale. We found no sourced figure for conversion costs.

An illustrative example

Assumptions, not market data: sale price 5,000,000 euros, agent fee for the seller 5% plus 20% VAT (300,000), a mortgage of 1,000,000 repaid at the deed, no Monaco capital gains tax and no registration cost for you. You receive about 3,700,000 euros before any tax at home and before bank fees. If you are a French national or the deal involves French assets, tax may apply elsewhere.

Common mistakes

Signing a long exclusive mandate without agreeing the fee.
Not asking the building's trustee for the charges certificate early.
Assuming "no tax in Monaco" means no tax anywhere.
Ignoring the effect of the sale on your residence permit.
Not preparing proof of how you paid for the property.
Relying on agency percentages without checking them with a notaire.

Checklist with approximate timing

Weeks 1 to 3: choose the agent, agree the fee and the exclusivity, collect the deed and the charges certificate.
Weeks 4 to 10: market the property, accept a written proposal, sign the promise of sale and receive the deposit.
Weeks 10 to 16: release of the mortgage, signature of the deed, payment of the proceeds.
After the deed: check your residence position and any tax at home.

Related materials

FAQ

Do I pay capital gains tax when I sell in Monaco? A consultancy says there is none for an individual seller not under another regime; French nationals and property in France follow French rules, so check your case.

Who pays the registration duty? Mainly the buyer, at about 6% of the price including notary fees on agency pages; confirm with a notaire.

How much is the agent's fee? One agency lists the seller's side at up to 5% and the buyer's at 3% plus VAT; it is negotiated in the mandate.

How long does a sale take? One agency says 2 weeks to 2 months from the written proposal; we plan 2 to 4 months.

Can I sell from abroad? Yes, in person or through a power of attorney signed before a notary, subject to the notaire's requirements.

How to sell property in Monaco as a foreign owner: process, tax and getting the money out