What are the registration duties when buying property in Monaco?

Registration duties (droits d’enregistrement) are the main purchase tax in Monaco. The standard rate is 4.5% of the purchase price for individual buyers. A higher 7.5% rate applies when the buyer is a non-transparent legal entity (an offshore company whose beneficial owner is not disclosed). For most private individuals buying in their own name or through a Monaco SCI, the 4.5% rate applies.

How much are notaire fees in Monaco?

The notaire’s fees in Monaco are regulated and based on a sliding scale. For a typical transaction they work out to approximately 1.5% of the purchase price, on top of registration duties. The notaire is a public officer appointed by the Principality, responsible for drafting the deed, handling tax payments and registering the sale.

Is VAT charged on Monaco property purchases?

VAT at 20% applies only to brand new builds sold off-plan or within five years of completion (VEFA or first resale). In that case, registration duties are reduced to a fixed 1% instead of 4.5%. For all second-hand properties (the large majority of Monaco transactions), no VAT is charged and the usual 4.5% registration duty applies.

What agency fees should a buyer expect?

Traditional Monaco agencies typically charge 3% of the purchase price (plus VAT) to the buyer, with a matching 3% to the seller. Buyers introduced through MonacoViews pay no buy-side agency fee; any seller-side arrangement is agreed separately.

What are the ongoing costs of owning property in Monaco?

Monaco has no annual property tax (no taxe foncière, no taxe d’habitation). Buyers pay building service charges (charges de copropriété), typically €50-€150 per square metre per year depending on the building’s amenities, plus utilities and insurance. A concierge-staffed building with a pool will sit at the top of that range.

Are there any taxes on selling Monaco property?

Monaco residents pay zero capital gains tax on the sale of their main residence. French tax residents selling a Monaco property are generally liable for French capital gains tax on any gain. Non-residents of France or Monaco are not liable to local tax in Monaco on the sale. The notaire confirms each party’s position before completion.

Buyer guide

Costs of Buying Property in Monaco

A clear 2026 breakdown of every cost that sits on top of the headline purchase price: registration duties, notaire fees, VAT, agency commissions and ongoing service charges. Designed to let you model the true total before you make an offer.

The cost stack at a glance

All figures below are in addition to the agreed purchase price. Numbers are indicative for a typical second-hand Monaco apartment; exact figures vary by building, structure and transaction type.

Registration duties (individuals)

4.5%

Standard purchase tax for individual buyers. 7.5% applies for non-transparent legal entities.

Notaire fees

~1.5%

Regulated sliding scale. The notaire drafts the deed, settles taxes and registers the sale.

VAT (new builds only)

20%

Only on new builds sold off-plan or within five years. Registration duty is then reduced to 1%.

Agency fee (traditional)

3% + VAT

What traditional agencies charge the buyer. MonacoViews charges nothing to buyers.

Service charges (annual)

€50-€150 /m²

Building charges (charges de copropriété). Higher for concierge/pool/gym buildings.

Worked example: a \u20AC10 million Monte-Carlo apartment

Take a second-hand \u20AC10 million apartment in Monte-Carlo bought by a private individual in their own name. Registration duties sit at 4.5% (\u20AC450,000), notaire fees at roughly 1.5% (\u20AC150,000). With no VAT applicable to a second-hand transaction, total transfer costs come in around \u20AC600,000: 6% on top of the headline price.

Going through a traditional agency adds a 3% buy-side fee plus VAT (\u20AC360,000). Going through MonacoViews instead, the buyer pays no introduction fee to MonacoViews. The notaire fee and registration duty still apply; the transaction itself is handled by the parties' own agency and notaire.

Once the deal completes, annual costs are service charges (\u20AC80-\u20AC150 per square metre for a high-end building) plus utilities and insurance. There is no annual property tax in Monaco, which is one of the reasons holding a Monaco residence looks attractive compared with every major European capital.

Where to go next

The full buying process, step by step: the legal flow from offer to compromis de vente to completion.
Monaco property taxes explained: a focused reference on registration duties, VAT and capital gains.
Monaco estate agent fees explained: a full breakdown of traditional 3% + 3% commissions, VAT treatment and how fees are negotiated.
Monaco property market data: live price-per-square-metre figures by district, so you can benchmark your offer.
Browse property for sale in Monaco: live MonacoViews listings, with verified buildings and original photography.

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