Working as a Pharmacist in the Principality

The Act No. 1.518 of 23 December 2021 pertaining to the practice of pharmacy stipulates that any individual wishing to gain authorisation to practise in the Principality of Monaco must meet the following conditions (see article 1):

• Hold diplomas, certificates or qualifications as a pharmacist allowing them to practise on French territory or issued by a European Union Member State or party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area or recognised as equivalent by a commission whose composition and operation are determined by ministerial decree
• Have full civil and political rights and be of good character
• Demonstrate an adequate knowledge of the French language

Several types of authorisation can be issued: 

• Pharmacist with a pharmacy, it being specified that priority for establishing a pharmacy is given to Monegasques, subject to proof of at least six months' experience in a pharmacy or an in-house pharmacy
• In the event of the sale of a pharmacy, Monegasque pharmacists are granted pre-emption rights. A pharmacist may only own one dispensary and must take out professional indemnity insurance. A pharmacist who runs a pharmacy under their own name must be the owner, except in the case of a limited liability company (SARL). In addition, pharmacists may not engage in any other professional activity, except in the case of group purchasing structures
• Pharmacist managing a pharmacy following a death
• Biological pharmacist in a private medical biology laboratory
• Assistant pharmacist in a pharmacy, an in-house pharmacy in a private health establishment, a pharmaceutical establishment, or a structure dispensing oxygen for medical use
• Multi-employer pharmacist (allows you to be employed successively or simultaneously by several pharmacies for short periods)
• Pharmacist managing an in-house pharmacy in a private health establishment
• Responsible pharmacist, deputy responsible pharmacist or pharmacist managing a pharmacy following the death of a pharmacist in a pharmaceutical establishment
• Pharmacist in charge of a medical oxygen dispensing facility

Freedom to provide services, which allows pharmacists who are nationals of a European Union Member State, or party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, who are established and legally practising the activities of a pharmacist in a Member State or party, to carry out, within a pharmacy or an in-house pharmacy, on a one-off and occasional basis (for a period not exceeding five weeks), acts of their profession without being registered with the Monegasque Order of Pharmacists.

In order to make your application, you must submit a file to the Department of Health Affairs, in addition to the steps you must take with the Employment Office in order to obtain a work permit:

• A letter requesting authorisation addressed to the Director of Health Affairs
• A copy of the identity document
• An extract from criminal record dated of less than 3 months 
• •    The duly completed and signed information sheet (except for "freedom to provide services")
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    Notice de renseignements
• A CV
• A copy of diplomas
  • If the diploma was awarded by a European Union Member State or party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area: a copy of the "statement of comparability" of European recognition of the diploma issued by the authorities of the country concerned (in accordance with the provisions of European Directive 2005/36/EC)
  • For practice as a biological pharmacist: a copy of the diploma of specialised studies (DES) in medical biology
  • To practise as a responsible pharmacist or as a deputy responsible pharmacist within a pharmaceutical establishment: a copy of the minutes of the Board of Directors of the company appointing the candidate to these positions and any document attesting to the professional experience provided for in Articles 26 and 27 of the Ministerial Decree  no. 2003-167 of 3 March 2003 pertaining to conditions for the opening, alteration and operation of pharmaceutical establishments, amended

If you wish to practise under the ‘freedom to provide services’, only the documents listed below are required:

• A copy of the identity document
• A CV 
• A copy of diplomas
  • If the diploma was awarded by a European Union Member State or party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area: a copy of the "statement of comparability" of European recognition of the diploma issued by the authorities of the country concerned (in accordance with the provisions of European Directive 2005/36/EC)
  • A certificate of registration with a professional body

The completed application file can be:

• Sent by post to 48, bd d’Italie – Le Puccini
• Or by e-mail to  dass@gouv.mc

If you are applying as a "multi-employer pharmacist", you must submit your application in person.