How to set up a Business as a Sole Trader

To get the forms you can either:

• Download them here:

• Or collect them from the Business Development Agency

Documents to be provided:

• The completed form "Application for permit to carry out a business activity in the Principality of Monaco"
• The "Personal Information" form
• A civil-status document:
  • A photocopy of the residence permit for residents
  • A copy of the ID card or passport for foreigners
• A birth certificate
• Applicant's copy of criminal record dated of less than 3 months. This should be obtained from:
  • The General Court Registry of Monaco for residents
  • The national criminal records office or over the internet for persons residing in France

When access to a business activity is subject to specific conditions stipulated by law, the applicant must provide the administrative documents proving that he/she fulfils the required criteria (certificates, proof of professional experience, certificate of nationality, etc.).

If the planned activity involves the purchase of an existing business (either commercial or related to a skilled trade):

• The agreement to transfer the business or transfer deed

If the planned activity involves the creation of a new business (either commercial or related to a skilled trade):

• Either the agreement to transfer tenancy rights or the transfer deed; or
• The purchase agreement or title deed for the premises; or
• The occupancy agreement

If it involves management under lease:

• The management under lease contract must be submitted

The application for a business permit must be submitted to the Business Development Agency.

The statutory period for review of the application is forty-five days from notification of its eligibility.

The deed showing transfer of tenancy rights must be registered with the Tax Services ((cf. art.14 de la loi n°580 du 29 juillet 1953, amended, modifying the rate of registration and mortgage fees).

The rate levied is 7.5%

The purchase of a business (either commercial or related to a skilled trade) must also be publicised by the buyer in the Journal de Monaco (Ordonnance du 23/06/1907 , on the sale of businesses).

The deed showing transfer of tenancy rights must be registered with the Tax Services (see art.1^ER de la loi n° 546 du 26/06/1951, amended, modifying the rate of registration and mortgage fees).

The rate of 1% is charged and levied on the cumulative price of the remaining years on the tenancy agreement.

The management under lease contract must be registered art.1^ER de la loi n° 546 du 26/06/1951, regulating lease management).

An announcement must be published in the Journal de Monaco, on two separate occasions at an interval of seven days ((art.2 de la loi n° 546 du 26 juin 1951 , regulating lease management) by the tenant (art.4 de la loi n°546 du 26 juin 1951).

Once authorisation to practice an activity has been issued, the following formalities must be completed:

• If the activity in question is commercial in nature, entry of the company in the Trade and Industry RegistryThe Trade and Industry Registry Office ensures that the legally required public notice formalities have been carried out in cases where there is a transfer of business, or transfer of tenancy or lease-management rights
  When the activity is of a civil nature (for example advisory, professional expertise, etc.) or related to skilled trade it is not recorded in the trade register
• Registration on the NIS (Statistical Identification Number) Register with Monaco Statistics (Monegasque Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies). This number is used for official classifications and statistics and is necessary throughout the life cycle of your company (opening a bank account, establishing a telephone line, etc.)
• Declaration of existence of the company to the Department of Tax Services
• Registration of the managers with CAMTI-CARTI 

All stages of post-authorisation procedures are described on this document:

To get the forms you can either:

• Download them here:
  
  PDF236.9 kB

  Déclaration monégasque d'exercice d'une activité en Principauté de Monaco (n° 355-29-07-25)
  
  
  PDF195.3 kB

  Individual notice (n° 355-19-05-25)
  
  
  PDF123.9 kB

  Business premises information sheet (355_12.08.25)
• Or collect them from the Business Development Agency

Documents to be provided:

• The completed form "Monegasque declaration of business activity in the Principality of Monaco"
• The "Individual notice" form
• A certificate of nationality
• A copy copy of ID card
• Applicant's copy of criminal record dated of less than 3 months. This should be obtained from the General Court Registry of Monaco
• The "Information on business premises" form
• A deed of occupancy

If the planned activity involves the purchase of an existing business (either commercial or related to a skilled trade):

• The agreement to transfer the business or transfer deed

If the planned activity involves the creation of a new business (either commercial or related to a skilled trade):

• Either the agreement to transfer tenancy rights or the transfer deed; or
• The purchase agreement or title deed for the premises; or
• The occupancy agreement

If it involves management under lease:

The management under lease contract must be submitted

The declaration of business activity including all supporting documents must be submitted to the Business Development Agency.

It is returned with a receipt, dated and signed by the Minister of State, within two weeks from the date of submission of the declaration.

The deed showing transfer of tenancy rights must be registered with the Tax Services (cf. art.14 de la loi n°580 du 29 juillet 1953, amended, modifying the rate of registration and mortgage fees).

The rate levied is 7.5%

The purchase of a business (either commercial or related to a skilled trade) must also be publicised by the buyer in the Journal de Monaco (Ordonnance du 23/06/1907, on the sale of businesses).

The deed showing transfer of tenancy rights must be registered with the Tax Services (cf.art.9, 2°, de la loi n°580 du 29 juillet 1953, amended, modifying the rate of registration and mortgage fees).

The rate of 1% is charged and levied on the cumulative price of the remaining years on the tenancy agreement.

The management under lease contract must be registered (art.1^ER de la loi n° 546 du 26/06/1951, regulating lease management).

An announcement must be published in the Journal de Monaco, on two separate occasions at an interval of seven days (art.2 de la loi n° 546 du 26 juin 1951, regulating lease management) by the tenant (art.4 de la loi n°546 du 26 juin 1951).

Once the receipt of the declaration of activity is issued, the following formalities must be completed:

• If the activity in question is commercial in nature, entry of the company in the Trade and Industry Registry
  The Trade Registry Office ensures that the legally required public notice formalities have been carried out in cases where there is a transfer of business, or transfer of tenancy or lease-management rights
  When the activity is of a civil nature (for example advisory, professional expertise, etc.) or related to skilled trade it is not recorded in the trade register
• Registration on the NIS (Statistical Identification Number) Register with Monaco Statistics (Monegasque Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies). This number is used for official classifications and statistics and is necessary throughout the life cycle of your company (opening a bank account, establishing a telephone line, etc.)
• Declaration of existence of the company to the Departement of Tax Services
• Registration of the managers with CAMTI-CARTI

All stages of post-authorisation procedures are described on this document: