How to register a business as a sole trader with the Trade and Industry Registry

Businesses as a sole trader are registered with the Trade and Industry Registry (RCI).

The registration of a business as a sole trader is not subject to publication in the Journal de Monaco.

The registration with the Trade and Industry Registry (RCI) requires the issuance of an acknowledgement of declaration of intent or an administrative authorisation and must be completed no later than one month after this acknowledgement or authorisation is issued. Without this, registration with the RCI is refused.

Furthermore, the declaration of intent or administrative authorisation expires and the application is closed without follow-up.

Basic information required by the Trade and Industry Registry:

• The surname, preferred name, any alternative name or pseudonym, first names and personal address
• The date and place of birth and nationality (or nationalities, if more than one)
• Family circumstances and, if applicable, date and place of marriage and matrimonial regime
• Activity/Activities carried out
• The commercial or business name(s) if applicable
• The address of the establishment and, if applicable, that of local annexes in Monaco
• The surname, preferred name, any alternative name or pseudonym, first names, date and place of birth, personal address and nationality(ies) of persons who have the capacity to sign on behalf of the declarant on a regular basis
• The name of the credit institution in Monaco where a deposit account is held for the business as per Act no. 1.492 of 08 July
• For lease managements, the start and end date and dates of publication of both in the Journal of Monaco:
  • When the leasing business owner is a natural person: surname, first name(s), Trade and Industry Registry registration number
  • When the leasing business owner is a legal person: the company name or registered name and Trade and Industry Registry registration number
• If applicable, a statement that the activity is carried out jointly
• A statement indicating it is a newly created business, acquisition of an existing business, or a modification of the legal regime under which this business is operated. In the last two cases, the surname, preferred name and first names of the previous operator must be provided for a natural person and the name or registered name of the business for a legal person, Trade and Industry Registry registration number along with the date of deregistration. In the event of a purchase or auction, the stipulated price and, in the event of a division, the value of the business must be provided, as well as the chosen address, the title and date of the journal in which the first legally-required publication was made, and 
• The state of the business on its commencement date

Your request must be submitted using the dedicated form, duly completed and signed by the professional.

To get this form you can either:

• Download it here:
  PDF453.6 kB

  P1_Demande d’inscription au Répertoire du Commerce et de l’Industrie (07-2025)
• Or collect it from the reception desk of the Trade and Industry Registry of the Business Development Agency at the address indicated below

Along with the completed registration request and in addition to any documents already submitted for the declaration of intent or the request for administrative authorisation, you must provide the following:

• As applicable
  • Copy of the property deed or certificate of ownership
  • Copy of the lease or amendment registered with the Department of Tax Services
  • Copy of the occupation agreement on a short-term basis registered with the Department of Tax Services
  • Copy of the accommodation agreement or certificate of accommodation 
• In the event of a lease management or the acquisition of business assets or leasehold rights: the contract or reiterated deed of transfer                       registered with the Department of Tax Services, as well as the related publications in the Journal of Monaco 
• A certificate confirming the opening of a deposit  account in a credit institution in Monaco
• Proof of insurance for activities that require professional liability insurance
• In addition to the above-mentioned documents, the following must be provided: 
  • The identity of the registrant
  • The exact information contained in the request
  • The completion of the various formalities and the fulfilment of the conditions applicable under current legislation and regulations, and the possession of all prior authorisations

Note: depending on the nature of the business, registration will require other documents such as (the list is non-exhaustive):

• A copy of the professional liability insurance policy
• A financial guarantee

In order for the registration request to be complete, as well as subsequent requests and requests for deregistration, supporting documents must be submitted in French, and, where applicable, translated and certified true by the registrant. 

Only supporting documents in French is deemed authentic. When the submitted supporting document is a copy, it is declared to be certified by the registrant. 

Additional supporting documents may be requested of the registrant as the RCI department deems necessary.

The application must comprise the completed, dated and signed forms, in duplicate, as well as the above-mentioned documents.

It must be submitted or sent off to the Trade and Industry Registry, along with payment of the €55 registration fee for a business as a sole trader.

To this fee must be added the following related costs:

• The certificates
• Postage if the documents are mailed

The RCI will inform you of the total cost during the registration process. Fees can be paid by cheque (made out to the RCI), cash or bank card.

PLEASE NOTE: in the event of any changes made after the request is submitted:

For any modification made to any of the basic information, an additional or amending declaration in view of its publication in the Trade and Industry Registry (RCI) will be necessary.

Declarations must be made to the RCI department no later than one month following the modification in question, or if applicable, after receiving the acknowledgement of the declaration of intent or administrative authorisation relating to the modification. 

This period may be extended by the Director of the Business Development Agency for a period determined by them based on a motivated and justified request. Declarations must be accompanied by the documents required to establish the accuracy of the modified information.

Formalities related to changes to a currently operating business are available on the following page: How to amend or add registration details on the RCI for business as a Sole Trader