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Day: 13 November 2026

Prince Albert congratulates Andorra and San Marino on EU deal Monaco shelved

by: Kayla Sauceda
13/11/2026

Prince Albert II held up Monaco’s close integration with its neighbours as an example for Europe at the European Political Community summit in Dublin on Thursday 12th November, where he also congratulated the leaders of Andorra and San Marino on the EU association agreement that Monaco stepped away from in 2023.

Andorra and San Marino signed the agreement less than a month ago, paving the way for both countries to access the European Union’s single market while remaining outside the bloc. Monaco was originally part of the same negotiations but suspended its talks with the European Commission in September 2023, as reported by Monaco Life, after the two sides were unable to reconcile the EU’s negotiating terms with Monaco’s aim of preserving existing living, working and housing conditions for its nationals.

First held in Prague in October 2022, the European Political Community brings together leaders from countries inside and outside the EU. A statement from the Prince’s Palace said the informal summit aims to “strengthen political dialogue between European states” so they can “respond collectively to shared challenges”.

This ninth edition was hosted by Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin, with discussions focused on European security and economic resilience amid Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.

Leaders pose for a group photo at the ninth European Political Community summit in Dublin on Thursday 12th November. Photo credit: Frédéric Nebinger / Palais princier

Monaco as an example of connectivity

During a roundtable on innovation, connectivity and affordable energy, Prince Albert stressed that Europe’s resilience and competitiveness depend in part on “preserving its natural resources and developing efficient transport infrastructure, digital networks, and energy interconnections”, according to the Palace.

He pointed to Monaco’s close integration with neighbouring areas as an illustration of “the essential role of connectivity in trade, daily travel, and cross-border economic vitality”.

Prince Albert II takes part in discussions at the European Political Community summit in Dublin. Photo credit: Frédéric Nebinger / Palais princier

Following the roundtable, Prince Albert met Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, whose country attended the summit as a special guest. The two discussed the Our Ocean Conference, which will take place in Halifax from 9th to 11th May 2027. Monaco hosted its first Blue Economy and Finance Forum in June 2025 as a special event of the United Nations Ocean Conference, bringing together policymakers and investors to discuss how to finance ocean conservation and sustainable marine industries.

The Prince also met French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.

Later in the day, Prince Albert attended the third meeting of the European coalition against drugs, an initiative launched by France and Italy.

Small states look to Monaco 2027

Prince Albert congratulated Andorran head of government Xavier Espot Zamora and San Marino’s secretary of state for foreign affairs, Luca Beccari, on the signing of their countries’ EU association agreement on Monday 19th October.

He also met Liechtenstein’s head of government, Brigitte Haas, and told the representatives from Andorra and San Marino he looked forward to welcoming them to Monaco for the Games of the Small States of Europe. Andorra, San Marino and Liechtenstein are among the nine countries set to compete from 17th to 23rd May 2027, when Monaco will host the Games for the third time.

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Photo credit: Frédéric Nebinger / Palais princier

Monaco adds €5,000 for each extra room freed in state housing swaps

by: Cassandra Tanti
13/11/2026

Monaco is increasing the payment for households that downsize through its state housing exchange scheme. Eligible households will receive €10,000 for giving up one room, plus €5,000 for each additional room they release.

That brings the payment to €15,000 for a household giving up two rooms, or €20,000 for three, provided the exchange meets the scheme’s conditions. The payment is intended to cover moving costs and help free up larger state-owned apartments for households that need the space.

The change is set out in Ministerial Order No. 2026-620, signed on 6th November and published in the Journal de Monaco on Friday 13th November.

What changes for households looking to move?

As Monaco Life reported in February 2025, the original scheme was developed by the National Council and the Government to encourage residents whose housing needs had changed to move into smaller homes. Under the rules published in July 2026, the payment remained a flat €10,000 whether an eligible household gave up one room or several. The November order increases that payment for households releasing more than one room.

Households must apply to the Housing Department within one month of signing their new lease, using the department’s form and supplying the required supporting documents.

A separate change from October’s allocation reform

The higher payment applies to approved apartment exchanges. It follows a separate October reform that allows state housing applicants to rank available apartments and matches their preferences against priority scores. That reform also provides rent protection for qualifying households moving into smaller homes.

State housing was also a point of contention during October’s budget debate. The National Council approved the amended budget on 15th October after securing commitments from the Government on housing supply. The new exchange payment was introduced separately by ministerial order.

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Photo of the Testimonio II towers, which include state housing, credit: Cassandra Tanti

Monaco sets new €40,000 price tag for personalised number plates

by: Cassandra Tanti
13/11/2026

In Monaco, where Ferraris, Rolls-Royces and Bentleys are part of the everyday traffic, even the humble number plate is getting the luxury treatment. The Principality has introduced a new personalised registration scheme, with residents able to pay up to €40,000 for just four letters — plus €2,500 a year to keep them.

The new tariffs, published in the Journal de Monaco on Friday 13th November, mark a significant change in how the Principality approaches personalised registrations. Until now, residents could request a preferred number free of charge within the standard formats, such as four digits or three digits and a letter, but plates made entirely of letters were not possible.

The new system goes considerably further, offering premium combinations at prices more commonly associated with luxury watches than vehicle registration.

Four letters for €40,000

Under the new regulations, a personalised plate combining two letters and two numbers will cost €20,000, rising to €30,000 for three letters and a number, and €40,000 for four letters.

Residents will also face a €2,500 registration charge and an annual renewal fee of €2,500. That puts the initial cost of a four-letter plate at €42,500, before subsequent renewals.

The premium charges are separate from Monaco’s ordinary vehicle registration system, which continues to operate under its existing fee structure.

There are limits to the exclusivity, however. The government can reject combinations deemed offensive or damaging to Monaco’s image, while the State keeps firm control: an unused number lapses after two years, fees are non-refundable, transferring a number costs a further €2,500, and the government can withdraw a combination already issued if it is found to breach the rules.

Alongside the new premium plates, the government has also created a dedicated ‘non-resident’ series for property owners and tenants who live outside Monaco, with blue plates running from Z001 to Z999.

A luxury idea years in the making

The introduction of paid personalised registrations has been debated in Monaco for several years, with supporters pointing to the potential revenue for the State and others questioning whether the scheme suits the Principality’s image.

During budget discussions in January 2024, National Council vice-president Jean-Louis Grinda expressed reservations about the idea, questioning whether charging for personalised plates would generate positive publicity for Monaco.

At the time, the government considered the issue a relatively low priority. By late 2024, however, officials had confirmed that personalised registrations were being considered as part of the modernisation of the Service des Titres de Circulation.

Now, the government has settled on a pricing model that places Monaco’s new premium registrations firmly at the luxury end of the market.

Monaco joins the personalised plate market

The Principality is not alone in recognising the appeal of a distinctive number plate. In the United Kingdom, sought-after registrations can command substantial sums, while Dubai has become famous for auctions in which rare numbers sell for millions.

Closer to home, France is also considering allowing motorists to pay for personalised registrations. A proposal currently before the French Senate would introduce a system already familiar in countries such as Belgium, where custom plates cost around €1,000.

Monaco’s approach is more tightly controlled. Rather than creating a market in which motorists can trade valuable registrations, the State has established fixed prices and retained ownership of the numbers.

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Photo: Illustrative AI-generated image of a Ferrari-style sports car with a fictional Monaco registration plate.