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