All about the working holiday in Monaco
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005 (medical expenses, hospitalisation, repatriation…).
Between 18 and 30 years old
A valid passport for the entire duration of your working holiday
At least €2,000
This must be your first participation
Must not be accompanied by child dependents
Apply before the annual quota is reached
01. What is the Working Holiday Visa?
Monaco calls theirs the Youth Mobility Scheme certificate, but for all intents and purposes it is the same thing as what other countries call a Working Holiday Visa.
WHVs are bilateral accords signed between governments to promote youth mobility and cultural exchange. Participating countries allow young adults to spend a set period of time (usually one year) living and working abroad. Most of the accords are signed between countries in Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and East Asia. A WHV encourages cultural exchange alongside the chance to gain valuable work experience, though participants are not obligated to work.
02. Which nationalities are eligible?
At the time of writing, only citizens of the United Kingdom are eligible to apply for Monaco’s Youth Mobility Scheme.
03. How long is the visa good for?
The WHV allows you to work and live in Monaco for up to one year.
04. Do I need to buy health insurance?
Health insurance is not listed as a requirement on the official Monegasque website. However, for your own personal wellbeing and finances, it is strongly recommended to purchase medical insurance.
05. Are there any work restrictions?
You are free to do whatever work you like in the Principality during the period of validity of the YMS certificate, except for:
- self-employment
- working as a professional sportsperson (including a sports coach)
- working for the Monegasque civil service or for the town council
- working as a doctor in training
No individual job or work experience placement may exceed six months in duration.
06. What documents are required for the application?
You should be prepared to provide:
- Your passport
- The completed application form
- One ID photo
- Proof of savings
07. Where can I apply from?
You can apply either from the UK or from within Monaco, if you are already there.
08. How do I start my application?
The application form and instructions are listed on Monaco’s Youth Mobility Scheme website.
09. What is pvtistes.net and how can it help me?
We are a team of current and former working holiday makers dedicated to providing free information and resources about the working holiday in Monaco and other destinations. Read our helpful articles, leave comments if you have questions, and check out our special deals.
We don’t ask for any money, and neither should anyone else in your application process (besides the embassy/consulate and their official partners). Be very careful of online scams where someone might ask you for an exorbitant amount to help you get your visa. Working Holiday Visas are designed to be relatively easy to obtain yourself, so there is absolutely no need to pay any professional service to do it on your behalf.
Health insurance is not listed as a requirement on the official Monegasque website. However, for your own personal wellbeing and finances, it is strongly recommended to purchase medical insurance. Otherwise, medical expenses can be very expensive in case of illness or emergency.
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005. They have covered thousands of working holiday makers over the years.
- Chapter 5: Getting WHV health insurance
- What to know about travel insurance for your working holiday abroad
- What to have in your Working Holiday adventure first-aid kit
Monaco’s currency is the euro (€). There are two main ways to open a foreign-currency account: via 1) a traditional bank or 2) an online neo-bank. Traditional banks usually require you to already be in the country. You would have to make and attend an appointment where a representative would ask you for some documents.
If you want to have a euro debit card in hand before even arriving in Monaco, you may want to consider the second option, an online neo-bank like Wise. It is an app that offers multi-currency financial services. Customers receive a physical debit card that can be used to withdraw cash at local ATMs. Your euro account would also have its own routing and account numbers, so you can set up autopay, direct deposits, or transfer money to recipients in Monaco. These capabilities could be useful in exchanges with your employer or landlord. You can register from your home country or once you arrive in Monaco. Learn more about Wise.
There are advantages to both options. Wise registration is simple and quick, but traditional banks offer the possibility of issuing and depositing cheques, if that is something you need. So you could make a Wise account first and then a traditional account once you arrive in Monaco.
Once your application is approved, you’ll need to think about where to live, especially in the first few days and weeks. If you are planning on renting long term housing, we recommend you wait until you arrive in Monaco before paying a deposit or signing anything. Never send money to anyone without seeing the place in person.
For your first couple of weeks, you could consider hotels. But the most affordable option is going to be youth hostels. You can find some great ones on Hostelworld.
- Chapter 6: Booking housing for your arrival
- 7 Tips for finding housing during your working holiday abroad
After you get your visa, you will have plenty of things to take care of. Some of them are more urgent than others, so this list breaks down your to-dos, starting with the most urgent to the least. It may seem like a lot, but don’t worry, one step at a time!
As you prepare for your working holiday in Monaco, check out our library of free articles and guides. Everyone on the pvtistes.net team has done (or is currently on) a working holiday, and so everything we write is from personal experience.
This is also the perfect chance to learn or brush up on French. Babbel is partnering with pvtistes.net to offer 20% off on language courses (learn more). Also check out our other deals for working holiday makers.
You must be between 18 and 30 years old at the time of application. You can apply until the day before your 31st birthday.
You must have a passport that is valid for the entire duration of your working holiday.
You must prove that you have savings of at least €2,000, enough to support yourself for at least the first few months of your stay.
This must be your first participation. If you have already been granted a WHV to Monaco before, then you cannot apply again.
Only persons not accompanied by dependent children may apply.
Apply before the annual quota is reached. There are 1,000 spots per year for British applicants.