Understanding the process
What is an association?
An association is a group of people with common interests who come together voluntarily to work on a specific project or activity without seeking to make a profit. It is a non-profit entity, formed by a contract between at least two people who decide to pool their resources to achieve a common goal.
It can be formed for various reasons: social, cultural, charitable, etc.
Any two or more adults who have full civic rights and are domiciled in the Principality can create an association in Monaco.
Different types of association
- De facto association: a de facto association is an association created by an agreement between two or more individuals, which is formed freely without prior authorisation or declaration. It has no legal entity and is not subject to any specific legal regulations
- Declared association: Any association wishing to acquire legal entity and legal capacity must be declared to the Minister of State and made public by publication in the Journal de Monaco of an extract containing the date of the declaration, the name, object, and registered office. The association acquires legal entity status and legal capacity on the day following the publication of this extract in the Journal de Monaco
- Approved associations: Associations whose purpose is of general interest or whose activity contributes to a public service mission or to the reputation of the Principality may obtain approval. To do so, associations must:
- Specifically request this approval in support of a file containing the documents listed in the following sections: Articles 10 and 11 of the Sovereign Ordinance no. 10.115 implementing the Act no. 1.355 of 23 December 2008 regarding associations and association federations amended
- Have been in operation for three years, unless they meet the conditions stipulated in Article 14 of the Act no. 1.355 of 23 December 2008, amended
- Meet the conditions stipulated in Article 15 of the Act referred to above
Download the Guide to Associations, which is aimed at association managers to promote understanding of and compliance with the applicable legal provisions and the principles of good conduct:
To form an association in Monaco, you must send the General Secretariat of the Government a declaration signed by at least two adults who have full civic rights and are domiciled in the Principality.
This declaration must be accompanied by two copies of the articles of association, initialled on every page and signed by the same signatories.
The articles of association are the founding document of an association. They contain important information about the association, such as its name, its purpose, and its operating rules, including the conditions for joining the association, the conditions for leaving, and the obligations of each member....
It is a contract signed by at least two people.
You can use this example as a guide:
This example is for indicative purposes only. It cannot be used as a form to complete but may be reproduced and modified to suit the needs of the association's founders. The drafting advice in italics must not be included in the text of the statutes. The legal waiver notice, also in italics, can also be adapted if necessary.
You must provide:
- A declaration letter stating:
- The date
- The name of the association
- The aim and stated activities of the association
- The address of the association's headquarters
- The identity of those who are responsible, in any capacity, for its administration or management with their roles in the association and the date they took office with their surname, preferred name, any alternative name or pseudonym, first names, date and place of birth, profession, nationality and home address
- The identity of the person or persons appointed to be responsible for basic information and information on the beneficial owners (1)
- The identity of the beneficial owners of the association (2) with the control methods applied to the association (direct or indirect control) and the date when they became the beneficial owner of the association
(1) The person responsible for the basic information and for information on the beneficial owners must be: one or more physical persons, residing in Monaco, chosen from among the people who are responsible for the administration or management of the association, or from among its employees or be one of the following Monegasque professionals: TCSP (Trust & Company Service Provider), legal advisor, Multi family office, chartered accountant, public notary or lawyer
(2) The beneficial owners of an association are the people who exercise management roles, who make up the body responsible for the administration, or any other person who, by any other means, directly or indirectly, can exercise effective control over the association
- Two copies of the statutes, initialled on every page and signed by at least two founders
- A document giving evidence of the address of the association's headquarters accompanied by a declaration of ownership or location, and including, if necessary, the agreement of the owner
- For physical persons (persons responsible for administration or management, beneficial owners and person(s) appointed to be responsible for the basic information and for information on the beneficial owners): attach a valid official document as evidence of their identity that includes a photograph of each of them (N.B. When the address on the aforementioned document is not correct, attach a copy of a proof of address in the name of the applicant, dated less than 3 months)
- For legal entities designated as responsible for basic information
and for information on the beneficial owners: attach a certified true copy of any certificate, document or extract of an official register dated less than 3 months stating its name or registered name, its objective, its legal status, the date of its constitution, its principal activity together with, if appropriate, its secondary activities, the address of its headquarters, the number and location of its entry in a public register and information to identify the physical person charged with representing the aforementioned legal entity by providing the identity document mentioned above
The application must be sent by registered letter requesting confirmation of receipt to the:
Secrétariat Général du Gouvernement
Place de la Visitation
98000 MONACO
Once we have received the receipt for your declaration and the copy of the articles of association signed and dated by the Ministry of Interior, you must send a copy of the receipt and the accompanying letter to the Journal de Monaco.
- You can send it via email to the following address journaldemonaco@gouv.mc
- Or by post to the address below :
Ministère d'État
Place de la Visitation
MC 98000 MONACO
To obtain a Statistical Identification Number, download and complete the form below:
Then compile the following documents:
- The "declaration of registration for Statistical Identification Number" form, duly completed and signed
- A photocopy of the authorisation or declaration receipt published in the Journal de Monaco
- A copy of the Monaco identity card or the residence permit of the Chairman of the organisation
Once you have all compiled all these documents, you must send them to the Business Development Agency to:
- The following e-mail address: mbo@gouv.mc
- By post or by hand to the following address: 9, rue du gabian 98000 Monaco (2nd floor)
Once your application has been processed, and your association has been registered, the Business Development Agency will notify the Monegasque Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (IMSEE), who will forward your certificate, bearing your NIS number, to you by email.
- If you organise more than six charity/support events a year, or if you run a bar/refreshment stall, you must make a "déclaration de commencer" (declaration of commencement) of an activity to the Direction des Services Fiscaux (Department of Tax Services) - Division Taxes - 57, rue Grimaldi à Monaco - Tel: (+377) 98 98 81 21
- If you wish to employ salaried staff, you must register within three days of the date of recruitment with the Direction du Travail - Service de l'emploi –(Department of Employment - Employment Office) - 17, rue Princesse Florestine à Monaco - Tel: (+377) 98 98 80 00, who will issue the necessary forms and forward them to the Employers' Monitoring Department of Monaco Social Security Funds; they will then register you and send you your personal affiliation number
You will also need your NIS certificate if you wish to:
- Obtain a telephone line from Monaco Telecom - 9, rue du gabian 98000 Monaco - Tel: (+377) 99 66 33 00
- Take out an electricity supply contract with SMEG - 10, av. de Fontvieille 98000 Monaco - Tel: (+377) 92 05 05 00
- Open a bank account with a financial institution
- Collect your registered post from the Post Office
See also
See also
Administrative contact
Ministère d'État
Place de la Visitation
MC 98000 MONACO
Phone :
Phone 2 :
Administrative contact
Ministère d'État
Place de la Visitation
MC 98000 MONACO
Phone :
Phone 2 :