Is Monaco Safe to Visit in 2024? | Safety Concerns

The tiny country of Monaco has a reputation for glamor that outdoes its size. Over 7 million people visit Monaco each year, even for just one day, to be able to soak in the atmosphere.

Most of the country is taken up by the city of Monte Carlo, a global capital of glitz and wealth. Even if you don’t belong to the global 1%, you can admire the façade of the Belle Epoque Monte Carlo Casino, or the yachts parked in the harbor.

The old town of Monaco is perched on Le Rocher, a towering rock. Climb up to the old town to check out landmarks such as the Monte Carlo Cathedral and check out spectacular views.

Monaco feels even more special during the many events it hosts, such as the Formula One race. The micro-state is worth a visit at least once in your lifetime, although once you get a taste of luxury, it’s hard to give it up.

Monaco is definitely a unique place to visit, but what about more concrete concerns, such as safety? This travel guide can help you prepare for your trip and put any concerns about safety to rest.

Is Monaco Safe to Visit in 2024?

Yes, Monaco is very safe to visit. In fact, the biggest threat to your safety in Monaco is probably the threat to your bank account after you try to buy anything while in town.

The crime level is very low, and threats to visitors are almost nonexistent.

Monaco is so safe that many countries don’t even bother to issue separate travel advisories for Monaco. For example, the New Zealand government mentions on its website that it doesn’t issue a separate travel advisory for Monaco at this time.

The United States State Department seems to issue a Level Two travel advisory for Monaco on its State Department profile for relations between the two countries.

However, a closer look shows that the U.S. just lumps Monaco under the same advisory as neighboring France, which is a bit unfair as Monaco is much safer than France (although problems can sometimes bleed across the border).

Countries that issue travel advisories for Monaco tend to agree that the country is very safe. For example, Canada just tells citizens to exercise normal precautions while in Monaco. Any concerns that you might experience in Monaco are extremely minor.

The most common problems include:

• Pickpocketing
• Bag snatching
• Theft of unattended items
• Scams targeting tourists

However, the street crime rate in Monaco is very, very low. Although these incidents can happen, they are rare. Their inclusion in travel advisories is just a warning not to let your guard down completely, even if you are in a place that feels safe.

Some countries mention the threat of terrorism in their travel advisories for Monaco.

For example, the Irish government warns its citizens that “there is an underlying threat of terrorism in Monaco,” although it still keeps the overall travel advisory level at the lowest possible advisory level.

However, this underlying threat is more general than specific to Monaco. Most travel advisories mention that there is a possibility of terrorism on the European continent, of which Monaco is a part.

The country specifically is not a major target for terrorism and there have been no major terrorist attacks on its soil. In July 2016, there was a terrorist attack that wound up affecting the Diamond League Monaco, but this attack happened in Nice, a city in France.

It has come under fire because its loose financial regulations provide cover for money laundering and terrorist financing, but this is not a crime that is likely to affect visitors at all.

You really don’t have to worry about terrorism at all while in Monaco. So many visiting dignitaries arrive that the country has very tight security. Monaco also doesn’t have very many natural disasters.

However, it is located on the Mediterranean, which means it is affected by Mediterranean-wide events. In the summer of 2023, the whole region was gripped by heat waves, including Monaco.

If you are visiting during the summer, make sure you protect yourself from the heat by applying sunscreen, drinking plenty of water, and staying indoors during the hottest part of the day.

Crime in Monaco

Monaco has a very, very low crime rate. Most crimes that occur in the principality are white-collar crimes, such as money laundering, which doesn’t affect the average visitor coming to ogle the fancy yachts parked in the harbor.

Levels of street crime are fairly low. What’s even more amazing, the levels of violent crime in Monaco are extremely low.

According to 2007 data, the homicide rate is 0 incidents per 100,000 people. There haven’t been homicides in the principality in years. Since the homicide rate is non-existent, it’s safe to assume that the rate of other violent crimes is also very low.

When crimes do occur in Monaco, they tend to be property crimes. The burglary rate is 37.8 incidents per 100,000 people. The private car theft rate is 324.9 incidents per 100,000 people. The robbery rate is 31.8 incidents per 100,000 people.

However, rates per 100,000 people is a very bad way to calculate crime because the country only has 36,277 people! That means the rate per 100,000 people actually inflates the number of crimes that occur.

For comparison, that means there were only about 13 burglary incidents a year, which is a very low number. What’s even more positive is that crime is declining.

In 2021, the police recorded only 48 incidents of street crimes such as vandalism, bag snatching, car theft, and burglaries. Burglaries declined by 50% while theft of two-wheeled vehicles declined by 71%.

Although this decline was probably affected by the strict COVID-19 regulations that the country was still under in 2021, it shows a positive trend. It is important to keep in mind that Monaco still has its problems.

The Organized Crime Index names Monaco as a financial hub for global organized crime, including the Italian mafia, due to its complex financial system that prioritizes secrecy.

While this is a serious problem, it is not likely to affect the average visitor unless you are choosing to do business. In general, the theme of crime is that it doesn’t tend to affect average visitors, besides the occasional incident of street theft.

For thieves, robbers, and burglars, a tourist’s wallet is not a very lucrative incentive when some of the world’s richest people live or vacation in Monaco. Crimes tend to target luxury stores, yachts, and villas.

If you are a luxury traveler and are staying in a yacht or villa, it is worth looking into security or asking your hosts about their safety precautions. However, the average traveler really doesn’t have much to worry about in terms of crime in Monaco.

Pickpocketing

The most common type of crime in Monaco is petty property crime or street theft such as pickpocketing.

Although the rate of street crime is much lower than in other European countries, including in neighboring France, it can still happen, so it pays to take some precautions.

The Canadian government warns that pickpocketing and other types of property crimes such as purse snatching can occur in Monaco in its official travel advisory for the country. Hotspots for theft include popular tourist destinations, such as the narrow streets of Monte Carlo’s old town.

Transportation hubs such as Monaco’s train station, which is how most tourists enter the country, are another place where people tend to get robbed.

In fact, many incidents of theft occur while tourists are en route to Monaco, not in the principality itself. Be careful on the trains entering and leaving Monaco and at Nice airport, which is another transportation hub for Monaco (the country is too small to have its own airport).

Basic precautions are usually enough to deter the country’s thieves.

Make sure you don’t leave items unattended or put your wallet, phone, or ID somewhere where a pickpocket can easily snatch it in a crowd, such as your back pocket. Pickpockets will then move on to other, easier targets.

Vehicle-Related Crimes

Another common crime in Monaco is theft related to vehicles, either theft of vehicles or theft from vehicles. As the crime statistics above showed, vehicle theft is the most common crime that occurs.

If you are driving to Monaco or renting a car while there, make sure that you lock the doors and roll up the windows every time you leave the car, even if you just step away for a few minutes.

You never know who is watching and who might take advantage of a split second of inattention. Theft of belongings from vehicles also happens in Monaco.

The United Kingdom actually warns about this crime in its travel advisory for Monaco. The travel advisory states that thieves often target cars at car rental parking lots, for example in the Nice airport.

While people are getting into their rental cars and putting away their luggage, thieves take advantage of their distraction and take their valuables.

To prevent theft from your car, make sure that you always have your purse or wallet on your person when you are out of your car, or doing something that blocks your view of your possessions.

Avoid leaving any things in your car while it is unattended, such as luggage.

Try to check into your hotel before driving around the country. Monaco also has great public transportation and is fairly walkable, so you can avoid all these problems by not bringing your car or not renting one.

Avoiding Bad Areas

Monaco is so safe that there are no areas that are so dangerous that you should avoid them. The main train station has a higher rate of petty crime than in other parts of the country, so keep an eye on your possessions while you are there.

Things to Consider

Here are a few other pieces of advice that are good for planning your trip:

• Don’t use drugs. Drugs are illegal in Monaco. Although the police don’t tend to enforce discreet use, it’s still a good idea to avoid illegal substances.
• Be careful of jellyfish. Before swimming in Monaco, check local advisories or ask a local for advice. Usually if there is a high level of jellyfish, there will be posted advisories.
• Consult legal assistance before buying property or investing: Scammers sometimes take advantage of the loose financial regulations to take advantage of foreigners. Ask a professional for advice before any major financial decisions.
• Obey local laws and customs. Local regulations ban walking around in swimsuits, shirtless, or barefoot outside of designated beach areas. You can earn a fine (and plenty of dirty looks from well-dressed locals).

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions other people have asked before visiting Monaco:

So, Is Monaco Safe to Visit?

Monaco is very safe to visit. The crime rate is extremely low and very rarely affects visitors.

You should still take basic precautions, such as not leaving your items unattended and your rental car unlocked, but the likelihood of experiencing something negative (besides the sky-high prices) is very low.

So, with so much to see and do, what are you waiting for — book your trip today and experience for yourself all that Monaco has to offer. Happy travels!