WHAT'S NEW IN MONACO ?

2022-11-15

BUYING GUIDE

BUY YOUR IDEAL PROPERTY IN MONACO

There is no particular provision to settle in the Principality, any person, physical or moral can aspire to it. There are many advantages reserved for residents and companies that are settled there.

Our team of negotiators will put its experience, its network, and its knowledge of the market at your disposal to help you find the ideal property.

Define your search criteria

In order to find the ideal property that meets your exact search criteria, we will take the time to fully understand your needs, your expectations and the budget you wish to devote to this project.

We will then propose a wide selection of properties, both publicly marketed and confidential.

We will organize the visits of the properties you have selected and will entrust you with our professional advice. 

Make an offer

When you are ready, the moment will come to formalize your interest in writing, by means of an offer to purchase. Please note that in Monaco, if this offer is accepted and countersigned by the seller, you are committed without any possibility of withdrawal other than the possible conditions precedent mentioned. 

In this offer must appear:

  • Identity of the buyer
  • Description of the real estate concerned
  • Price and method of payment
  • Duration of validity of the offer
  • Charges and conditions of the sale
  • Possible suspensive conditions such as financing, works, etc.
  • Costs and fees
  • Deadline for completion of the deed of sale

Signature of the contract:

 If this offer is accepted, a deposit cheque or a bank transfer must be sent by us to one of the notaries in Monaco within 48 hours. The buyer, as well as the seller, will no longer have the possibility of withdrawing from the offer. 
The signature of a compromise is not mandatory in Monaco. However, it is highly recommended when there are specific conditions. The compromise completes the purchase offer and is particularly necessary if you have recourse to financing by a credit institution or if the apartment is subject to the State's right of pre-emption.

Indeed, if the chosen property is located in a building built before 1947, the State can use its right of pre-emption within 30 days from the signature of the preliminary sales agreement and it will substitute itself towards the seller. 
Your deposit will be returned to you, and you will no longer be able to proceed with the desired acquisition. 
On the other hand, if the apartment is not subject to this right of pre-emption, the sale can be completed very quickly.

If suspensive conditions have been foreseen, they will have to be carried out within the fixed deadlines. A few days before the signing of the deed of sale at the notary's office, a statement of account will be sent to you and you will have to pay the balance at the latest on the day of the signing.
The signing of the deed of sale will take place at a notary's office in Monaco, it will confirm the content of the sale and the agreement between the parties. It will establish the new property on a certain date and the keys will be handed over to you at the end of this meeting.

As the buyer, you are responsible for the notary fees (6 to 9%) and agency fees (3% + VAT), calculated on the purchase price. These amounts are due at the time of signing the deed of sale.

Expenses related to the purchase :

  • New building or sale off-plan: 2.5% (1.5% notary fees + 1% registration fees).

  • Acquisition by a natural person/company registered in Monaco: 6% (1.5% notary fees + 4.5% registration fees).

  • Acquisition through the property dealer regime (professionals only): 1.5% (notary fees only).
    The property must be resold within 4 years, otherwise you will have to pay 4.5% registration fees.

  • Acquisition of shares in a civil company registered in Monaco and holding a property: 4.5% registration fee + notary or lawyer's fees.

  • Acquisition through an offshore or foreign company: 7.5% registration fee.

  • Acquisition of a real estate in life annuity: 6% (1.5% notary fees + 4.5% registration fees) calculated on the value of the lot (if it exists) + on 10 years of annuity (if it exists).

If the purchase is financed by a mortgage, registration fees of 0.92% on the amount of the mortgage will be added.