Is Monaco heading to join the European Union?

One should never forget that the Principality of Monaco is not part of the European Union, only its Schengen zone and monetary zone. If you can enter the European Union, then you are also allowed to stay in Monaco for up to three months without having to apply for any kind of residence permit.

The question that excites many: is Monaco heading to join the European Union?

Theoretically, EU membership for the Principality of Monaco is unlikely as, aside from its size, unlike the constitutional monarchies within the EU, the Sovereign Prince, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco has considerable executive powers and is not merely a figurehead. The Principality of Monaco is an independent country concerning the European Union.

Since 18 March 2015, the Principality of Monaco has been officially engaged in negotiations with the European Union (EU), aimed at reaching a balanced agreement. This will allow Monaco to participate as fully as possible in the EU's internal market, while ensuring respect for the Principality's vital interests, taking into account its unique geographical, demographic, and economic features.

On 13 March 2019, the European Parliament adopted a report on the Association Agreement between the EU and Monaco. This document contains several recommendations addressed to the Council and the Commission on the conduct of the negotiations, in particular concerning taking into account the specific characteristics of the Principality.

It seems Monaco has strong perspectives on the integration of the Principality into the European Union. Yet, and to be realistic it will take a long way of negotiations if it ever happens.

Did you know that the EU roaming freedom does not apply for Monaco?

Monaco's independence from the European Union is immediately noticeable for the thousands of tourists visiting it every day since the European Mobile Data Roaming freedom does not apply in the Principality.

The Principality of Monaco is an independent diamond on the Mediterranean offering invaluable benefits for its residents. For instance, the standard of living in the Principality is excellent, the life expectancy is 89.5 years, the lengthiest in the
world.
On the other hand there are some things good to know about it. The majority of visiting people do not even notice that their smartphones have automatically selected a non-European network.
This affects, not just the phone calls, but also data services are charged automatically instead of the monthly data allowance being used. In brief, as a tourist, visiting Monaco you have to expect to pay significant roaming fees; most people are not prepared and well-informed about these extra roaming charges in Monaco.

Did you know that Monaco is the birthplace of the oldest private TV channel in Europe?

Inaugurated on 19 November 1954 by HSH Prince Rainier III, the Télé Monte-Carlo is considered the oldest private TV channel in Europe. Less than two years after its first transmission, the cameras of the Monégasque television had their major international debut with the broadcast of the wedding of the reigning prince with the glamorous young Oscar-winner, Miss Grace Kelly as she became the beloved Princess Grace of Monaco.

Although the first experimental transmissions of what we now call television started in the United States in 1928, they continued in the following years in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Canada, Australia, and the Soviet Union. 
It was only after WWIl, in the decade of 1950, when television stations started to emerge around the world, allowing for spectators to watch from home movies and other things that were only possible to watch in the cinema until then.

In 1950, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) was founded, creating a networking space for national radio stations and television broadcasters around the continent to co-operate, and Monaco was one of the first countries to join the newly emerging organisation. That same year, the first international television link between France and the United Kingdom was made, and British viewers could watch a festival taking place in Calais, just across the channel.

Only a few years later, on 19 November 1954, a young Prince Rainier IlI formally inaugurated the first transmissions of Télé Monte-Carlo, a name that the channel kept until 1993 and is considered the oldest private channel in Europe. The second oldest was Télé Luxembourg, a privately owned channel founded by the Compagnie Luxembourgeoise de Télédiffusion (CLT) launched on 23 January 1955, the 59th birthday of HRH The Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg.

In this context, it is essential to consider that during those years television devices were luxury artefacts, symbols of social status, which helped to gather families, friends, and even curious neighbours. Live programs and entertainment shows now replaced the central space previously monopolised by the radios.