Romantic relationship in Monaco

Dating and ordinary relationship life in Monaco have no general public access procedure or official registration. People meet through private contacts, social circles, commercial services or online platforms. Monaco has no official dating-practice statistics in the available evidence, so figures about relationship duration, satisfaction or prevalence should not be inferred. An unmarried couple may live in union libre, also described locally as vie maritale. Registration is not generally required, but a shared household can be considered differently in housing, social-security and insurance rules. The effect depends on the specific provider, benefit or contract. Monaco has no general state institution that replaces ordinary dating, couple counselling or relationship management. Couples who want a formal arrangement for shared life can use a Contrat de vie commune (CVC). The CVC forms part of the Contrat civil de solidarité (CCS) framework. Two adults can conclude it when at least one partner lives in Monaco or is Monegasque. It is unavailable when either partner is already married, has an existing CVC or CCS, or has an equivalent registered foreign contract. Both partners appear personally before a notary. Typical documents include original identity documents, complete birth certificates, proof of residence, confirmation from the Greffe Général that no existing CCS is registered and a sworn statement concerning foreign equivalent contracts. A property agreement may also be prepared. The notary creates an authentic deed and the contract is entered in the Register of civil solidarity contracts at the Greffe Général. The CVC takes effect between the partners when signed and against third parties when registered. No statutory waiting period is established in the available evidence. Costs consist of variable notarial fees and registry duties; the current amount must be confirmed with the notary or Greffe Général. A CVC does not give partners the legal rights and duties of spouses. Each partner generally remains responsible for personal debts. Both can be liable for ordinary debts incurred for shared household needs, subject to exceptions for clearly excessive spending and certain instalment purchases or credit without consent. Each partner keeps individually owned property. If ownership cannot be proved, the property is generally treated as jointly owned in equal shares. A surviving partner has no automatic statutory inheritance right, so a will is needed for an inheritance arrangement. A principal rental contract can be attributed to both partners when the landlord is jointly informed. After one partner dies, the surviving partner may continue the tenancy under the applicable CVC rules. Medical decision-making can also give the partner a secondary role when the other partner cannot decide. Rules for state housing may add a Monegasque-status condition. Marriage is a separate status handled by the Mairie de Monaco and the Service de l'Etat Civil. At least one future spouse must be Monegasque or domiciled in Monaco and continuously resident there for more than one month. Publication of the marriage banns lasts 10 days. Civil ceremonies take place on weekdays from 10:00 to 16:00 and on Saturdays from 10:00 to 11:30; Saturday appointments, especially from May to October, may require reservation several months ahead. An online marriage certificate costs EUR 1.50 with full filiation or EUR 0.50 without filiation. The CVC is not a substitute for the rights attached to marriage. Marriage between same-sex couples is not open in Monaco. On 18 March 2024, the Cour de révision refused to transcribe a foreign same-sex marriage as contrary to international public policy. A CVC is available independently of the partners' sex, but the Haut Commissariat reported continuing unequal treatment in some social rights, including survivor's pensions; a recommendation for reform does not prove that the rule has changed. Sexual activity requires free consent. Under Loi n° 1.517, sexual acts without free consent, including where violence, coercion, threats or surprise are involved, can be criminally relevant. Sexual harassment is also covered. Violence by a current or former partner requires immediate safety planning rather than private mediation. The free and discreet 3919 service provides information on domestic violence, rape, sexual violence and harassment and can refer people to AVIP. In an emergency, call 17 or 112. AVIP can provide legal, administrative and psychological support and, where necessary, temporary accommodation. Sûreté Publique and DASO are additional local contacts. An ordinary unmarried relationship can end in fact without a general separation registration, although an authority, insurer or social institution may request a form or evidence of separation de fait or fin de vie maritale. A CVC ends through death, marriage, a joint declaration or a unilateral declaration. The declaration is made personally before the previous notary; a unilateral declaration must be served on the other partner and the ending must be registered. The effect between partners begins at the relevant death, marriage, declaration or service, while effect against third parties begins on registration. There is no statutory minimum duration. Divorce and legal separation belong primarily to civil and family law, although they can change relationship status and related records. Victims of domestic violence may qualify for compensation under Loi n° 1.555 when they have an enforceable decision and an unsuccessful formal demand for payment. The application goes to the Directeur des Services Judiciaires at least 30 days after service of the demand and no later than two years after the enforceable decision. A decision is generally issued within 30 days, with payment generally made 30 days after notification. Nationality, residence, an existing foreign status and the exact institution involved can change the result, so cross-border cases require separate confirmation.