The 30 km Rule is Jettisoned for Monegasques

All’s well that ends well. It was a storm in a teacup but a storm nevertheless. Monegasques and residents of Monaco have been used to being treated like French residents when travelling around France. 

So it came as a shock at the beginning of February when the 30km rule came into play. Cross the border into France and any travel beyond 30 kms necessitated a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours (as does all travel beyond 24 hours). 

Suddenly Monaco residents felt deprived of a privilege in place since the 1963 special agreement covering Monegasques and residents of Monaco travelling in France: The Franco-Monegasque neighbourhood agreement article 2 .2. “In France, the entry and movement regime for foreigners holding a Monegasque residence permit is identical to that which applies to foreigners holding a French residence permit.”

Reverse Gear: Monaco Is Exempted from the 30kms Rule

Common sense soon prevailed between these two friendly nations and ruffled feathers were quickly smoothed. It was thus decided to exempt Monaco from the current regulations for international travel that applies for example to European neighbours travelling into France. 

As long as the health situation permits, people residing in Monaco are exempted from the obligation to present a PCR examination when entering French territory for journeys of less than 24 hours within the limits of the Alpes-Maritimes department.

Therefore Monegasques may travel to the Alpes-Maritimes in complete freedom for a period not exceeding 24 hours.

Stays Beyond 24 hours 

For stays beyond 24 hours or outside the territory of the department, the obligation to present a negative test remains the rule for Monegasque residents who go to France.

French and Monegasques are Being Treated Equally 

The prefecture is obviously doing its best to respect the principle of reciprocity with the support of the Principality. 

“People residing in the Alpes-Maritimes department who go to Monaco will have the same provisions applied.”

That is unless there is an overriding reason (health, family, work, etc.), French people and foreigners travelling to the Principality will have to present a negative PCR test for any stay longer than 24 hours.