Starting a Business Alone in Monaco: The Complete Guide to the SURL
11 March 2026
Creating a SURL in Monaco
The Principality of Monaco offers a prestigious and dynamic environment for entrepreneurs who wish to carry out a commercial activity independently. Among the available legal structures, the Single-Member Limited Liability Company, more commonly known as a SURL, stands out as an ideal solution for individual project holders. This model allows entrepreneurs to separate their personal assets from those of the company while benefiting from the credibility associated with a Monegasque corporate structure. Whether you are of Monegasque or foreign nationality, understanding the mechanisms of this legal form is the first step toward successfully launching your entrepreneurial project in Monaco.
The Fundamental Characteristics of the Single-Member Structure
The SURL is primarily distinguished by the presence of a single shareholder who holds the entirety of the share capital. This feature allows the manager to maintain full control over strategic and operational decisions without having to coordinate with partners. Another key characteristic is the limitation of the sole shareholder’s liability to the amount of their contributions, thereby providing essential legal protection for personal assets in the event of business difficulties. It is also important to note that the company’s manager must necessarily be a natural person, which brings a direct and human dimension to the management of the entity.
Requirements Relating to Share Capital and the Shareholder
The amount of share capital for a SURL depends directly on the nature of the sole shareholder establishing the company. When the shareholder is a natural person, the minimum required share capital is set at €8,000. However, if the SURL is established by a legal entity, the minimum threshold increases to €15,000. These funds must be deposited with a local credit institution, which will issue a certificate of deposit of funds required for the next steps of the incorporation process. The activity carried out under this structure must be strictly commercial, which perfectly aligns with the trading or international service ambitions often found in the Principality of Monaco.
The Administrative Process Depending on the Founder’s Nationality
The process of creating a company varies significantly depending on whether the entrepreneur is Monegasque or foreign. For Monegasque nationals, the procedure is based on a declaration of activity, provided that the intended activity is not specifically regulated or subject to special administrative authorization. Foreign nationals, on the other hand, must submit an application for authorization to operate. This distinction is essential because it determines both the processing times and the type of forms that must be completed. In all cases, if the activity falls within a regulated sector, an administrative authorization request becomes mandatory for everyone, ensuring compliance with the high standards of the Monegasque market.
Key Steps for Filing and Processing the Application
Once the forms and supporting documents have been gathered, the application file must be submitted to the Department of Economic Development, located at 9 Rue du Gabian. For declarations made by Monegasque nationals, a dated and signed receipt from the Minister of State is generally issued within 15 days after submission. For authorization requests submitted by foreign nationals, the legal processing period is longer, extending up to 45 days from the notification confirming that the application is admissible. This period allows the authorities to verify the viability of the project and the suitability of the manager’s profile with the economic activity of the Principality, ensuring a smooth integration into the local business environment.
Registration and the Official Launch of the Business
Obtaining authorization or validation of the declaration does not mark the end of the process, but rather the beginning of the registration phase. This crucial step includes filing an extract of the company’s articles of association with the General Registry (Greffe Général) and publishing a notice of incorporation in the Journal de Monaco. The company must also obtain its statistical identification number from IMSEE, known as the NIS register. This number is essential for the company’s day-to-day operations, such as opening a telephone line or managing banking transactions. Finally, the company manager must register with CAMTI-CARTI for social security coverage, thereby completing the operational framework of the new SURL.
To complete these steps with confidence and benefit from a prestigious address from the very beginning of your SURL, A Business Center supports you in all your company domiciliation procedures. Contact our team to discover our office and tailored service solutions, perfectly suited to your new entrepreneurial venture in Monaco.