Alcohol regulations in Monaco

Licensing, import, labelling and tax rules for spirits. Researched February 2026.

Research guide, not legal advice. Compiled in February 2026 from the public sources listed at the bottom of this page. Duty rates, fees and rules change often: confirm with the regulator, a customs broker or local counsel before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

Status: Legal
Legal drinking age: 18
Legal purchase age: 18

Licence to make spirits (distillery and bottling)

Licences needed: Business authorization (autorisation d'exercice) for manufacturing/distilling; sanitary authorization (agrément sanitaire); tax warehouse/distillery declaration for spirits production and still operation
Authority: Direction du Développement Économique (business permit); Direction de l'Action Sanitaire (food safety); Direction des Services Fiscaux / French Customs (DGDDI) (excise and customs control)
Documents: Detailed business plan, proof of business premises in Monaco, criminal record extracts for directors, technical production specifications, sanitary plan (Plan de Maîtrise Sanitaire / HACCP), still specifications and capacity details
Fees: Variable administrative and registration stamp duties; not confirmed for fixed distillery-specific fee schedule
Time to obtain: Typically 2 to 4 months for commercial and sanitary approvals

Import licence and registration

Who can import: Registered legal entities established in Monaco (e.g., SAM, SARL) with commercial authorization to trade alcoholic beverages
Licences or registrations: Trade registry listing (Registre du Commerce et de l'Industrie - RCI), an Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number registered via customs, and excise authorization (registered consignee or tax warehousekeeper status) for movement under duty suspension via EMCS
Authority: Direction du Développement Économique and Direction Générale des Douanes et Droits Indirects (French Customs, which administers the Franco-Monegasque customs union)
Documents: RCI extract, corporate statutes, lease contract, tax registration, customs representative mandate (if using a customs broker), commercial invoices, and transport documents
Fees: No specific tariff for EORI allocation; general corporate incorporation and registration fees apply
Time to obtain: A few days to 2 weeks for customs/EORI activation once the local company is incorporated

Product and label registration

Required: no
Process: No mandatory pre-market product or label registration/approval system (such as US COLA) exists. Spirits must comply with EU spirit standards and food safety regulations, subject to post-market monitoring and verification at importation
Authority: Direction de l'Action Sanitaire (Monaco) and French DGDDI / DGCCRF
Documents and samples: None required routinely in advance; commercial invoices, technical data sheets, and certificates of analysis may be requested during inspection
Fees: None
Renewal: None
Time to obtain: Immediate (no pre-market approval required)

Import rules

Monaco forms a customs union with France (Franco-Monegasque Customs Convention of May 18, 1963) and is part of the EU customs territory. Goods imported from non-EU countries undergo clearance under EU customs procedures with customs entry handled through French customs. Movements under excise suspension within the EU require electronic administrative documents via EMCS. Shipments require commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, and transport documents. Tax stamps (Capsule Représentative de Droits - CRD) are optional if alternative proof of excise payment is documented.

Import duty on spirits (HS 2208)

0% for distilled spirits (HS heading 2208) under the EU Common Customs Tariff (TARIC) Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) rate.

Excise and taxes

Under Arrêté Ministériel n° 2026-48 of January 29, 2026: Spirits excise duty (droit de consommation) is €1,932.42 per hectolitre of pure alcohol (€19.3242/litre pure alcohol); traditional overseas rum is €966.75 per hectolitre of pure alcohol. Additional social security levy (vignette sécurité sociale under Sovereign Ordinance No. 7.659) on beverages over 18% ABV is €620.47 per hectolitre of pure alcohol (€6.2047/litre pure alcohol). Standard VAT is 20%.

Retail and distribution

Sold via licensed private businesses, including specialty bottle shops (cavistes), grocery stores, supermarkets, hotels, restaurants, and bars. There is no state retail monopoly. On-premise service is subject to hospitality operating permits and municipal/police regulations regarding opening and closing hours.

Online sale and delivery

Allowed for licensed commercial retailers. The retailer must ensure age verification so that delivery and sale are not made to individuals under 18 years of age.

Labelling

Must comply with EU Spirit Drinks Regulation (EU) 2019/787 and food information rules: sales denomination, net volume, alcoholic strength (% vol), producer/bottler/importer details, lot number, and allergenic ingredients. Labels must include French language. French/Monegasque mandatory health warning for pregnant women (pictogram or text warning against alcohol consumption during pregnancy) is required.

Advertising

Monaco maintains sovereign jurisdiction, meaning the French Loi Évin does not apply domestically by direct extension; however, general consumer protection regulations prohibit deceptive advertising, protect minors, and regulate public order. Any cross-border advertising broadcast into or published in France must strictly follow Loi Évin requirements.

Legal definitions of spirits

Aligned with EU Regulation (EU) 2019/787: minimum ABV for whisky (40%), rum (37.5%), vodka (37.5%), gin (37.5%), London gin (37.5%), brandy/eau-de-vie (36%), and pastis (40%).

Dry or restricted areas

None

Recent changes

Arrêté Ministériel n° 2026-48 (January 29, 2026; published February 6, 2026) updated Monegasque excise duty rates for 2026, setting spirits excise to €1,932.42/hl of pure alcohol and the social security levy on spirits to €620.47/hl of pure alcohol.
Arrêté Ministériel n° 2024-17 (January 12, 2024) previously adjusted alcohol excise and sugar/sweetener beverage duties for the 2024 calendar year in alignment with French indirect tax adjustments.

Opportunities for exporters

Monaco's affluent demographic, luxury hospitality, premier nightlife, and superyacht sectors create an exceptionally high-value niche market for super-premium, ultra-premium, and craft spirits. Because Monaco shares a customs union with France, exporters already compliant with EU regulations can access the market through French distributors without separate tariff barriers.

Regulators

Sources

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