Motorists in Monaco will be able to request bespoke vehicle registration numbers under a new system that places a premium price on personalised plates, with the most expensive option costing €40,000 before registration and renewal charges.
The new tariffs were formally established in a ministerial order dated November 5 and published in the Journal de Monaco on Friday, November 13. They introduce a dedicated pricing structure for registrations containing two, three or four letters.
The cost rises according to the number of letters requested. A registration containing two letters carries a charge of €20,000, increasing to €30,000 for three letters and €40,000 for four.
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These amounts cover the allocation of the personalised number itself. Further charges apply when it is assigned to a vehicle, with a €2,500 registration fee, followed by an annual €2,500 renewal charge for the registration certificate. Transferring the number also costs €2,500.
The regulations establish a formal application process through Monaco’s Vehicle Registration Department. Requests must receive prior approval, with officials checking that the proposed combination is available and complies with the rules.
Not every combination will be accepted. Authorities can refuse registrations considered contrary to public order or good morals, likely to infringe legally protected rights, or potentially damaging to the interests or image of the Principality. Repeated or abusive applications can also be rejected.
The new framework places restrictions on how long a personalised number can be retained. Where it has not been assigned to a vehicle, the allocation can be kept for a maximum of two years. Once that period expires, the number becomes available for another applicant. Fees paid are generally non-refundable.
The Government has also retained the power to withdraw a registration if it is subsequently found to breach the regulations or conflict with the public interest. Holders must first be given an opportunity to explain their position. Where withdrawal is not the result of a breach attributable to the holder, they can request a replacement number without charge or seek repayment of the original allocation fee.
Alongside the personalised registration system, separate changes introduce a dedicated series for certain non-residents. Individuals who own or rent a property in Monaco in their own name and meet the relevant eligibility conditions can qualify for registrations beginning with the letter Z. The new series runs from Z001 to Z999 for cars, while motorcycles will use two Z letters followed by two numbers.
The changes form part of a wider revision of Monaco’s vehicle registration regulations, which also clarifies the permitted formats for standard and bespoke plates, as well as the rules governing the retention and transfer of registration numbers.
Rather than allowing personalised plates to become freely traded assets, the system keeps their allocation under state control, with fixed charges and approval requirements governing their use.
Image Jack Brodie
