Which religious communities and worship institutions are available in Monaco?

Monaco has an extensive Catholic network and locally institutionalized Anglican, Protestant, Russian Orthodox and Jewish communities. Greek Orthodox, Baha’i, Buddhist, Jehovah’s Witnesses and other Protestant groups are also reported as recognized or registered, while Islam has no evidenced local mosque or official Muslim worship institution and may require private prayer or access to nearby French facilities.

How can a family request exemption from Catholic religious instruction in Monaco schools?

A parent or legal guardian can submit an annual written exemption request to the head of the school. This school course is separate from parish Catéchisme, so exemption from school instruction does not by itself prevent enrollment in parish catechism.

How are religious life-event ceremonies arranged in Monaco?

Catholic Baptism, marriage and funeral arrangements normally begin with the relevant parish or priest, while Catholic marriage preparation also involves the Centre de Préparation au Mariage. Anglican, Jewish and other communities follow their own providers and procedures; a religious wedding ceremony remains separate from the civil marriage.

Religion in Monaco

Q: How does Monaco's constitutional framework regulate religion in Monaco?

Monaco's Constitution recognizes Roman Catholic Apostolic religion as the state religion, while protecting freedom of worship, religious opinion and association. It also states that no one can be compelled to join religious rites or ceremonies or observe religious rest days.

Roman Catholic Apostolic religion is Monaco's state religion, while the Constitution protects freedom of worship, religious opinion and association. Catholic institutions and practices have the strongest local presence, alongside Anglican, Protestant, Orthodox and Jewish communities. Islam has no evidenced local mosque or official Muslim worship institution, so worship may require private prayer or access to nearby French facilities.

byChloe&Arthur

Article 9 of Monaco's Constitution establishes Roman Catholic Apostolic religion as the state religion. Article 23 protects freedom of worship and religious opinion, and no one can be compelled to join a religious rite or ceremony or observe a religious rest day. Article 30 protects freedom of association. The Archdiocese of Monaco serves the main Catholic network, including the Cathédrale, Sainte-Dévote, Saint-Charles, Saint-Nicolas, Saint-Martin and Sacré-Cœur, as well as chapels such as Carmes, Chapelle Palatine and Saint-Esprit. St Paul’s Church provides Anglican worship in English, including two Sunday Communion services and weekday services. Protestant worship takes place through the Église Protestante Unie and the Communion Luthérienne et Réformée at the Temple on 9 rue Louis Notari. The Russian Orthodox community uses the Église Orthodoxe Russe de Monaco, Paroisse des Saints Martyrs Royaux. The Association Cultuelle et Culturelle Israélite de Monaco operates the Edmond J. Safra Synagogue and provides access to daily services, the Grande Synagogue, Mikveh Doria, kosher and community functions, Talmud Torah and Ulpan. Greek Orthodox, Baha’i, Buddhist, Jehovah’s Witnesses and other Protestant groups were reported as recognized or registered in a 2023 official report, but their local premises and service depth vary. No current official religious census with verified percentages was identified. Associations can form under Loi n°1.355/2008 after declaration to the Ministre d’État and publication in the Journal de Monaco; the association normally needs a Monaco seat, mainly Monaco-based activity and a majority of administrators domiciled in Monaco. Public-place worship construction requires prior Ministry of Interior approval, and religious institutions are reported as untaxed. Catholic religious instruction is included in public and private schools under contract, while annual written exemption can be requested from the school head by a parent or legal guardian. School religious instruction teaches general culture and awareness of local values; parish Catéchisme is separate and prepares participants for Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation. Catholic life events include parish preparation for Baptism, adult SICA preparation for Baptism, Confirmation and Communion, marriage preparation through the Centre de Préparation au Mariage, and funerals coordinated with a family parish or Somotha. A Catholic wedding ceremony is separate from the civil marriage, and a religious funeral offering is indicative at around EUR 150 but should not be a financial barrier. Anglican and Jewish communities provide their own forms of worship and life-event support, with Jewish access commonly linked to ACCIM membership and case-by-case fees. Monaco's 2026 religious public holidays include Sainte-Dévote on 27 January, Easter Monday on 6 April, Ascension on 14 May, Whit Monday on 25 May, Fête Dieu on 4 June, Assumption on 15 August, All Saints' Day on 1 November with a substitute paid day on 2 November, Immaculate Conception on 8 December and Christmas Day on 25 December. The Archdiocese also maintains an Unité des Chrétiens & Dialogue Inter-religieux for ecumenical prayer, Christian-unity initiatives and interfaith contacts.

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