Short answer: not necessarily. Monaco isn’t part of the European Union, so EU “roam like at home” doesn’t apply automatically: each operator decides whether to include it in your plan (Comontel, 4 November 2026). If yours doesn’t, using your phone in Monaco is charged as non-EU roaming.
And there’s a catch many people miss: you don’t have to enter Monaco to connect to its network. In the French towns that border the Principality, your phone can latch onto Monaco’s network without you leaving France.
Why it’s confusing
- Monaco is surrounded by France, uses the euro and has no border checks. It feels like the EU, but it isn’t.
- Inside Monaco, your phone connects to Monaco Telecom, the Principality’s network. According to Comontel, phones on French operators have connected to it in roaming since 5 March 2024.
- Manually selecting a French network isn’t a reliable fix. In a teltarif (2022) test, only Monaco Telecom had signal across large parts of the Principality. One reader reported in 2025 that they reached a French network outdoors, but not inside buildings.
The border catch: Beausoleil, Cap-d’Ail, La Turbie and Roquebrune
Beausoleil, Cap-d’Ail, La Turbie and Roquebrune-Cap-Martin are French towns that border Monaco. According to Comontel, there “your phone can pick up Monaco’s network without leaving France”.
In other words, you can be staying in France, well inside EU roaming, and pay Monaco roaming without crossing.
How much it can cost
It depends on your operator, but it can be a lot for very little data. Brit Brief (27 October 2026) reported on a British couple staying in Nice who made a detour to Menton and a stop of about two hours in Monaco. Between them they used 18.66 MB, checking Google Maps and Instagram, and their bill went from £25 to £109: they were charged almost £85 in roaming. If it happens to you, complain to your operator.
What operators do
It varies by operator and changes over time. In Spain, for example, according to ADSLZone (updated 2025):
- Included it: Movistar, in its Zone 1, and Vodafone; Digi had recently added it.
- Didn’t include it: Orange and Yoigo.
For Vodafone Spain, according to Los apuntes del viajero (October 2026), including Monaco is a temporary promotion with an end date.
Before you travel, check which roaming zone your operator puts Monaco in. If you can’t find it, assume you’ll be charged.
Your options
- Your own plan, if your operator includes Monaco. Check before you go, not when you arrive.
- Turn off data roaming while you’re in Monaco or the border towns, and use Wi-Fi.
- A travel eSIM that covers Monaco, installed at home before you leave. Your home SIM stays in the phone for calls and texts, and your data runs on the eSIM at a fixed price. See the plans on our Monaco page. Bear in mind that with an EU SIM you already have “roam like at home” in France, so the eSIM is only needed for Monaco. Ours covers Monaco, not France, so in the border towns it only gives you data when your phone is on Monaco’s network.
Before you go
- Check your operator’s zone for Monaco.
- If you’re using a travel eSIM, install it at home, on Wi-Fi. If the QR code arrives on the same phone, install it without scanning anything.
- If your operator doesn’t include Monaco, turn off data roaming on your home line before you get near the border, not when you enter Monaco.
When you arrive
- Select the travel eSIM as your data line.
- Turn on data roaming for that line. It’s the most common reason a travel eSIM “has no internet”. Full steps in why your eSIM has no internet even with roaming on.
- Keep your home line on for calls and texts only, if you want to stay reachable on your number.
FAQ
Is Monaco included in EU roaming? Not automatically. Monaco isn’t in the EU and each operator decides whether to include it. Check your plan before you travel.
Can I be charged Monaco roaming while in France? Yes. In the French towns that border Monaco, such as Beausoleil, Cap-d’Ail, La Turbie or Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, your phone can connect to Monaco’s network without you leaving France.
Can I avoid it by selecting a French network manually? Not reliably. Across large parts of the Principality, only Monaco Telecom has signal. The safest options are turning off data roaming or using an eSIM that covers Monaco.
How much can it cost? It depends on the operator. A British couple were charged almost £85 in roaming for 18.66 MB used during a stop of about two hours in Monaco.
Are Nice and the rest of the French Riviera in EU roaming? Yes. Nice, Cannes, Antibes and Menton are in France, so EU “roam like at home” applies with an EU SIM. The risk is in Monaco and the towns that border it.
