Monaco's Military Forces: Two Corps, No Army

What Monaco has — and what it does not

The Principality maintains no army in the conventional sense: no infantry regiment, no navy, no air force. Its external defence is provided by France.

What it does maintain are two military corps, both under the authority of the Government Counsellor-Minister of the Interior:

• the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince, responsible for guarding the Palace and the safety of the Sovereign;
• the Corps des Sapeurs-Pompiers, which handles rescue, firefighting and medical emergencies.

Alongside these two military corps sits the Direction de la Sûreté Publique, which is a civil police service, not a military one — a distinction that is frequently lost. See police and public safety in Monaco.

France's defence guarantee

The defence relationship between Monaco and France rests on a series of treaties: 1861, 1918, and the 2002 treaty of friendship and cooperation. The latter states that the French Republic assures the Principality of the defence of its independence and sovereignty, and guarantees the integrity of Monegasque territory under the same conditions as its own.

In practice, air, maritime and land defence of the territory is France's responsibility. Monaco therefore has no arms budget and no need to maintain operational military capability.

The Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince

Created on 8 December 1817, the Company is the older of the two corps. It numbers around 120 personnel and is barracked at 5 boulevard de Belgique (+377 93 15 64 00).

Statutory missions

The Company's statutes set out precise duties:

• ensure the safety of the Sovereign Prince and the Princely Family;
• guard the Palace, its dependencies, and sovereign properties and residences;
• provide honour services;
• see that the laws are enforced and contribute to maintaining public order;
• carry out missions ordered by the Sovereign.

Emergency duties

A little-known but daily function: the Carabiniers crew the Monaco Red Cross ambulances. They provide medical cover at the Principality's major events and take part in Monegasque emergency plans, notably the Plan Rouge and the OR.MO.SE scheme.

The Changing of the Guard

Every day at 11:55, the Changing of the Guard takes place on the Palace Square. It is one of Monaco's most-watched free attractions: white uniforms in summer, dark ones in winter. The Orchestre des Carabiniers du Prince, part of life on the Rock for half a century, provides the music for official ceremonies.

Recruitment

Entry is by competitive exam: general knowledge and physical aptitude tests, medical and psychological examinations, and recruitment interviews. The Company recruits only at the rank of carabinier 2nd class; the entire career ladder is climbed internally thereafter.

The Corps des Sapeurs-Pompiers

Monaco's second military corps, the fire and rescue corps counted 166 personnel in 2025. Its headquarters is at 11 avenue du Port, and its operational resources are split between two stations: La Condamine and Fontvieille. Its lineage goes back to the Monegasque National Militia of the 19th century.

What it covers

The scope is broader than elsewhere, because Monaco has no separate ambulance service:

• firefighting and technological risks;
• rescue and medical emergencies — emergency medical transport is provided by the fire corps;
• road accidents and vehicle extrication;
• risks specific to Monaco's high-rise buildings, tunnels and underground car parks;
• interventions at sea and in the ports, coordinated with the maritime police.

The number to call is 18; 112 also reaches them. See emergency numbers in Monaco.

Cross-border reach

Under the 1970 Franco-Monegasque agreement on mutual assistance between rescue and civil protection services, Monegasque firefighters also intervene in neighbouring French communes — and vice versa.

Is there military service in Monaco?

No. There is no conscription in the Principality. Both military corps operate entirely on voluntary enlistment, with recruitment competitions organised as needs arise. These are professional careers with military status, barracks accommodation for part of the personnel, and internal promotion.

Where to see them

• Changing of the Guard — Palace Square, daily at 11:55.
• National Day, 19 November — military review on the Palace Square in full dress uniform. See Monaco's National Day.
• Official ceremonies and major events — the Carabiniers and their orchestra are present.

See also

• Police and public safety in Monaco
• Emergency numbers in Monaco
• Prince's Palace
• Monaco National Day
• Direction de la Sûreté Publique