Citizens of Monaco, San Marino, and Andorra: Their Rights and Limitations in EU Countries
The rights of citizens from Monaco, San Marino, and Andorra to live and work in other EU countries are somewhat nuanced. While these microstates offer certain benefits to their citizens when traveling within the EU, they do not provide the same automatic rights as EU citizens when it comes to settling in other EU member states. This article will delve into the specific circumstances and agreements these countries have with the EU, and explain why and how their citizens can live and work in certain EU countries.
Monaco
Monaco is a tax haven and principality located on the French Riviera. Although it is not a member of the European Union (EU), it has a customs union with France. This allows Monaco citizens to live and work in France without requiring a visa. However, when it comes to settling in other EU countries, the situation is more complex. Moving to other EU countries may require a visa or a residence permit. It's important to note that these agreements were made before the introduction of Freedom of Movement within the 31-country European Economic Area (EEA), which includes the EU plus Liechtenstein, Norway, and Iceland. As a result, Monaco citizens currently do not have automatic rights to live and work in the entire EU.
San Marino
San Marino is another microstate located within Italy. Similar to Monaco, San Marino is not part of the EU but has agreements that allow for some cooperation with the EU. San Marino citizens can enter EU countries without a visa for short stays, but to settle permanently in another EU country, they would generally need to apply for a residence permit. This applies to the one EU country where they can live and work, which is Italy. Again, these agreements predate the introduction of Freedom of Movement within the EEA.
Andorra
Andorra is a small landlocked country nestled in the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain. Like Monaco and San Marino, Andorra is not part of the EU. Andorran citizens can travel to EU countries without a visa for short stays, but to settle in another EU country, they too would need to apply for a residence permit. Currently, Andorran citizens can only live and work in three EU countries: France, Spain, and Portugal. These agreements were part of the bilateral relations before the EEA agreements came into effect.
Technical Hurdles and Current Status
The reason why Monaco, San Marino, and Andorra do not have a full EEA agreement with the EU is due to some complex technical hurdles. The ">primary source document provides a detailed explanation, while a ">summarized secondary source offers a more concise overview. Logically, Liechtenstein, another microstate, is part of the EEA, allowing its citizens to live and work freely within the EEA.
Border Immigration and Freedom of Movement
Freedom of Movement within the EEA is distinct from border immigration controls. Monaco has open borders with France, and San Marino with Italy, which themselves have open borders with the Schengen Area. However, these open borders predominantly apply to tourism visits and do not automatically grant the right to settle and work in EU member states.
Upcoming Changes and Future Outlook
Croatia, a current EU member, is not yet part of the EEA, pending ratification by Croatia’s parliament. This means that the EEA currently consists of 27 EU countries plus three non-EU countries: Liechtenstein, Iceland, and Norway. Switzerland, while not a member of the EEA, has its own Freedom of Movement agreement with the EU and EEA countries. The future of Britain's membership in the EEA remains uncertain, as the country has left the EU.