Monaco is small.
Not the choice of your health insurance there.
In the case of international students, the combination of the right setup is typically used.
You take whatever you can get through the social security system of Monaco (or some form of local assurance santé), and add additional cover that applies in cases of emergency, treatment abroad, and the out-of-pocket shocks that may occur with private clinics.
When you are coming along with a spouse or a child, the stakes increase rapidly.
What may seem like a good deal to one healthy 22-year-old may turn into a nightmare the minute you add maternity, paediatric checkups, prescription, or a sick child at an inconvenient time.
This is a guide that is designed to be easy to understand and not overstated to the professional reader.
It takes the official Monaco government and university guidelines and converts them into an action plan on what you can afford to buy on a step-by-step basis. monservicepublicgouv.mc +2IUM + 2
Why Monaco is different for student families
Monaco has a good access to healthcare.
It also is much connected with its neighboring France, in that many of the students reside on the French or Italian side and commute.
The fact that good coverage is altered by the existence of that across-border reality.
An example of this is International University of Monaco (IUM) stating clearly that your health insurance needs to cover you in Monaco, and also in your home country (France or Italy, say). IUM
There is another factor.
In Monaco, the private medical expenses may be very high and this is why most of the individuals tend to use the social security system when they are eligible or they opt to use international plans that are made to cover expensive destinations.
Monaco health system basics in plain language
1) The Caisses Sociales de Monaco (CSM) and the “general scheme”
Monaco’s official public service information explains the health insurance funds under the general scheme and notes that non-working spouses and dependent children/young people under 21 in education can also be eligible. monservicepublic.gouv.mc
That matters if your spouse will not be working.
It also matters if your child is a dependent and living locally.
The CSM’s own beneficiary guidance similarly states that health insurance may cover your spouse and children if specific conditions are met. en.caisses-sociales.mc
2) A “special scheme” via the State Medical Benefits Office (SPME)
Monaco’s public service portal also describes the State Medical Benefits Office (special scheme) and confirms that spouses who do not work and dependent children/young people under 21 in education can be eligible under the scheme rules. monservicepublic.gouv.mc+1
This often applies to specific groups linked to public status.
If you might qualify, ask early, because it can reduce how much private cover you need.
3) What students should learn from this
Your goal is not to buy “the most insurance.”
Your goal is to avoid gaps.
So you start with one question: Are you eligible for Monaco’s social security coverage (directly or via a spouse), or are you expected to show private cover for the full stay?
If you don’t know, you ask your school and the relevant Monaco public office, then keep written confirmation.
What universities in Monaco can require (IUM as the clearest example)
IUM’s student guidance is unusually specific.
It states that all students must have health insurance (“assurance santé”) during their studies, and that the insurance must cover them in Monaco and also in their country of residence (France or Italy, for example). IUM
IUM also points out that personal liability insurance (“responsabilité civile”) is mandatory, and it notes that many students take Globe Partner because it offers both health and personal liability coverage. IUM
The Globe Partner brochure hosted on IUM’s site states it covers health costs, repatriation assistance, and civil liability, provides an immediate certificate, and notes a visa-refusal reimbursement policy (with a management fee). IUM
And ACS’s own Globe Partner page lists the benefit structure in plain terms, including medical expenses up to a stated maximum, repatriation assistance, and personal civil liability benefits. acs-ami.com
For families, this is the key takeaway:
your health insurance choice is not only about healthcare—it can also be about satisfying a liability requirement without juggling separate policies.
The 3 common insurance setups that actually work for Monaco students
Setup A: Eligible for Monaco coverage + small “gap cover”
This is the cleanest setup if you qualify.
You rely on Monaco’s scheme for core medical needs, and you add a lighter international plan for travel, repatriation, and cross-border flexibility.
Best for: students with clear eligibility (and families who qualify as dependants).
Risk: assuming eligibility without written confirmation.
Setup B: Private “assurance santé” that works in Monaco + cross-border living
This is common for international students who live in France or Italy but study in Monaco.
The policy must explicitly cover both places, not just “Europe in general,” and it should clearly handle treatment in Monaco and nearby countries.
Best for: commuters, families living on the French side.
Risk: buying a plan that excludes Monaco or treats it as “out of area.”
Setup C: Full international expat family plan (Monaco-ready)
This is what you choose when you want one plan that covers everyone, with higher limits and more predictable access.
It tends to cost more, but it often handles children’s healthcare better.
Best for: spouse + kids, longer stays, chronic needs, pregnancy planning.
Risk: paying for benefits you don’t need if you’re already eligible for a strong public scheme.
Top 10 family-friendly medical options usable in Monaco
These are not “Monaco-only student insurers.”
They are plans that either market Monaco directly or provide Europe-zone / international cover that can include Monaco, plus the ability to add dependants (depending on product rules).
1) Mondassur (student and expat plans marketed for Monaco)
Mondassur markets “health insurance in Monaco” and explicitly discusses Monaco’s private medical costs being high, positioning its products for study/work/expatriation there. mondassur.com+1
It also advertises international student insurance “from 27 Euros per month” on its student insurance page. mondassur.com
2) Globe Partner (ACS) – popular with IUM students
IUM notes many students choose Globe Partner for combined health + liability. IUM
ACS lists benefits including medical expenses (up to the stated maximum), repatriation assistance, and personal civil liability. acs-ami.com
The IUM-hosted brochure also emphasises fast certification and Schengen-visa alignment. IUM
3) Allianz Care (Allianz Partners)
Allianz Care markets international plans for people living/studying abroad and specifically addresses family needs through its family-focused international coverage pages. allianzcare.com+1
4) Cigna Global
Cigna positions its international health insurance as suitable for individuals and families abroad, and it frames it as longer-term medical coverage rather than short-term travel cover. cignaglobal.com+1
5) AXA Global Healthcare
AXA Global Healthcare markets international health insurance designed for life abroad, including family scenarios and flexible regions of cover. AXA – Global Healthcare+1
6) Bupa Global
Bupa Global markets private health insurance options connected to Monaco through its Monaco landing pages and global family positioning, typically aimed at higher-end comprehensive private care. assurances-etudiants.com+1
7) Swisscare (Europe student cover)
Swisscare markets international student health insurance for Europe, advertising a “from €0.54/day” entry price on its Europe student plan page. Swisscare ® | Official website
This can fit some students living in nearby France/Italy who mainly need structured student insurance plus add-ons, but you must confirm Monaco is accepted in the plan’s area rules.
8) A “Monaco scheme” route (CSM / general scheme or SPME) if eligible
Monaco public guidance confirms non-working spouses and dependent children in education can be eligible under the general scheme and special scheme conditions. monservicepublic.gouv.mc+1
The CSM beneficiary page also supports that spouse/child coverage can apply when conditions are met. en.caisses-sociales.mc
9) Monaco-aligned international expat plans (by category, not brand hype)
If your family needs high outpatient usage (kids’ GP visits, prescriptions, paediatrics), choose plans that explicitly include outpatient and not only hospital care.
If you mainly need catastrophic protection, a higher deductible with strong inpatient cover can work.
10) University-aligned bundles (when your school recommends a short list)
IUM effectively signals that Globe Partner is common among its students, and that liability insurance is mandatory. IUM+1
If your institution has a similar recommendation list, use it as an acceptance shortcut, then compare the fine print.
What coverage families should look for in Monaco
High limits for inpatient and outpatient care
Monaco has both public access and private clinics, and costs can be high in private settings. mondassur.com+1
So families should avoid policies with tiny annual caps that collapse after one hospital event.
Emergency services, evacuation, and repatriation
If you may want specialist treatment in France or return home for care, you want clear emergency transport wording.
Globe Partner, for example, highlights repatriation assistance and medical transportation as core benefits. acs-ami.com
Maternity, newborn, and paediatric cover (with waiting periods)
Many international plans use waiting periods for maternity benefits.
So if pregnancy is possible during the study period, treat maternity wording like a contract clause, not a marketing bullet.
Mental health and chronic care clarity
Families need predictability.
If ongoing treatment is excluded or heavily capped, you want to know before you arrive.
Liability insurance (often required by universities)
IUM explicitly says personal liability insurance is mandatory and notes many students choose a product that bundles it with health coverage. IUM+1
Cost ranges for Monaco-relevant plans (how to think about budget)
In Europe, students are well known to receive entry-level medical cover with an entry price of tens of euros per month (one person) with varying deductibles and exclusions.
Mondassur sells international student insurance at 27 Euros per month and Swisscare at Europe student cover at 54/day.
Families are different.
When you include spouse + child the premiums usually increase at a very fast rate particularly when you include outpatient care, low deductibles and maternity.
The following is a useful budgeting rule:
In the event that you desire a plan that will act like a real family healthcare, expect to pay significantly more than a bare-bones student plan, and consider anything strangely low as a warning to scrutinize exclusions twice.
Practical checklist for international student families (copy/paste)
Use this checklist before you pay for any policy:
- Countries covered: Monaco + your residence country (France/Italy). IUM
- Dependants allowed: spouse + each child listed on the certificate.
- Dates: cover starts on entry date and runs through the full study period.
- Inpatient limit: high enough for one major event.
- Outpatient rules: included or excluded—no confusion.
- Maternity: waiting period, benefit limits, newborn rules.
- Repatriation: included with clear assistance process. acs-ami.com
- Liability insurance: included if your institution requires it. IUM
- Proof document: immediate certificate available (especially for enrolment or residence steps). IUM
Final advice (so you don’t overpay or underbuy)
Start with your institution’s minimum requirements.
IUM is clear that you need health insurance and personal liability, and that your cover must work in Monaco and often in the country where you live. IUM+1
Then confirm whether you can access Monaco’s scheme and extend it to dependants.
Monaco’s public service guidance and the CSM beneficiary rules show that non-working spouses and dependent children can be eligible when conditions are met. monservicepublic.gouv.mc+1
References:
- ACS. (n.d.). Globe Partner (travel insurance). https://www.acs-ami.com/en/travel-insurance/globe-partner/
- International University of Monaco. (2025, May 7). EU citizen. https://www.monaco.edu/en/the-experience-monaco/eu-citizen/
- International University of Monaco. (2025, May 7). Non-EU citizen. https://www.monaco.edu/en/the-experience-monaco/non-eu-citizen/
- International University of Monaco. (n.d.). Globe Partner for International University of Monaco (PDF). https://www.monaco.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/02/Globe-Partner-for-Internationa-University-of-Monaco-OMNES-ENG-1.pdf
- Monaco Service Public. (2024, November 26). Health insurance funds in Monaco (the general scheme). https://monservicepublic.gouv.mc/en/themes/social-health-and-families/health-insurance/health-insurance-funds-in-monaco-the-general-scheme
- Monaco Service Public. (2024, November 26). State Medical Benefits Office (the special scheme). https://monservicepublic.gouv.mc/en/themes/social-health-and-families/health-insurance/state-medical-benefits-office-the-special-scheme
- Mondassur. (n.d.). Health insurance in Monaco. https://www.mondassur.com/en/health-insurance-monaco/
- Mondassur. (n.d.). International student insurance. https://www.mondassur.com/en/international-student-insurance/
- Swisscare. (n.d.). International student health insurance Europe. https://swisscare.com/en/product/international-student-health-insurance-europe
- Allianz Care. (n.d.). International family health insurance. https://www.allianzcare.com/en/personal-international-health-insurance/who-we-help/established-families.html
- Cigna Global. (n.d.). International health plans. https://www.cignaglobal.com/international-health-plans
- AXA Global Healthcare. (n.d.). International health insurance plans. https://www.axaglobalhealthcare.com/en/international-health-insurance/
- Bupa Global. (n.d.). Private health insurance in Monaco. https://www.bupaglobal.com/en/private-health-insurance/mc
- Caisses Sociales de Monaco. (n.d.). Beneficiaries. https://www.en.caisses-sociales.mc/home/employee/employee/medical-benefits/health-insurance/medical-expenses/beneficiaries
- World Health Organization. European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. (n.d.). Monaco: Health system information. https://eurohealthobservatory.who.int/countries/monaco
