Monaco follows Central European Time (CET) which is UTC +1 hour during standard time. In the warmer months, Monaco observes Central European Summer Time (CEST), UTC +2, as part of daylight saving time.
The entire country uses one time zone, the same as many countries in Western and Central Europe. Because Monaco is a very small sovereign city-state on the Mediterranean coast, the time used in Monaco is the same as nearby cities in France and neighboring European countries.
Current Time
The current local time in Monaco follows Central European Time (CET – UTC+1) during standard time. During daylight saving time, Monaco shifts to Central European Summer Time (CEST – UTC+2).
- Timezone: Europe/Monaco
- Standard Time: UTC +1 (CET)
- Summer Time: UTC +2 (CEST)
Quick Facts
- Country: Monaco
- Capital: Monaco (city-state)
- Time Zone: Central European Time (CET)
- UTC Offset: UTC +1 (standard time)
- Summer Time Offset: UTC +2 (CEST)
- IANA Time Zone: Europe/Monaco
- Dial Code: +377
- Continent: Europe
Time Difference From
- New York (USA): Monaco is 6 hours ahead during standard time and 5 hours ahead during daylight saving overlap periods.
- London (UK): Monaco is 1 hour ahead.
- Sydney (Australia): Monaco is 9–10 hours behind depending on daylight saving periods.
- UTC/GMT: Monaco is UTC +1 in winter and UTC +2 in summer.
Daylight Saving Time
Monaco observes daylight saving time following the same schedule used across most of Europe.
Start: Last Sunday in March – clocks move forward by 1 hour.
End: Last Sunday in October – clocks move back by 1 hour.
Example (2026):
DST Starts: March 29, 2026
DST Ends: October 25, 2026
Best Time to Call
If you are planning international calls or meetings with people in Monaco, the best time is usually:
Local Monaco Time: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Examples:
USA (New York): 3:00 AM – 12:00 PM
UK (London): 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Australia (Sydney): 5:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Late afternoon in Monaco often works best for connecting with international partners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time zone does Monaco use?
Monaco uses Central European Time (CET) which is UTC+1, and Central European Summer Time (CEST) which is UTC+2 during daylight saving time.
Does Monaco have multiple time zones?
No. Monaco is a very small country, so it only uses one time zone.
Does Monaco observe daylight saving time?
Yes. Monaco changes clocks twice a year, moving forward in March and backward in October.
What is Monaco’s time zone identifier?
The official IANA time zone identifier is Europe/Monaco.
Where Is Located
Monaco is a small sovereign city-state located on the Mediterranean coast in Western Europe. It is surrounded by France on three sides and sits near the border with Italy. Monaco lies along the famous French Riviera, making it one of the most prestigious locations in Europe.
What Is Famous For
Monaco is famous for several unique attractions and global events:
• The Monaco Grand Prix, one of the most famous Formula 1 races
• Luxury casinos including the Monte Carlo Casino
• A reputation as a tax haven for wealthy residents
• Beautiful Mediterranean coastline and yacht harbors
• Royal heritage ruled by the Grimaldi family
Additional Note
Monaco shares the same time zone as many European countries including France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Because of this alignment, business communication and travel across Europe are generally easy to coordinate. Always check whether Monaco is currently observing CET (UTC+1) or CEST (UTC+2) when planning international meetings.
