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Vatican CityStatus in-countryLast checked October 17, 2026

Authorisation to reside in Vatican City

office, service or family

Residence in Vatican City is not open to the general public. It is granted to people who must or are authorised to live there because of their office or service, and, for a fixed term, to family members and domestic workers of citizens or residents and in other cases judged appropriate. All residence authorisations can be revoked at any time with reasonable notice.

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Life in Vatican City

Money

2

Currency

Euro

EUR

Euro

Tax

No income tax

Official rates, 2026 · headline only

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Who it’s for

People appointed to an office or service of the Holy See or Vatican City State, their spouses and children, and domestic workers of citizens or residents.

Eligibility

  • Office or service

    Authorisation comes from the Cardinal Secretary of State or the Cardinal President of the Governatorato, depending on your case.

    • Cardinal Secretary of State: staff of Holy See bodies or linked institutions
    • Source: art. 2(1)
    Official wording

    Authorisation is given by the Cardinal Secretary of State (for staff of Holy See bodies or linked institutions) or the Cardinal President of the Governatorato (other cases) (art. 2(1)).

  • Family membersFamily

    Family members of Vatican citizens or residents can be granted a fixed-term authorisation.

    • A citizen's spouse and children: granted on simple confirmation of the family relationship (art. 2(2))
    Official wording

    Fixed-term authorisations can be granted to family members of Vatican citizens or residents (art. 6(2)(a)); for a citizen's spouse and children, authorisation is granted on simple confirmation of the family relationship (art. 2(2)).

  • Domestic workersDomestic workers

    Fixed-term authorisations can be granted to domestic workers of Vatican citizens or residents (art. 6(2)(b)).

A sneak peek at what's inside

  • Next requirementOther cases
  • Document checklistResidence authorisation
  • FeesResidence authorisation

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  • 1 more requirement
  • 2 documents
  • 1 fee
  • 3 steps
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