To work legally in Monaco as an employee, all foreign nationals — including French citizens — must obtain a valid work permit (permis de travail) before starting employment. The recruitment process is strictly regulated to protect the local labor force, enforcing a legal priority system that favors Monégasque nationals and long-term local residents. An employer must first declare any job vacancy to the Employment Office, and only if no priority candidate is found within four days can they hire a foreign worker. Once authorized by the state, third-country nationals must secure a French long-stay visa matching the approved work contract before they can enter the Principality and finalize their local residency card.