Extended Monaco 2026: How the Principality's AI Programme Helps Your Business
Monaco's Extended Monaco programme is making AI training and tools available to local businesses in 2026. Here's what it means for you.
Monaco Is Putting AI on the Business Agenda in 2026
The Principality of Monaco has never been a bystander in technology. Through its Extended Monaco programme — a government-backed digital transformation initiative launched in 2021 — Monaco has already supported over 700 companies and trained more than 4,000 professionals in digital skills.
In 2026, the programme is taking a clear new direction: artificial intelligence.
The Princely Government's Directorate of Digital Services has announced that AI will be the central theme of the Digital FlashUp sessions running throughout the year. If you run a business in Monaco — a boutique, a wealth management firm, a restaurant, a real estate agency — this is directly relevant to you.
What Is Extended Monaco for Businesses?
Extended Monaco for Businesses (also referred to as Extended Monaco Enterprises or EME) is a free programme run by the Princely Government to help Monaco-based companies adopt digital tools and practices. It is practical, local, and entirely free of charge.
The programme offers:
- Digital FlashUp sessions — 45-minute expert-led workshops on focused digital topics, held bi-monthly
- FlashLearn — short e-learning modules you can complete at your own pace
- Individual digital audits — tailored assessments of your business's digital readiness
- Financial support — subsidies for qualifying digital projects, including websites and e-commerce platforms
In 2026, a new AI Opportunity questionnaire has been added to the toolkit. This tool helps business owners identify specific, concrete ways AI could create value in their operations — not in abstract terms, but as a practical starting point.
What the AI Focus Means in Practice
The 2026 Digital FlashUp programme will cover topics including how to use AI tools in day-to-day business workflows, how to automate repetitive tasks, and how to apply AI to e-commerce and digital marketing. The sessions are designed for decision-makers, not technical staff — no prior coding knowledge required.
For a Monaco business owner, this translates into questions worth asking now:
- Could an AI chatbot handle customer enquiries outside business hours?
- Could AI tools help you produce content, manage your social media, or analyse customer data faster?
- Is your digital strategy ready to integrate these capabilities, or is it still built on a 2019 mindset?
These are not hypothetical questions. Businesses that begin applying AI to real workflows in 2026 will have a measurable advantage over those waiting for the technology to "mature."
The Digital FlashUp: Small Investment, Immediate Payoff
One of the most underused resources in Monaco is the Digital FlashUp format itself. Each session runs for just 45 minutes, is led by local professionals with direct knowledge of the Monegasque market, and is designed to produce actionable takeaways — not slides full of buzzwords.
If you have not attended a session yet, the 2026 AI-focused series is a strong entry point. The sessions are free. They are short. And the local network they put you in contact with — other Monaco business owners working through the same digital challenges — is genuinely useful.
Check the programme calendar on monentreprise.gouv.mc for upcoming dates.
Your Website and Digital Presence Still Come First
Government programmes and AI tools can accelerate a digital strategy. They cannot substitute for a solid foundation.
Before you experiment with AI automation, ask whether the basics are in place:
- Does your website clearly communicate what you offer and to whom?
- Is it optimised for Google, including local search? (SEO agency)
- Does it load fast, work on mobile, and convert visitors into enquiries?
- Is your brand identity consistent across every touchpoint?
If the answer to any of these is no, that is where the investment belongs first. AI tools amplify what is already working. They do not fix what is broken.
If you operate in a specific sector — real estate, hospitality, wellness, private wealth — the same logic applies. A real estate website that is slow and poorly structured will not perform better just because you added a chatbot. A hospitality or restaurant website that fails to show up on local searches needs SEO attention before AI layering.
Fonds Bleu: Subsidies to Fund Your Digital Projects
One element of the Extended Monaco ecosystem that deserves direct attention is the Fonds Bleu subsidy scheme. Qualifying Monaco businesses can receive government co-financing for digital projects — including new websites, e-commerce platforms, and digital tools.
If you are planning a digital investment in 2026 — whether that is a new web design project, a multilingual website, or an e-commerce build — it is worth checking eligibility before you begin. The subsidy can materially reduce your cost.
We have helped several Monaco businesses navigate this process. It is not complicated, but it requires proper documentation and a qualifying project scope.
Data Protection: AI Use Requires Compliance Awareness
One topic the Digital FlashUp series will need to address is data protection. When Monaco businesses adopt AI tools — especially those that process customer data — they are operating under Monaco's data protection law, Law No. 1.565 of 3 December 2024. The relevant authority is the APDP (Authority for the Protection of Personal Data and Privacy).
Monaco is not an EU member state and is not directly subject to EU GDPR. However, Law No. 1.565 imposes its own obligations, and any business using AI tools that handle personal data should verify compliance with the APDP's requirements. If you are unsure about your obligations, consult a qualified legal professional rather than relying on general guidance.
For a practical overview of data protection compliance in Monaco, this is a live issue in 2026 — not a box-ticking exercise.
Take Stock of Where You Stand
The Extended Monaco AI programme is a genuine opportunity. But the businesses that will benefit most from it are the ones that already have a coherent digital presence and a clear sense of what they are trying to achieve online.
If you are not there yet, start with a conversation. We work with Monaco businesses across sectors to build websites, run digital marketing campaigns, implement Google Ads strategies, and create the infrastructure that AI tools eventually plug into.
Get in touch with BSS Digital Agency to review your digital position and plan your 2026 priorities.
