Living in the Holy See as a French National: Status, Residence, Safety and Life in Rome

The Vatican City State was born of the Lateran Treaty, signed on 11 February 1929 and ratified on 7 June 1929 between the Holy See and Italy. Recognised as a sovereign entity in international law, it is distinct from the Holy See, of which it is the instrument, and ensures the independence of the Catholic Church from any established power. The sovereign pontiff resides there and some central bodies of the Church sit there. France Diplomatie describes an absolute elective monarchy of 0.44 km², whose capital is Vatican City, which maintains diplomatic relations with 184 states and with the European Union and sits as a permanent observer in several international organisations.

The Governorate reports about 670 citizens, of whom about 460 live within the walls with 120 members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, and nearly 900 residents in total, citizens and non-citizens. About 30% of citizens reside in other countries, most often because of their roles, notably diplomatic ones. The currency is the euro; Italian, Latin, French and German are among the languages cited, Latin being the legal language of the Holy See, French the diplomatic language and German that of the Swiss Guard. France Diplomatie specifies that the Holy See has no economy in the usual sense, its territory being entirely occupied by its administrations; its budget is around €1 billion, with balanced accounts after years of structural deficit. The Holy See page summarises this framework.

The Governorate specifies that the acquisition or loss of citizenship, residence permits and other access formalities are governed by specific provisions made under the Lateran Treaty; the page consulted details neither the categories nor the conditions. No official source read describes a general procedure allowing an ordinary civilian resident to settle: residence follows the performance of a role for the institution, as the population figures show, made up mostly of clergy, diplomatic staff, the Swiss Guard and employees of the Vatican administrations. A French national considering residing there therefore inquires with the entity that hosts them (dicastery, nunciature, congregation, administration), which specifies the housing, the duration and the status.

The Labour Office of the Apostolic See publishes staff regulations of the Holy See and the Governorate, as well as a consolidated text on family benefits; these documents set the rights of lay employees and should be consulted before accepting a position. The employment rules are detailed on a dedicated page.

As Vatican City has no border post of its own, it is reached from Rome. For a stay in Italy of up to three months, a French national presents a national identity card or a valid passport, to the exclusion of any other document, including for minors; the family record book is not a travel document. France Diplomatie reminds us that identity cards issued to adults between 2004 and 2013 remain valid five years after the expiry date shown, an extension officially accepted by Italy, while strongly recommending a valid passport to avoid difficulties. Minors who live in France and travel without one of their parents need an authorisation to leave the territory, which Italy does not require on exit. Pets travel identified by microchip or tattoo, vaccinated against rabies, with a European passport.

The France Diplomatie page on entry and stay in Italy deals neither with stays of more than three months, nor with registration formalities, nor with the Vatican: these subjects should be confirmed with the French embassy in Italy (Piazza Farnese 67, Rome, +39 06 68 60 11) and the Italian authorities. The Vatican-specific ‘entry and stay’ and ‘safety’ headings are not published on the France Diplomatie website.

France Diplomatie places the whole Italian territory in a normal vigilance zone. Thefts are frequent in large cities, in particular in airports, stations, public transport, tourist sites, hotels and restaurants; in Rome, particular vigilance is recommended on metro line B and on bus lines 40 and 64, which serve many tourist sites. The advice covers practical caution:

• keep bags and personal belongings under control, take only what is necessary and keep copies of your identity papers;
• close the doors and windows of a vehicle, leave nothing in view and be wary of offers of help to a motorist with a flat tyre;
• protect your bank card code and check your statements regularly, as public Wi-Fi networks may be compromised;
• file a complaint without delay, before leaving Italy: the time limits are three months for most offences and six months for a sexual assault.

The terrorist risk is that of other European countries, with reinforced security at tourist sites and transport hubs; an official alert system exists. The French embassy in Italy (Piazza Farnese 67, +39 06 68 60 11) and the French consulate general in Rome (Via Giulia 252) inform nationals. The France Diplomatie pages read give no advice specific to Vatican City: access to the spaces open to the public and their visiting rules should be confirmed with the Governorate (+39 06 6982).

Housing within the walls is tied to the role; most people who work at the Holy See without being housed there live in Rome, where the rental market and the settling-in rules for European Union citizens apply. The pages living in Italy, working in Italy and retiring in Italy detail registration at the town hall, rents published by official sources and everyday costs. The euro is the currency used, with no exchange risk for a salary paid in euros; the “Economic benchmarks” block on this page takes this into account.

For children’s schooling, the schools of the Agency for French Education Abroad network present in Rome and the French embassy in Italy provide information on registrations, calendars and school grants; no official source read mentions a French school located in Vatican City itself.

The Governorate has a Directorate of Health and Hygiene, responsible for people’s health, public health and safety at work, to which the Vatican pharmacy is attached; a health assistance fund specific to the State, the FAS, manages direct and indirect assistance. The arrangements for access, contributions and reimbursement can be read in its service charter and its regulations. Outside this perimeter, a French national living in Rome falls under Italian and European health rules. France Diplomatie reminds us, for Italy, to request the European Health Insurance Card at least fifteen days before a stay, to check your cover and to have a contract covering all costs if needed.

See the Holy See’s healthcare system and healthcare reimbursement at the Holy See, as well as expat health insurance and the CFE or private insurance (the CFE is the Caisse des Français de l’étranger, the French social security fund for nationals abroad). The page retiring at the Holy See completes the preparation.