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Why Lewis Hamilton Lives in Monaco Despite Owning Homes Worldwide

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Samriddhi Jaiswal | Last updated Aug 7, 2025 1:19 PM ET

Lewis Hamilton may own luxury homes across the globe, but there’s one address that stands above the rest — Monaco. The seven-time F1 world champion has long been based in the glittering principality, and the reason is as strategic as it is glamorous.

Monaco, nestled on the French Riviera, spans just over two square kilometers. It has the shortest coastline of any country in the world and is so narrow that parts of it are barely 350 meters wide. Yet for the ultra-wealthy — and especially F1 drivers — it’s one of the most desirable places to live.

Hamilton, who reportedly earns around $60 Million annually, including bonuses, enjoys Monaco’s most well-known benefit: zero personal income tax. Unlike drivers based in England, France, or other Western nations where tax rates can soar above 40%, Monaco allows its residents to keep nearly all of their earnings.

That advantage alone has drawn a long list of F1 stars to its shores — past and present — including Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and Lando Norris.

While Hamilton doesn’t live in Monaco full-time — F1 drivers spend much of the year traveling — he maintains a multi-million dollar property there. And despite owning other homes in places like London, New York, and Colorado, his Monaco base remains a financial and logistical hub for his career.

There’s another quirk to living in Monaco: homeowners can’t legally rent their properties on platforms like Airbnb. The government restricts short-term rentals to preserve exclusivity and local character.

That’s why fans hoping to stay in Monaco for the Grand Prix often find themselves booking across the border in Beausoleil, France — sometimes just a few hundred meters away.

For Hamilton, Monaco offers more than just tax perks. It’s private, secure, close to the F1 paddock, and filled with fellow athletes and entrepreneurs who value discretion. In a sport where margins matter, living in Monaco is just another smart move in a champion’s playbook.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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