Relocate to Mauritius

Why choose Mauritius

Mauritius has established itself over the years as a premier destination for entrepreneurs, investors and international executives seeking a high quality of life combined with a competitive economic and tax environment. Located in the Indian Ocean, approximately 11 hours by air from London, the island offers a rare balance between economic dynamism and quality of living.

Several factors explain the attractiveness of Mauritius for expatriates:

• English-French bilingualism: both English and French are widely spoken in daily life, greatly facilitating integration. English is the language of business and administration
• Political stability and security: a stable parliamentary democracy since independence in 1968, with strong institutions, a legal system inherited from both French and English law, and a secure environment
• Tropical climate: pleasant temperatures year-round (22-33 degrees C), generous sunshine and varied landscapes including beaches, mountains and tropical forests
• International connectivity: direct flights to Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East, modern digital infrastructure with a developed fibre optic network
• Multicultural society: Mauritius is a cultural crossroads (Indo-Mauritian, Creole, Chinese, Franco-Mauritian) that makes tolerance and openness its fundamental values
• Attractive tax framework: maximum personal income tax rate of 15%, no wealth tax, no inheritance tax and no capital gains tax for individuals

Relocation steps

Relocating to Mauritius as an entrepreneur or investor requires coordinating several administrative procedures in a logical order:

1. Obtaining a residence permit: Occupation Permit (investor or professional category), Premium Visa for remote workers, or residence permit through property acquisition in an approved programme. See our detailed guides on investor permits and work permits
2. Setting up your company: if your project involves activity in or through Mauritius, incorporating a company (local company, GBC or Authorised Company) is a key step. Sunibel Corporate Services supports you in choosing the structure and handling all formalities
3. Opening a bank account: personal and/or professional, essential for your day-to-day operations and demonstrating your substance in Mauritius
4. Finding accommodation: rental or purchase in an approved programme, depending on your preferences and length of stay
5. Children's schooling: enrolment in a suitable school, anticipating waiting lists for the most popular establishments
6. Health insurance: taking out health cover suited to expatriation

Housing

The Mauritian property market offers a wide range of options, from city-centre apartments to seaside villas with pools. The areas most popular with expatriates vary according to the lifestyle sought:

• Grand Baie (north): cosmopolitan and lively atmosphere, numerous restaurants, shops and water activities. A favoured area for the expatriate community
• Tamarin / Black River (west): more residential and natural setting, spectacular sunsets, surfing and proximity to the Black River Gorges National Park
• Moka / Ebene (centre): a rapidly developing business hub, Moka Smart City campus, cooler climate at altitude. Suited to families working in the technology and financial sectors
• Flic en Flac (west): long white-sand beach, relaxed atmosphere, a good compromise between accessibility and seaside quality of life

Rental

Rents vary considerably by area and property type. As a guide, a furnished 2-bedroom apartment rents for between EUR 600 and 1,200 per month in popular residential areas, while a 3-4 bedroom villa with pool ranges from EUR 1,500 to 3,500 per month. Rental contracts are generally concluded for one year, renewable.

Purchase (PDS)

Foreigners wishing to purchase property in Mauritius can do so under the Property Development Scheme (PDS) or the Smart City Scheme. The minimum investment to obtain a residence permit is USD 375,000. These programmes offer quality properties (villas, apartments, penthouses) in secure residences with services.

Schooling

Mauritius has a diverse educational offering in both the public and private systems:

• Lycee La Bourdonnais: a French school accredited by AEFE, offering the French national curriculum from nursery to the final year. A highly sought-after school with waiting lists; early application is advised
• Ecole du Nord and Ecole du Centre: French schools offering the French curriculum up to secondary level
• International schools: Northfields International High School, Clavis International Primary School, Le Bocage International School offer international programmes (IB, Cambridge) in English
• Bilingual schools: several institutions offer bilingual French-English teaching, allowing children to benefit from both systems

Tuition fees at private international schools range from EUR 3,000 to 10,000 per year depending on the institution and level.

Healthcare

The Mauritian healthcare system includes a free public network and a growing private sector. For expatriates, the private sector is generally preferred:

• Modern private clinics with recent technical facilities
• Internationally trained doctors (France, United Kingdom, India, South Africa)
• Common specialties available locally: general medicine, paediatrics, cardiology, orthopaedics, gynaecology, dermatology
• For highly specialised procedures or complex cases, medical evacuation is possible to Reunion (1.5 hours by air) or South Africa

International health insurance is essential. Premiums vary by age, coverage and insurer, but expect between EUR 1,500 and 4,000 per year for comprehensive individual coverage.

Cost of living

The cost of living in Mauritius is generally lower than in Western Europe, but with significant disparities across spending categories:

• Less expensive than in Europe: rent (outside PDS), local dining, fresh fruits and vegetables, personal services (domestic help, gardening), transport
• Comparable or higher prices: imported products (cheeses, charcuterie, wines), cars (high excise duties), certain electronic equipment
• Variable: food can be very affordable if local products and markets are favoured, but the budget increases significantly if European consumption habits are maintained

Note: the Mauritian rupee (MUR) has undergone a gradual depreciation in recent years, which makes the cost of living even more affordable for expatriates earning income in euros or dollars.

Personal taxation

The personal taxation of individuals resident in Mauritius is one of the jurisdiction's main attractions:

• Maximum income tax rate: 15% (progressive scale with exemptions)
• No wealth tax
• No inheritance tax or gift tax
• No capital gains tax for individuals
• Foreign-source income: taxed only if remitted to Mauritius for certain income categories, subject to conditions

For a detailed analysis of tax residency in Mauritius, see our page on tax residency. For corporate taxation, see our guide on corporate tax in Mauritius.

Residence permits

Several routes to residency exist for foreigners wishing to settle in Mauritius:

• Occupation Permit - Investor: for entrepreneurs setting up or investing in a company in Mauritius
• Occupation Permit - Professional: for executives and professionals employed by a Mauritian company
• Premium Visa: a one-year residence permit (renewable) for remote workers and retirees
• Residence through property investment: a permit granted to purchasers of property in a PDS or Smart City programme for a minimum of USD 375,000
• Retirement permit: for persons over 50 with regular income transferred to Mauritius

Sunibel Corporate Services supports you in choosing the permit best suited to your situation and in handling all administrative procedures.