Retiring in Mauritius is open to anyone aged 50 or over who can show USD 2,000 a month (or USD 24,000 a year) transferred to the island, which gives a renewable 10-year Retired Non-Citizen residence permit. Alternatively, buying a property for USD 375,000 or more through an approved scheme gives a residence permit with no income test for as long as you own it. Foreign pensions are taxed only when remitted to Mauritius, and there is no inheritance tax, capital gains tax or annual property tax.
Mauritius has long attracted retirees from Europe and South Africa for the obvious reasons: a warm climate, a safe and stable democracy, English and French spoken everywhere, and direct flights to Paris, London, Dubai and Johannesburg. The practical questions are less obvious. Which permit, whether to buy or rent, how healthcare works, and how your pension will be taxed. This guide answers each of them. It was last updated on 18 September 2026.
Retiring in Mauritius: key facts
- Retired Non-Citizen permit: age 50+, at least USD 2,000 a month or USD 24,000 a year in freely convertible currency, valid for 10 years and renewable.
- Property route: a purchase of USD 375,000 or more gives a residence permit for as long as you own the property, covering a spouse and children under 24.
- Permanent residence: after 5 years on the Retired Non-Citizen permit and at least USD 200,000 transferred, you can apply for a 20-year Permanent Residence Permit.
- Work: retired permit holders may invest in a business but may not be employed in it or draw a salary from it.
- Tax: residents are taxed on foreign income, including pensions, only when it is remitted to Mauritius. The first MUR 500,000 of chargeable income is taxed at 0%.
- No wealth taxes: no capital gains tax on individually held residential property, no inheritance tax and no annual property tax.
- Buying costs: budget 7% to 8% on top of the price, including 5% registration duty.
What is the Retired Non-Citizen residence permit?
It is the dedicated permit for people who want to live in Mauritius without working there. According to the EDB residency portal, applicants must be at least 50 and show that they will transfer at least USD 2,000 a month, or USD 24,000 a year, to a Mauritian bank account. Some older guides, and parts of the EDB site, still quote USD 1,500 a month. The EDB’s dedicated permit page, updated in December 2025, states USD 24,000 a year, so plan on the higher amount.
The permit is valid for 10 years and can be renewed on evidence that the annual transfers have been made. Your spouse and dependent children can be included, with permits running for the same period. Applications are made online through the National E-Licensing System, where the application itself is free and successful applicants pay the statutory permit fee. You will need a birth certificate, passport, bank statements, a medical certificate and a police clearance certificate covering the last 10 years.
Can I work on a retired permit?
Not as an employee. You may invest in any business, provided you are not employed in it and do not take a salary or employment benefits from it. If you want to keep consulting or run a company actively, an Occupation Permit or the property route may suit you better.
The path to permanent residence
After 5 years on the Retired Non-Citizen permit, and once at least USD 200,000 has been transferred over 5 consecutive years, you can apply for the Permanent Residence Permit. Since the Finance Act 2025 it runs for 20 years and is renewable. For someone planning to stay for good, this is the route that removes the annual transfer test from your life.
Should retirees buy property or rent in Mauritius?
Both work, and the right answer depends on your budget and how certain you are about the move.
| Option | Residence | Income test | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent and hold a Retired Non-Citizen permit | 10-year permit, renewable | USD 24,000 a year transferred | Testing the island before committing |
| Buy below USD 375,000 and hold a Retired Non-Citizen permit | 10-year permit, renewable | USD 24,000 a year transferred | Owning a home on a moderate budget |
| Buy for USD 375,000 or more | Permit for as long as you own the property | None | Those who want residence secured by the asset |
Renting first is sensible if you do not yet know the island well. A year of renting on the West coast and another in the North will teach you more about where you want to live than any number of viewing trips. Our guide to renting in Mauritius as a foreigner covers leases, deposits and what to expect from landlords.
Buying makes sense once you are sure. A property of USD 375,000 or more gives you a residence permit that does not depend on proving income each year, which many retirees find reassuring as circumstances change. Below that threshold, you can still buy through an approved scheme or a G+2 apartment (minimum MUR 6 million) and rely on the retired permit for residence. EDB guidance confirms that a non-citizen already holding a residence permit may use funds previously transferred from abroad to buy, subject to proof of transfer. The full rules are in our guide to foreign property ownership in Mauritius, and the costs in the cost of buying property in Mauritius in 2026.
There is also a Senior Living Residence route listed by the EDB, where non-citizens buy within developments designed for older residents with services on site. It is worth considering if on-site care and community matter to you.
How are pensions taxed when retiring in Mauritius?
Once you spend 183 days or more in an income year in Mauritius (or 270 days across the current and 2 preceding years), you are normally tax resident. Residents are taxed on foreign income, which the Mauritius Revenue Authority defines to include pensions, only to the extent it is remitted to Mauritius. Income left abroad is not taxed in Mauritius.
From 1 July 2026 the personal income tax bands are:
| Chargeable income | Rate |
|---|---|
| First MUR 500,000 | 0% |
| Next MUR 500,000 | 10% |
| Up to MUR 12 million | 20% |
| Above MUR 12 million | 35% |
3 points matter in practice. First, the money you transfer to satisfy the retired permit is remitted money, so a pension paid into Mauritius to meet the USD 24,000 test will normally be taxable here, although the 0% band covers a meaningful part of it. Transfers of capital, such as savings built up before you became resident, are treated differently from income, so keep clear records of what is capital and what is income. Second, your home country may also claim the right to tax your pension, particularly government and civil service pensions. Double tax treaties decide who taxes what, and they differ by country. Third, there is no inheritance tax in Mauritius, but your home country’s rules may still apply to your estate. Take advice in both countries before you move, not after.
Healthcare for retirees in Mauritius
Mauritius has a public hospital network and a well-developed private sector. Most international retirees use private clinics for consultations, diagnostics and surgery, and hold international private medical insurance. The main private clinics are on the central plateau, around Port Louis, Ébène, Moka and Curepipe, with smaller private facilities and medical centres in the North and West.
Practical points to plan for:
- Arrange insurance before you arrive. International cover that includes evacuation for complex treatment is the standard choice. Premiums rise sharply with age, so compare policies in your 50s rather than your 70s.
- Bring your records. A summary of your medical history, prescriptions and recent test results makes registering with a local doctor far easier.
- Check your medication. Most common prescriptions are available, sometimes under different brand names. Confirm specialist medication before you move.
- Live within reach of care. If you expect regular specialist visits, the North or Centre may suit better than the more remote parts of the South and East.
Cost of living for retirees in Mauritius
Mauritius is not a cheap destination, but it can be good value. Imported goods, cars and electronics cost more than in Europe, while local produce, domestic help and services cost less. Inflation was 4.4% in July 2026, so budget for rising prices, particularly on imported food. The biggest variables are housing, a car (almost essential outside Grand Baie and Port Louis), private health insurance and whether you employ household staff. Living on local produce and a modest car costs far less than a large villa with a pool and full-time staff.
Where is the best place to retire in Mauritius?
Each region suits a different kind of retirement. Our complete guide to the best regions to buy property in Mauritius goes into detail, but here is the summary with LIVERIA’s indicative price ranges (September 2026).
| Region | Indicative prices | Why retirees choose it |
|---|---|---|
| North (Grand Baie, Mont Choisy, Pereybere) | EUR 190,000 to EUR 3,100,000 | Shops, restaurants, medical facilities and an established expatriate community |
| West (Black River, Tamarin, Le Morne) | EUR 285,000 to EUR 5,350,000 | Drier, sunnier climate, mountains, golf and a quieter pace |
| East (Belle Mare, Beau Champ) | EUR 500,000 to over EUR 6,000,000 | Beaches, privacy and calm, with fewer services nearby |
| Centre (Moka, Ébène) | From about EUR 135,000 | Cooler climate, lower prices and the closest access to major clinics |
The North is the most popular choice for first-time retirees because everything is within a short drive. The West attracts active retirees who golf, hike or sail. The East suits those who value quiet above convenience. The Centre is often overlooked, but for retirees who prioritise healthcare access and budget, Moka deserves a visit.
Retiring in Mauritius: practical checklist
- Decide the permit route. Retired Non-Citizen permit (USD 24,000 a year), property residence (USD 375,000+) or both.
- Get tax advice in both countries. Map how your pensions, investments and estate will be taxed at home and in Mauritius.
- Arrange international health insurance before you apply.
- Collect documents early. Police clearance covering 10 years, medical certificate, birth and marriage certificates.
- Open a Mauritian bank account and set up regular transfers in hard currency.
- Rent before you buy if you are unsure of the region.
- Plan your estate. Make sure your will covers your Mauritian property and take local notarial advice.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do you need to retire in Mauritius?
For the Retired Non-Citizen permit you must be 50 or older and transfer at least USD 2,000 a month, or USD 24,000 a year, to a Mauritian bank account. That is the legal minimum, not a comfortable budget. Most retirees who own a home, run a car and hold private health insurance spend noticeably more, depending on region and lifestyle.
Can I retire in Mauritius at 50?
Yes. The Retired Non-Citizen residence permit is open from age 50, provided you can show the required annual transfer of USD 24,000 in freely convertible currency. The permit lasts 10 years and is renewable. If you are younger than 50, buying property for USD 375,000 or more gives a residence permit with no age requirement.
Do I pay tax on my pension if I retire in Mauritius?
Mauritius taxes residents on foreign income, including pensions, only when it is remitted to Mauritius. The first MUR 500,000 of chargeable income is taxed at 0%, then 10% and 20% bands apply. Your home country may also tax certain pensions, especially government pensions, so check the double tax treaty and take advice in both countries.
Do retirees need to buy property to live in Mauritius?
No. The Retired Non-Citizen permit does not require a property purchase, and many retirees rent first. Buying for USD 375,000 or more gives a separate residence permit with no income test, which lasts as long as you own the property. Buying below that amount gives you a home but you rely on the retired permit for residence.
Is healthcare good in Mauritius for retirees?
Private healthcare in Mauritius is generally good for routine care, diagnostics and most surgery, with the main private clinics on the central plateau. Most international retirees hold international private medical insurance, ideally including evacuation for complex treatment. Living within a reasonable drive of a major clinic is a sensible priority when choosing where to live.
Can I get permanent residence in Mauritius as a retiree?
Yes. After 5 years on the Retired Non-Citizen permit, and once you have transferred at least USD 200,000 over 5 consecutive years, you can apply for the Permanent Residence Permit. It is valid for 20 years, renewable, and covers your spouse and dependants. It removes the need to prove annual transfers to keep your right of residence.
Plan your retirement move with people who live here
Retiring in Mauritius goes smoothly when the permit, the property and the tax position are planned together rather than in sequence.
LIVERIA International Realty is a Mauritius-based luxury real estate agency with a presence in Dubai and London, recognised by the Luxury Lifestyle Awards in 2024 and 2026 and by the Global Elite Awards in 2025 and 2026, which named LIVERIA among the Top 100 Companies Worldwide in both years. We help retirees find the right home, whether a rental to start with, a residency-qualifying purchase or off-market properties in quiet locations close to good healthcare, and we manage rentals for owners who spend part of the year abroad. Reach us at [email protected].
