Moving to Mauritius in 2026 starts with the right permit: a Premium Visa if your income comes from abroad, an Occupation Permit if you will work or invest locally, a retirement permit if you are 50 or over, or a residence permit through buying property worth USD 375,000 or more. Once that is settled, the move itself is manageable. English is widely used in business, you drive on the left, direct flights from London take around 12 hours, and the cost of living is moderate by European standards, although imported goods, international schooling and a car add up quickly.
Mauritius attracts professionals, entrepreneurs, families and retirees for similar reasons: a stable democracy, a low-tax system, a time zone that works with Europe and Asia, and a way of life built around the outdoors. This guide covers permits, the cost of living, schools, healthcare, banking, driving, where expats live and a 90-day plan. It was last updated on 18 September 2026.
Moving to Mauritius: key facts
- Premium Visa: up to 1 year, renewable, for people earning at least USD 1,500 a month from outside Mauritius, plus USD 500 a month per dependent child.
- Occupation Permit: investors from USD 100,000, self-employed from USD 50,000 plus turnover tests, and professionals on a basic salary of at least MUR 50,000 a month. ProPass and ExpertPass have been discontinued.
- Retirement: a 10-year permit for people aged 50 or over who transfer at least USD 24,000 a year or USD 2,000 a month.
- Property: a purchase of USD 375,000 or more through an approved scheme gives a residence permit for you, your spouse and children under 24.
- Tax: you become tax resident after 183 days in an income year. Personal income tax runs from 0% on the first MUR 500,000 to 35% above MUR 12 million.
- Remittance basis: tax residents are taxed on foreign income only when it is brought into Mauritius.
- No capital gains tax, inheritance tax or wealth tax on individually held assets such as your home.
Which permit do you need to move to Mauritius?
Premium Visa
The simplest route for remote workers, digital nomads and people living on foreign income. The EDB grants it for more than 6 months and up to 1 year, renewable, with no application fee. You need health insurance and the income thresholds above, and you cannot join the local labour market.
Occupation Permit
The permit for anyone working or doing business in Mauritius. The rules changed in August 2026. Investors need a minimum of USD 100,000, with turnover of at least MUR 5 million a year from year 3 and MUR 8 million from year 5. The self-employed need USD 50,000, with business income of MUR 2 million from year 3 and MUR 3 million from year 5. Professionals need a basic salary of at least MUR 50,000 a month in every sector, now under a single professional category.
Retired non-citizen permit
If you are 50 or over and not working, you can apply for a 10-year renewable permit by transferring at least USD 24,000 a year or USD 2,000 a month into a Mauritian bank account. You cannot take employment, though you may invest.
Residence through property
Buying through PDS, IRS, RES or Smart City for USD 375,000 or more gives a residence permit valid as long as you own the property, extending to your spouse and children under 24. It is residence, not citizenship. Our guide to foreign property ownership rules in Mauritius explains each route. Note that scheme property does not count towards the separate USD 1 million Golden Visa.
Permanent residence
Holders of investor, professional, self-employed and retired permits can apply for permanent residence after holding their permit for at least 5 years, subject to higher income or investment thresholds.
What is the cost of living in Mauritius in 2026?
The cost of living in Mauritius depends heavily on how you live. Local produce, public services and eating out at simple restaurants are affordable. Imported food, cars, electricity for air conditioning and international schooling are not. The figures below are crowd-sourced averages and ranges from Numbeo, updated on 31 August 2026, and they reflect the island as a whole.
| Item | Typical range (MUR) | Numbeo average (MUR) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, city centre, per month | 12,000 to 32,700 | 22,000 |
| 3-bedroom apartment, city centre, per month | 20,000 to 70,000 | 40,000 |
| Basic utilities for 85 m², per month | 1,500 to 4,900 | 2,800 |
| Broadband internet, per month | 1,100 to 2,000 | 1,430 |
| Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | 150 to 600 | 300 |
| Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant | 1,200 to 4,000 | 2,000 |
| Milk, 1 litre | 55 to 100 | 69 |
| Eggs, 12 | 60 to 144 | 115 |
| Petrol, 1 litre | 61 to 74 | 67 |
| New Volkswagen Golf or equivalent | 1,300,000 to 1,650,000 | 1,450,000 |
Numbeo also estimates monthly costs, excluding rent, of about MUR 28,400 for a single person and about MUR 105,200 for a family of 4. Treat the rent lines with care. They are weighted towards the local market, and a furnished expatriate home near the beach in Grand Baie or Tamarin costs considerably more. Our guide to renting in Mauritius as a foreigner covers the expatriate rental market in detail.
Where the money really goes
- Housing: the largest cost for most newcomers, and the most variable.
- Cars: new cars are expensive, and outside Port Louis a car is close to essential.
- Electricity: air conditioning in the humid summer from December to April raises bills.
- Imported groceries: European brands and wine cost noticeably more than local produce.
- Schooling: fees for international schools are a major line for families. Ask each school for its current fee schedule.
Moving to Mauritius from the UK: what should you know?
The United Kingdom is among the island’s largest visitor markets, and many Britons come back to live. A few practical points make the move easier:
- Flights: British Airways flies direct from London, with a flight time of around 12 hours.
- Time difference: Mauritius is 3 hours ahead of the UK in summer and 4 hours ahead in winter.
- Language: English is widely used in business and government, and French and Mauritian Creole are spoken everywhere.
- Driving: you drive on the left, as in the UK. Check current FCDO guidance for using your UK licence as a visitor, and convert it through the Police Traffic Branch once you are resident.
- Tax: Mauritius and the UK have a double taxation agreement. If you stay 183 days or more, you become Mauritian tax resident, but your UK position depends on the UK residence rules. Take advice on both sides before you move.
- Pensions and savings: because foreign income is taxed in Mauritius only when remitted, the way you bring money in matters. Plan it before you open your local account.
UK buyers can also read why Mauritius property appeals to UK investors.
Schools, healthcare, banking and driving
Schools
Mauritius offers international schooling in several curricula, including British (IGCSE and A-level), the International Baccalaureate and the French national curriculum. International schools are spread across the North, the West around Tamarin and Black River, and the Centre around Moka. Popular year groups can have waiting lists, so apply as soon as your move is confirmed.
Healthcare
Public healthcare is free for citizens. Expatriates can use public hospitals but are generally billed, and most choose private clinics, which are faster and well equipped. Private health insurance, local or international, is strongly advised and is compulsory for the Premium Visa. Permit applications also require a medical examination.
Banking
You will need a local account to pay rent and bills, and it is the account into which retirement permit transfers must arrive. Banks ask for your passport, permit, proof of address and evidence of the source of your funds. Allow time for compliance checks and bring certified documents from home.
Driving
Once resident, convert your foreign licence at the Police Traffic Branch. You will need an authenticity attestation from the authority that issued your licence, a permit valid for at least 6 months, proof of address and photos. The fee is MUR 1,500. Get the attestation before you leave home.
Where do expats live in Mauritius?
- North (Grand Baie, Mont Choisy, Pereybere): the busiest expatriate hub, with shops, restaurants, marinas and schools nearby.
- West (Tamarin, Black River, Le Morne): a relaxed, outdoor lifestyle with surfing, kitesurfing and mountain views, popular with families.
- Centre (Moka, Ébène): close to offices, business parks and schools, with a cooler climate and easier commutes.
- East (Belle Mare, Beau Champ): quieter, with long beaches and premium gated developments.
Our guide to the best regions to buy property in Mauritius compares each area for daily life and investment.
Your 90-day plan for moving to Mauritius
Days 1 to 30: before you fly
- Choose your permit route and gather documents, including certified and apostilled copies where needed.
- Arrange health insurance and a medical examination if your permit needs it.
- Contact schools and join waiting lists.
- Request the licence attestation from your home licensing authority.
- Take tax advice in your home country and in Mauritius, and plan how you will transfer funds.
- Book a furnished rental for your first 3 to 6 months.
Days 31 to 60: arrival and set-up
- Complete your permit formalities and register with the relevant authorities.
- Open a Mauritian bank account.
- Connect electricity, water and internet in your name or with your landlord’s authorisation.
- Buy or lease a car, and start the licence conversion.
- Explore the regions at different times of day, including the weekday commute.
Days 61 to 90: settling in
- Confirm school places and transport.
- Register with a private clinic or GP and check your insurance network.
- Decide whether to renew your rental, move to a long lease or start looking to buy.
- Track your days on the island, because 183 days in an income year makes you tax resident.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do you need to move to Mauritius?
It depends on your permit and lifestyle. The Premium Visa requires income of at least USD 1,500 a month, and the retirement permit a transfer of USD 24,000 a year. Numbeo estimates monthly costs excluding rent of about MUR 28,400 for a single person and MUR 105,200 for a family of 4, before rent, schooling and a car.
Can I move to Mauritius without a job?
Yes. The Premium Visa suits people with income from outside Mauritius, the retirement permit suits those aged 50 or over, and buying property worth USD 375,000 or more through an approved scheme gives a residence permit. None of these routes needs a local job, but the Premium Visa and retirement permit do not allow you to take local employment.
Is the cost of living in Mauritius high?
The cost of living in Mauritius is moderate. Local food, simple restaurants and utilities are affordable, while imported groceries, cars and international schooling are expensive. According to Numbeo in August 2026, a 1-bedroom city-centre apartment averages about MUR 22,000 a month, though furnished expatriate homes on the coast cost considerably more.
How do I move to Mauritius from the UK?
Choose a permit first: the Premium Visa for remote income, an Occupation Permit for work or business, the retirement permit if you are 50 or over, or residence through a property purchase of USD 375,000 or more. Direct flights from London take around 12 hours. Take tax advice in both countries, as Mauritius and the UK have a double taxation agreement.
Do you pay tax in Mauritius if you move there?
Yes, once you are tax resident, usually after 183 days in an income year. Income tax runs from 0% on the first MUR 500,000 to 35% above MUR 12 million from July 2026. Foreign income is taxed only when remitted to Mauritius. There is no capital gains, inheritance or wealth tax on individually held assets.
Where is the best place to live in Mauritius for expats?
The North, around Grand Baie and Pereybere, has the most amenities and the largest expatriate community. The West, around Tamarin and Black River, suits families who love the outdoors. Moka in the Centre is convenient for offices and schools. The East offers quieter beaches and premium gated developments.
Plan your move with local help
Moving to Mauritius is easier when the permit, the home and the school 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 relocating families, professionals and retirees find the right rental, understand the property route to residence and, when the time is right, buy, including off-market properties that never reach a portal. Reach us at [email protected].
