Relocate to Mauritius

Why Relocate to Mauritius?

Considering why you should relocate to Mauritius? Those moving to Mauritius fall in love with the natural beauty, rich cultural and historical heritage, and French-inspired joie de vivre that characterises life on this small island nation.

Moving to Mauritius from South Africa allows you to enjoy island life just a four-hour flight from Johannesburg and five hours from Cape Town, live in a safe environment and work in a business and investment-friendly country in Africa.

Read on to learn everything you need to know if you’re considering your options to invest in or relocate to Mauritius, an island steeped in history, surrounded by the Indian Ocean and where the sun shines most days of the year.

What to Consider When Relocating to Mauritius

Although the official language in Mauritius is English, it is advisable to acquire some basic knowledge of French before moving to Mauritius from South Africa. This will help you integrate, and it goes down very well with the locals if you make an effort to speak French.

When looking for a place to live, ensure it is close to your work and, if you have school-age children, near their school. Mauritian roads are congested, and you should keep your daily commute as short as possible. Most expats live in the north (Grande Baie) or west (Flic en Flac or Tamarin).

Residency Options in Mauritius

Mauritius offers permanent residency options to foreigners who meet specific requirements. The government has taken the following measures to attract and welcome new residents:

Invest in Mauritius for residency

The Economic Development Board (EDB) of Mauritius offers a 20-year residency permit to those who make a minimum investment of $375,000 in one of the business activities specified by the EDB.

Retirement residency

Mauritius offers a 10-year residency permit for those at least 50 years old and can transfer a minimum of $1,500 per month or $18,000 per year. It is possible to extend the duration of the 10-year residency to a 20-year permanent residency if one lives in Mauritius continuously for three years and meets certain conditions.

Invest in Mauritius property

Mauritius offers permanent residency to those who purchase real estate through government-approved and managed purchase plans.

Pursue a business investment or career in Mauritius

There are several ways to obtain a combined occupation and residency permit. One way is to invest money in Mauritius as a business-minded investor. Another option is to work as a professional or self-employed person if your basic monthly salary is at least 60,000 MUR.

The Cost of Living in Mauritius

When you relocate to Mauritius, you will find that the country offers an affordable lifestyle. Of 197 countries, Mauritius ranks 134th in cost of living, which is 1.48 times less expensive than the average. Fruits and vegetables are more costly in Mauritius than in South Africa because they must be imported. Meat also tends to be more expensive, but the overall cost of living in Mauritius depends on your lifestyle, preferences, daily routine and the number of people in your household.

Weather & Climate in Mauritius

Mauritius is a tropical country with warm and humid weather all year round. The average temperature in summer is 24.7 degrees Celsius and drops only 4.3 degrees Celsius in winter. The island’s topography also leads to a range of microclimates – it can be gloriously sunny where you are while raining nearby.

Tropical storms are common in Mauritius during the summer months of November to April. The island nation is particularly vulnerable to such weather events due to its location in the Indian Ocean.

Education & Schools in Mauritius

Moving to Mauritius from South Africa will give you access to a top-notch education for your children, largely based on the British system since it was a former British colony.

Popular international schools in Mauritius:

Alexandra House Primary School, Floreal
Clavis International Primary School, Moka
Greencoast International Secondary School, Beau Plan
Hampton Primary School, Curepipe
International Preparatory School, Mapou
Judy Montessori Primary School, Mare d’Albert
Le Bocage International Preparatory School, Moka
Lighthouse Primary and Secondary School, Calebasses
Lycée de La Bourdonnais, Curepipe
Lycée des Mascarenes, Saint Pierre
Morning Star International School, Trianon
Northfields International School, Mapou
Saint Exupéry International School Mauritius, Grand Baie
Telfair International Primary School, Tamarin
Westcoast International Primary School, Cascavelle

Healthcare in Mauritius

As an expatriate, you will usually have to pay for your own medical care in Mauritius. Therefore, you should obtain adequate health insurance before arriving on the island. There are many public hospitals on the island, but most expats prefer private hospitals such as Darne Clinic or Apollo Bramwell Hospital. They offer more services and have a higher standard of facilities, which make them popular options for healthcare in Mauritius.

Mauritius lacks some medical technologies, so patients needing them must travel to South Africa or Reunion for treatment.

Property Options in Mauritius - Rent or Invest in Mauritius Property

There are three main types of homes for renters in Mauritius: Villas, apartments and single-storey family homes. Some rental properties are furnished, others are not, but generally, tenants have the flexibility to choose between a short-term or long-term lease.

Do you want to invest in Mauritius property? All foreigners must obtain approval from the country’s EDB to buy property in Mauritius, while the Property Development Scheme (PDS) gives them access to property investments. To invest in Mauritius for residency by buying property, the threshold for a real estate investment is $375,000.

The PDS is primarily about development projects on a vacant lot that gives you freehold title and ownership of your property. Certain derivatives, such as the Ground +2 Scheme, have been added to the PDS property scheme. These tend to be apartments and semi-detached houses, lowering the entry threshold for overseas property buyers to around $200,000. There are also Smart City Schemes, a combination of retail, commercial and residential properties.

Looking for an Offshore Investment Opportunity?

Mauritius is a great destination for South African offshore investors because of its world-class financial and management services. You can take advantage of its attractive legal and tax regime by setting up a Global Business Company. Reach out to our team – we can help you navigate the many investment opportunities in Mauritius.