Mauritius has long drawn British tourists thanks to the island’s palm-fringed beaches, tropical coral reef and rich culture.
And now retirees could be heading to the island in the Indian Ocean not just for holidays – but for a new life in the sun.
‘We’re going to give you a visa not to work … anyone over 50 can come and chill,’ the country’s president, Dharam Gokhool, declared to foreign retirees and prospective buyers on social media last week.
It comes after the government of our favourite retirement destination, Spain, has made alarming noises this month about a supertax on homes bought by non-EU nationals – or even banning us completely.
Unsurprisingly, it’s making some people question where they might be more welcome – especially following a summer of anti-tourism and Airbnb demonstrations across Spain,
So is it time to forgo the baffling raft of paperwork needed to retire to Spain and consider what the island of sugarcane and volcanoes some 6,000 miles away might offer?
While Mauritius has historically not been hugely sought after among Britons looking for a new life in the sun, it’s becoming increasingly popular. In 2024, there were 2,110 British people living in Mauritius, according to the Economic Development Board (EDB) – a figure up from 1,198 in 2022 – including relocating entrepreneurs and families.
‘The number of retirees from the UK and beyond has also been increasing,’ says Sachin Mohabeer, EDB Deputy Chief Executive Officer. He points to its ‘world-class healthcare, attractive residency schemes, safety, financial stability’.
Aerial view of the beautiful beach at Trou aux Biches in Mauritius, which is now making it easier for Brits to retire there
Climate aside – 21-degree winter average; 2,900 hours of sunshine a year – the politically stable bilingual French and English-speaking country of 1.27 million people has a high standard of living and very low crime rates. It also has more than ten golf courses and high-quality hospitality and infrastructure.
The writer Mark Twain once said that ‘heaven was copied after Mauritius’.
Ranked the happiest country in Africa by the United Nations’ World Happiness Report, it’s maturing into a popular retirement location, says Martin Brage, a British-born developer behind the Curzon Mauritius ‘smart city’ project that will include a retirement village of 100 homes – the third major later life development on the island.
‘The fact it’s a former British colony with English widely spoken is a big draw. ‘They drive on the left and it’s easy to open a bank account or get a visa,’ he says.
So what are the things to consider? Here’s our ultimate guide to retiring to Mauritius, which sits in an exotic location off the coast of East Africa, below the Seychelles and the Maldives and 500 miles from Madagascar.
VISAS
Beautiful clear waters make snorkeling with tropical fish at Le Morne Braban a pleasure not to be missed
As the President says, Mauritius has set up a legal and administrative framework for retirees – the Retired Residence Permit accessible for a period of ten years. To retire in Mauritius foreigners must receive a monthly income of just $1,500 (£1,200). The application fee is 1,000 USD (£800). Family dependents can also apply, and the process can be started online, before you fly out to Mauritius. You can live there full or part time, not worrying about 90-day limits or minimum stays to retain your residency rights.
Alternatively, you can get residency via other schemes including by purchasing property valued at $375,000 (£300,669) or more. The Premium Visa for stays over 180 days has also attracted 600 British citizens, including remote workers. It’s a 12-hour direct flight from the UK – via Air Mauritius or British Airways – but the three/four-hour time difference minimises jetlag.
POLITICS AND CULTURE
Mauritius feels a safe and secure place, with a harmonious blend of religions co-existing (Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Tamils and Buddhists) within the parliamentary republic. Dharam Gokhool was unanimously elected for a five-year term in December. While Mauritian [French] Creole is the main language spoken on the island; English is also widely used. It’s also considered one of Africa’s most LGBTQ friendly nations. The cuisine reflects its diversity: a mix of Indian, African, Chinese and European influences; there’s great street food to be found and plenty of the locally produced rum. Old sugar mills house some good upscale restaurants.
TAX PERKS
There are tax advantages too. There is no capital gains tax in Mauritius. If you receive dividend income while registered as resident in Mauritius you are subject to 3 per cent tax, after foreign resident exemptions (see taxsummaries.pwc.com for more details). Tax on interest income and on royalties is 15 per cent.
Corporations are subject to a flat rate income tax of 15 per cent (compared to the UK’s 25 per cent). A corporation registered in Mauritius is subject to tax on its worldwide income (15 per cent). A corporation registered outside the country is also liable to the same tax on any income earned in Mauritius.
For individuals, there’s a progressive income tax system, with 11 bands ranging from 0 up to 20 per cent. There is a tax-free allowance for those earning up to £6,800 per year. For those earning between £20,000 and £26,000, the tax rate is 14 per cent. Individuals earning over £41,500 are subject to the maximum tax rate of 20 per cent.
State pension is taxed in Mauritius at the same rate as income tax (15 per cent). The UK and Mauritius have signed a ‘double taxation’ agreement which means you’ll only pay tax on your pension once, in Mauritius. State pensions will rise as though you are still residing in the UK.
COST OF LIVING
Retirees report that the cost of living is more affordable than the UK. According to Numbeo.com, the UK is 62 per cent more expensive than Mauritius – when housing is excluded – with a ‘mid-range’ meal in a restaurant for two costing £31 compared to £65. As it’s an island, imported supermarket products such as wine can be expensive. Household bills are typically lower: $20-100 (£16-80) for electricity, $30 (£24) for internet per month, according to the EDB. Cars are more expensive to buy, but motor insurance and petrol is cheaper.
Restaurants are very affordable, serving dishes like this salad of the millionaire a traditional dish from a palm tree core
HEALTHCARE
Mauritius has a world-class healthcare system that includes five public hospitals, 21 private clinics and 411 dentists. Medical staff are often trained in Europe, and many clinics are run by South African companies. Foreign nationals can attend a public-funded hospital but have to pay for treatment and so many have private cover and prefer to use the private clinics. A mid-level ex-pat health insurance policy annual premium ranges from $1,000 to $2,500 (£800-£2,000).
HOUSING
Home ownership levels are high in Mauritius, and there’s a buoyant property market, with a range of developments foreign buyers can invest in (with permission from the EDB). The property market is efficient and well-regulated.
You can find three-bedroom apartments for around the £250,000, four-bedroom villas from £400,000 and a wide range of luxury properties, many with management services in place. For example, at Heritage Villas Valriche, an estate with golf courses in the quieter south of the island, two thirds of homes have sold to foreign buyers of retirement age. The spacious homes cost from £799,000 for a new three-bedroom villa.
Home buying costs include a 5 per cent registration tax, 1 per cent notary fees and estate agent fees 2-3per cent. VAT on new-build homes can be 15per cent but there can be cost exemptions in the cities.
CASE STUDY: ‘Being able to do everything in English is convenient,’ says retiree Colin
Colin John McGibbon and his wife Danni are awaiting the completion of a three-bedroom, three-bath villa with pool later this year
Originally from Glasgow, Colin John McGibbon lived in nine different countries during his working career, but he and his wife Danni decided on Mauritius for their retirement two years ago. Currently renting in Grand Baie in the north of the island, they are awaiting the completion of a three-bedroom, three-bath villa with pool later this year.
‘We love that the island is diverse, peaceful and there’s around 12 hours of sunshine a day,’ says Colin, 60, who worked in petrochemicals and mining. ‘I had set my heart on Mallorca for years, but it’s changed a lot, and we decided that being able to do everything in English is actually very convenient. But we both also speak French, having a home in France too.’
Their villa at the beachside Cap Marina was purchased through the PDS (Property Development Scheme) that offers a permanent residence permit to foreigners spending over $375,000. The development has a canal and shopping village.
‘I’m a big cyclist so spend a lot of time going up to the reservoirs and sugarcane forests. The locals are very family-centric and it’s a pretty harmonious place. Our children are in the UK and flights can be eye-wateringly expensive at popular times such as Christmas/New Year, but that’s the only frustration.’