The magazine for expats in Mauritius

Expat news in Mauritius

Spiritual places you didn't expect to find in Mauritius

Mauritius is known not only for its turquoise lagoons and volcanic landscapes but also for its deeply rooted spiritual heritage. Hinduism, Catholicism, local traditions, and alternative spiritual paths coexist on the island, shaping a unique spiritual landscape in the heart of the Indian Ocean.

Formalities

Alcohol licences in Mauritius: New rules and 50% penalty from January 2026

Businesses holding an alcohol sales license in Mauritius will be required to renew their authorization no later than 14 January 2026. Failure to meet this deadline will trigger a 50% surcharge on the license fee. The measure, confirmed by the MRA, forms part of the Finance Act 2025, which tightens taxation and renewal conditions across the sector.

Everyday life

Why so many expats choose Mauritius to reinvent their lives

Many people move to Mauritius thinking they are simply changing scenery. Sun, spices, curry, a slower pace of life. Often, the decision is driven by exhaustion: a job that has lost its meaning, a lifestyle that feels increasingly disconnected, and the sense of repeating the same patterns without moving forward. But relocation rarely stops at a change of address. Moving abroad, particularly to a place like Mauritius, often becomes a deeper turning point. Beyond the practical steps and administrative formalities, it triggers a shift in perspective. The move acts as a reset, forcing individuals to reassess their priorities, question long-held assumptions, and adapt to an entirely new environment. In that process, many begin to see more clearly what matters to them, how they want to live, and what they are no longer willing to compromise.

Expat news

Everyday life

Mauritius steps up holiday policing and road safety measures

Since 1 December, the Mauritius Police Force has stepped up its presence across the island with added patrols, Safe City monitoring and intensified roadside controls. The points-based driving licence system is also set to return in January 2026. With the festive season approaching, shopping centres and commercial areas are expected to draw more people. Public transport will run more frequently and for longer hours, while roads will be noticeably busier.

Everyday life

Emmanuel Macron's historic visit to Mauritius boosts energy and maritime cooperation

French President Emmanuel Macron's two-day visit to Mauritius has ushered in a new wave of bilateral cooperation, with fresh agreements on energy, maritime security, education, and economic partnerships. More than 32 years after the last official visit from a French head of state, the trip, held on 20 and 21 November, was unanimously described as “historic” by both governments.

Work

Recruitment of foreign workers in Mauritius: What's changing

The Mauritian government has taken a bold step to reshape the private recruitment sector, especially for foreign professionals. With the introduction of the Guidelines on Private Recruitment Agencies Regulations (2025), under the Private Recruitment Agencies Act 2023, the island is redefining how recruitment is conducted. For foreign workers, recruiters, employers, and international agencies, this signals a major shift: tighter restrictions, higher compliance costs, and stricter transparency requirements — but also new opportunities. Whether you plan to work in Mauritius, hire international talent, or establish a recruitment agency, it's crucial to understand the new framework. Here's what is changing, and what lies ahead.

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Content from our partners

Features

Leisure

Living in Mauritius: Festivals, traditions and public holidays you should know

In Mauritius, celebrations are part of everyday life. The island has one of the richest public holiday calendars in the world, reflecting a society where living together is a celebration in its own right. Religion is not treated as a sensitive topic, but as an invitation to share food, music and dance, and, at times, a well-deserved day off. Locals often refer to this diversity as a “multicultural blessing”. This article takes you through Mauritius' major traditions and festivals. You will learn when to wish someone “Happy Diwali”, why the streets glow with light in February, and how to avoid cultural missteps when attending a Tamil ceremony.

Leisure

What to do in Mauritius in January 2026

January in Mauritius marks the real start of the year. The holiday glitter is packed away, and the island jumps straight back into action with concerts, club nights, cultural events, a major auto-moto weekend, and a high-energy international finale. Get your weekends organized and save the dates: here's what January has in store.

Everyday life

Christmas in flip-flops: How expats celebrate in Mauritius

In Mauritius, Christmas doesn't smell of pine trees. It smells more like barbecue. One festive season in the Southern Hemisphere is enough to realize how different Christmas feels here. Think humid heat, lychees, and beaches filled with families. We spoke to expats living in Mauritius about their first Christmas in the tropics, the surprises, the adjustments, and what they wouldn't trade for anything.

Leisure

How Mauritius celebrates the festive season

Celebrating the festive season in Mauritius means swapping crackling fireplaces and cosy winter evenings for fireworks under palm and filao trees. For expats living on the island, this time of year feels truly magical. Mauritius lights up, and the whole island takes on a distinctly tropical festive atmosphere. For those used to cold winters, it is the perfect change of scenery: all the joy of the holidays, without coats, scarves or freezing temperatures. The biggest difference is that celebrations here happen outdoors. Christmas and New Year spill onto beaches and into the streets. Bonfires and firecrackers create a warm, joyful buzz, and people gather everywhere to celebrate together in a relaxed, friendly spirit. Here are our tips and ideas to make the most of the festive season in Mauritius.

Leisure

Living in Mauritius differently: 10 spots to unplug, slow down, and reconnect

People often say that living in Mauritius means “changing worlds.” Yet the real magic goes beyond beaches and year-round sunshine. It lies in the places where you can finally slow down and breathe. Places where screens fade into the background, where you inhale deeply, and where life reveals itself as calm, simple, and authentic. Here is our selection of Mauritian spots where disconnecting feels effortless. Just remember to check the weather before you head out.

Everyday life

How to fit in as an expat in Mauritius

You've swapped sweaters for flip-flops, traded the metro for a sky-blue bus, and you're thinking the hardest part is behind you? Rookie mistake. In Mauritius, smiling doesn't guarantee everything will “click.” Fitting in here has nothing to do with forcing a Creole accent or suddenly becoming obsessed with dholl puri. Real integration happens through social habits, often subtle but meaningful. You'll need to unlearn a few classic “new expat” reflexes. Here's a list of habits to adopt (and traps to avoid) if you don't want to stay stuck in “Hi, I'm new here” mode for the next three years.

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Expat interviews

Everyday life

Why the Short family from the UK chose Mauritius for a new life

When Adam and Tara Short from Sheffield visited Mauritius last November, they didn't expect it to change their lives. But one afternoon on the beach in Grand Baie, they realized this was where they wanted to raise their family. Adam, who runs a car and fishing business, and Tara, who owns a hospitality supply company, wanted a simpler, safer, and more outdoor life for their two sons, Spencer (9) and Xander (4). Just months later, they turned that dream into reality. In this interview, the Short family shares what it's really like to swap the busy streets of Sheffield for island life, from choosing schools and settling in, to discovering their favourite local foods and making Mauritius home.

Everyday life

Conquering Mauritius by bike: Pascal Gihozo's epic 216 km ride

Rwandan software developer Pascal Gihozo came to Mauritius in 2021 on a Mastercard Foundation Scholarship and has since built a life that blends tech, health innovation, and outdoor adventure. Now an eHealth Implementation Assistant at UNDP Mauritius & Seychelles and co-founder of Alonix Solutions, Pascal balances his professional path with a passion for endurance challenges—most recently cycling 216 km around the island. In this interview, he shares his expat journey, lessons learned, and advice for young professionals in Africa.

Everyday life

From London to Mauritius: Raising children abroad with Sophie Luminara

When Sophie Luminara moved from London to Mauritius in 2015 with her husband and two young children, she had never visited the island and knew no one there. Drawn by the chance to raise her children in a bilingual environment and to embrace a different pace of life, she quickly discovered the warmth of Mauritian culture, the safety of the island, and the joy of outdoor living. Now navigating life as a solo mum, Sophie reflects on the support networks she has built, the contrasts between parenting in the UK and Mauritius, and the ways island life has shaped her family's daily rhythm. In this interview, she shares candid insights into raising children abroad, building community from scratch, and finding balance between personal and professional life under the Mauritian sun.

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Insights from professionals

Schools & studies

Montessori in Mauritius: Stéphanie Payet's mission to redefine education

After founding several successful Montessori schools on Réunion Island, Stéphanie Payet and her husband are expanding their vision with a new project in Mauritius. Once an HR professional, Stéphanie is now fully committed to education, working to create a school that blends academic rigor, independence, and international-mindedness. In this interview, she shares the story behind the project, her journey, and the principles that guide her work.

Work

How to build a successful career in Mauritius: Insights from recruitment expert Barthelemy Aupee

Behind the postcard-perfect image of Mauritius lies a labor market undergoing significant change. Wage pressures, talent shortages, and demographic challenges are reshaping employment on the island. To better understand these dynamics and identify opportunities for foreign professionals, we spoke with Barthelemy Aupee, a recruitment specialist who has been based in Mauritius since 2015. With international experience, he now supports both local and international companies in their hiring strategies across the Indian Ocean, Africa, and Europe. In this interview, he offers his perspective on the Mauritian job market, highlights the most promising sectors, and shares advice for successfully establishing a professional life on the island.

Schools & studies

Rethinking early childhood education: Agnès Palangian's alternative schools in Mauritius

Agnès Palangian is deeply devoted to the world of education. With a degree in Educational Sciences and specialized training in Montessori pedagogy and Positive Discipline, she began her career teaching kindergarten and elementary school in France. In 2017, driven by a clear vision, she relocated to Mauritius to create a space where children could grow and learn in an environment rooted in joy, respect, and trust. This vision took shape in La Maison des Enfants, a preschool that embodies her core educational values. Her journey didn't stop there. Alongside her partner, Caroline Debiesme, Agnès went on to establish 1,2,3 Soleil, a daycare center, followed by Les Enfants du Soleil, an elementary school. Today, Agnès continues to cultivate a culture of kindness through her work as a trainer and consultant. Her insights into education are invaluable, and her unwavering dedication to respectful, positive pedagogy remains a source of inspiration.

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Global edition articles

Work

Maternity leave for expat women: What are your legal rights?

After the joy of announcing a pregnancy comes a key question: how will it all work out? When you are preparing to look for a job abroad, the arrival of a baby may come as a surprise, even if parenthood was already part of your plans. That surprise often turns into uncertainty when the pregnancy takes place overseas. What does the law in the host country say? How can you make sure your rights are respected?

Work

Why office naps are a cultural norm in some countries

In 2026, office napping is being rediscovered as a workplace trend, mainly in countries where it has never truly taken root. In other parts of the world, however, napping has long been seen as more than a pause in the day: it is a practical habit with lasting benefits.

Everyday life

Is geopolitical turbulence making your expat life harder?

From diplomatic tensions to sudden policy changes, geopolitical events are increasingly felt far beyond headlines. For expatriates, they can affect everything from job security and mobility to personal safety and well-being. Yet these everyday impacts remain largely undocumented. Researchers are now gathering firsthand accounts from expatriates to understand how global political shifts are playing out on the ground.