Expat news in Mauritius
Visas
Mauritius is taking its attractiveness strategy to the next level. Announced at the Cabinet Meeting on April 10, 2026, a Golden Visa Scheme is currently in the works, alongside a dedicated concierge service for ultra-high-net-worth investors. Behind the announcement lies a clear and deliberate ambition: to capture capital on the move, and fast.
Everyday life
At a time when the Middle East is going through one of its most serious geopolitical crises in decades, Mauritius finds itself on the front line of the economic repercussions of a conflict beyond its control. A recent UNDP report has quantified the extent of these risks with precision. Diesel prices have already increased. Rumors of rising petrol and bread prices continue to circulate, despite government efforts to deny them. Meanwhile, the first concrete responses are beginning to emerge within businesses. Here is a full breakdown of the measures shaping daily life in Mauritius.
Accommodation
For many expatriates, it is the signal they have been waiting for. According to the latest Property Cloud index, rents for properties accessible to foreign tenants have fallen for the first time in several years. While the local rental market continues to climb, this shift creates a window of opportunity for those planning a move to Mauritius. The real question is how long it will stay open.
Everyday life
Mauritian authorities have reported no shortages or supply disruptions, whether for fuel, food, or other essential goods. Yet the impact of the war that broke out on 28 February between the United States, Israel and Iran is already being felt, even 6,000 kilometres away. For expats living in Mauritius and those planning to move here, the coming weeks will require vigilance and forward planning in several areas of daily life.
Formalities
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
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
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
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.
Formalities
In early September, the Mauritian press reported that no marriages between expats and Mauritian citizens have been legally registered for the past year, due to the temporary suspension of such procedures pending reforms. However, the Prime Minister's Office issued a communiqué clarifying that the article contained misleading information and confirmed that marriages between expats and Mauritian citizens continue to be processed by the Civil Status Division.
Accommodation
Mauritius has a magnetic appeal: a home by the lagoon, a residency permit through property acquisition, fiscal stability… For many, buying here is symbolic—a fresh start, a life project, or a dream investment. But behind the postcard-perfect images, the process can be far more complex. Paperwork, endless waiting, extra costs, and a bureaucratic maze for non-citizens… Property buying in Mauritius can quickly turn into an epic adventure.
Everyday life
The 2025-2026 National Budget, unveiled by the Mauritian government in June, placed a significant emphasis on the future role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in transforming and strengthening the local economy, which is currently struggling. Over the following years, AI will be implemented in every sector, from tourism to education to the civil service, to improve their operations.
Schools & studies
In the 2025–2026 National Budget, the Mauritian government announced plans to invest millions in the “Study Mauritius” brand. The goal is to position the country as a regional hub for higher education, attracting students from Africa, Asia, and beyond. What programs and measures under this initiative are likely to appeal to international students?
Tax
Bad news for expats and prospective expats in Mauritius: the climate of austerity ushered in by the 2025/2026 National Budget will have a direct impact on non-citizen property owners on the island. Expats are set to feel the pinch as the budget brings higher taxes on buying, selling, and transferring property. Some of these taxes will even apply retroactively to properties purchased before 2025. The generous tax exemptions granted to various property schemes since 2016-2019 are finally coming to an end.
Everyday life
Unveiled on Thursday, June 5, by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Navin Ramgoolam, the 2025–2026 Budget signals a strategic shift in Mauritius' economic direction. This first budget under the new government comes amid heightened economic strain, with public debt at 90% of GDP and a budget deficit of 9.8%. It introduces a mix of social support, fiscal tightening, and targeted economic stimulus aimed at restoring financial stability while responding to widespread public expectations. Here is a summary of the key measures likely to affect you—whether you are an investor, a working professional, or a student.
Everyday life
In early May, a video posted on TikTok by a French content creator stirred controversy on social media by claiming that some beaches in Mauritius were private. The widely shared statement sparked outrage among Mauritians, who are deeply committed to protecting their coastline and ensuring public access to beaches. While the claim was vague, it reignited a recurring and often confusing question for tourists, expatriates, and even locals: Are all beaches in Mauritius truly open to the public? Or are there some considered private, with access restricted or even prohibited?
Everyday life
Mauritius' news this week spans several sectors. The country is strengthening its fight against illegal fishing through a new regional agreement while reaffirming its ambition to become an ocean nation at a key blue economy meeting. A newly inaugurated endemic Tiny Forest supports ongoing efforts to reduce carbon emissions. The Ministry of Commerce has launched a WhatsApp number for reporting missing price tags, and OUT Moris has issued a warning about workplace discrimination faced by LBT individuals. Finally, Splash N Fun Leisure Park has permanently closed after years of financial losses.
Work
Beyond its postcard beaches and turquoise waters, Mauritius is quietly undergoing a digital transformation. Long known as a tourist haven and offshore financial hub, the island is now reimagining its economic trajectory. The Holberton School's arrival in May 2025 marks more than just a milestone—it signals a shift within a rapidly developing tech ecosystem that's drawing interest from foreign professionals and students exploring new horizons in the Indian Ocean. This is the story of a measured, yet ambitious transformation—one that challenges conventional expectations.
Everyday life
Mauritius saw key developments this week. A proposed energy and tech trade deal with Algeria gained momentum. Moroil and Bioil launched a nationwide campaign to promote used cooking oil recycling. The trade deficit narrowed by 1.5% in February 2025, though both exports and imports declined. Tourism remains weak, with Q1 arrivals down 5.8% year-on-year.
Other Types
Leisure
The MAMA JAZ festival unveils its Grand Concerts program for April, featuring a series of unmissable musical evenings at the Galerie du Génie, Édith, in Port-Louis. Every Wednesday from 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM, audiences are invited to explore distinctive artistic worlds brought to life by local talent.
Leisure
After the lively summer months, April brings a welcome change of pace to Mauritius. As humidity drops and the atmosphere becomes more pleasant, it's the perfect time to make the most of local events, which are often easier to access. That said, rest assured that the cultural calendar remains packed. From music festivals and international concerts to sporting events and outdoor experiences, April is full of surprises. Here are the highlights to add to your diary.
Leisure
MAMA JAZ returns this April for its 11th edition. Staying true to its spirit of creation and improvisation, this year's festival highlights “Natural Intelligence,” celebrating human creative genius at a time when artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly prominent role in our societies. Concerts, performances and artistic encounters will take place throughout April in Port Louis, with the aim of bringing together a wide audience around a free and universal vision of music. Gavin Poonoosamy, the founder of this now-unmissable event on the local music scene, spoke to Expat.com.
Everyday life
Caity De Chasteigner Dumée-Duval's move from South Africa to Mauritius marked a turning point in both her personal and professional life. After years in the fast-paced world of corporate advertising, she chose to embrace a different rhythm, one that places family, creativity and balance at the centre. Now based in Tamarin and founder of Eighty Twenty, a creative agency, she reflects on the leap that brought her to the island, the challenges of starting a business as a newcomer, and the philosophy that now guides the way she works and lives.
Everyday life
For years, when people talked about moving to Mauritius, two areas dominated the conversation: the North and the West. Grand Baie meant social life, shopping, and restaurants. Tamarin and Flic-en-Flac offered that sun, surf, and after-work lifestyle. Then, gradually, the South began attracting a new wave of expats seeking something different: more nature, more authenticity, and less congestion. From Bel Ombre to Mahébourg, including Baie du Cap, Riambel, Blue Bay, and Pointe d'Esny, the southern coastline offers unspoiled landscapes, villages that still move to a Mauritian rhythm, and the pleasant sense that time flows a little differently here. So why are so many expats now choosing to settle in the South? Here is the full picture.
Leisure
Between national celebrations, live concerts, theatre performances, festivals and sporting events, March brings a vibrant mix of experiences across Mauritius. From official Independence Day ceremonies to cultural outings and open-air gatherings, the month offers plenty of ways to connect with local life. Whether you have just moved to Mauritius or are simply looking for fresh ideas for a solo outing, a family day out or an evening with friends, here is a curated selection of events worth adding to your calendar.
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