Real estate in Mauritius

Mauritius pairs a stable, tax-friendly island economy with genuine freehold ownership for foreign buyers. An investor who purchases qualifying property within a government-approved scheme from USD 375,000 secures a residence permit for themselves and their family, valid for as long as the property is held. It is a rare combination: an established Indian Ocean financial centre, bilingual in English and French, ranked first in Africa for governance, offering both a lifestyle asset and a clear residency outcome.

Why Mauritian real estate

For investors, the appeal rests on four pillars. First, tax efficiency: zero capital gains tax, zero inheritance or estate tax, and zero wealth tax, alongside a 15 per cent flat income tax and a territorial system under which foreign income not remitted to Mauritius is untaxed. Property appreciation is therefore preserved in full, and wealth passes between generations without estate duty. Second, freehold access: foreign buyers may own property outright within approved schemes such as the Property Development Scheme (PDS), the Integrated Resort Scheme, the Real Estate Scheme and Smart City developments. Third, lifestyle and rental income: a tropical climate, low crime, modern infrastructure and no restriction on renting out the property. Fourth, position: Mauritius is a natural gateway between Africa and Asia, supported by more than forty double taxation treaties.

The USD 375,000 approved-scheme route in plain terms

The path is straightforward. You purchase a qualifying home, most commonly within a PDS or similar approved development, at or above USD 375,000. That single purchase covers the investor together with a spouse, dependent children and, in defined cases, dependent parents. The residence permit remains valid while you continue to own the property, and you are exempt from the separate work permit requirement, so you may live, invest or work in Mauritius freely. Processing is efficient by international standards, typically two to four months once the purchase completes, with modest government fees.

This is how property converts into a right to reside. You can review the mechanics in full on our dedicated page for Mauritius residency by investment, and compare it against other options on our golden visa and residency programmes hub.

An honest word on what it is and is not

Clarity matters. The property route grants residency, not citizenship. Mauritius has no citizenship-by-investment programme; citizenship is reached only through naturalisation after a qualifying period of residence, five years for Commonwealth nationals and seven years for others. The property must sit within an approved scheme, so open-market purchases do not qualify, and residence is tied to continued ownership, ending if the property is sold. Thresholds, eligible schemes and family definitions are set by the authorities and can change, so a specialist should confirm the current position and the specific scheme before you commit.

Mirabello Consultancy guides you through scheme selection, due diligence and the permit application with Swiss precision. To weigh Mauritius against alternatives, consult our independent investment migration index, then arrange your complimentary consultation to confirm eligibility and current thresholds.