Expat news in Mauritius
Everyday life
Within just a few days, a wide stretch of sand vanished along the west coast of Mauritius. A stark episode that lays bare a truth backed by data, even as authorities moved quickly to try to restore the situation: the island is among the most vulnerable in the world to rising sea levels and coastal erosion.
Schools & studies
Mauritius is about to join a already lengthy list of countries that have chosen to act. More than 60 nations have enacted laws or policies restricting smartphone use in schools. Among them are France, the United Kingdom, Australia, China, Italy, Finland, Canada, and the Netherlands. The island, according to some observers, has been slow to follow suit. "Mauritius was too slow to react," say various stakeholders, who point to the antisocial behaviors that have proliferated in schools in the wake of mobile phone use.
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.
Other Types
Leisure
June 2026 is shaping up to be a rich and eclectic month in Mauritius. Between retro nights, live concerts, food festivals, theatre performances, sporting events and immersive experiences, this month's agenda is brimming with appointments for every taste and every age. Iconic venues such as the Café du Vieux Conseil, the Caudan Arts Center, and the Trianon Convention Center will host memorable moments, while unusual sites like the Ruines de Mon Rocher or the Domaine de L'Aventure du Sucre promise truly extraordinary experiences. Here is our selection of unmissable events this month.
Sponsored
Magellan
Wrong permit, wrong structure, underestimated banking delays: some relocations to Mauritius fall behind from the very first weeks. Not because the island is complicated. But because the steps were not prepared in the right order.
Work
A tech entrepreneur for more than twenty years and based in Mauritius for the past five, Breno Le Gal has built a career that bridges digital innovation, craftsmanship and local entrepreneurship. After founding Ewa's Kitchen, an artisanal business born from a deeply personal journey, he went on to create Crafty, an AI-powered management solution designed to support artisans and independent creators. In this interview, Breno shares his entrepreneurial journey, his perspective on the challenges facing Mauritian artisans, and his vision for a more accessible digital future for small businesses.
Everyday life
The recent filmed assault of an Italian tourist at Grand Bassin sent shockwaves across the country. It exposes long-hidden fractures beneath the island's idyllic reputation and has reignited the debate around safety for foreigners in Mauritius. In fact, questions about security have been multiplying on social media for some time now. But should expats and those planning to move to Mauritius in the near future be worried?
Health system
Mauritius is looking to accelerate the development of medical tourism and attract more international patients. According to official figures, over 4,000 international patients travel to the island each year for medical care or wellness stays. This number has been steadily rising since 2015, yet it remains modest compared with major regional hubs.
Sponsored
Mauritius Telecom
In a context where energy efficiency and mobility are essential, Work From Home has become a necessity. To support this shift, Mauritius Telecom is proposing exceptional offers designed to transform every Mauritian home into a high-performance workspace and study hub.
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