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With its stunning beaches, clear, turquoise waters, high-quality health care, an English-speaking population, and tax benefits, it’s little wonder that Mauritius is a growing retirement destination.

This island country is located off the eastern coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean, about 500 miles east of Madagascar, and it’s volcanic in origin. It’s almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs, making this an idyllic destination for those seeking nature.

Mauritius has a maritime subtropical climate, with uniform temperatures throughout the year. At sea level, they stay within the mid-70s F. In mountainous areas it’s 60s-plus F.

Retirees looking for outdoor activities such as golf, sailing, diving, and beach relaxation will find Mauritius highly attractive.

Private health care is of high-quality and at a lower cost than the United States. In terms of safety, it has a stable democracy and low crime rate, and is often regarded as one of the most peaceful African countries.

Although the official language is English, most of the population speaks three or four languages, and French and Mauritian Creole are widely spoken as well. This is a multicultural country, and Americans find it easy to integrate. Mauritius boasts diverse cuisine, festivals and activities, and varied lifestyles.

A couple can live comfortably here on $1,400 to $3,500 per month, depending on your lifestyle. If you live like a local, you’ll pay the lower end of the scale. Imported goods and high-end items are expensive and can raise your monthly costs considerably.

Taxes In Mauritius

Retirees living in Mauritius that are only living off foreign pensions or savings (not working or running a business in Mauritius) are not taxed on that income unless you remit it to the country. If the money is transferred to Mauritius, it is subject to a flat 15% income tax.

In Mauritius, there is no capital gains tax, and it applies to the sale of stocks, real estate, or other assets (foreign or local). Inheritance tax was abolished in 2005, but the U.S. estate tax rules still apply for American citizens, and U.S. filings could be necessary.

The country also has no wealth tax or annual property tax. However, if you buy property, you may be subject to land transfer tax or registration duties, as well as municipal taxes for services.

Mauritius has tax treaties with 46 countries, but the United States is not one of them, so American retirees are still liable for U.S. taxes on worldwide income.

Visa And Residency Options In Mauritius For Retirees

You have a couple of options if you’re looking for a retirement visa in Mauritius.

If you are more than 50 years old and can guarantee minimum income of $1,500 per month or can prove availability of funds of a minimum $18,000 per year from your country of origin, you are eligible for the 10-year Residence Permit. After three consecutive years of maintaining this permit, you can apply for the 20-year Permanent Residence Permit.

With this visa, you can invest in any business as long as you’re not employed in the business and do not enjoy any salary of employment benefits from this business.

You can also acquire residency in Mauritius through several government-approved schemes, like the Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS), Property Development Scheme (PDS), and Real Estate Scheme (RES). You are eligible by investing in a property with a minimum value of $375,000. As long as you’re the owner of the property, you and your dependents can keep residency in Mauritius with no mandatory stay requirement.

Top Spots To Retire In Mauritius

1. Grand Baie

Grand Baie is the most developed and cosmopolitan town on the island. It has a strong expat community mostly made up of French, British, South African, and more recently, North American retirees.

It’s ideal for retirees who enjoy a varied gastronomy scene, beach clubs, boating, golf, and a walkable town. Plus, there’s a good choice of cafés, bars, shopping malls, and private clinics. The expats who live here tend to live in gated communities.

In Grand Baie, power outages or water cuts are not uncommon, especially during heavy rains. Also, even though private medical facilities are available, traffic congestion in and out of the town is considerable, and it’s something to keep in mind when considering health care access and errands to these facilities.

If you’re looking for a place that feels exotic and different from home, Grand Baie might not fit the bill. Several areas have a U.S.-style and feel, purposefully built as such. To experience a local lifestyle, you would need to get out of the expat bubble.

Grand Baie is for retirees who mostly want conveniences, lots of activity, and live in a Western-style environment.

A couple can live a comfortable lifestyle in Grand Baie with a monthly budget of $1,500 to $2,500.

2. Flic En Flac

The coastal town of Flic en Flac is still lively, but for those looking for something quieter in comparison to Grand Baie. This town is known for its stunning sunsets and long, white-sand beaches.

Retirees looking for a good balance of relaxation and access to social life will thrive in Flic en Flac. This area of the island has less humidity and more sunshine than the east or south of Mauritius.

There’s a good mix of cafés, restaurants, bars, a mall, an international school, private clinics, and gyms.

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, you can enjoy plenty of areas to hike, snorkel, paddleboard, golf, or just stroll along the beach. Currently, there’s a growing number of retiree meetups and fitness clubs, for activities like yoga by the beach or aqua-aerobics, that are often led by European expats.

Public transportation here is easy and reliable, with frequent buses for numerous routes—you wouldn’t need a car if you lived here.

It’s worth noting that the beach is popular with locals and tourists, so it can get fairly crowded on the weekends. It can be fun, but might not be for you if you’re looking for a peaceful day. When finding a home here, consider a property that’s not on the beachfront if you want quiet weekends.

This town is slightly more affordable than Grand Baie. A couple can live a comfortable lifestyle with a monthly budget of $1,400 to $2,200 a month.

3. Tamarin

This is the most upscale town from the list, and it’s an area favored by retirees and expats who want privacy, ocean views, and be close to wildlife. Tamarin is popular with those interested in eco-living, golfing, and outdoor adventures.

The town is known for its modern gated communities, upmarket villas, and smart city projects. Many of these can make you eligible for residency through property investment.

Whenever you don’t want to participate in outdoor activities, you still have your fair share of quality cafés, high-end restaurants, boutique shops, yoga centers, and organic markets to spend your time in. You can also find private medical clinics.

If you decide to live close to Black River Gorges and Tamarin Valley, common visitors to your home may include wild monkeys, deer, and tropical birds. While this can be charming, it means that you might need to monkey-proof certain areas of your home if you have pets, gardens, or solar panels that you would like to keep intact.

Plus, although Tamarin is an eco-lover haven, it lacks the walkability of Grand Baie or the bus access of Flic en Flac. You will need a car, but many retirees opt for compact hybrids or even electric scooters to get around.

A couple can live a comfortable life here with a monthly budget of $2,000 to $3,500.

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