LIVING & WORKING IN
MAURITIUS
An Overview
AREAS OF DISCUSSION...
Where is Mauritius?
 Population/culture/religion/language
 Services
 Driving and Transport
 Where to live? – The property market
 Working conditions
 Lifestyle and Leisure
 Questions & open discussion
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WHERE IS MAURITIUS?
About 2400km off the South East Coast of Africa.
It is a relatively small island 1865sqkm in area.
HOW FAR FROM....
Mauritius has one airport, the Sir Seewoosagur
Ramgoolam International airport, situated in the
south east of the island.
 Some of the major airlines using the airport
include Emirates, Air Mauritius, British
Airways, Air France and South African airways.
A full list and destinations can be found at
http://aml.mru.aero/index.php.
 Flight times are approx. 6hrs to Dubai and
11.5hrs to London.
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ABOUT MAURITIUS
Capital city: Port Louis (North West of Island)
 Population: approx 1.2million.
 Language: Officially English, French is widely
spoken and is the main language of the media,
Creole is spoken by most. Other languages widely
spoken include Hindi, Mandarin and Urdu.
 Major religions: Hindu (about 48%), Muslim
(about 17%) , Catholic (about 23%).
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ABOUT MAURITIUS
Currency Mauritian Rupees (1USD=MUR31.5)
 Time zone GMT+4
 Climate – tropical. Winters (May-October)
temperatures around 25°C, Summer (NovemberApril) temperatures around 30°C. Most rainfall
Jan/Feb which can bring cyclonic activity. Microclimate, central plateau area much cooler than
costal regions.
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ABOUT MAURITIUS
The Republic of Mauritius is a parliamentary
democracy based on the English system. The
President is the head of state and the Prime
Minister has full executive powers and is the
head of the government.
 The legal system is a mixture of English common
law and French Napoleonic code. The Privy
council London is the Supreme Court of Appeal.
 Mauritius is a member of the Commonwealth.
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PROPERTY
Most popular areas with expat communities are
the northern costal areas of Grand Baie and
Pereybere and the West coast areas of the Black
River.
 The Northern coast is more convenient if working
in the North or Port Louis. The West coast is
more convenient for the newly constructed cyber
city.
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BUYING
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Non-Mauritian citizens can only buy property in
projects called IRS or RES. These projects have
been granted a special licence to sell to nonMauritians.
PROPERTY
IRS/RES – what does it mean?
 IRS: Intergrated resort scheme. Luxury housing
available to international buyers. Buyer and
immediate family are granted a residence permit
and right to work in Mauritius for as long as the
property is held. Minimum investment is
500,000USD.
 RES: Real Estate scheme. Similar to the IRS
scheme but generally smaller projects and
slightly cheaper property. Does not give the
buyer automatic residency status in Mauritius.
No minimum investment/purchase price but in
reality the properties are still priced well above
that of non-RES property.
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RENTING
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Property can be easily rented throughout the island
on short- and long-term contracts. Standard
commission payable to an agent finding you a
property is 1 months rent on signing of the contract.
Commission sometimes varies especially for shortterm contracts and fees should always be checked
with the individual agent before signing any contract.
A rough price guide is as follows:
1-2bedroom apartment in coastal area: Rs10,000 20,000/month.
3 bedroom house in coastal area: Rs20,000 30,000/month
4-5 bedroom luxury family home: Rs50,000 80,000/month
Beachfront house: Rs80,000 upwards.
RENTING – AN EXAMPLE
A typical 3 bedroom Mauritian house in
Pereybere, a popular area of the north coast.
 Rents at Rs25,000/month.
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WORKING CONDITIONS
Usual office hours 9am-5pm Monday-Friday.
Common practice for companies with overseas
clients to keep different hours depending on the
client location.
 Banks on the whole open 8am-3pm.
 Shops generally open 8-9am-6pm and Saturday
mornings. Some shops close Thursday afternoon.
Large hypermarkets open extended hours.
 Employment legislation in place covering
workers rights to holidays and sick leave.
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SERVICES
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Banks: for personal banking include Barclays, Mauritius
Commercial Bank, State Bank, Standard bank, AFRASIA.
Telecommunications: Mauritius telecom providing landline
connections and internet. Internet 2MB. Mobile operators
include Orange & Emtel, most people have pay-as-you go
mobiles.
Schools: Free primary and secondary education. Mauritius has
its own university. Good international schools also available both English and French. Highest adult literacy rates in
Africa.
Health Care: free health care system. Private clinics such the
new Apollo Bramwell hospital in Reduit (central Mauritius)
are of a very high standard.
Media: State owned broadcasting channels (MBC), many
satellite TV options available such as the French ‘Canal Plus’
and South African ‘DSTV’. Many independent radio stations
such as Radis Plus and Top FM. Many independent daily and
weekly newspapers in French and English.
SCHOOLS
There are excellent international schools in
Mauritius. The most popular ones being:
 Northfields – English system school based in
Labordonnais, North Mauritius.
 Ecole du Nord – French system school based in
Labordonnais, North Mauritius.
 Le Bocage – English system school based in
Moka, Central Mauritius.
DRIVING & TRANSPORT
Driving follows the British system. Drive on the
left.
 Public transport is restricted to buses and taxis.
Buses do operate a good network over the island.
 Petrol/Diesel prices are government controlled so
all filling stations charge the same per litre rate.
Current diesel rate approx. Rs45/litre. Current
petrol rate approx. Rs40/litre.
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LIFESTYLE & LEISURE
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Beach culture. All of Mauritius is within about 20-30min
drive of a beach and spending time at the beach is one of
the most common leisure activities in Mauritius.
Good range of restaurants, bars and clubs especially in
coastal regions. Prices very favourable compared to Dubai
and many European countries.
Shopping and availability of goods is still limited compared
with Dubai and many other countries but is fast improving
with several shopping malls starting to open throughout
the island.
Sports: Gyms opening up across the island. 2 very good
gyms in the Northern coastal region around Grand Baie.
Other popular sports aside from beach-based water sports
are: horse racing, cycling, tennis and football (with great
interest in the English premiership).
Generally life is laid back – don’t be stressed if things
aren’t done instantly, you’ll get used to it and everything
will get done in the end!