Mauritius: a top destination for digital nomads
Since 2020, Mauritius has offered the Premium Travel Visa, a visa specifically designed for remote workers, freelancers and digital entrepreneurs wishing to combine work with a tropical quality of life. Launched as part of the Mauritian government's post-Covid strategy to attract international talent, this innovative visa has quickly made Mauritius one of the most sought-after destinations for French- and English-speaking digital nomads.
With its GMT+4 time zone (only +3h compared to Paris in summer, +2h in winter), high-speed fibre internet, modern coworking spaces and affordable cost of living, Mauritius offers a productive working environment in an exceptional setting. French-English bilingualism is an added advantage for French-speaking nomads.
The Premium Travel Visa in detail
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Duration | Up to 1 year, renewable without limit |
| Investment required | None |
| Minimum income | No official threshold (regular foreign income required) |
| Type of work permitted | Remote work for a foreign employer or clients only |
| Local work | Prohibited (no Mauritian clients or employer) |
| Taxation in Mauritius | No (foreign-source income is not taxed under this visa) |
| Dependants | Spouse and children included in the application |
| Processing time | A few business days |
| Visa fee | Free |
| Managing authority | EDB (Economic Development Board) / Passport and Immigration Office |
Unique advantage: the Premium Travel Visa is entirely free -- no visa fee, no investment, no deposit. It is one of the rare digital nomad visas in the world that requires neither a processing fee nor proof of a specific minimum income. Mauritius relies on the attractiveness of its lifestyle to naturally attract talent.
Eligibility conditions
The conditions for obtaining the Premium Travel Visa are among the most flexible in the world for a long-stay visa:
- Be a foreign national (non-Mauritian)
- Provide proof of regular foreign-source income: salary from a foreign employer, fees from foreign clients, dividends, passive income, investment income
- Provide a valid passport (at least 6 months of remaining validity)
- Have international health insurance covering Mauritius (hospitalisation and repatriation)
- Have no criminal record
- Not work for a Mauritian employer or clients -- only work for foreign entities is permitted under this visa
Application procedure
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Document preparation
Valid passport (scanned copy), recent passport photo, proof of income (employment contract with foreign employer, bank statements for the last 3-6 months, client invoices), international health insurance certificate, initial accommodation booking in Mauritius.
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Online submission
Application via the EDB or Passport and Immigration Office portal. Simple and fast online form. No processing fee. Upload of scanned supporting documents.
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Processing and approval
File verification within a few business days. Approval notification by email. No interview or consular visit required.
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Entry into Mauritius
Presentation of the approval letter to immigration at SSR International Airport. Entry stamp for the duration of the visa (up to 1 year). Settling in and starting remote work.
Infrastructure for remote work
Internet connectivity
Mauritius has reliable internet infrastructure thanks to the SAFE, LION and MARS submarine cables connecting the island to Africa, Europe and Asia:
- Fibre optic -- Available in most residential areas via Mauritius Telecom (My.T). Extensive coverage in the North, West and the central plateau
- Speeds -- 30 to 100 Mbps download, sufficient for HD video conferencing, streaming and transferring large files
- 4G/5G -- Extensive 4G coverage across the entire territory with operators Emtel, Orange and MTML. 5G rollout in progress
- Cost -- EUR 30-60/month for a residential fibre subscription (My.T), unlimited 4G mobile plan from EUR 15/month
- Latency -- Around 150-200 ms to Europe, 80-120 ms to Africa, 250-300 ms to the Americas
Coworking spaces
Mauritius has a growing range of modern coworking spaces, mainly concentrated in the business districts of Moka, Ébène and Port Louis:
| Space | Location | Monthly price (EUR) | Facilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Workshop | Moka (Vivéa Business Park) | 150 - 300 | High-speed wifi, meeting rooms, café, networking events |
| Turbine | Ébène (Cybercity) | 120 - 250 | Wifi, closed offices available, meeting rooms |
| Regus | Ébène, Port Louis | 200 - 400 | Serviced offices, reception, conference rooms |
| ENL House | Port Louis | 100 - 200 | Open space, wifi, networking events |
| La Turbine (Grand Baie) | Grand Baie | 100 - 200 | Relaxed space, close to the beaches of the North |
Popular alternative: many digital nomads in Mauritius work from their accommodation (fibre is reliable) or from cafés with wifi. Seaside hotels and restaurants often offer decent free wifi, allowing you to work facing the ocean. The Grand Baie, Tamarin and Flic en Flac areas are the most popular among nomads.
Tax aspects for digital nomads
Taxation under the Premium Travel Visa
Income earned for remote work carried out from Mauritius for foreign clients or an employer is not taxed in Mauritius under the Premium Travel Visa. However, several points deserve particular attention:
- Tax residence -- If you spend more than 183 days per year in Mauritius, you could become a Mauritian tax resident under Mauritian tax law. However, the tax treaty with your home country and your country's own tax residence criteria must be analysed jointly
- Obligations in your home country -- You remain potentially taxable in your home country under its own tax residence rules. In France, the concept of "tax household" (foyer fiscal) and "centre of economic interests" can maintain your French tax residence even after leaving
- French exit tax -- French residents holding significant movable assets (holdings > EUR 800,000 or > 50% of a company's capital) must check whether the exit tax applies (article 167 bis of the CGI) before leaving France
- Social security -- Under the Premium Travel Visa, you do not contribute to the Mauritian social system. Check that your rights are maintained in your home country (CFE for French nationals)
Important advice: the tax situation of digital nomads is complex because it potentially involves several jurisdictions. An extended stay in Mauritius (> 183 days) can create Mauritian tax residence without necessarily removing tax residence in your home country. International tax advice is strongly recommended before you leave.
Transition to a residence permit
If your digital nomad experience in Mauritius convinces you to settle there long-term, you can move to a residence permit offering a clearer and more advantageous tax framework:
OP Self-Employed (the most popular)
USD 50,000 initial investment, business income of at least MUR 2 million per year from the 3rd year (MUR 3 million for renewal in the 5th year), then access to 20-year permanent residence after 5 years of holding a qualifying permit. Ideal for freelancers and consultants. Clear tax residence, standard rate of 15%.
OP Investor
USD 100,000 minimum investment in a Mauritian company, permit for up to 10 years (subject to a compliance review) with turnover of at least MUR 5 million per year from the 3rd year and MUR 8 million for renewal in the 5th year. For those who want to set up a local business in addition to their nomad activity.
PDS real estate purchase
USD 375,000+ for a property under a PDS scheme. Residence permit linked to the property + access to 20-year permanent residence. A wealth and residential investment.
The transition from Premium Travel Visa to OP Self-Employed is the path most commonly taken by digital nomads who decide to stay in Mauritius. To formalise your activity, you can set up an Authorised Company and fully benefit from Mauritian corporate taxation. This transition allows you to move from an ambiguous tax status to clear tax residence at the standard rate of 15%, while opening the door to permanent residence after 5 years of holding a qualifying permit.
Typical budget for a digital nomad in Mauritius
| Item | Solo budget (EUR/month) | Couple budget (EUR/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Furnished accommodation (apartment or studio) | 500 - 1,200 | 700 - 1,800 |
| Coworking or home fibre internet | 40 - 250 | 80 - 500 |
| Food (groceries + restaurants) | 250 - 500 | 400 - 800 |
| Transport (scooter, car or taxi) | 80 - 200 | 100 - 250 |
| International health insurance | 100 - 200 | 200 - 400 |
| Leisure (diving, surfing, restaurants, outings) | 200 - 500 | 300 - 700 |
| Monthly total | 1,170 - 2,850 | 1,780 - 4,450 |
Mauritius vs other digital nomad destinations
| Criterion | Mauritius | Bali | Portugal | Thailand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| French language | Yes (bilingual) | No | No | No |
| Time zone vs Paris | +2h / +3h | +7h | 0h / +1h | +5h / +6h |
| Safety | Excellent | Good | Good | Good |
| Residential fibre internet | Yes (50-100 Mbps) | Variable | Yes | Variable |
| Digital nomad visa | Yes (free, 1 year) | Yes (paid) | No dedicated visa | Yes (paid) |
| Cost of living (solo/month) | EUR 1,200 - 2,500 | EUR 800 - 1,800 | EUR 1,500 - 3,000 | EUR 700 - 1,500 |
| Transition to residence | Easy (OP Self-Employed) | Complex | Possible (D7 visa) | Complex |
| Taxation (resident) | 15% standard (progressive for individuals), 0% capital gains | Variable | 14.5-48% | 0-35% |
Why Mauritius for French-speaking nomads?
Mauritius is the only digital nomad destination in the world offering simultaneously French-English bilingualism, a free one-year visa, a time zone compatible with Europe (+2/3h), reliable fibre optic internet, and a clear transition path to permanent residence with 15% taxation. For a French-speaking freelancer or consultant, it is objectively the most complete destination.
Our support
- Premium Travel Visa application -- Preparation and submission of the file, advice on the documents required
- Accommodation search -- Selection of properties suited to digital nomads in the most connected areas
- International tax advice -- Analysis of your multi-jurisdictional tax situation, recommendations to optimise your position
- Transition to an OP -- Complete support to move from the Premium Travel Visa to an OP Self-Employed or Investor permit
- Company formation -- If you decide to formalise your activity in Mauritius, we handle the incorporation and legal structuring