| Criterion | GBC — Global Business Company | AC — Authorised Company |
|---|---|---|
| Tax residence | Yes (Mauritius) | No (non-resident) |
| Tax rate | 15% (effective rate that can go down to 3% on certain foreign income, subject to substance conditions) | Not taxed in Mauritius on its foreign income (non-resident) |
| Access to tax treaties | Yes (45 in force, MRA 2026) | No |
| Status with the FSC | Global Business Licence (GBL) | Registered with the FSC, without a GBL — a licensed registered agent is required |
| Substance requirements | High: management in Mauritius, income-generating activities, staff and expenditure proportionate to the business | Management and control outside Mauritius |
| Activities in Mauritius | Possible | Prohibited |
| Ideal for | Holdings, funds, IP, international trading | Pure offshore, extraterritorial activities |
| Formation timeline | Varies according to the file — on quotation | Varies according to the file — on quotation |
| Estimated annual cost | Varies according to the file — on quotation | Varies according to the file — on quotation |
| Capital gains tax | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend withholding tax | 0% | 0% |
| Annual accounting | Mandatory (audit) | Income declaration and financial summary to the MRA (6 months) |
Choose the GBC if...
- You need access to double taxation treaties
- You want an investment holding company with tax residence
- You are targeting activities in Africa or Asia via Mauritius
- You need recognised economic substance
Choose the AC if...
- Your activities are exclusively outside Mauritius
- You do not need tax treaties
- You are looking for a lower-cost structure
- You want a faster setup
Not sure which structure to choose? Our experts advise you free of charge.
| Criterion | GBCGlobal Business Company | ACAuthorised Company |
|---|---|---|
| Tax residence | ✓Yes (Mauritius) | ✗No (non-resident) |
| Tax rate | ✓15% (effective rate potentially as low as 3% on certain foreign-source income, subject to substance conditions) | ✓Not taxed in Mauritius on foreign-source income (non-resident) |
| Access to tax treaties | ✓Yes (45 in force, MRA 2026) | ✗No |
| Status with the FSC | Global Business Licence (GBL) | Registered with the FSC, without a GBL — a licensed registered agent is required |
| Substance requirements | High: management in Mauritius, income-generating activities, staff and expenditure proportionate to activity | Management and control outside Mauritius |
| Activities in Mauritius | ✓Permitted | ✗Prohibited |
| Ideal for | Holding companies, funds, IP, international trading | Pure offshore structures, extraterritorial activities |
| Formation timeframe | Varies according to the file — quoted on request | Varies according to the file — quoted on request |
| Estimated annual cost | Varies according to the file — quoted on request | Varies according to the file — quoted on request |
| Capital gains tax | ✓0% | ✓0% |
| Withholding tax on dividends | ✓0% | ✓0% |
| Annual accounts | Mandatory (audit) | Income tax return and financial summary filed with the MRA (6 months) |
GBCChoose the GBC if...
- ✓You need access to double tax treaties
- ✓You want an investment holding company with tax residence
- ✓You are targeting activities in Africa or Asia via Mauritius
- ✓You need recognised economic substance
ACChoose the AC if...
- ✓Your activities are exclusively outside Mauritius
- ✓You do not need tax treaty access
- ✓You are looking for a lower-cost structure
- ✓You want a faster setup
Not sure which structure to choose?
Our experts advise you free of charge