Buying a property in Mauritius

Non-nationals must adhere to at least one of the following criteria to be able to buy a property:

• Buyer should have Mauritian nationality
• Buyer should be married to a Mauritian under the legal system of Community of Goods and Property.
• Buyer should buy property under the RES/IRS schemes.
• Buyers can as of the budget of 2016/2017 bu apartments subject to conditions as per the Non-Citizens (Property Restriction) Act.

Previously non-nationals were not permitted to purchase property in Mauritius. However with the latest changes in legislation in 2002 the Mauritian Government decided to open the market to foreign buyers on a restricted basis through RES and IRS, which permits the building and sale of luxury residential units to foreigners in specific locations. Non-nationals are now allowed to acquire residential property in Mauritius under special schemes known as the Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS) and the Real Estate Scheme (RES).

Buying through the IRS scheme automatically grants the purchaser a residence permit

In order to acquire residency, the buyer should purchase a residential property bought within a RES for the minimum price of USD 500,000.

However, acquirers of a residence permit under the RES /IRS can apply for residency under any of the 4 existing conditions:

• as an investor,
• as a professional,
• as self-employed, or
• as a retired non-citizen.