Are you thinking about relocating to Mauritius with your family?
Preparing to move abroad involves primarily setting up a budget for expatriation! In this article, we’ll cover all the essential budget items to plan your relocation to Mauritius.
Let’s dive in!
Travelling to and from Mauritius
Situated 10,000 km from Europe, Mauritius is primarily reachable by air. The quickest flights are offered by major carriers, priced at approximately €1,000 per person when booked at least 3 months ahead. While other airlines may offer lower fares, expect longer flight durations with layovers. Additionally, allocate a budget for airfare if you intend to return to Europe for the year-end holidays. This coincides with Mauritius’ peak tourist season, resulting in a 20% increase in ticket prices.
| Air France / Air Mauritius (direct) | €1,000 |
| Emirates (stopover in Dubai) | between €850 & €1,000 |
| Corsair (direct or stopover in Reunion Island) | €800 |
| Air Austral (stopover at Reunion Island) | €900 |
| Turkish Airlines (stopover in Istanbul) | €750 |
Are your ready to relocate?
Relocating to Mauritius
If you can’t imagine being without your beloved sofa and prefer the familiarity of your furniture during your time abroad, you’ll likely consider container shipping. It takes approximately one month to transport your container by boat to Mauritius. If you have fewer items to transport and insufficient volume to rent an entire container, you can still opt to share space with other expatriates.
Once in Mauritius, you’ll find a relatively diverse selection of furniture available, albeit at higher prices due to the island’s reliance on imported materials. However, lifestyle preferences may differ from those in Europe, as outdoor living, particularly on the terrace, is emphasized.
Additionally, consider supporting local artisans and opting for custom-made furniture, which can be more accessible and add a unique touch to your living space.
| Rent of an entire container | About €7,000 |
| Groupage | Between €2,000 et €5,000 – About €350/cubic meter |
Housing
Securing accommodation is a crucial consideration when budgeting for your move to Mauritius. As with any destination, housing costs vary based on factors like size and location. Beachfront properties are particularly desirable but tend to come with a higher price tag compared to inland options.
In addition to rent, it’s essential to account for additional expenses such as utilities (electricity), and potentially the cost of services like gardening and pool maintenance, although these may be included in the rental fee, along with housekeeping.
To streamline your relocation process, you can arrange accommodation in advance through a reputable real estate agency (budgeting for approximately one month’s rent as agency fees) or opt for temporary lodging like Airbnb while you search for your ideal home.
| SOLO | Apartment inland 1 bedroom | MUR 15,000 | €350 |
| Apartment close to the sea | MUR 30,000 or more | €680 | |
| FAMILIES | Apartment inland 3 bedrooms | Between MUR 35,000 & et MUR 50,000 | Between €800 & €1,100 |
| House with garden 3 bedrooms | Between MUR 40,000 & 80 000Rs | Between €850 & €1,700 | |
| Seaside house | East cost : about MUR 75,000 North cost : about MUR 120,000 | €1,500 €2,600 | |
| Electricity | Per month | About MUR 2,500 during winter & 6,000 during summer – with air conditioners | Between €50 & €150 |
| Gardener | 1 day/week | MUR 4,000 | About €100 |
| Housemaid | Part-time | MUR 6,000 per month | €150 |
Exploring Mauritius
Mauritius features a well-developed bus network that spans the entire island, attracting numerous passengers with its competitive fares. However, for added comfort, time-saving convenience, and freedom, especially during weekend excursions, owning a car is preferable.
Initially, renting a car allows you to acclimate to left-hand driving. Later, should you decide to buy, you’ll find a plethora of options available. Just be cautious not to exceed your expatriation budget.
| Bus | MUR 34 / €0,75 / trip |
| Car rental | €300 / month |
| Second-hand car | Between €5,000 & €18,000 |
| New car (mid-range) | As from €15,000 |
Health & Insurance
Healthcare is a vital aspect that often receives thorough consideration during the planning of an expatriation project. It’s crucial not to overlook this when budgeting for your move to Mauritius. Local insurance companies typically cover a wide range of common medical expenses and are sufficient for most residents.
You can either contact them directly upon your arrival or opt for a broker to negotiate contracts on your behalf.
| Local Insurance | SOLO | Around €50 per month |
| Complementary Health Insurance | SOLO | €150 per month |
| FAMILY | Between €200 & €600 per month | |
| Retirees | Depending on the income |
Schools
Your children will have the best possible environment to thrive in Mauritius. They can choose from schools offering French or English programs, following either traditional or alternative pedagogies such as Montessori, all set in lush green surroundings and maintaining the standards expected of international schools. Of course, this also entails budgeting considerations, which we will detail here for you.
Extracurricular Activities & Week-Ends
Budgeting for your expatriation to Mauritius also involves considering leisure expenses! After school or on weekends, you can enjoy the island, its nature, or engage in your favorite activities.
| CHILDREN | Per month | ADULTS | Per month |
| Horse riding | €50 | Sports Club Inscription | €35 to €60 |
| Danse | €30 | Golf | Around €150 for 18 holes |
| Martial Arts | €30 | Kitesurf | Around 75 €75 for a 2 hours course |
| Tennis | Around €100 | Scuba Diving | €30 for a dive |
| Cinema | €6 | ||
| Music Festival | €25 | ||
| Theatre | €20 |
And also, from time to time…
| Catamaran trip to northern islands | €25 / person |
| Swimming with dolphins | €25 / person |
| Hiking with a guide | €20 / person |
| Hiking without a guide | Free |
A few daily expenses
Budgeting for expatriation should also account for daily expenses! What should your budget be for living in Mauritius? When it comes to food, you can find almost everything in supermarkets or local markets. As for clothing, bid farewell to heavy coats and waterproof shoes. Your clothing budget mirrors the light attire you’ll wear here!
| Shopping per week per person | Around €50 |
| Phone | €15 / month |
| Street food Restaurant | From €2 to €5 |
| Mid-range Restaurant | €50 for 2 persons |
| High-end Restaurant | €75 per person |
| Beverages | €2 for a local beer, €5 for a glass of wine, €2 soft, €2 coffee |
| Clothes | €70 branded jeans / €30 cotton pants/ €30 shorts / €40 woman swimsuit |
| Sneaker shoes | Between €70 & €120 |
| Slappers | Between €4 & €15 |
| Clothes & Shoes for Kids | €8-10 a t-shirt / €12 € short or skirt / €15 joggers or pants / €25 swimsuit / €25 lightweight sneakers / €60 branded sneakers |
| Swimming Gear | Water shoes €15 / Mask, snorkel & fins between €25 & €75 / UV shirt €25 / Solar cream €25 |
Planning administrative procedures
For those considering applying for a Self-Employed, Investor, or Retiree permit, government fees amount to 1,000 USD per application (to be paid by bank cheque). For professional permits, fees can range from 400 USD to 1,000 USD (to be paid by bank cheque) depending on the duration of the visa granted.
If you prefer professional assistance with your application, budget between 800 and €1,700 depending on your profile.
Budgeting for expatriation to Mauritius should be meticulously planned, as some expenses may exceed others.
Nevertheless, the exceptional quality of life in Mauritius makes it an adventure worth experiencing!
If you’d like personalized guidance for your project, feel free to share it with us, and our experts will provide assistance.
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