Living In Mauritius: A Guide To Moving To Mauritius As An Expat | William Russell

What Is It Actually Like to Live in Mauritius?

Mauritius is a small island nation in the Indian Ocean — about 2,000 kilometres off the east coast of Madagascar — with a population of roughly 1.3 million people. It is genuinely multicultural, historically shaped by Dutch, Portuguese, French and British colonial periods, and today draws settlers from across Africa, South Asia, China and Europe. For British adults considering a permanent or semi-permanent move, it offers a stable democratic system, English widely used in government and business, a warm climate year-round, and a pace of life that most people describe as noticeably calmer than the UK.

This guide covers the practical side: what to expect day to day, how safe it is, what the language situation means for you in practice, how the healthcare system works, and what it costs to live there.

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How Many British People Already Live in Mauritius?

Not as many as you might think — which is part of the appeal. United Nations migration data from the mid-2010s recorded around 1,300 British-born residents in Mauritius, making the UK one of the top five source countries for migrants at that time. The total foreign-born population across all nationalities sits at roughly 29,000, representing just over 2% of the island's residents.

That relatively small number means Mauritius has not become a place where British people cluster together in enclaves. You integrate into Mauritian life rather than stepping into a ready-made British bubble — which, for most people who contact Move To Mauritius, is exactly what they are looking for.

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Is Mauritius Safe to Live In?

For everyday life, yes — Mauritius is considered safe. Violent crime is rare, and the island consistently ranks as one of the more stable and peaceful countries in the African region. That said, petty theft and burglary do occur, particularly in urban areas, so sensible home security matters. The UK Foreign Office advises the same common-sense precautions you would take anywhere.

The more significant risk in Mauritius is natural rather than human. The island sits in a region prone to tropical cyclones, typically between November and May. Flooding, landslides and tidal surges can follow severe storms. The main island bears the brunt of these events — Rodrigues, the outer island, accounts for a much smaller share of weather-related damage. If you are choosing where on the island to live, it is worth understanding local flood risk and how well-built your property is before you commit.

Earthquakes do occur but have never caused a fatality on the island. The bigger practical concern for new arrivals is cyclone preparedness: knowing the warning system, having supplies in, and understanding what your landlord or property is required to provide.

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What Is the Political Climate Like?

Mauritius became a republic in 1992 and has a long record of peaceful democratic elections — it is regularly cited as one of the most politically stable countries in Africa. For most British residents, day-to-day life is entirely unaffected by politics.

That said, the picture has become more complicated in recent years. Public satisfaction with government fell noticeably between 2012 and 2020, driven in part by the handling of the MV Wakashio oil spill in 2020 — a cargo ship grounding that caused significant environmental damage and sparked widespread protests — as well as concerns about transparency in the 2019 election. Corruption perception scores have worsened.

Protests do happen, most commonly in Port Louis, the capital. They are generally peaceful. As a British resident, you are unlikely to be directly affected, but it is worth staying informed, particularly if you are considering living or working in the capital.

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Do People in Mauritius Speak English?

This is one of the first things British movers ask, and the honest answer is: English is officially used in parliament and taught in schools, but it is not the language most Mauritians speak at home or in daily life.

Mauritian Creole — a French-based creole — is the mother tongue of around 90% of the population and the language you will hear most in shops, markets and neighbourhoods. French is used in education, media and much professional communication. English sits in the background: present in signage, legal documents and formal settings, but rarely the default in casual conversation.

What this means practically is that you will get by — especially in business and professional contexts — but learning at least basic French will make your daily life significantly easier and will help you build genuine connections with your neighbours. Many Mauritians are bilingual or trilingual, and will switch to English if they know you need it, but making the effort with French is genuinely appreciated.

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What Does It Cost to Live in Mauritius?

Mauritius is not as cheap as some people assume, particularly if you are aiming to maintain a comfortable Western standard of living. Imported goods — including many familiar British products — carry a significant price premium. Locally produced food, however, is affordable and excellent.

Rent varies considerably by location and property type. Grand Baie and Tamarin in the north and west are popular with international residents and priced accordingly. Areas like Mahebourg in the south or Curepipe in the central plateau offer more space for less money, though they have a different character.

Healthcare costs depend on whether you use the public system — which is free at the point of use for residents — or private facilities, which most British movers prefer for routine care. A good international health insurance policy is strongly recommended regardless of your residency status, particularly to cover repatriation and specialist treatment.

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How Does Healthcare Work in Mauritius?

The public healthcare system in Mauritius is government-funded and free to access, including for legal residents. Standards at public hospitals have improved considerably over the past decade, and for straightforward care — a GP visit, a minor injury — the system works. For complex procedures or specialist treatment, many residents choose private clinics, which are of a good standard in the main towns.

For British movers, the key consideration is that your NHS entitlement does not follow you abroad. Once you are resident in Mauritius, you are outside the UK system. Taking out comprehensive international health insurance before you leave — not after you arrive — is one of the most important practical steps in the moving process. Make sure your policy covers pre-existing conditions if relevant, includes emergency evacuation, and is clear on what happens if you need treatment back in the UK.

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Work, Visas and Getting Set Up

Mauritius has worked to attract skilled international workers and investors, and the visa framework reflects that. The main routes used by British movers include the Occupation Permit (for those with a job offer or running a business), the Premium Visa (for those who can demonstrate sufficient income without working locally), and the Retired Non-Citizen permit for those over 50 with a qualifying pension or savings level.

The economy leans heavily on financial services, tourism and professional services — around 70% of employment is in white-collar sectors. Remote workers and those bringing their own business to the island have increasingly found Mauritius a practical base, particularly given its time zone (GMT+4), which allows overlap with both European and Asian business hours.

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A Practical Checklist Before You Move

Before you commit to the move, it helps to work through these in order:

• Visa route confirmed — know which permit applies to your situation before you book anything
• Healthcare cover arranged — international health insurance in place before departure
• Bank account sorted — opening a Mauritian bank account can take time; start the process early
• School places researched — if you have children, visit schools before committing to a neighbourhood
• Property viewed in person — rental photos rarely tell the full story; cyclone-season flooding risk is worth checking
• French basics underway — even a few weeks of lessons before you arrive makes a real difference
• UK loose ends tied up — HMRC notification, GP records, driving licence exchange

Moving to Mauritius is a significant decision, and it rewards careful preparation. The island has a great deal to offer — but the people who settle happily are almost always the ones who went in with clear eyes and realistic expectations, not the ones chasing an idea.