Foreign Acquisition
WHY MAURITIUS ?
- Impressive track record, political stability and sustained economic growth
- Secure investment location with established rule of law
- Freest and most business-friendly country in Africa
- Peaceful, multiethnic with a unique lifestyle in a blend of cultures
- Flexible, bilingual (English/French) and skilled workforce
- Investment-friendly regulatory regime
- Open to foreign investors and talents
- Ocean State with one of the largest Exclusive Economic Zones in the world
- Preferential market access to Africa, Europe and the USA
- State-of-the-art infrastructure
- Convenient time zone (GMT +4)
The Fiscal advantages include:
- Corporate tax: 15%
- Income tax (personal tax): 10-20%
- No withholding tax on dividends (*conditions apply)
- Free repatriation of profits, dividends and capital
- Land Transfer tax: 5%
- No capital gains tax on the resale of a property
- No property tax
- No inheritance tax on property
Foreigners are allowed to buy property in Mauritius within specific schemes/resorts or after fulfilling specific requirements.
How can a non-citizen buy property in Mauritius ?
What you need to know in brief for residential properties :
- Non citizens can buy property in approved resorts : Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS), Real Estate Scheme (RES), Invest Hotel Scheme (IHS), Property Development Scheme (PDS), Smart City Scheme (SCS). Permanent Residence (PR) attached to the property is granted when buying property in these resorts at a price per property above USD 375,000.
- Non-citizens can also buy apartments outside of the above resorts provided the apartment :
- is situated in a Ground + 2 building
- is sold at a minimum selling price of MUR 6,000,000
- Any non-citizen who has acquired an apartment in a Ground + 2 building for a price exceeding USD 375,000 (or its equivalent in any convertible currencies) will become eligible for a Mauritian Residence Permit. This legislation allows noncitizens with or without an occupational permit to invest in more than one luxury apartment. They are also able to rent it out.
- Non-citizens holder of a Residence or Occupation Permit can also acquire residential property in Mauritius outside the abovementioned schemes as outlined in the Non-Citizens (Property Restriction) Act (NCPR Act).
To be eligible, non-citizens must hold a Permanent Residence Permit, a Residence Permit under the IRS, RES, PDS, IHS, SCS, or Ground+2 apartments, an Occupation Permit as an investor, professional, or self-employed individual, a Short-term Occupation Permit, a Family Occupation Permit, or a Residence Permit as a retired non-citizen. Dependents of the permit holder, such as spouses, children, or parents, are not eligible.
The property to be acquired must be residential, such as bare land or a serviced plot of land, a house, villa, or apartment; the land should not exceed5276 m2 (1.25 arpents). The purchase price must be at least USD 500,000 or its equivalent in other convertible currencies. Properties on State land, agricultural land, or land exceeding 5276 m2 hectares are excluded.
The property must be used for personal residence only, and no property speculation is allowed. Construction on bare land must start within five years, and acquisition does not grant any residence permits.
For full details, please refer to the complete document: https://edbmauritius.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Guidelines-Acquisition-of-property-USD-500-000-.pdf
For more information on the various schemes and resort types, please read below :
Different schemes
The concept of Smart City projects in Mauritius
The Smart City Scheme is an ambitious economic development programme aimed at consolidating the Mauritian international business and financial hub by creating ideal conditions for working, living and spurring investment through the development of smart cities across the island.
The development of smart cities in Mauritius is opening up a plethora of investment opportunities.
The smart city project is an initiative to stimulate innovative scientific and technological activities, provide technology-driven facilities to the business community and create a vibrant city lifestyle.
The Government of Mauritius has set up the Smart City Scheme to provide an enabling framework and a package of attractive fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to investors for the development of smart cities across the island.
The smart-city concept is about providing investors, nationals and foreigners, with options for living in sustainable, convenient and enjoyable urban surroundings.
These new cities will be built around the work-live-play lifestyle in a vibrant environment with technology and innovation at their core.
The concept paves the way for investors to develop and invest in:
- a mix of commercial, leisure and residential uses that, as a whole, achieves physical and functional integration and creates a pedestrian-oriented urban environment
- a combination of office, light industrial, education, medical and tourism clusters
- high technology and innovation cluster
- infrastructure to service green-field sites with roads and inspiring landscaping
- clean technology aimed at carbon and waste reduction, efficient transport
- low-energy-consumption buildings
- digital solutions, urban sensing technologies and big data analytics
- energy production and water management and utilities
- high-end residential estate
- real estate investment management
Incentives for developers and investors
A company investing in the development of a smart city and/or its components is exempted from payment of:
- Income Tax for a period of 8 years from the issue of the SCS Certificate provided that the income is derived from an activity pertaining to the development and sale, rental or management of immovable property other than an activity in respect of the supply of goods and services.
- Value Added Tax paid on capital goods (building, structure, plant, machinery or equipment).
- Customs duty on import or purchase of any dutiable goods, other than furniture, to be used in infrastructure works and construction of building within the Scheme
- Land Transfer Tax and Registration Duty on transfer of land to a SPV provided that the transferor holds shares in the SPV equivalent to at least the value of the land transferred
- Land Conversion Tax in respect of the land area earmarked for the development of non-residential components (office and business parks, ICT and innovation clusters, touristic, leisure and entertainment facilities including hotels and golf courses, renewable energy and green initiatives)
- Morcellement Tax for the subdivision of land.
Other tax incentives for the buyers
- First-time Mauritian buyers and buyers under the Mauritian Diaspora Scheme acquiring a residential unit will be exempted from registration duty
- Full recovery of VAT in terms of input tax allowable in terms of capital goods (building structure), plant, machinery and equipment
- Accelerated annual allowance granted at a rate of 50% of the costs in respect of capital expenditure incurred by any company operating within the Smart City Scheme on energy-efficient equipment and green technology.
Land purchase
A smart city will be developed over an area exceeding 21.105 hectares (50 arpents). Foreign companies can acquire land under the Smart City Scheme to develop projects and their key components
Residency
- Any person any entity including foreign companies and trusts can acquire residential units in a smart city
- Any non-citizen acquiring a residential unit above USD 375,000 under the scheme is eligible to a residence permit for himself and his family
- No restriction on rental or resale of residential units
- Possibility for a retired person to acquire life rights under the Smart City Scheme.
Mauritian Citizenship
A non-citizen having held a residence permit for a minimum period of 2 years and having made an investment over USD 5 million in Mauritius may apply for Mauritian citizenship.
Sale of serviced land to third-party developers
The master developer may sell serviced land to another company to develop a component of a smart city project.
(Source : EDB)
You can also visit our page listing all of our projects eligible for acquisition by a non-resident: https://www.parklane.mu/en/projects/foreigners.html
The Property Development Scheme (PDS) has replaced since August 2015 the IRS and RES schemes.
The programme is designed to facilitate the acquisition of residential property by non-citizens in Mauritius. The PDS is basically an integrated project with social dimensions for the benefit of the neighbouring community and allows for the development and sale of high standing residential units mainly to foreigners.
The Property Development Scheme provides for the following:
- 1. development of a minimum of 6 luxurious residential units on freehold land of an extent of at least 0.4220 hectare (1 arpent) but not exceeding 21.105 hectares (50 arpents).
- 2. high quality public spaces that helps promote social interaction and a sense of community
- 3. high-class leisure, commercial amenities and facilities intended to enhance the residential units.
- 4. day-to-day management services to residents including security, maintenance, gardening, solid waste disposal and household services.
- 5. social contribution in terms of social amenities, community
Eligibility for acquisition of residential property
- The following persons may acquire a residential property from a PDS Company:
- (a) a natural person, whether a citizen of Mauritius, a non-citizen or a member of the Mauritian Diaspora;
- (b) a company incorporated or registered under the Companies Act;
- (c) a société, where its deed of formation is deposited with the Registrar of Companies;
- (d) a limited partnership under the Limited Partnerships Act;
- (e) a trust, where the trusteeship services are provided by a qualified trustee; or
- (f) Foundation under the Foundations Act.
Note: A qualified global business as defined under the Financial Services Act 2007 holding a Global Business Licence may acquire property under the PDS scheme.
The residential properties may be a mix of:
- Luxury villa with attending services and amenities
- Luxury apartment with attending services and amenities
- Penthouse with attending services and amenities
- Other similar properties used, or available for use, as residence with attending services or amenities
Extent of residential property
The extent of land in respect of each residential property, other than for an apartment or a penthouse, is developed on land not exceeding 2,100 square metres excluding common areas.
Do not hesitate to search for our properties "accessible to foreigners" through the Advanced Search on our site or send us your criteria and we will be happy to assist you
You can also visit our page listing all of our projects eligible for acquisition by a non-resident: https://www.parklane.mu/en/projects/foreigners.html
Buy a RES property
Real Estate Scheme (RES) properties are usually smaller residential developments (they can only be built on land areas ranging between 4,220 and 100,000 m2), which can be sold at no minimum price. The acquisition of a RES property will not entitle you to a residence permit, unless you purchase a RES property worth at least US$ 375,000. You will find a variety of property types within this scheme (individual villas, duplexes, apartments…) in various regions (coastal regions and also inland).
The acquisition of a RES property will only allow you to obtain a residence permit if the acquisition price exceeds USD 375,000
Below that price, you can become the owner, but cannot obtain a Residence Permit. You can therefore stay in Mauritius according to the immigration laws in force, that is to say no more than 6 months per year, or apply for a residence permit (visit the website https://www.edbmauritius.org/work-and-live-in-mauritius/occupation-permitresidence-permit/ for more information on the different types of residence permits).
RES properties are mainly targeted at investors, professionals or retirees who have chosen Mauritius to live, work, invest or enjoy as a holiday retreat.
Do not hesitate to search for our properties "accessible to foreigners" through the Advanced Search on our site or send us your criteria and we will be happy to assist you
You can also visit our page listing all of our projects eligible for acquisition by a non-resident: https://www.parklane.mu/en/projects/foreigners.html
Buy an IRS property
Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS) properties can be found within large resorts (golf estate, marina,…) mostly on coastal regions (North, West , South and East coasts) and offer a variety of luxury and high-end freehold property types : apartments, duplexes or individual villas, sold at not less than US$ 500,000 by law. They offer luxury facilities to the residents. These may include a golf course, a marina, nautical and other sport facilities, shops, restaurants, wellness centers and other “à la carte” services. As the owner of an IRS, you will receive residence permit for as long as you remain owner of the property, as well as your spouse and your dependents (up to the age of 24 years old).
Do not hesitate to search for our properties "accessible to foreigners" through the Advanced Search on our site or send us your criteria and we will be happy to assist you
You can also visit our page listing all of our projects eligible for acquisition by a non-resident: https://www.parklane.mu/en/projects/foreigners.html
Buy an apartment in a Ground + 2 complex
The Non-Citizens (Property Restriction) Act allows foreigners to purchase apartments in condominium developments of at least two levels above ground (G+2) with the prior approval of the Economic Development Board (EDB). The amount payable for the acquisition of an apartment must not be less than MUR 6 million or its equivalent in any other freely convertible foreign currency.
Any non-citizen, with or without an occupation permit, residence permit, permanent residence permit, may acquire apartments in a Ground + 2 complex.
The purchase of an apartment in a Ground + 2 complex does not grant the foreign buyer with a RESIDENCE PERMIT if the property bought is bought for less then USD 375,000. The buyer will be granted a 6 month permit (per calendar year).
However, any non-citizen who has acquired an apartment for a price exceeding USD 375,000 (or its equivalent in any convertible currencies) will become eligible for a Mauritian Residence Permit. This legislation allows noncitizens with or without an occupational permit to invest in more than one luxury apartment.
The apartment should of course be found in a building of at least two floors above ground floor, as indicated above.
Contrary to what many people think, a non-citizen can purchase one or more apartments ANYWHERE IN THE BUILDING provided the building is a Ground + 2 building (2 floors above the Ground Floor).
Do not hesitate to search for our properties "accessible to foreigners" through the Advanced Search on our site or send us your criteria and we will be happy to assist you
You can also visit our page listing all of our projects eligible for acquisition by a non-resident: https://www.parklane.mu/en/projects/foreigners.html
Buy a IHS property
The Invest-Hotel Scheme (IHS) allows hotel developers to finance the development of a hotel project by allowing them to sell villas, suites, rooms or other components that form part of the hotel to individual buyers including non-citizens.
The unit is to be leased back to the seller and may be used and occupied by the unit owner or any person on his behalf for a total of not more than 45 days in any period of 12 months.
The amount of investment in the acquisition of a stand alone villa should not to be less than US$500,000 (excluding taxes) or its equivalent in any freely convertible currency. For units other than stand alone villa, no minimum investment is required to acquire such units.
Please visit our page IHS to discover the IHS projects available
The Ministry of Tourism has provided below conditions, namely:
1. *New Guesthouse / Tourist Residence means project proposal for construction of new guesthouse/tourist residence or conversion of an existing building into guesthouse/tourist residence
2. *Existing Guesthouse / Tourist Residence means a guesthouse/tourist residence holder of a valid Tourist Accommodation Certificate from the Tourism Authority
3.The acquisition of an immovable property by a non-citizen is governed by the provisions of the Non-citizens (Property Restriction) Act. Pursuant to section 3(3)(c)(iv) of the Act, a non-citizen who intends to acquire an immovable property for business purpose, including a guesthouse or tourist residence, requires an authorisation from the Economic Development Board (EDB) prior to signing the deed witnessing the transfer of the immovable property.
An application has to be submitted as per guidelines published by the EDB
4. The EDB will be the 1st point of contact for investors regarding:
i. the acquisition of an immovable property;
ii. the lease of an immovable property; and
iii. the acquisition of shares in a company that holds an immovable property.
5. For investors wishing to acquire shares within a company that does not hold any immovable property, the minimum investment shall be at least Rs 10m.
6. On receipt of an application, the EDB shall consult the Ministry of Tourism and any other relevant organisations. The recommendations of the EDB together with the views of the Ministry of Tourism shall be sent to the Prime Minister’s Office for determination of the application. Upon receipt of approval from the Prime Minister’s Office, the EDB shall issue an authorisation to the applicant to acquire a guesthouse or tourist residence and inform the Ministry of Tourism accordingly.
7. Investors are required to submit their application to the EDB.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
8. A non-citizen cannot submit an application to acquire or lease a guesthouse or tourist residence unless:
a. the non-citizen is a company incorporated under the Companies Act 2001
b. the non-citizen holds a letter of no objection in respect of the project proposal from the Ministry of Tourism
c. the minimum investment, excluding land cost, in the acquisition or lease of an existing guesthouse or tourist residence, shall be at least Rs 10 million
e. the minimum investment, excluding land cost, of developing a new guesthouse or tourist residence shall be at least Rs 30 million.
CONCEPT/DESIGN
9. Amenities and facilities of the guesthouse/tourist residence must be in compliance with the guidelines of the Tourism Authority for Guesthouse and Tourist Residence and target the high-end market segment.
10. The guesthouse/tourist residence shall boast a unique and exquisite charm, comfort and atmosphere. The project proposal must be of a high architectural design depicting the local tropical cachet. Artistic impressions or 3-D sketches describing the design character of the proposed development must be approved by the Ministry of Tourism.
MANAGEMENT
11. Management must be tied up with investment. However:
a. In case the investor has no managerial expertise, a local Manager shall be appointed.
b. In case the investor will also act as the manager, he must show a track record in management and show evidence of previous managerial positions held in similar establishments abroad for at least 5 years.
LOCAL STAFF
12. Except for the owner/Manager, all other employees should be locals.
SAFETY & SECURITY
13. The guesthouse/tourist residence must comply with the Safety and Security measures as provided for by the Tourism Authority and be equipped with safety and security devices installed by an approved security company.
Information about investment in business or business development in Mauritius for foreigners
A non-citizen investor must submit an application for the acquisition of immovable property or part of a building for business purposes, or for the lease of immovable property or part of a building for a period exceeding 20 years for business purposes.
Business purpose means the acquisition or holding of property by non-citizens for:-
- 1. the development of high activity commercial use building including, but not limited to, shopping mall, office building or warehouse, for own use, sale, rental or lease;
- 2. the development of residential properties developed under the Property Development Scheme (PDS); and
- 3. any other activity carried out for reward, gain or profit but excluding the acquisition for resale or lease or rental of any bare land or serviced land, except if they are to be used for the construction of a G+2 building.
Please use our quick property search to choose a suitable commercial property for your needs or to invest in.
