Law

Open a Business in Mauritius as a Foreigner

When you open a business in Mauritius as a foreigner, you need to comply with specific requirements that have been covered in many of our articles. However, once the enterprise is up and running, you must also consider the costs you need to cover for each year of activity.

Below, our company formation agents in Mauritius explain the costs and the benefits of setting up a business here. We are also at your disposal with registration solutions.

Quick Facts
Fastest way to start a business in Mauritius as a foreigner By setting up a Global Business Company for offshore activities or a private limited liability one for local undertakings.

Time frame to register a business in Mauritius

Around 3 weeks.

Composition of the business registration costs

– documents drafting costs,

– registration fees,

– professional consultancy/services costs.

Maintenance costs

– office rental/virtual office,

– utilities,

– accounting fees.

Special costs/fees to consider (if any)

Renewable licensing fees. 

Bureaucracy

Mauritius has low bureaucracy levels.

Availability of online business administration services (YES/NO)

Yes.

Corporate tax rate

15%.

Particularities of the workforce

The Mauritius labor force is skilled, and most employees are English and French speakers.

Social contributions to pay as an employer The social contributions paid by employers range from 12.5% to 25% depending on the employee’s salary.
Best performing industries

– finances,

– manufacturing,

– tourism,

– real estate.

Possibility to register a business remotely in Mauritius (YES/NO)

Yes, with the help of our company formation agents in Mauritius.

Personal income tax

0% to 20% depending on the income bracket.

Restrictions on foreign investments (if any)

Foreign ownership limits are imposed in sectors such as media (TV and publishing) and sugar production.

Why set up a business in Mauritius as a foreigner?

– 3% corporate tax rate for exporting companies,

– low VAT rate (15%),

– quick company formation procedure.

Monthly and annual costs of operating a business in Mauritius

If you want to set up a business in Mauritius as a foreigner, you need to consider various costs to maintain it. Among them, the most important ones are:

  • the costs associated with the maintenance of a registered address, no matter if you open an onshore or offshore business (if you choose a virtual office, for example, the monthly costs range from USD 50 and can reach USD 130);
  • the utilities, which depend on the industry your company works in;
  • the accounting fees or taxes, depending on whether you externalize the service, respectively, hire an accountant in Mauritius;
  • the licensing fees for certain industries, which may be recurrent;
  • the professional service fees, if you use nominee shareholders and/or directors.

Please note that these costs do not refer to other legal or consultancy fees. However, our Mauritius lawyers can also offer details about these.

How difficult is it to open and operate a business in Mauritius as a foreigner?

Mauritius is a great country to relocate to and open a business in as a foreigner because:

  • the relation with the authorities relies on online portals, which implies low bureaucracy;
  • French and English are two of the spoken languages here, favoring interaction with the authorities, business partners, and local workforce;
  • you will have access to a highly skilled workforce made up of Mauritius and foreign citizens.

At the end of 2024, the total number of workers was around 600,000, with approximately 30,000 expat labourers, while the unemployment rate stood at about 6%.

Why open a business in Mauritius as a foreigner?

Until several years ago, the financial services industry was the one to attract the most foreign investments. Now, the government started to encourage foreign investment in other sectors, among which:

  • the creative industries;
  • manufacturing;
  • tourism;
  • real estate.

Also, if you want to start a business in Mauritius as a foreigner, you can apply for a specific residence permit and gain permanent residency here under very advantageous conditions.

Our local specialists can guide you in accessing investment programs that enable you to relocate here for business or other purposes.

Business opportunities in Mauritius

If you plan to open a business in Mauritius as a foreigner, you will have access to nearly 70% of the world population in terms of consumer market. This is possible because:

  • Mauritius has signed 10 Free Trade Agreements;
  • products manufactured here are available in 85 countries;
  • it will ease access to 5.4 billion consumers all over the world;
  • service providers in Mauritius operate in more than 40 sectors, among which financial services, IT, telecommunications, construction, and healthcare;
  • small and medium-sized enterprises are recognized by the Government, should you decide on this type of business.

Taxation, one of the strong characteristics of the Mauritius business environment

Setting up a business in Mauritius as a foreigner is definitely advantageous from a taxation point of view. The most important highlights in this sense are:

  • the 15% corporate tax rate;
  • the value added tax of 15%, which is one of the lowest in the world;
  • the minimum employer contributions of 12.5%.

If you want to open a business in Mauritius as a foreigner, contact us. Our specialists will help you get things started.

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