Why Mauritius?
If you have found yourself on this blog page, the chances are that you are exploring options for foreign investment or emigration. After years of research and looking into all the various foreign visas and property investment opportunities available, we have found Mauritius to be one of the best investment options, especially for South Africans. In this blog we have outlined our top reasons why Mauritius is a favourite investment destination for South Africans.
It’s Close Proximity To SA
Literally just a Hop-Skip and a flight away! SA is only 3,637 km away from Mauritius.
Not to mention a similar time zone only (2 hours). You can almost simply blink and be sitting on the beach! There are 8 flights per week flying from Johannesburg to Mauritius with direct flights from Cape Town too. Mauritius allows you to live the dream paradise lifestyle while still being close enough to home and family and friends. Learn more HERE.
2. English Speaking
Mauritius's official language is English. Which makes it incredibly easy for South Africans to set up their businesses and families here. The schooling system is in English and any official business will be conducted in English. To add to this, the fact that tourism is one of Mauritius’s largest industries has encouraged the locals to improve their level of English. They are very fond of South Africans, you will even hear boatmen trying to speak Afrikaans!
3. Large Expat Community
Mauritius is high on the list of best places to live for expats, retirees & digital nomads. It is laidback, has a pleasant climate, is very friendly and welcoming and has accessible emigration policies. And of course, it is one of the most beautiful islands in the world with a sunny year-round climate and an outdoors lifestyle suited to South Africans. It is not uncommon to hear the familiar South African accent across every corner of the island!
4. Favourable tax rates
Not only is it the highest-ranked economy in Sub-Saharan Africa in the World Bank’s ‘Ease of doing business’ index, it is also wooing investors with a very attractive tax regime, for both individuals and businesses. It does not have any capital gains tax, dividend taxes or estate duties. Company and personal income tax rates are a mere 15%.
Reasonable tax rates, low levels of government regulation and its well-developed banking system and stock market, encourages business formation and appeals to retirees. There are also no exchange controls, which enables people to use the country as a business and investment hub. Read more HERE.
5. finance your properties in Mauritius!
Banks such as MCB offer bonds here. Foreign nationals often get easier access to mortgages in Mauritius than in their country of origin, because banks provide mortgages on IRS, RES and PDS real estate projects on Mauritian soil. These assets are sold off-plan (VEFA), which allows the borrower to benefit from a completion bank guarantee. For a foreign borrower, the maximum repayment term of a mortgage loan is 15 years and is calculated according to age. You can learn more HERE.
6. International Universities
Universities such as Middlesex & Curtin make it appealing for foreigners to relocate to Mauritius as their children will reap the benefits of attending reputable universities. Middlesex originates from the UK and Curtin from Australia. Curtin alumni are some of the most sought-after in the professional world.
You can learn more HERE.
7. Lifestyle
Mauritius is a safe and beautiful place to live. The climate is pleasant all year round, with average temperatures ranging from 20 to 30 degrees. The beaches of Mauritius are among the most beautiful in the world, and you can enjoy many outdoor activities and experience delicious local and international cuisines. Mauritius offers a unique cultural richness which can be experienced through its many monuments and historical sites, it’s people, it’s music and it’s local foods. The local Mauritian people are warm, welcoming and honest making day-to-day living relaxed and easy going.
One of the biggest gifts that Mauritius has to offer is its sense of genuine safety and low crime rates. Living with your doors open, and leaving your bags on the beach while you swim, is a welcomed reality that brings with it, a deep sense of peace. Learn more HERE.
8. Ease of doing business
Mauritius is a stable country, both politically and economically. The country has experienced sustained economic growth in recent years, and the unemployment rate is among the lowest in the region. Due to the government's free education policy, the population is educated and the country has a skilled workforce. Learn more HERE.
9. Drive on the same side of the road
Although this may seem like a small thing, when emigrating - every little bit of comfort counts. While driving in Mauritius can be an interesting experience due to its small winding roads, everyone drives on the left side of the road, and no additional driving permits are required. Simply showing your valid driving license from your country of origin is sufficient. It is then an easy process to apply for an international drivers’ license if you so desire.
10. healthcare
Mauritius has a well-developed healthcare system, governed by the Ministry of Health. Healthcare is provided by both the public and private sectors.
These structures are staffed by a large majority of foreign-trained doctors, as well as by doctors who are themselves expatriates. In Mauritius, the medical profession is regulated by the Medical Council of Mauritius. This ensures that medical practices conform to the highest international standards of quality and practice.
Mauritius' health system is evolving. As part of the health sector strategic plan for the period 2020-2024, the budget for the fiscal year 2021-2022 included the construction of additional public health facilities in Mauritius: a cancer center in Solferino; a new hospital in Flacq; an eye hospital in Réduit; 6 medical clinics in Quartier Militaire, Stanley, Coromandel, Bel Air, Grand Bois, and Chemin Grenier; 5 community health centers in St. Francois Xavier, Roche Bois, Grand Bay, Pointe aux Sables, and Trou d'Eau Douce; 4 regional health centers in Henrietta, Cap Malheureux, New Grove, and Plaine Magnien; and a modern cardiology centre in Cote d'Or. Learn more HERE.
11. Financial Capital of Africa
A key vision of the Mauritian government is to position Mauritius as an International Finance Centre of excellence with a reputation for ease of doing business. Mauritius is meeting expectations by ensuring a strong legal and regulatory framework, good corporate governance, an array of modern financial products and services and global connectivity, not to mention competitive operational costs. Mauritius is also an Ocean State with a bilingual (English / French) workforce servicing one of the largest Exclusive Economic Zones in the world.