Buying property in Mauritius from abroad is perfectly possible, but it requires proper preparation. Before travelling to visit properties, it is essential to check the overall budget, acquisition costs, conditions applicable to foreign buyers, and the steps that can be completed remotely.
Many buyers start their search from abroad before organising a short trip to Mauritius to visit a carefully selected list of properties.
Once on the island, time goes quickly. Between travel, property visits, meetings with developers, sellers or notaries, it is easy to lose several days viewing properties that do not truly match the project, the budget or the acquisition conditions applicable to foreign buyers.
Preparing your property purchase before coming to Mauritius helps save time, compare available properties more efficiently and avoid unpleasant surprises.
- Clearly define your property project in Mauritius
Before even looking at listings, it is important to define the main purpose of the purchase.
Are you looking for a second home to spend a few weeks per year in Mauritius? A retirement project? A rental investment? A medium or long-term relocation? Or a patrimonial investment in a stable and attractive environment?
The answer will directly influence the choice of property, region, budget, type of real estate scheme and key selection criteria.
An apartment near the beach does not serve the same purpose as a villa in a secured estate, a property within a Smart City or an off-plan development.
- Check whether the property is accessible to foreigners
In Mauritius, not all properties can be acquired by non-citizens.
A foreign buyer must therefore check from the outset whether the property can legally be purchased according to their profile. Some properties are open to foreigners under specific schemes such as PDS, certain Smart Cities, former IRS/RES schemes, or certain R+2 apartments, excluding properties located on State land on the beachfront.
Finding an attractive property is not enough. The first step is to confirm whether it is eligible for acquisition by a non-citizen.
This is a common mistake: some buyers identify a house, a plot of land or an interesting opportunity, only to discover later that the property is not accessible to foreign buyers.
For a broader overview of the rules applicable to non-citizens, you can also read our guide: How to Invest in Property in Mauritius as a Foreigner (2026 Guide).
- Calculate the acquisition costs in Mauritius
In Mauritius, advertised prices are generally shown excluding acquisition costs. It is therefore essential to work with a full budget before organising a property viewing trip.
For a foreign buyer, the main costs to consider are generally as follows:
Registration duty: 10% for non-citizen buyers.
Notary fees: generally up to 1.5% maximum, depending on the applicable scale.
Agency fees: 2.3% VAT included in the case of a resale.
For an off-plan purchase, known in Mauritius as VEFA, agency fees are often included in the developer’s price, but this must be confirmed for each programme.
EDB application processing fees, currently Rs 25,000, should also be taken into account when the acquisition requires an authorisation.
It is therefore important not to compare only advertised prices, but to check the total cost of acquisition: property price, registration duty, notary fees, administrative fees, possible furniture package, co-ownership charges and management costs if the property is intended for rental.
This analysis helps avoid surprises and ensures that only properties truly matching the buyer’s budget are selected.
To go further on this topic, read our dedicated article: What Are the Acquisition Costs Payable by the Buyer in Mauritius?
- Choose the right region to buy in Mauritius
Although Mauritius is a relatively compact island, its real estate regions do not all meet the same expectations.
The North, around Grand Baie, Pereybère, Bain Boeuf, Mont Choisy and Trou aux Biches, remains one of the most sought-after areas among foreign buyers. It offers convenient daily living, beaches, shops, restaurants, schools, clinics and strong rental demand.
To better understand daily life in this region, you can also read: Living in the North of Mauritius: Shops, Schools and Daily Access.
The West, especially Tamarin, Black River and La Preneuse, attracts buyers looking for a natural setting, proximity to the lagoon, mountains, water activities and a residential atmosphere appreciated by expatriates.
The East, with Beau Champ, Anahita and Azuri, is more suited to buyers interested in large estates, golf, integrated resorts, Smart Cities and a quieter environment.
The choice of region should therefore depend on the project: second home, long-term relocation, retirement, rental investment or patrimonial purchase.
- Prepare a short selection before arrival
Coming to Mauritius without a pre-selected list is rarely efficient.
The best approach is to prepare a short selection of properties that truly match the project: budget, location, surface area, property type, acquisition scheme, delivery timeframe, rental potential, charges, distance to services, and quality of the developer or residence.
A good selection should remain focused. It is better to visit a few well-chosen properties than to multiply visits without a clear strategy.
This makes it easier to compare seriously, ask the right questions and keep a clear view after the appointments.
Planning a property scouting trip to Mauritius?
Send us your budget, preferred property type, desired location and purchase timeline. We can prepare an initial selection of properties that truly match your project before your arrival.
Sign a sale agreement or CRP remotely
Buying property in Mauritius does not always require the buyer to be physically present at every stage.
After selecting the property and completing the first exchanges, a sale agreement or a preliminary reservation contract, commonly referred to as a CRP, can generally be signed remotely, depending on the type of property, the seller, the developer and the legal framework of the transaction.
This option is particularly useful for foreign buyers who wish to move forward after an initial property scouting trip, or reserve a property before their next visit to Mauritius.
For off-plan purchases, our article Buying Off-Plan in Mauritius (VEFA): Benefits, Risks and Precautions provides useful additional guidance.
However, it remains essential to check the exact conditions with the developer, seller, notary or legal adviser handling the file, especially regarding required documents, deadlines, payments, signatures and any administrative authorisations.
- Prepare the FIAMLA form and bank comfort letter
Before committing to a purchase, it is better to have a clear file.
The notary will generally request a FIAMLA form, used to declare the source of funds in line with anti-money laundering obligations. A bank comfort letter may also be requested to confirm the proper operation of the buyer’s bank account.
Depending on the file, other documents may be required: passport or identity document, proof of address, loan approval where applicable, proof relating to the sale of a property, inheritance documents, donation documents or any other element helping to clearly explain the source of funds.
Preparing these elements in advance helps avoid delays at the reservation stage, sale agreement stage or final signature.
- Anticipate the acquisition timeline
Buying property in Mauritius is not limited to a visit and a signature.
Depending on the type of property, the process may include a reservation, a sale agreement, an application for authorisation, exchanges with the notary, documents to be provided, and then the final deed of sale.
For an off-plan property, or VEFA, it is also important to review the construction schedule, payment calls, plans, finishes, guarantees and delivery conditions.
For a resale, the title deed, charges, condition of the property, included equipment, possible easements and transfer conditions must be checked.
Buyers considering relocation to Mauritius may also read: Residence Permit in Mauritius Through Property Investment: What You Need to Know in 2026.
These steps are normal, but they should be anticipated to avoid misunderstandings and delays.
- Work with a local real estate agent
Buying remotely or during a short stay requires serious local support.
An experienced local real estate agent can help filter properties that truly match the buyer’s needs, avoid unnecessary visits, check whether the property is accessible to foreigners, explain the differences between acquisition schemes, coordinate appointments and facilitate discussions with developers, sellers and notaries.
The objective is not simply to find an attractive property. The objective is to find a coherent, accessible, well-located property that matches the project and remains resaleable in good conditions.
Conclusion
Preparing your property purchase in Mauritius from abroad helps save time, avoid mistakes and make your viewing trip much more efficient.
Before coming to visit properties, it is essential to define your project, overall budget, preferred region, desired property type and the acquisition conditions applicable to foreign buyers.
My Immo Mauritius assists local and international buyers in their search for property in Mauritius: apartments, villas, land, new developments, off-plan properties, Smart City projects, PDS properties and rental investments.
Planning a trip to Mauritius to visit properties?
Contact us before your arrival: we can help you prepare a targeted selection based on your budget, profile and project.
My Immo Mauritius
WhatsApp / Phone: +230 5255 1044
Website: https://myimmomauritius.com/
Email: patrick.ramade@gmail.com
Article by Patrick Ramade My Immo ltd, published on 26 June 2026 on My Immo Mauritius.
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