Moving to Mauritius: Your 90-Day Checklist

This is the practical timeline for moving to Mauritius, from the decision to the first week on the ground. It covers the steps most people miss or do in the wrong order.

It is designed for people who are actually doing this. Not just thinking about it.

Adapt the timeline to your situation. If you are buying property through a PDS or Smart City scheme, add 2-3 months for the transaction to complete. If you are coming on a Premium Visa, the process is faster than for an Occupation Permit.

90 days before: foundations

Week 1: permits and legal

• Choose your permit route. Premium Visa (remote workers), Occupation Permit (investors, professionals, self-employed), or Retirement Residence Permit (over 50s). Each has different documentation requirements. Do not leave this to the last month.
• Start the application. Premium Visa applications are processed online via the EDB portal (typically 2-4 weeks). Occupation Permits take 4-8 weeks. Retirement Permits take 4-6 weeks. Apply early.
• Gather documents. Passport (valid 6+ months beyond your planned arrival), proof of income or employment, police clearance from your home country (some permits require this), bank statements (3-6 months), health certificate (for OP and retirement permits).
• If buying property: engage a notary and start the process now. The property purchase process takes 6-12 weeks after signing.

Week 2-3: shipping and logistics

• Get shipping quotes. International removal companies (AGS, Crown, Allied) quote based on volume. A typical household move (30-40 cubic metres) from Europe to Mauritius costs £3,000-£6,000 ($3,800-$7,600). Door-to-door transit time is 6-8 weeks by sea.
• Decide what to ship. Electronics, books, clothes, and personal effects are duty-free for new residents (within the first 6 months). Cars are subject to heavy duties. Furniture is worth shipping if you have quality pieces; basic furniture is cheaper to buy locally.
• Customs documentation. You will need a detailed inventory list, a copy of your residence permit (or application receipt), and proof of your previous address. Customs clearance can take 3-7 days on arrival.

Week 3-4: health and insurance

• Arrange international health insurance. Providers commonly used by Mauritius expats include Cigna, Allianz, SafetyWing, April International and Henner. Get quotes now; policies can take 1-2 weeks to activate. See the health insurance comparison.
• If you have a pre-existing condition: disclose it fully. Exclusions are standard but negotiable with the right insurer.
• Medical check-up. Some permits require a health certificate. Even if yours does not, get a comprehensive check-up before leaving.
• Dental work. Get anything pending done before you move. Dental care in Mauritius is available but specialist work is limited.

60 days before: housing and schools

Week 5-6: housing

• Start searching for rental accommodation. Agents in Grand Baie, Tamarin, and Flic en Flac list properties on LExpresProperty.com, MyProperty.mu, and Facebook groups (Mauritius Expats Accommodation). Budget: Rs 20,000-45,000 ($430-$970) for a decent 2-bedroom apartment in the north or west.
• Plan a recce trip if possible. Even 5-7 days on the ground lets you see areas, meet agents, and view properties. Do not commit to a 12-month lease based on photos alone.
• Understand the rental market. Leases are typically 11-12 months. Deposits are 1-2 months upfront. Our renting guide covers the detail.

Week 6-7: schools (if applicable)

• Apply to schools. The most popular international schools (Northfields, École du Nord, Le Bocage) have waiting lists. Apply as soon as you have a move date. Academic year starts in September (British/IB curriculum) or September/January (French curriculum). See the international schools guide.
• Request transcripts and records from your current school. Most Mauritius schools require translated transcripts and recommendation letters.

Week 7-8: banking

• Open a Mauritian bank account remotely (if possible). Some banks (MCB, AfrAsia) allow non-resident account opening before arrival. You will need your passport, proof of address, proof of income, and a bank reference letter from your current bank. The process can take 2-6 weeks. See the bank account guide.
• Keep your home country bank account active. You will need it for the transition period and for any ongoing income or obligations back home.
• Set up Wise or Revolut. Multi-currency accounts are useful for the transition period and for ongoing international transfers.

30 days before: final preparations

Week 9-10: admin and paperwork

• Inform your tax authority. If you are becoming tax resident in Mauritius, notify your home country’s tax office. In the UK, complete form P85. In France, declare your departure to the centre des impôts. Timing matters for split-year treatment.
• Power of attorney. If you have ongoing affairs in your home country (property, investments, legal matters), consider granting a trusted person power of attorney.
• International driving licence. Obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) if your home country licence does not have a reciprocal exchange agreement with Mauritius. UK, France, and most EU licences can be exchanged directly.
• Apostille key documents. Birth certificates, marriage certificates, and academic qualifications may need apostille stamps for use in Mauritius.

Week 10-11: practical setup

• Book flights. Direct flights from Paris (Air Mauritius, Air France), London (Air Mauritius, British Airways), and various hubs via Emirates, Turkish Airlines, and Ethiopian. Book early for better fares.
• Arrange airport transfer. Taxis from the airport to Grand Baie cost Rs 1,500-2,000 ($32-$43). Pre-book through your accommodation or a transfer service.
• Pack a “first week” bag. Essentials for the first week before your shipping arrives: documents, medication, laptop, chargers, a few changes of clothes, basic toiletries. The rest can wait.

Week 11-12: tie up loose ends

• Cancel or redirect utilities, subscriptions, and post.
• Inform your bank, insurance, and pension providers of your new address.
• Back up all digital files. Cloud storage plus a physical backup drive.
• Say goodbye. You are leaving. Take the time.

First week in Mauritius

• SIM card. Buy a my.t (Mauritius Telecom) or Emtel SIM at the airport or any shop. Costs Rs 100-200 ($2-$4). Data packages are cheap.
• Transport. If you have not arranged a car lease, rent one short-term (Rs 1,200-2,000/day) while you settle in. See the transport guide.
• Bank account. If you did not open one remotely, visit your chosen bank branch with all documents. Expect 1-3 weeks for the account to be fully operational.
• Register with your embassy. Register at the nearest consulate (France, UK, etc.) for consular protection and voting rights.
• Utilities. Electricity: CEB (Mauritius). Water: CWA. Both can be set up through your landlord or directly. Internet: my.t fibre is the main provider; installation takes 1-2 weeks after application.
• Payment apps. Set up Juice, my.t money, or Blink once your bank account is active.

First month milestones

• Residence permit activated and ID card application submitted (if applicable)
• Bank account operational with online access
• Children enrolled and attending school
• Health insurance active and local GP identified
• Car arranged (lease or purchase)
• Mobile and home internet working
• Shipping container cleared and delivered

For the broader picture of what daily life looks like, the living in Mauritius guide covers the essentials. For cost planning, see the cost of living guide. Questions about your specific situation? Get in touch.