Retiring in Mauritius on a Budget: What a Couple Needs to Live Comfortably
The permit says $2,000 a month. Can you actually live on that? Yes, technically. But you probably would not want to.
How much it actually costs to retire in Mauritius as a couple depends on whether you are renting or own, whether you drive or use taxis, how often you eat out and whether you fly back to Europe regularly. This guide sets out three realistic budget tiers so you can work out which one fits.
The permit requirement first
Before the budget, a note on the financial requirement. To obtain a retirement residence permit under Finance Act 2025 rules, you must demonstrate:
- Annual income of $24,000 USD (~Rs1,440,000/year, or Rs120,000/month at current rates)
- Initial remittance of $2,000 USD within 60 days of permit approval
The $24,000 annual income requirement ($2,000/month) is a minimum for the permit. It does not reflect what a comfortable retirement actually costs. The budgets below are independent of the permit minimum.
For the permit process in full, see our retirement residence permit guide.
Budget tier 1: essentials (~Rs80,000-100,000/month)
This is the floor – the minimum for a couple living modestly but comfortably in a decent rented apartment, eating in most of the time and using the public hospital for basic care.
| Category | Monthly (Rs) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (2-bed, unfurnished, inland) | 15,000-20,000 | Quatre Bornes, Rose Hill area |
| Utilities (electricity, water) | 4,000-7,000 | Air conditioning drives electricity cost |
| Internet (fibre) | 1,000-1,500 | MyT or Emtel fibre plans |
| Groceries (local markets + supermarket) | 15,000-20,000 | Cooking most meals at home |
| Eating out (occasional) | 5,000-8,000 | 2-3 meals out per week, local restaurants |
| Transport (public bus + occasional taxi) | 3,000-5,000 | No car |
| Healthcare (basic cover + OOP costs) | 8,000-12,000 | Local insurance or CFE + GP visits |
| Personal care, household | 4,000-6,000 | Toiletries, cleaning products |
| Entertainment, activities | 3,000-5,000 | Beach, local activities |
| Contingency / miscellaneous | 5,000-8,000 | |
| Total | 63,000-92,500 | ~£1,050-1,540/month |
This budget is achievable but tight. It requires cooking at home regularly, avoiding imported goods where possible and limiting alcohol to local options. It works best for couples who are genuinely content with a simple island lifestyle and do not need to travel frequently.
Budget tier 2: comfortable (~Rs130,000-170,000/month)
This is the sweet spot for most retiring couples who want to live well without excess. Coastal rented apartment or modest owned property, a small car, regular dining out and good health insurance.
| Category | Monthly (Rs) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (2-bed furnished, coastal area) | 30,000-45,000 | Flic en Flac, Trou aux Biches, Tamarin |
| Utilities | 6,000-10,000 | Full air conditioning |
| Internet + phone | 2,000-3,000 | |
| Groceries | 20,000-28,000 | Mix of local and imported goods |
| Dining out | 15,000-22,000 | 4-5 times per week, varied restaurants |
| Car (running costs, fuel, insurance) | 12,000-18,000 | Based on owning a modest vehicle |
| International health insurance | 15,000-25,000 | Both partners, comprehensive cover |
| Personal care, household | 6,000-8,000 | |
| Entertainment, leisure, sport | 8,000-12,000 | Golf, water sports, fitness, cinema |
| Travel (Europe / South Africa, 1-2 trips/year) | 8,000-12,000 | Monthly amortised average |
| Contingency / miscellaneous | 8,000-12,000 | |
| Total | 130,000-195,000 | ~£2,165-3,250/month |
At this level, life is genuinely comfortable. You can eat where you want, enjoy the beach and outdoor life properly, maintain a car, travel back to Europe once or twice a year and not worry about medical bills. Most expat couples who have settled happily in Mauritius live somewhere in this range.
Budget tier 3: premium (~Rs250,000+/month)
For couples who want to own their home under one of the property schemes, employ household staff, travel business class or maintain multiple residences.
| Category | Monthly (Rs) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Property (body corporate + costs on owned scheme property) | 20,000-50,000 | Scheme fees, maintenance, insurance |
| Utilities | 10,000-18,000 | Pool, large property |
| Household staff (housekeeper, gardener) | 15,000-30,000 | 2 part-time staff |
| Groceries (premium imports, wine, etc.) | 35,000-55,000 | |
| Dining out (restaurants regularly) | 30,000-50,000 | Quality restaurants, with wine |
| Car(s) | 20,000-35,000 | Two vehicles or one premium vehicle |
| International health insurance (premium tier) | 25,000-40,000 | Full cover, no excess |
| Travel (3-4 international trips/year) | 20,000-35,000 | Monthly average |
| Leisure, hobbies, club memberships | 20,000-35,000 | Golf club, yacht club, fitness |
| Contingency / discretionary | 25,000-50,000 | |
| Total | 220,000-398,000 | ~£3,665-6,635/month |
What the numbers mean in context
Compared to equivalent lifestyle costs in the UK, France or Australia, Mauritius represents genuine value at Tier 1 and Tier 2. The main costs that erode savings faster than expected are air conditioning (electricity bills surprise almost everyone in the first summer), eating out regularly, and travel back to Europe – which adds up quickly at Rs100,000-150,000+ per return business class trip.
Healthcare is the major financial risk without insurance. A single hospitalisation without cover can cost more than a year of insurance premiums. See our healthcare guide for full detail on options and costs.
What is not in these budgets
- Property purchase: scheme properties start at Rs22 million (~£365,000). The ongoing cost of carrying this capital is not reflected above
- Vehicle purchase: a basic new car in Mauritius runs Rs650,000-900,000. Budget for this as a one-off capital cost
- Shipping household goods: a 20-foot container from Europe costs approximately Rs400,000-700,000
- Children’s schooling: if applicable, add Rs160,000-600,000+ per child per year. See our international schools guide
The bottom line
A couple can retire comfortably in Mauritius – by European standards, very comfortably – on Rs130,000 to Rs180,000 per month (~£2,165-3,000). This requires renting rather than buying initially, driving a modest car and not over-indexing on imported goods. At this budget, Mauritius remains materially cheaper than comparable coastal living in southern France or Portugal while offering a significantly better climate.
For full context on costs across all categories, see the cost of living guide. For the financial requirements and permit process, the retirement residence permit guide covers what you need to demonstrate to the authorities.
Useful reading
- Start from the Retirement Planning pillar page for the full move pathway.
- Check permit eligibility in the updated retirement residence permit guide.
- Compare jurisdictions in Mauritius versus Portugal for retirees.
- Early retirees under 50: see FIRE in Mauritius for the visa routes and portfolio sizing that apply to you.
- For planning templates and updates, subscribe to the newsletter.
