Holiday Apartments in Mauritius

Holiday Apartments in Mauritius: What Renters and Buyers Need to Know

Holiday apartments in Mauritius range from compact studio units a short walk from the beach to spacious furnished flats in gated residences with pools, gyms, and on-site management. Whether you are planning a short stay, a long-term rental, or a purchase that doubles as a holiday base, the market is well-developed and accessible to foreign nationals, provided you understand the legal framework that applies to each route.

This guide covers the main rental and purchase options, the most popular areas, what furnished apartments typically include, and the property schemes that allow non-citizens to buy legally and, in some cases, qualify for Mauritian residency.

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Where Are the Most Popular Areas for Holiday Apartments?

The West Coast: Grand Baie, Trou aux Biches, and Flic en Flac

The northwest and west coasts hold the highest concentration of holiday apartments for rent in Mauritius. Grand Baie is the most cosmopolitan area, with a busy marina, restaurants, and supermarkets within walking distance of most apartment complexes. Furnished apartments here attract both short-stay visitors and long-term expat tenants, which keeps supply relatively high and gives renters genuine choice.

Flic en Flac, on the west coast, offers a quieter alternative with a long public beach and a growing number of modern apartment blocks. Rental prices here tend to sit slightly below Grand Baie for comparable space, making it a practical option for stays of a month or longer.

Trou aux Biches and Mont Choisy, sitting between Grand Baie and Port Louis, have seen significant residential development over the past decade. Furnished apartments in this corridor appeal to professionals working in Port Louis who want a coastal base.

Port Louis: Apartments in the Capital

Apartments for rent in Port Louis suit those who prioritise work access over beach proximity. The capital holds the island's main port, financial district, and government offices. Modern apartment buildings in areas such as Caudan, Bagatelle, and Moka (just outside the city boundary) offer furnished units aimed at professionals on Occupation Permits and corporate relocations. Studios and one-bedroom apartments here are generally priced for long-term rental rather than holiday use, though short-term furnished lets do exist.

Apartments for sale in Port Louis follow a similar pattern: the buyer profile is typically an investor seeking rental yield rather than a holiday occupier, though the two can overlap.

The East Coast: Flacq and Belle Mare

The east coast is quieter and less developed commercially, but it has some of the finest beaches on the island. Apartments for rent in Flacq are less numerous than on the west coast, but the area is growing. Belle Mare and Palmar attract higher-end buyers and renters, and several PDS (Property Development Scheme) residences here include apartment units available to foreign purchasers. For a holiday apartment in Mauritius that combines seclusion with good beach access, the east coast is worth considering.

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Renting a Holiday Apartment in Mauritius: What to Expect

Short-Term Versus Long-Term Rental

Short-term holiday rentals (days to a few weeks) are widely available through local agencies and international platforms. Rates vary considerably by location, season, and apartment size. The period from June to September and the Christmas to New Year window are peak periods when demand is highest and prices reflect that.

Long-term rentals (typically six months or more) are governed by a formal lease agreement. Landlords generally require one to three months' rent as a deposit. Furnished apartments rented long-term usually include air conditioning, basic kitchen appliances, and internet. Some managed residences also include utilities in the monthly rate, which simplifies budgeting.

Furnished Apartments in Mauritius: What Is Usually Included

A furnished apartment in Mauritius at the mid-to-upper end of the market will typically include:

• Air conditioning in bedrooms and living areas
• A fitted kitchen with a hob, oven, fridge, and washing machine
• Beds, sofas, dining furniture, and curtains or blinds
• Internet connection (fibre is available across most of the island)
• Access to shared facilities such as a pool, parking, and sometimes a gym

Budget or entry-level furnished apartments may include only basic furniture and a smaller kitchen setup. Always confirm exactly what is included before signing a lease, particularly for stays longer than a few weeks.

Renting an Apartment for the First Time in Mauritius

If you are renting in Mauritius for the first time, a few practical points will help:

Use a registered agent. A reputable local agency will verify that the landlord has the right to rent the property and that the lease complies with Mauritian tenancy law. This matters more for long-term lets than for short holiday stays.

Read the lease carefully. Mauritius follows a civil law tradition influenced by French law. Lease terms, notice periods, and deposit return conditions should all be spelled out in writing. If the lease is in French, ask for a translation or explanation of key clauses.

Understand utility responsibilities. Water and electricity bills in Mauritius are metered and billed by the Central Water Authority and the Central Electricity Board respectively. Confirm whether these are included in your rent or paid separately.

Check the building's management. Managed residences with on-site staff or a managing agent tend to handle maintenance requests more reliably than privately rented apartments in older buildings.

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Studio Apartments in Mauritius

Studio apartments in Mauritius are the most affordable entry point for both renters and buyers. A studio typically combines a sleeping area, living space, and kitchen into a single open-plan room, with a separate bathroom. They are common in Grand Baie, Flic en Flac, and around Moka.

For a holiday visitor on a longer stay, a studio is a practical and cost-effective choice. For a buyer, studios in well-managed residences can generate consistent rental income when not in personal use, particularly in tourist-heavy areas.

Note that foreign nationals cannot buy a studio apartment on the open market. The legal routes for non-citizen purchases are specific property schemes, described in the section below.

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Buying a Holiday Apartment in Mauritius as a Foreign National

The Legal Framework

Foreign nationals cannot purchase freehold property in Mauritius outside of government-approved schemes. The main frameworks relevant to apartment buyers are:

Property Development Scheme (PDS): Replaces the earlier IRS and RES schemes. Applies to integrated residential developments of a certain scale. Apartments within PDS projects can be purchased by non-citizens.

Smart City Scheme: Mixed-use developments combining residential, commercial, and leisure spaces. Several Smart City projects include apartment units available to foreign buyers.

G+2 Scheme: Allows non-citizens to purchase apartments in buildings of at least two floors above ground level (hence G+2, meaning ground plus two upper floors). This is the route most relevant to urban apartment purchases, including in Port Louis and other town centres.

Each scheme has its own conditions. A Mauritian notary must be involved in any property transaction, and the Economic Development Board (EDB) oversees foreign property acquisitions.

Residency Through Property Purchase

Purchasing a qualifying property under an approved scheme at a minimum price of USD 375,000 entitles the buyer and their dependants to a Mauritian residence permit. This is one of the most straightforward residency routes available and is popular with buyers who intend to use the property as a long-term holiday base or eventual retirement home.

Registration Duty and Land Transfer Tax

Under the Finance Act 2026 (in force from 13 August 2026), non-citizens buying under PDS, Smart City, RES, or G+2 pay the standard 5% registration duty as the buyer. The seller pays a 5% land transfer tax. The earlier increase to 10% for foreign buyers was repealed, so the current position returns to the standard 5% rate for buyers.

A separate 10% duty applies to the seller only on G+2 properties on State land or Pas Geometriques sold to a non-citizen. This is a seller-side cost, not a buyer-side one, but it may be factored into the asking price in practice.

First-time buyers benefit from registration duty relief on the first MUR 6 million of the purchase price for a house or apartment. This relief applies to eligible buyers and reduces the upfront cost meaningfully at the lower end of the market.

Duty rates and thresholds can change with each national Budget. Always confirm the current position with the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) and the Economic Development Board (EDB) before exchanging contracts.

No Capital Gains Tax

Mauritius does not levy capital gains tax and has no inheritance or estate tax. For a buyer who purchases a holiday apartment and later sells it at a profit, no tax is payable on that gain. This is a significant structural advantage compared with many European and South African tax regimes.

Rental Income Tax

If you rent out your holiday apartment when you are not using it, rental income is taxable in Mauritius under the personal income tax system. The rates are progressive: 0% on the first MUR 500,000 of annual income, 10% on MUR 500,001 to MUR 1,000,000, 20% on MUR 1,000,001 to MUR 12,000,000, and 35% above MUR 12,000,000 (applicable from the income year starting 1 July 2026). Non-residents are taxed on Mauritius-source income. Confirm your specific position with a Mauritian tax adviser, as deductible expenses and treaty provisions can affect the net liability.

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Choosing Between Renting and Buying

For most first-time visitors, renting a furnished holiday apartment is the sensible starting point. It lets you experience different areas, understand the lifestyle, and assess which location suits you before committing to a purchase. Many buyers who eventually purchase in Mauritius spent at least one extended rental period on the island first.

Buying makes more sense when:

• You plan to visit regularly and want a consistent base
• You want to generate rental income from the property when absent
• You are pursuing the residency-by-property route
• You have a long-term horizon and want exposure to the Mauritian property market

Renting makes more sense when:

• You are visiting for a defined period and have no immediate purchase intent
• You want flexibility to try different areas or apartment sizes
• You prefer not to tie up capital in an illiquid asset
• You are still learning the market

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Practical Tips for Finding a Holiday Apartment in Mauritius

Work with a local property specialist. The Mauritian market is not fully indexed online. Local agents have access to listings that do not appear on international portals, particularly for long-term furnished rentals.

Visit in person if possible. Photographs of apartments in Mauritius do not always capture proximity to noise, the condition of communal areas, or the quality of sea views. A site visit before signing a long-term lease is worth the effort.

Clarify what "sea view" means. This phrase covers everything from a direct ocean panorama to a glimpse of water between buildings. Ask for photographs taken from the specific unit, not from the development's marketing materials.

Check internet connectivity. Fibre broadband is available across most of the island, but not every apartment building is connected. If you are working remotely, confirm the type and speed of connection before committing.

Understand the lease currency. Some landlords quote rents in euros or US dollars, particularly in higher-end developments marketed to foreign buyers. Clarify the currency and who bears the exchange rate risk over a long-term lease.

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Summary

Holiday apartments in Mauritius offer genuine variety, from affordable studios in Flic en Flac to furnished sea-view flats in Grand Baie and east coast residences within PDS developments. Renters have broad choice across all price points. Buyers must use an approved scheme but benefit from no capital gains tax, no estate tax, and a clear residency pathway at the USD 375,000 threshold. The registration duty position was clarified by the Finance Act 2026, with the standard 5% buyer rate restored for foreign purchasers under approved schemes. For both renters and buyers, working with a qualified local agent and a Mauritian notary remains the most reliable way to navigate the market.