What Foreigners Can Buy in Mauritius
A clear overview of what foreigners can and cannot buy in Mauritius, from PDS and Smart City homes to G+2 apartments, IHS units and restricted land.
Foreigners can buy property in Mauritius, but not in the same way as Mauritian citizens. The market is open to international buyers through regulated routes, with clear distinctions between what is accessible, what requires approval and what remains restricted.
For a foreign buyer, the first question is not only whether a property looks suitable. It is whether the property can legally be acquired by a non-citizen, under which framework, and with what conditions attached.
The basic rule for foreign buyers in Mauritius
Foreign property ownership in Mauritius is regulated. A non-citizen cannot simply buy any house, apartment or plot of land on the open market. In most residential cases, the purchase must fall within an approved acquisition route.
These routes exist to make foreign ownership possible while keeping the market structured. They usually involve approval, buyer due diligence, source of funds checks and a notarised deed.
For a broader comparison of the main acquisition routes, see our article on property investment schemes in Mauritius for foreign buyers.
The important point is simple: the property must qualify before the buyer can proceed. A beautiful villa, apartment or plot is not automatically available to foreign buyers just because it is listed for sale.
What foreigners can buy through approved schemes
Foreign buyers can acquire residential property in Mauritius through several regulated frameworks. The most relevant routes include PDS, Smart City, existing IRS and RES projects, G+2 apartments and IHS.
Under the Property Development Scheme, foreign buyers can acquire approved residential property within a regulated development. PDS is often associated with estate living, villas, apartments, duplexes or high quality residences with shared amenities and management structures. For a more detailed route-specific explanation, see our article on PDS in Mauritius for foreign buyers.
Smart City properties follow a different logic. They are located within larger mixed use developments where homes may sit alongside offices, schools, leisure facilities, shops and services. Foreigners may acquire eligible residential units within approved Smart City projects, subject to the applicable rules.
Existing IRS and RES properties may also be available to foreign buyers, especially on resale, where the original project remains within the approved framework. These older schemes are no longer the main route for new developments, but they still matter in the resale market.
The Invest Hotel Scheme is more specific. It allows buyers to acquire units within an approved hotel structure, such as a room, suite, apartment or villa. This route is usually more investment led and often comes with hotel operation, rental pool or leaseback conditions. It should not be confused with ordinary residential ownership.
G+2 apartments outside the main schemes
G+2 apartments are another important option for foreign buyers. This route applies to apartments located in condominium developments with at least two floors above ground level. The purchase price must meet the applicable minimum threshold, currently MUR 6 million, or its equivalent in another hard convertible foreign currency. As an indication, this represents approximately USD 125,000, depending on the exchange rate used at the time of purchase.
This route can be attractive for buyers who want a more conventional apartment rather than a resort style estate. It may suit people looking for a manageable residence, a lock up and leave property, or a more urban lifestyle.
However, G+2 does not mean that every apartment in Mauritius is open to foreigners. The building must qualify, the price must meet the threshold and the acquisition must go through the required approval process.
For a closer look at this route, see our article on G+2 apartments in Mauritius for foreign buyers.
What foreigners generally cannot buy
The main restriction is that foreign buyers cannot freely purchase ordinary residential property outside the approved routes. A non-citizen should therefore be careful with listings that look like standard local market properties.
In practice, foreigners should not assume they can buy:
an ordinary standalone house on the open market;
a residential plot outside an approved framework;
agricultural land;
undeveloped land unless it forms part of an eligible approved structure;
a property held through an informal arrangement designed to bypass the rules;
a residential property where the legal route for non-citizen acquisition is unclear.
This does not mean there are no exceptional cases in Mauritian law. It means that a foreign buyer should treat any property outside a recognised acquisition framework with caution and seek proper legal verification before signing anything.
The safest approach is to ask one question early: under which exact rule can this property be acquired by a non-citizen? If the answer is vague, the file needs more scrutiny.
Can foreigners buy land in Mauritius?
This is one of the most common points of confusion. Foreigners cannot generally buy ordinary bare land in Mauritius in the same way as Mauritian citizens.
Land may be accessible only in specific approved contexts, for example where a project framework allows eligible serviced land or where the property forms part of a regulated development. Even then, the buyer must check the project rules, construction obligations, time limits, title structure and approval requirements.
A plot of land can look attractive, especially if the buyer wants to build a bespoke villa. But for a non-citizen, the land question is rarely just about location and price. It is also about eligibility, intended use, development obligations and whether the purchase is legally open to foreign ownership.
This is why land purchases require particular caution. The fact that land is advertised does not mean that it is available to foreign buyers.
Off-plan, resale and rental use
Foreign buyers may buy off-plan property in Mauritius, but only if the property itself is eligible under an approved route. In practice, off-plan purchases often involve VEFA or a similar legal structure, with staged payments and specific protections. Our article on VEFA in Mauritius explains how this works for qualifying property purchases.
Resale is also possible in many cases, but the resale must respect the framework under which the property was originally acquired. The buyer’s eligibility, approval process, taxes and project rules should all be checked again.
Rental use is another separate point. Buying a property does not automatically mean the owner can rent it freely, especially for short stays. Rental possibilities may depend on the scheme, co-ownership rules, estate regulations, hotel structure, leaseback terms and Tourism Authority requirements where tourist accommodation is involved.
Before buying, a foreign investor should therefore verify three things in writing: whether the property can be acquired, whether it can be occupied as intended and whether it can be rented under the expected model.
Residence rights are not automatic in every case
Some property acquisitions may support residence permit eligibility, especially when the purchase reaches the applicable threshold under approved routes. However, buying any property in Mauritius does not automatically create a right to reside on the island.
The residence question should be assessed separately from the ownership question. A property may be legally accessible to a foreign buyer without necessarily supporting the buyer’s long term residence plans.
This distinction matters for buyers who want to relocate, spend several months a year in Mauritius or secure residence for their family. The property must match both the legal acquisition route and the buyer’s personal objective.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners buy property in Mauritius?
Yes. Foreigners can buy property in Mauritius through approved routes such as PDS, Smart City, G+2 apartments, IHS and existing IRS or RES projects.
Can foreigners buy any house in Mauritius?
No. Foreign buyers cannot freely purchase ordinary residential houses on the open market unless the property falls within an approved route or valid legal framework.
Can foreigners buy land in Mauritius?
Generally, foreigners cannot buy ordinary bare land outside approved frameworks. Eligible serviced land or project based land may exist, but it requires careful legal verification.
Does buying property in Mauritius give residence?
Not always. Some qualifying acquisitions may support residence eligibility, but ownership and residence rights must be checked separately.
Can foreign owners rent out their property?
Often yes, but not automatically. Rental use depends on project rules, co-ownership regulations, tax obligations and Tourism Authority requirements where short stay tourist rental is involved.
Buying the Right Property Under the Right Framework
Foreigners can buy property in Mauritius, but the choice is not unlimited. The safest options are those that clearly fall within an approved route, with the legal structure, approval process and intended use confirmed before commitment.
For international buyers, this early verification is not a formality. It protects the purchase, clarifies the budget and ensures that the property truly matches the buyer’s lifestyle, investment or residence plans.
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Sources
The information contained in this article is provided for general guidance only and reflects the situation at the time of publication. Property acquisition rules, approval procedures, residence eligibility conditions, rental requirements, tax treatment and regulatory obligations for non-citizens may change without notice. Readers are advised to verify any important information with a qualified notary, legal adviser, tax adviser, the Economic Development Board, the Tourism Authority and any other relevant authority before making a purchase, sale, rental or investment decision.
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