Mauritius is one of the most natural destinations for French citizens looking to relocate: French is widely spoken alongside English, there is a large and established French community, direct flights link Paris and the island, and the tax and lifestyle advantages are considerable. As a bilingual, British-lawyer-led firm we help French families and entrepreneurs make the move properly. (Nos guides sont aussi disponibles en français.)
Your residency routes
There is no single “French visa” — you choose the route that fits your situation:
- Retirement permit — for those aged 50+, transferring at least USD 2,000 a month. No purchase, no minimum stay.
- Property investment — buying from USD 375,000 in an approved scheme grants a residence permit while you own it.
- Occupation permit — for investors, professionals and the self-employed running or working in a Mauritian business.
- Premium (digital nomad) visa — live in Mauritius while working remotely for French or international clients.
The France–Mauritius tax treaty
France and Mauritius have a double taxation agreement, so the same income is not taxed twice. Mauritius itself has no capital gains tax, no inheritance tax and personal income tax of 0–20% — read our taxation guide. The key, however, is leaving French tax residence properly.
Leaving French tax residence
France determines residence on factors including your home (foyer), your main place of stay, your professional activity and the centre of your economic interests. Simply buying a property abroad is not enough. Large shareholders should also be aware of France’s exit tax on unrealised gains when transferring tax residence. The benefits of moving to Mauritius only materialise if you genuinely cease to be resident in France — this is the single most common and costly mistake, and where specialist advice pays for itself. We coordinate with your French adviser to get it right.
Practicalities
French-curriculum and international schools are well established; private healthcare is good; and the cost of living is typically below that of metropolitan France. See our full moving to Mauritius guide for logistics, and contact us to plan your move.
Can French citizens move to Mauritius?
Yes. French citizens can relocate to Mauritius through several routes — the retirement permit (50+), property investment from USD 375,000, an occupation permit for business, or the premium digital-nomad visa. French is widely spoken and there is a large French community.
Do I pay tax in France if I live in Mauritius?
If you genuinely cease to be tax resident in France, you are generally taxed in Mauritius under the France–Mauritius double taxation treaty, not in France. But France looks at where your home, family and economic interests really are, and large shareholders may face an exit tax on unrealised gains. Take advice before you move.
Is there a France–Mauritius double taxation agreement?
Yes. France and Mauritius have a double taxation agreement that allocates taxing rights and prevents the same income being taxed twice, which is central to structuring a move efficiently.
Sources & further reading
Figures are summarised for general guidance and were correct at the time of writing; tax and immigration rules change, so we confirm the current position for your circumstances before you act.
More insights
Related reading
What the UK–Mauritius treaty covers — residence tie-breakers, dividends, interest, pensions and gains — and how it helps people and businesses.
How UK nationals are taxed after moving to Mauritius — leaving UK residence, UK-source income, the treaty and the Mauritian remittance basis.
The 183-day and 270-day tests, the domicile rule, the remittance basis for foreign income, and how to obtain a Tax Residence Certificate — explained clearly.
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