Moving to Mauritius: Budget for the First 3 Months
Published on 4 September 2026 · 5 min read
A successful move to Mauritius requires careful planning and anticipation of your needs from the very first days. The first three months generally cost more than the months that follow, as everyday living expenses come on top of departure costs, the security deposit, temporary accommodation, administrative procedures and setting up your household. This guide provides estimates for different profiles, a breakdown of the main expenses and a method to help readers calculate their own budget.
What total budget should you plan for your first three months in Mauritius?
There is no single budget that applies to everyone moving to Mauritius. The amount you need will depend primarily on the size of your household, your choices regarding accommodation and transport, and your preferred standard of living, including factors such as children’s schooling, spending habits and your chosen residence status.
Overall estimates by profile
Indicative exchange rate: EUR 1 = MUR 55 in September 2026.
Single person
Expenses before arrival: EUR 1,200–1,800 (MUR 66,000–99,000)
Initial setup costs: EUR 1,500–2,500 (MUR 82,500–137,500)
Living expenses for 3 months: EUR 4,500–5,400 (MUR 247,500–297,000)
Reserve: EUR 1,500 (MUR 82,500)
Total budget: EUR 8,700–11,200 (MUR 478,500–616,000)
Couple
Expenses before arrival: EUR 2,000–3,000 (MUR 110,000–165,000)
Initial setup costs: EUR 2,500–4,000 (MUR 137,500–220,000)
Living expenses for 3 months: EUR 7,500–10,500 (MUR 412,500–577,500)
Reserve: EUR 3,000 (MUR 165,000)
Total budget: EUR 15,000–20,500 (MUR 825,000–1,127,500)
Family with two children
Expenses before arrival: EUR 3,500–5,000 (MUR 192,500–275,000)
Initial setup costs: EUR 3,500–6,000 (MUR 192,500–330,000)
Living expenses for 3 months: EUR 12,000–16,000 (MUR 660,000–880,000)
Reserve: EUR 5,000 (MUR 275,000)
Total budget: EUR 24,000–32,000 (MUR 1,320,000–1,760,000)
What budget should a single person plan for?
A typical single-person profile would be someone renting a furnished apartment, initially renting a car, with no school fees to pay, primarily consuming local products and taking out individual health insurance.
For this profile, it is useful to distinguish between a reasonable minimum budget and a more comfortable one. Monthly expenses for a single working adult generally amount to around EUR 1,500–1,800 (approximately MUR 82,500–99,000). Departure and initial setup costs must then be added to this amount, including the security deposit, first month’s rent and household equipment, bringing the total budget for the period to a higher level. Naturally, this estimate should be regarded as a general guideline and can vary considerably from one expatriate to another depending on lifestyle choices.
What budget should a couple without children plan for?
A couple’s budget differs mainly because some expenses can be shared while others increase. Fixed costs such as transport or Internet can be shared, while other expenses naturally rise: a larger home, such as a two-bedroom apartment or small villa, health insurance for two people, and a higher leisure and food budget. Initial expenses will also include a security deposit and first month’s rent corresponding to a larger property.
What budget should a family with children plan for?
For a family with children, the structure of expenses changes significantly compared with the previous profiles. In addition to requiring a larger property, such as a villa or family home, the budget is heavily impacted by specific and unavoidable expenses: school fees (tuition, meals and supplies), residence permits for dependants, more comprehensive family health insurance, as well as a larger vehicle or the purchase of a second means of transport.
What expenses should you pay before departure and upon arrival?
The first few weeks in Mauritius require a dedicated amount of available cash, which can be divided chronologically between preparations made in your country of origin and the essential expenses incurred once you have settled in.
Expenses incurred before departure
Between transporting your family, shipping personal belongings and organising the logistics of your move, costs can quickly add up before you even set foot on the island. These expenses include:
- Air tickets for each member of the household.
- Additional baggage.
- Pet transportation, where applicable.
- Air freight or shared sea freight.
- Shipping containers.
- Transport insurance and temporary storage.
- Customs clearance costs and transfers between the airport and your accommodation.
Shipping a container to Mauritius is not always cost-effective. The cost of transportation should be compared with the cost of replacing furniture and equipment locally.
Accommodation and security deposit upon arrival
Once you arrive in Mauritius, finding permanent accommodation and securing a residential lease will represent one of the largest initial cash requirements. This stage can involve several expenses at the same time:
- Temporary accommodation while searching for a permanent home.
- First month’s rent and security deposit.
- Possible agency fees and home insurance.
- Connection or transfer fees for utilities and services.
- Purchase of linen, kitchenware and basic household equipment for a partially furnished property.
As a general guideline, rents typically range from MUR 30,000 to MUR 50,000 for a modern apartment in a secure residential complex, for example in Grand Baie. Villas can start at around MUR 40,000 and exceed MUR 100,000 depending on the standard of the property.
Administrative procedures and insurance in Mauritius
During your first days on the island, ensuring that your situation is compliant and obtaining the right to reside in Mauritius on a long-term basis involves administrative procedures whose costs vary according to the nature of your relocation. Your budget may need to include:
- Certified translations, legalisation or apostille of documents.
- Birth certificates and police clearance certificates.
- Medical examinations, photographs and certified copies.
- Permit processing fees and permits for dependants.
- Mandatory health insurance.
- Professional assistance with administrative procedures, where required.
Visa and permit applications involve different costs depending on the relevant status (retired non-citizen, professional, employee or investor). For example, the Premium Visa is currently free of charge, while other permits have different fee structures and strict eligibility requirements relating to investment, turnover or salary levels, which change regularly. To avoid mistakes and ensure that your application is properly prepared, it is strongly recommended to seek assistance from local experts from the early stages of your relocation project to Mauritius.
Transport and mobility
There are several transport options available in Mauritius. While looking for a vehicle suited to your needs, it is often advisable to rent a car on a short- or medium-term basis. This transition also allows newcomers to gradually become accustomed to driving on the left-hand side of the road.
After a few weeks, some people choose to purchase a used or new vehicle, bearing in mind that cars can be relatively expensive in Mauritius due to import taxes, while others occasionally use buses or taxis.
Depending on your choice, your overall budget should therefore include car rental or purchase costs, security deposits, motor insurance, fuel, maintenance, driving licence conversion, registration and parking. Although a car remains essential in many situations, avoiding a rushed purchase can help preserve your available capital during the first few months.
Groceries, utilities, Internet and mobile phone
Food, water, electricity, air conditioning, gas, Internet connection, mobile phone plans, cleaning products and basic household equipment all form part of your regular living expenses.
Your consumption habits can have a significant impact on your overall budget from the first few weeks. Shopping at local markets and choosing locally produced goods can help keep expenses under control, while buying exclusively imported products or frequently dining in tourist-oriented restaurants can considerably increase your monthly spending.
Healthcare, schooling and family expenses
Healthcare and children’s education represent essential expenses that need to be considered from the first few weeks.
Healthcare: As healthcare is not free for expatriates, your budget must include the required health insurance, particularly for the Premium Visa, as well as consultations, medication, insurance excesses and possible repatriation costs.
Family expenses: Costs mainly relate to schooling, including registration fees, monthly or term fees, school meals, transport, uniforms and supplies. Extracurricular activities and childcare costs should also be taken into account.
How can you calculate your budget without underestimating unexpected expenses?
Calculating your budget before arriving in Mauritius is one of the best ways to properly prepare for your relocation.
Use a personalised calculation formula
To obtain a realistic estimate of your future expenses and adapt the calculation to your personal circumstances, it is advisable to use the following formula:
Budget for the first 90 days = departure costs + initial accommodation costs + administrative costs + (monthly expenses × 3) + emergency reserve
Keep an emergency reserve available
It is advisable to keep a separate financial reserve in addition to your relocation budget to cover unexpected expenses such as an extended stay in temporary accommodation, a higher security deposit, vehicle repairs, administrative delays, medical expenses, an unexpected flight, exchange-rate fluctuations, replacement equipment or a delay in receiving income.
Ideally, you should keep at least the equivalent of one month of household expenses available as a reserve and increase this amount if your income is not yet stable.
Final checklist of expenses to review before confirming your move
- Residence status identified.
- Administrative fees verified.
- Health insurance selected.
- Temporary accommodation booked.
- Security deposit amount confirmed.
- Transport solution arranged.
- School fees confirmed directly with the relevant school.
- Moving or shipping quotation obtained.
- Exchange rate checked.
- Emergency reserve available.
- Income for the first three months secured.
FAQ
How much money should you have saved before moving to Mauritius?
You should calculate your departure costs, initial expenses, three months of regular living expenses and an emergency reserve. There is no single amount that applies to every profile.
Do you need to pay several months’ rent upon arrival?
The first month’s rent, a security deposit and, in some cases, agency fees are generally required. The exact amount should be confirmed before signing the lease.
Is a car essential during the first few weeks?
This depends on where you live, where you work, your children’s school location and your proximity to essential services. Renting a vehicle temporarily can help you avoid rushing into a purchase.
Is the Premium Visa subject to a fee?
The Premium Visa is currently free of charge.
Is the budget higher for families with children?
Yes, mainly due to accommodation, healthcare, transport and schooling costs.
