Promote:
Invest in Mauritius
A short guide for companies expanding into Mauritius: the economy at a glance, the rules and steps to set up, and who can help, each with its source.
1. Mauritius at a glance
Population
1.24 million
Population was 1,243,741 people in 2025.
Source: World Bank, Mauritius population, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP
US$16.2 billion
GDP was US$16,157,804,492 in 2025, in current dollars.
Source: World Bank, Mauritius GDP, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP per person
US$12,991
GDP per person was US$12,991.29 in 2025, in current dollars.
Source: World Bank, Mauritius GDP per person, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Real GDP growth
3.2%
Real GDP growth was 3.2 percent in 2025.
Source: World Bank, Mauritius real GDP growth, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Inflation
5.7%
Consumer prices rose 5.7 percent in the year to September 2026, the year-on-year rate published by Statistics Mauritius.
Source: Statistics Mauritius, consumer prices, September 2026 monthly release (opens in a new tab) · as of September 2026
Foreign direct investment inflows
US$804.4 million
Foreign direct investment inflows were US$804.429 million in 2025, by UNCTADstat.
Source: UNCTADstat, foreign direct investment flows (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
The currency is the Mauritian rupee (MUR).
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Mauritius, October 2021 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 5, 2021
2. Before you set up
The investment agency, any one-stop route, the sectors reserved for nationals and the zones, as the guide found them.
The Economic Development Board (EDB) is the apex investment promotion agency of Mauritius.
Source: EDB, getting started in Mauritius (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
The EDB Act creates a Business Facilitation One-Stop Shop at the EDB for enterprises with a project value above 20 million rupees.
Source: EDB, Economic Development Board Act, consolidated August 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Mauritius reserves taxi licenses for nationals and caps foreign holdings in some sectors, such as 20 percent in newspaper publishing, as of the 2021 WTO review.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Mauritius, October 2021 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 5, 2021
The Freeport Act 2004 lists 20 freeport zones in its First Schedule, in the text of September 1, 2026 published by the Mauritius Revenue Authority.
Source: Mauritius, Freeport Act 2004, MRA text of September 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of September 1, 2026
3. Steps to set up
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Setting up in Mauritius
- Register the company online through the Mauritius Network Services portal and obtain the business registration number.Corporate and Business Registration DepartmentNo incorporation fee; 300 rupees for a signed certificateOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: CBRD, incorporation of a company (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Register for tax with MRA and for VAT if taxable supplies exceed 6 million rupees a year.Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA)Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: MRA, tax basics for new companies, April 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Register with the EDB if you need an occupation permit or residence permit as an investor.Economic Development Board (EDB)US$100,000 initial investment for the investor occupation permitOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: EDB, Economic Development Board Act, consolidated August 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- For a project above 20 million rupees, file permit and license applications through the EDB’s one-stop shop.Economic Development Board (EDB)Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: EDB, Economic Development Board Act, consolidated August 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 3 more set-up steps
- Apply to the EDB to lease business space for over 20 years or to acquire property.Economic Development Board (EDB)Registration duty 5 percent for the buyer; land transfer tax 5 percent for the sellerOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: EDB, getting started in Mauritius (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Open a corporate bank account with a licensed bank, using the certificate of incorporation and registration card.Licensed commercial banksOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: EDB, getting started in Mauritius (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Apply to the EDB for a freeport certificate if you intend to carry out freeport activities.Economic Development Board (EDB)Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: EDB, Freeport and logistics sector page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
4. Organizations that help investors
Start with EDB and MRA. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
Investment and business setup
- Get advice
Trade and investment promotion agency
EDB
Economic Development Board
Registers investors, runs a one-stop shop for larger projects, issues Freeport certificates and runs incentive schemes.
Visit EDB (opens in a new tab)Source: EDB, Economic Development Board Act, consolidated August 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Meet requirements
Company and business registry
CBRD
Corporate and Business Registration Department
Incorporates companies and registers businesses, issues business registration numbers and takes the yearly fees, with online filing through Mauritius Network Services.
Visit CBRD (opens in a new tab)Source: CBRD, incorporation of a company (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Tax and customs authority
MRA
Mauritius Revenue Authority
Receives export declarations and customs registrations, and publishes origin rules and drawback guidance for exporters.
Visit MRA (opens in a new tab)Source: MRA Customs, export page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Business federation
Business Mauritius
Brings together over 1,200 enterprises to represent business in dialogue with government, with toolkits and guidance for members.
Visit Business Mauritius (opens in a new tab)Source: Business Mauritius, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Get advice
Exporters’ association
MEXA
Mauritius Export Association
Represents export companies in sectors such as textiles, bio-medical products, rum, seafood, agro-based industries and jewelry.
Visit MEXA (opens in a new tab)Source: MEXA, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Get advice
Chamber of commerce
MCCI
Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Represents business members before the authorities and promotes trade in goods and services.
Visit MCCI (opens in a new tab)Source: MCCI, functions of the chamber (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
5. Worth knowing
Reserved sectors
Taxi licenses go only to nationals, newspaper publishing caps foreign holdings at 20 percent, and consent is needed to hold 15 percent or more of a sugar company.
What to do: Check the sector law and ask the EDB before you commit capital.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Mauritius, October 2021 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Public debt and arrears
Public sector debt was 87.8 percent of GDP at the end of June 2026, and the budget projects 85.5 percent by the end of June 2027.
What to do: Check current fiscal measures before you commit a project that depends on public spending.
Source: Mauritius, Budget Speech 2026-2027, June 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Licensing and permits
The Budget Speech 2026-2027 announces an EDB review of licensing procedures and a Business Facilitation Bill that would introduce silent agreement.
What to do: Ask the EDB’s one-stop shop which permits your project needs before you file.
Sources: Mauritius, Budget Speech 2026-2027, June 2026 (opens in a new tab); EDB, Economic Development Board Act, consolidated August 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Climate and water
The Budget Speech 2026-2027 names cyclones, droughts and floods as growing risks and sets aside 4 billion rupees for coastal erosion adaptation.
What to do: Check coastal and water risks at your site before you sign a lease.
Source: Mauritius, Budget Speech 2026-2027, June 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 1 more
Minimum tax rules
Regulations for a qualified domestic minimum top-up tax were published in the Government Gazette of August 8, 2026.
What to do: Ask the revenue authority whether the rules apply to your group.
Sources: Mauritius, minimum top-up tax regulations, August 2026 (opens in a new tab); Mauritius, Finance Act 2026, assented August 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
6. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare Mauritius with other countriesSet Mauritius beside other countries on investment momentum, fundamentals and trade access, before site, tax and legal work.
- Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
Turn this guide into your Mauritius project.
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Promote:Mauritius is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of October 31, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.