Reside Type: Culture

Mauritian Cuisine, A Symphony of Flavours

Culture Corner

Discover the Mauritian Cuisine, A Symphony of Flavours

The Mauritian cuisine reflects our mix of Indian, Chinese, African, and European heritage, resulting in a culinary mosaic bursting with diverse flavours.

From the aromas of our diverse street food options, our islander recipes, traditional cuisine as well as fine dining, every bite tells a story of cultural fusion and gastronomic delight.

Mauritian Cuisine

Captivating Tastes Inspired by Our Cultural Heritage

The authentic Mauritian cuisine is a vibrant melting pot of the rich traditions and spices that echo the diversity of our population. Drawing from the aromatic depths of Indian masalas, the aroma of Sichuanese spices, the islander seafood, and the locally grown vegetables – our cuisine embodies a harmonious blend of diverse culinary legacies.

Our Mauritian cuisine can easily be experienced by tasting the street food delicacies and local restaurants around the island. Street food in Mauritius isn’t merely a quick bite; it’s a soulful expression of home-cooked happiness. Indeed, every vendor infuses their dish with a taste of home, ensuring each bite is a journey through familiar flavours.

 Let’s have a look at some must-taste:

A Guide to Rental Properties in Mauritius

Our Local Food Selection

1. Boulettes

Mauritian Cuisine

A nod to Chinese cuisine, these small steamed dumplings are filled with a medley of delights, from shrimp to lamb, and are served in a fragrant hot broth. They are a popular street food that you can find all over the island. 

2. Dholl Puri

Mauritian Cuisine

Dholl puri is a flatbread made from yellow split peas that are ground into flour. It’s often served with curry, whether a veggie curry or a meat curry. Obviously, the pickles are a must!

3. Biryani

Mauritian Cuisine

Of Indian inspiration, this is a mixed rice dish prepared with spices and meat. More than just a dish, the scent of its spices are seducing, making this dish a favourite for special occasions within many Mauritian families.

4. Rougaille

Mauritian cuisine

This is a tomato-based dish with incredibly rich flavours from a mix of onions, garlic, ginger, thyme, chilli, coriander and curry leaves. Once the base sauce is done, you can add your choice of meat, fish, seafood, and others.

Why Should a Foreigner Choose Mauritius?

Savour the Freshest Seafood

Mauritian cuisine

You can naturally find an extensive selection of seafood in the Mauritian cuisine menu, including fresh fish, octopus, calamari, lobster, sea urchins, oysters, and more. These can be prepared in various ways, whether grilled to perfection or simmered in spicy sauces. Pair them with fragrant rice and lentil soup for a truly satisfying dining experience that celebrates islander living.

International Gourmet Cuisine

Mauritian cuisine

Mauritius being home to expats from around the world, you can find authentic French restaurants, Italian restaurants, western fast-food, Thai restaurants, Chinese restaurants, Japanese restaurants, Indian restaurants… ensuring every palate finds its perfect match.

Also, Mauritius being home to many luxury hotels, you will have world-class chefs that will craft gastronomic masterpieces against the backdrop of breathtaking scenery, promising an unforgettable dining experience.

Who Can Buy Property in Mauritius?

Live in Mauritius

You can choose to own a property in Mauritius and live the dream everyday! 

If you’re looking for a property in the North, West, East or South Coast of Mauritius, contact us – info@sir.mu 

National Budget Highlights 2023-2024: The Mauritian Destination More Expat-Friendly

Expat in Mauritius

National Budget Highlights 2023-2024

The Mauritian Destination More Expat-Friendly

The national budget for 2023-2024 is yet another testimony to the country’s strong commitment to welcoming foreigners to our home island.

 In 2022, Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in the real estate sector witnessed impressive growth, with over 600 sales under regulated schemes amounting to MUR 15.4 billion.

Whether you’re a digital nomad, a retiree, a professional, or a family looking for a new relocation destination, these budget measures have something for everyone.

Foreign Acquisition More Accessible

While the minimum investment in property acquisition to obtain a residence permit is USD 375 000, a few innovations add up to the offer:

  • A non-citizen, holder of a residence permit or occupational permit as the main applicant, will be allowed to acquire only one residential property outside of schemes (Smart City and PDS) for a price exceeding USD 500 000 and subject to payment of an additional registration duty of 10% provided that the property does not exceed 1.25 arpents and is not located on State land.

 

  • Enter the Sustainable City Scheme. A non-citizen and his family will be granted a residence permit on the acquisition of residential property at a minimum price of USD 375 000 under this new scheme.

 

  • The time limit for the acquisition of one plot of serviced land by resident non-citizens in a smart city or a PDS project is extended up the 30th of June 2026.

 

  • Processing fees for Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS), Real Estate Scheme (RES), Invest Hotel Scheme (IHS), and Smart City Scheme (SCS) will be standardised.

 

  •  A new processing fee of MUR 25 000 per application will be introduced for non-citizens acquiring “Ground +2 apartments” and for residence permit applications under the residential schemes. 

Discover: Land of Wonders

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Retire in Mauritius

  • The residence permit will be accessible to retired non-citizens aged above 50 years and their families on the acquisition of a senior living PDS property exceeding USD 200 000. 

 

  • Foreign retirees above 60 years old will have access to medical insurance locally.

 

  • Retired non-citizens applying for the Residence Permit will not be required to open a local bank account in the initial stage. Instead, a certified bank statement from the applicant’s country of origin or residence showing proof of funds would be accepted together with a written undertaking to open a local bank account in two months’ time. 

 

  • Medical patients and retirees as well as up to two accompanying caretakers will be eligible for a premium visa.

Discover: Le Marais' Gât - Apartment

Price: Rs 21 750 000
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New Measures for Local Buyers

  • The Home Ownership Scheme, where the government refunds 5% of the property value, up to a maximum of MUR 500 000 will be extended to the 30th of June 2024. For properties under vente en l’état futur d’achèvement (VEFA), the refund will depend on the amount paid by the acquirer under the VEFA agreement. The property must be reserved on or before the 30th of June 2024 and registered no later than the 30th of June 2025.

 

  • Home Loan Payment Scheme for a person contracting a secured housing loan will be extended to the 30th of June 2024. Individuals who contracted a secured housing loan can benefit from a refund of 5% of the disbursed loan amount, up to MUR 500 000 until the 30th of June 2025.  

Discover: À l'ombre du tamarinier

Price: MUR Rs 28 500 000
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Occupation and Work Permits

  • The monthly basic salary threshold for Professional Occupation Permit will be reduced to MUR 30 000, irrespective of sector.

 

  • Applicants for Occupation Permit will be granted a business visa of 120 days without the need for them to leave Mauritius to submit an application.

 

  • Introduction of a “silence is consent” principle of 4 weeks for Work Permit applications. 

 

  • Non-citizens on a tourist or business visa will be allowed to apply for a Work Permit.

It’s Time to Live in Mauritius

Whether you’re looking to buy or rent a property on the island for your retirement, expatriation or investment, we’re the right agents to help make your project a reality. Contact us, info@sir.mu

Mauritius: A Destination for Quality Healthcare Services

retire in Mauritius

Retire in Mauritius

A Destination for Quality Healthcare Services

A warm climate, a quality lifestyle, and access to high-standard private healthcare… Indeed, Mauritius has it all if you’re planning to retire on an island.

The healthcare system of Mauritius, representing 7.2% of the national GDP, has experienced constant growth over the years, with innovation in technology, internationally-trained staff, and much more. 

Indeed, the island’s strategy is geared towards attracting multi-specialty clinics with a wide range of specialised treatments, surgical procedures, and diagnostic services available.

Whether you need a specialist in endocrinology, cardiology, geriatrics and rehabilitation, oncology, nephrology, or general medicine; you name it, the trained medical staff will be able to provide you with the best care.

So, if you want to retire in Mauritius, you will surely benefit from the high quality healthcare. 

Discover: Grace Bay

Price: USD 550 000
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A Decentralised Healthcare System

Whether you choose to live in the north, east, west, south, or centre of Mauritius, you will have a healthcare institution close to you. Moreover, private healthcare facilities in Mauritius offer a comfortable environment with private rooms, modern amenities, and personalised attention.

Another interesting factor: if you have a preference for alternative medicine, the island is home to numerous wellness centres that provide services including hydrotherapy, traditional medicine, and ayurvedic medicines, also valid options for quality healthcare.

Read Also: Can a Foreigner Get the Mauritian Residence Permit?

Live in Mauritius

If you’re planning to move to Mauritius and want to know more about the healthcare system in Mauritius, we can help you. Whether you’re looking to buy or rent a property on the island for your retirement, we’re the right agents to help make your project a reality. Contact us, info@sir.mu

Africa Wealth Report 2023: Mauritius, A Millionaire Magnet

Buy property in Mauritius

Buy Property in Mauritius

Africa Wealth Report 2023: Mauritius, A Millionaire Magnet

A luxury destination, Mauritius has a thriving real estate sector that attracts a significant amount of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) every year. In fact, real estate represented 55% of all FDI inflows from January to September 2022, according to the latest figures of the Bank of Mauritius. 

Indeed, a popular destination for foreigners who want to live, work, retire and buy property in a safe place while enjoying the perks of an islander lifestyle, Mauritius is an obvious choice.

Discover: The Shoreline

Price: MUR 29 500 500
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Residency in Mauritius

The latest Africa Wealth Report by Henley & Partners confirms Mauritius’s position as a top destination for wealthy individuals, with the number of high-net-worth individuals (HNWI) increasing from under 3,000 a decade ago to approximately 4,900 today. “In addition, many locally born millionaires have been created as the economy has grown”, reads the report. 

Furthermore, it is to be noted that a minimum investment of USD 375 000 in property allows an investor to obtain residency on the island.

Read Also: Can a Foreigner Get the Mauritian Residence Permit?

Why Invest and Live in Mauritius?

According to the report, Mauritius has many pull factors:

  • Fast-growing financial services sector and stock market (SEMDEX) — highly respected thanks to the country’s strong democracy and political stability
  • Ease of doing business — Mauritius ranked 1st in Africa and 13th worldwide in the World Bank’s 2020 Doing Business Report (no newer editions available)
  • Low taxes, which encourage business formation and appeal to retirees — there is no estate duty or capital gains tax in Mauritius 
  • Safety and security — according to New World Wealth’s in-house safety index for 2022, Mauritius ranks as the safest country in Africa 
  • Prime real estate in exclusive residential areas 
  • Glorious beaches, nature, scenery and weather

Discover: Hibiscus Villa, Ekô Savannah

Price: EUR 920 000
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Live in Mauritius - The Promise of A Lifestyle Like No Other

The voice of luxury in the Mauritian property landscape, the Mauritius Sotheby’s International Realty team stands ready to provide you with the best services and advice on your property journey. 

Prepare to live the exceptional and contact us if you’re looking to buy or rent an extraordinary property on the island, info@sir.mu

The Mauritian Luxury Property Market Shows Steady Growth for 2023

Acquire property in Mauritius

Luxury Outlook 2023

The Mauritian Luxury Property Market Shows Steady Growth for 2023

Global economic dynamics, in one way or another, influence the buying and selling of high-end properties and this holds true for Mauritius.

With the continuous volatility of the financial markets, buying high-end properties serves as both a stable investment and a means of diversifying financial portfolios.

Countries that rely on local investors to drive their property market are more affected by interest rate hikes and rising inflation when making their property buying decision.

How is the Mauritian Luxury Market Moving into 2023 Amid These Challenges ?

“Here in Mauritius, we are fortunate in the sense that the majority of luxury property buyers are foreigners and only a very small percentage of them seek bank financing when purchasing a property on the island. As a result, the hike in interest rates does not greatly affect the market as a whole. Moreover, when global markets are volatile, the safe option for investors will be property acquisition and we can see this trend of portfolio diversification into our Mauritian property market,” says Timo Geldenhuys, Partner, Mauritius Sotheby’s International Realty. 

As travel and business continue to open back up, international property owners are eager not just for spacious, ultra-luxe resorts and developments but also for footholds in prominent international hubs, including fiscally advantageous destinations like Mauritius.

“The prevailing market trend is also an interesting factor. Our traditional prime feeder markets are France, representing more than 40% of our international buyers, and South Africa, representing more than 20%. Furthermore, we can see that there is also a large increase in inquiries from Nordic and Germanic countries. The UK market is also showing a greater interest in our destination and our property offers. 

To summarise I would say that in 2023 the Mauritian luxury property market will continue to follow a positive trend, especially if the government remains proactive in welcoming FDI to the island. All is set for Mauritius Sotheby’s International Realty to have another very successful year, ” adds Timo.

Invest in Property in Mauritius : All About Taxes

If you want to know more about the buying process and property investment opportunities on the island, please contact us @ info@sir.mu.

Mauritius Sotheby’s International Realty and I61 Foundation, together to fight poverty

CSR Initiative

Mauritius Sotheby’s International Realty and I61 Foundation, together to fight poverty

In an endeavor to uplift those oppressed by poverty, social injustice, and lack of education, Mauritius Sotheby’s International Realty joins forces with the charitable foundation, I61 Foundation.

The objective of the foundation is to identify Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) projects and match them with funders who have the same passion and focus. All NPOs and funders are screened by I61 Foundation and registered with them as future stakeholders. Thereafter, the I61 Foundation monitors and facilitates the funding for the duration of these projects with one result in mind: transparent partnerships with effective and sustainable outcomes.

Through our CSR Initiative, Mauritius Sotheby’s International Realty provides administrative support as well as office space to the I61 Foundation team.

Want to know more and be part of these social actions ? Connect to the I61 Foundation: https://bit.ly/3sPZTe5

Mauritius Lifts All Covid-19 Restrictions, Including Wearing a Mask

Mauritius Lifts All Covid-19 Restrictions, Including Wearing a Mask

As of the 1st of July, all Covid-19 restrictions will be lifted on the island including the compulsory wearing of masks in public areas, except for health institutions, public transport, the port, and the airport.
Good news, public and private gatherings, nightclubs, concerts, horse races, or beach picnics will be allowed. As of now, 976 512 Mauritians are fully vaccinated and 636 988 persons have had a booster dose.

How to Acquire Property in Mauritius ?

Also, to improve our air connectivity, Emirates Airlines will operate two daily flights to Mauritius aboard its famous A380 from the 1st of July 2022.
Also, apart from Emirates, other airlines including British Airways, Air Mauritius, Air France, Austrian Airlines, and Turkish Airlines, also connect to the Sir Seewoosagur International Airport, with dozens of weekly flights.

Come and Live in Mauritius

Moving to Mauritius could not be easier… Contact us, the Mauritius Sotheby’s International Realty team will be glad to assist. 

Culture Corner | Arrival of the Indentured Laborers: A Mauritian Story

Culture Corner | Arrival of the Indentured Laborers: A Mauritian Story

An important part of the Mauritian history and culture, the arrival of the indentured laborers on the island, shaped today’s traditions, culture and lifestyle of the locals.

Flashback… It all officially starts in November 1834. Usually associated with the arrival of the Indian laborers in the country, in fact, the laborers came from many more countries including China, Madagascar, mainland Africa, and other Asian countries.

At the dawn of It’s economic construction, Mauritius welcomed these foreign workers to develop the cane industry, a pillar of the economy at that time.

However, their presence as workers on the island, turned out to be a major milestone in the building of the Mauritian society.

If after some years some workers went back to their countries, others stayed on the island and brought their families, which later turned Mauritius into a melting pot of cultures, religions, and communities, all living in peace and respect of each other’s lifestyle.

Now, the 2nd of November is a public holiday to commemorate this part of the island’s history.

Who Were the First Laborers to Reach Port-Louis?

They were 36 indentured laborers from Calcutta in India to first set foot on the island, paving the way for thousands more to come later on.

System introduced after the abolition of slavery, the immigrants came to Mauritius for 5 years and for a monthly salary of Rs 5, I.e, slightly more than 1 South African Rand now, while food and clothing were also given to the workers.

What About the African Laborers?

For the background, the British Parliament passed the Slavery Abolition Act in 1833, to be effective in 1834. In Mauritius, slavery ended on the 1st of February 1835.

So, laborers of African origins started working in 1835, but the conditions of employment are still quite unclear as if they were paid, provided housing, clothing, and food, most of them were unfamiliar with the English language while signing their contracts. However, the same could be said about some Indian workers.

The Economic Rise of Mauritius

The manpower, base of the economic rise of Mauritius at that time, all arrived at the immigration depot in Port-Louis.

They had to spend about two days at the “Coolie Ghat”, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, now known as the “Aapravasi Ghat”, and described as the “earliest explicit manifestations of what was to become a global economic system and one of the greatest migrations in history”, by the UNESCO.

Chris Lazare, Partner, Mauritius Sotheby’s International Realty:”We Have Increasing Requests From Professionals Who Want to Live and Work in Mauritius” 

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CHRIS LAZARE

Partner | Mauritius Sotheby’s International Realty: 
“We have increasing requests from professionals who want to live and work in Mauritius”

Despite the sanitary crisis, the real estate luxury segment is promising with sales of over Rs 5 billion for the first five months of 2021. What explains this?

Firstly, the ongoing situation with the global pandemic explains part of this. Priorities have changed, investors are now looking for more than an investment destination, they want the quality of life and enjoy the safety aspect. Here, on the island, they can find this.

Mauritius is relatively Covid-safe and the vaccination campaign is progressing fast with the full reopening of the borders in October. It is noteworthy that more than 600,000 Mauritians have already received their second dose of vaccine and this brings us closer to the goal of herd immunity, so Mauritius can definitely offer peace of mind when it comes to this.

Secondly, of course, it is clear that the country’s main assets remain our democracy, political stability, tax benefits, and our favorable business environment.

Mauritius is much more than a paradise tropical island, and the Economic Development Board (EDB) has launched several campaigns to attract investors to our destination.

What are our main markets?

I would say that the market is divided. There is the entry-level, i.e, those who opt for the minimum investment of USD 375,000 to obtain the residency, and there are those who are looking into the high end in luxury properties.

In general, the former is mainly for the African region, especially South Africans, and the latter for Europeans and the Middle East.

With our experience and expertise, at MSIR, we work with both categories as long as the developers have quality products and a good reputation in the real estate sector, we are then confident to market and sell these products, whatever the price category.

What about the rental market?

The recent budgetary measures, including the extension of the Occupation Permit period to ten years and other EDB incentives, certainly had a positive impact. We are also receiving more and more requests from professionals who want to live and work in the country. At the moment the greatest demand is from the South African market, especially given the instability in South Africa. This clientele does not necessarily want to buy a property, but they are more inclined to rent.

What can you say about the rental price trend in the local market?

Well, you can find anything, but the general trend is between Rs 40,000 and Rs 250,000 per month.

However, there is also that niche clientele that seeks to rent beach properties and luxury villas costing in excess of USD 10 000 per month, for a year. In this case, it is mostly businessmen who come here for a gap year that are concerned.

The outlook for the global economy is not encouraging for 2022, what about the impact on luxury real estate?

To be honest, I’m not worried. Given the global trend, it’s clear that those who are already wealthy will remain so, and instead, they are taking the opportunity to invest in real estate, especially in destinations like ours, and they will continue to buy.

What are Mauritius Sotheby's International Realty's ambitions?

Our ambition is to be the most influential real estate agency on the island and to have the lion’s share of the property market; be it for sales or rentals and new markets.

I must say that we are working hard to achieve this goal, and we are recruiting  the very best agents, thereby strengthening our team, to offer the best possible service to our clients.

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