The complete step-by-step process for buying property in Mauritius as a foreigner: reservation, EDB approval, notarial deed, and residence permit.
Buying property in Mauritius as a non-citizen follows a structured path. Each step is regulated, and skipping one can delay the entire purchase by weeks. This is what the process looks like from first contact to keys in hand.
Step 1: Identify The Right Property And Scheme
Before anything else, you need to know which scheme applies to the property you are interested in. PDS, SCS, and G+2 each have different eligibility rules for foreign buyers. The development team should be able to tell you immediately under which scheme a project is registered. A short conversation at this stage saves a lot of time later.
Step 2: Reservation Contract And Initial Deposit
Once you have chosen a unit, you sign a reservation contract with the promoter and pay a deposit of 10% of the purchase price into a notarial escrow account. The funds are held by the notary, not by the developer, and cannot be released until the legal conditions of the sale are met.
This step is reversible. If the project does not proceed or if the EDB application is refused, the deposit is returned to you.
Step 3: EDB File Submission
The Economic Development Board (EDB) is the body that approves the purchase by a non-citizen. The promoter, working with The Hub, submits a complete file containing your passport, proof of address, proof of source of funds, police certificate, medical certificate, and the reservation contract.
Processing typically takes between four and eight weeks. A well-prepared file moves quickly. A file with missing documents stalls.
Step 4: Notarial Deed Of Sale
Once the EDB has approved the application and construction has reached the required stage for off-plan purchases, the notarial deed of sale is signed. This is the moment ownership passes legally. The remaining 90% of the purchase price is paid at this point under a VEFA contract structure.
The deed is written in French. Buyers should review the English translation but understand that the French version is the legally binding document.
Step 5: Registration And Residence Permit
The notary registers the deed with the Mauritian Land Registry, and the purchase is recorded officially. If the property purchase qualifies for residency (PDS or SCS above USD 375,000), the residence permit is issued shortly after registration. The permit covers the buyer, the spouse, and dependent children.
Step 6: Handover And Aftercare
For off-plan purchases, handover happens at the end of construction. The Hub coordinates a snagging inspection, fixes any defects with the contractor, and hands over the keys. After-sales support continues into the warranty period.
How Long The Full Process Takes
For a delivered property, you can complete the purchase in two to three months. For an off-plan property, the residence permit can be issued in three to six months, with the keys following whenever construction is complete.
If you would like to start a purchase or check whether a property qualifies for foreign acquisition, contact our team.