South Africans are increasingly eyeing Mauritius as a retirement destination, says Séverine Dalais-Pietersen, Marketing Executive for Seeff Mauritius.
The island makes a lot of sense as a great coastal alternative for South Africans. Aside from offering a fantastic lifestyle and warm weather for most of the year, Mauritius has tailored a visa solution to attract retirees.
There is a lot of affinity between Mauritius and South Africa with no cultural or language barriers. The proximity means you are not too far away from family and friends in South Africa as it is only a flight of about four to six hours.
Mauritius is politically stable and growing economically. She says it boasts high-tech infrastructure with a developed banking and financial system and there is now 4G island-wide connectivity. The favourable business and tax regime includes the added benefit for retirees of no wealth or inheritance tax.
It also offers state of the art healthcare. This includes doctors, pharmacies and hospitals including specialised care for mental health, cardiology, orthopaedics, ENT, eye care and more. There is also excellent health insurance available.
The Mauritian government has made it easier for retirees, being people over fifty years of age who can apply for a ten-year residency permit (extended from three years previously). This includes the option to add a spouse or partner and children under 24-years. The permit can be extended after the 10-year period based on certain criteria.
The requirement for a retiree residency visa is that the individual must have a recurring income that is brought into the country of USD1,500 per month which could be paid monthly, quarterly or annually.
Alternatively, says Mrs Dalais-Pietersen, one of the best ways to secure a residency permit, including for over fifties looking to retire, is to invest in property. Options include apartments aimed at older buyers where they can either acquire a unit or life rights in an approved development. There is no minimum price requirement and again includes the option of residency for a spouse or partner and dependent children.
Retirees are, however, not restricted to retirement-styled developments and can purchase or invest in any of the developments which are available to foreign buyers. The government has lowered the minimum property investment to just USD375,000 which is around ZAR 5.7 million.
This, she says, effectively equates to a luxury or a golf estate home in South Africa, but you get so much more. Living here is like being on a year-round holiday, it is safe, and you have access to a cosmopolitan lifestyle and world-class amenities.
It is also much easier to purchase property in Mauritius compared to most other African countries. The properties available to South Africans are mostly beautiful new developments which offer modern housing and a wide choice of accommodation options.
These developments are usually in prime locations such as a golf or beach estate. The accommodation ranges from apartments to penthouses, townhouses and luxury villas. Most offer added amenities, from beaches and swimming pools to recreational golf, tennis, fitness and a spa along with clubs, restaurants and more.
These developments are usually popular with tourists and for second homes and offer rental opportunities. She highlights three new developments available to South Africans.
The first is an apartment estate in Pointe Aux Canonnier in the north of the island, opposite the Club Med Resort and within walking distance of the beach, restaurants, shopping arcades and entertainment zones. If offers modern apartments with one to three bedrooms, all semi-furnished. Features include landscaped gardens, café, clubhouse, swimming pools and tennis courts.
The second offers apartments and penthouses designed for villa-like living with a superb seafront location. It is located in the west. Optional extras include a hammam, Jacuzzi and outdoor kitchens for the penthouses. The units are beautifully designed with light wood and natural materials. Communal features include stunning gardens, an infinity pool and clubhouse, kids’ playground as well as a gym, yoga and fitness pavilion.
The third is an ocean golf village with three-bedroomed townhouses in Haute Rive, just 30-minutes from Grand Baie and Port Louis. It offers a village-styled community with landscaped gardens. The houses have rear gardens and optional extras. There is a golf membership discount and communal facilities such as beach access, a swimming pool, fitness centre and spa, tennis club, restaurants and access to a Montessori School.
Contact Seeff Mauritius by email at mauritius@seeff.com or https://mauritius.seeff.com/.
Photograph/s enclosed
DEV1 (La Pointe) – Apartment estate in the north opposite Club Med selling from approx. ZAR 4.2M (USD 275K)
DEV2 (Infinity) – Luxury apartments and penthouses in a villa-like style with a superb seafront location selling from approx. ZAR 8.4M (USD 550K)
DEV3 (Halona) - Ocean and golf townhouse development selling from approx. ZAR 5M (USD 325K)