How to Create a Company in Mauritius in 2025: Complete Guide

Why Create a Company in Mauritius in 2025?

You run an international business, your tax bill keeps climbing, and you are starting to wonder whether there is a jurisdiction that combines low corporate tax, political stability, and a real quality of life. Mauritius is probably on your shortlist – and for good reason.

Company formation in Mauritius has become one of the most popular routes for entrepreneurs looking to incorporate in a jurisdiction that is both tax-efficient and fully compliant with international standards. Mauritius consistently ranks in the top 20 countries worldwide for ease of doing business, according to World Bank rankings. Over the past few decades, the country has built a comprehensive ecosystem for international entrepreneurs.

This guide walks you through every step of the process: choosing the right structure, preparing your documents, opening a bank account, understanding real costs, and avoiding the mistakes that derail projects. Whether you are considering a company formation in Mauritius for the first time or comparing it to other jurisdictions, this article gives you the full picture.

Here are the key figures that explain the appeal of incorporating in Mauritius.

A competitive tax rate. Corporate income tax is set at 15%, a flat rate with no progressivity. For Global Business Companies (GBCs) that generate their revenue internationally, the effective rate drops to 3% thanks to the Deemed Foreign Tax Credit mechanism. By comparison, corporate tax in France is 25%, in Belgium 25%, and in Germany approximately 30% (combining the various taxes).

An extensive tax treaty network. Mauritius has signed over 45 Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements, covering France, India, South Africa, the United Kingdom, China, Luxembourg, and numerous African countries. This network helps avoid double taxation and reduces withholding taxes on dividends, interest, and royalties.

No capital gains tax. There is no capital gains tax in Mauritius, neither for companies nor for individuals. This is a considerable advantage for holding, investment, and asset disposal activities.

No withholding tax. There is no withholding tax on dividends, interest, and royalties paid from Mauritius to foreign recipients. Profit repatriation is completely unrestricted.

A bilingual environment. English is the official language of business and law, but French is widely spoken. For a French-speaking entrepreneur, this is a rare operational convenience among competitive jurisdictions.

Political and economic stability. Mauritius has been a stable democracy since its independence in 1968. The country maintains steady growth, controlled inflation, and a legal framework inspired by both English common law and the French Civil Code.

What Types of Companies Can You Create in Mauritius?

The choice of structure is the first strategic decision. Mauritius offers two main categories of commercial companies, each suited to a different business profile.

The Domestic Company: The Versatile Local Structure

The Domestic Company is registered under the Companies Act 2001 with the Corporate and Business Registration Department (CBRD). It is the standard legal form for conducting business in Mauritius.

Key features:

No minimum share capital required
Can be 100% foreign-owned
No FSC licence needed
No mandatory Management Company
Tax rate of 15%, with a reduced rate of 3% on certain export service income
Fast incorporation: 5 to 10 business days

The Domestic Company is suited to entrepreneurs who wish to operate in Mauritius, freelancers and consultants, e-commerce businesses, and companies with mixed revenue (local and international) without the need to access tax treaties.

The Global Business Company (GBC): The International Structure

The GBC holds a Global Business Licence issued by the Financial Services Commission (FSC). Since the 2018 reform, it is the sole category for global business activities.

Key features:

Mandatory FSC licence
Mandatory administration by an FSC-approved Management Company
Strict economic substance requirements (offices, employees, local decision-making)
Access to Mauritius’ 45+ tax treaties
Effective tax rate of 3% on foreign income (via the DFTC)
Mandatory audited accounts
Incorporation in 3 to 6 weeks

The GBC is essential for international holdings, trading companies, investment funds, and any activity requiring access to tax treaties.

For a detailed comparison between these two structures, see our GBC vs Domestic Company guide.

Can You Set Up an Offshore Company in Mauritius?

The short answer is yes – but the term “offshore” is misleading and outdated. Mauritius is not a secrecy jurisdiction. It is a transparent, OECD-compliant financial centre that appears on the European Union whitelist.

What Mauritius offers is the ability for non-residents to incorporate and own companies with significant tax advantages. A foreigner can hold 100% of a Mauritian company, benefit from a 3% effective tax rate on foreign income through a GBC, and freely repatriate profits with no withholding tax. But these advantages come with real compliance requirements: economic substance, audited accounts, regulatory filings, and full transparency under the Common Reporting Standard (CRS).

The days of “letterbox companies” are over. The Financial Services Commission actively monitors substance, and the Mauritius Revenue Authority participates in automatic exchange of tax information with over 100 jurisdictions. If your goal is to hide income, Mauritius is the wrong choice. If your goal is to build a legitimate, tax-efficient international structure, it is one of the best.

Is Company Formation in Mauritius Legal?

Absolutely. Mauritius has one of the most well-regulated business environments in Africa and the Indian Ocean region. The legal framework is built on the Companies Act 2001, supervised by the Corporate and Business Registration Department (CBRD) and, for global business activities, by the Financial Services Commission (FSC).

Mauritius is a member of the OECD Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes, has signed the BEPS Multilateral Convention, and is on the EU whitelist of cooperative tax jurisdictions. Company formation in Mauritius is not only legal – it is encouraged by the government as a pillar of the national economy.

The key requirement is that your structure must reflect genuine economic activity. If you incorporate a GBC, you need real substance in Mauritius: resident directors, an active bank account, local expenditure, and documented decision-making. If you operate a Domestic Company, the compliance burden is lighter, but you still need proper accounting and tax filings.

How to Create a Company in Mauritius Step by Step

The incorporation process varies depending on the chosen structure. Here is the detailed breakdown for each step, with realistic timelines.

Step 1: Analyse Your Situation (1 to 3 days)

Before any formal steps, you need to assess your profile, your activity, and your objectives. This analysis determines the appropriate structure type, the potential residence permit, and the overall tax strategy.

Key questions to address:

Where are your clients and revenue located?
Do you need access to tax treaties?
Are you planning to reside in Mauritius?
What is your annual management budget?

This is exactly what we do during the qualification call at CAP Maurice.

Step 2: Choose Your Structure (1 day)

Based on the analysis, the choice falls on either a Domestic Company or a GBC. This decision has direct consequences on taxation, management costs, compliance obligations, and incorporation timelines.

A poor structural choice is one of the most costly mistakes. Restructuring after the fact involves legal fees, delays, and sometimes tax consequences in your country of origin.

Step 3: Prepare the Application File (3 to 7 days)

This step is often underestimated. The quality and completeness of the file determine how quickly the process moves forward.

Step 4: Company Registration (5 to 10 days for a Domestic, 3 to 6 weeks for a GBC)

For a Domestic Company:

Filing the registration application with the CBRD
Reserving the company name (1 to 2 days)
Submitting the Constitution and required forms
Obtaining the certificate of incorporation
Tax registration with the MRA (obtaining the TAN)

For a GBC:

Same steps as the Domestic Company, plus:
Filing the Global Business Licence application with the FSC
FSC review of the file (2 to 4 weeks)
Licence issuance

Step 5: Bank Account Opening (2 to 6 weeks)

This is often the longest step. It is covered in detail further in this article.

Step 6: Compliance Setup (1 to 2 weeks)

Obtaining any sector-specific licences (BRA for certain activities)
VAT registration if projected turnover exceeds MUR 6 million (approximately EUR 120,000)
Setting up accounting and reporting
For GBCs: establishing substance requirements (office, staff, decision-making processes)

Realistic total timeline: 4 to 6 weeks for a Domestic Company (including the bank account), 6 to 10 weeks for a GBC.

What Documents Are Needed to Create a Company in Mauritius?

The list of documents varies by structure, but here is the full set of documents generally required.

Documents Relating to Shareholders and Directors

Passport: certified true copy, valid for at least 6 months
Proof of address: utility bill or bank statement less than 3 months old, translated into English if necessary
Criminal record extract: less than 6 months old, apostilled
CV or professional summary: background, experience, skills
Bank references: recommendation letter from your current bank (bank reference letter)
Personal bank statements: for the last 3 to 6 months

Documents Relating to the Company

Business plan: description of the activity, target market, 3-year financial projections, organizational chart
Company name choice: 2 to 3 proposals in order of preference
Company Constitution: drafted by the legal services provider
Shareholding details: share distribution, Ultimate Beneficial Owners
Registered office address in Mauritius: provided by the Management Company for GBCs, or through a domiciliation service for Domestic Companies

Additional Documents for GBCs

Enhanced due diligence: the FSC requires detailed information on the source of funds, planned activities, and commercial counterparties
Proof of economic substance: office lease, planned employment contracts, description of local decision-making processes
Specific FSC forms: Application for Global Business Licence, Business Activity Declaration

Practical tip. Prepare all your documents before starting the process. An incomplete file can delay incorporation by several weeks.

How to Open a Professional Bank Account in Mauritius

Opening a bank account is a subject in its own right. It is the step that generates the most frustration among entrepreneurs, as Mauritian banks apply rigorous KYC (Know Your Customer) procedures.

Which Banks to Choose?

The main banks used by international entrepreneurs in Mauritius are:

MCB (Mauritius Commercial Bank): the country’s largest bank, solid and reliable, but procedures are lengthy (4 to 6 weeks on average). Excellent online banking.
SBM (State Bank of Mauritius): state-owned bank, process sometimes slower, but offers a wide range of services.
AfrAsia Bank: positioned in the international segment, often more responsive for GBCs and non-resident clients. Timeline of 2 to 4 weeks.
Bank One: subsidiary of the CIEL group, good option for Domestic Companies. Modern online interface.
HSBC Mauritius: present on the island but oriented towards large corporations and premium clients.

What Documents to Provide?

For a business account, expect to provide:

Certificate of incorporation
Company Constitution
Board resolution authorizing the account opening
Passport and proof of address for signatories and beneficial owners
Business plan or detailed description of the activity
Source of funds / source of wealth documentation
Personal and/or professional bank references
Projected cash flow (expected inbound/outbound volumes)

How Long Does the Opening Take?

On average, expect 2 to 6 weeks. This timeline depends on the bank, the complexity of the file, and how quickly additional documents are provided. GBC files with shareholders in sensitive jurisdictions may take longer.

Our advice. Start the banking procedures in parallel with the company incorporation. At CAP Maurice, we connect our clients directly with partner banks to accelerate the process. For more details, read our dedicated article on opening a business bank account in Mauritius.

How Much Does It Cost to Create a Company in Mauritius?

Transparency on costs is essential. Here is a realistic breakdown of fees.

Incorporation Fees (One-Off)

Item	Domestic Company	GBC
CBRD registration fees	EUR 100 - 200	EUR 100 - 200
FSC licence fees	N/A	EUR 1,500 - 2,500
Professional fees (incorporation)	EUR 800 - 1,500	EUR 2,500 - 5,000
Bank account opening (assistance)	Included or EUR 200 - 500	Included or EUR 300 - 600
Total incorporation	EUR 1,100 - 2,200	EUR 4,400 - 8,300

Recurring Fees (Annual)

Item	Domestic Company	GBC
CBRD renewal fees	EUR 50 - 100	EUR 50 - 100
Annual FSC licence	N/A	EUR 1,500 - 2,500
Management Company fees	N/A	EUR 2,000 - 4,000
Accounting and tax filings	EUR 600 - 1,500	EUR 1,500 - 3,000
Annual audit	Not mandatory (unless thresholds met)	EUR 1,000 - 2,500
Registered office / domiciliation	EUR 200 - 500	Included in Management Co.
Annual total	EUR 850 - 2,100	EUR 6,050 - 12,100

These ranges are estimates based on 2025 market practices. Costs vary depending on the complexity of the business, transaction volumes, and the service provider chosen.

See our detailed pricing for a tailored estimate based on your situation. For a full breakdown of the tax framework, see our Mauritius tax guide for entrepreneurs.

What Mistakes Should You Avoid When Creating a Company in Mauritius?

After supporting dozens of entrepreneurs through their Mauritius setup, here are the most common mistakes we observe.

Mistake #1: Choosing the Wrong Structure

A freelancer generating EUR 80,000 in annual revenue with diversified clients generally does not need a GBC. The EUR 6,000 to 12,000 in annual GBC management fees eat into a significant portion of their income. Conversely, an international holding company structuring investments in India and Africa absolutely needs a GBC to access tax treaties.

Mistake #2: Neglecting Economic Substance

Setting up a “letterbox company” in Mauritius is a strategy that no longer works. The Mauritian authorities (FSC and MRA) require genuine substance: office, staff, local decision-making. Without it, no tax residency certificate, no access to treaties, and a risk of requalification by the tax authorities in your country of origin.

Mistake #3: Underestimating Banking Timelines

Many entrepreneurs plan everything perfectly except the bank account opening. The result: the company is incorporated, but it is impossible to receive or send payments for 4 to 6 weeks. Plan ahead by starting banking procedures at the very beginning of the process.

Mistake #4: Ignoring Tax Obligations in Your Country of Origin

Creating a company in Mauritius does not eliminate your obligations in your country of origin. In France, for example, the exit tax, reporting obligations on foreign accounts (form 3916), and CFC (Controlled Foreign Companies) rules all apply. An entrepreneur who ignores these aspects faces significant reassessments.

Mistake #5: Going It Alone to Save Money

The cost of professional support amounts to a few thousand euros. The cost of a structural error, a rejected application, or non-compliance can run into tens of thousands of euros, not counting the months lost. Professional support is not an expense. It is insurance.

Mistake #6: Confusing the Premium Visa with an Entrepreneur Permit

The Premium Visa does not allow you to create or manage a company in Mauritius. It is a temporary residence permit for remote workers. Entrepreneurs who arrive in Mauritius on a Premium Visa expecting to launch their business must then apply for an Occupation Permit, which adds months to the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you create a company in Mauritius without living there?

Yes. It is not mandatory to reside in Mauritius to create a Domestic Company or a GBC. However, for a GBC, the economic substance requirements mandate an operational presence on the island (office, staff, decision-making). If you do not reside in Mauritius, an approved Management Company can handle day-to-day management. To learn more about international structuring options, contact us.

How long does it take to create a company in Mauritius?

The total timeline ranges from 4 to 10 weeks depending on the chosen structure. For a Domestic Company, expect 5 to 10 business days for registration, plus 2 to 6 weeks for the bank account. For a GBC, registration takes 3 to 6 weeks (due to the FSC licence), plus the banking timeline. Preparing the file in advance (1 to 2 weeks) is often the factor that speeds up or slows down the entire process.

Can a foreigner own 100% of a Mauritian company?

Yes, without restriction. A foreigner can hold 100% of the shares in both a Domestic Company and a GBC. There is no requirement for a local partner or Mauritian shareholding. This is one of the major advantages of Mauritius compared to many other jurisdictions.

Is there a minimum capital requirement to create a company in Mauritius?

For a Domestic Company, there is no legal minimum share capital. You can incorporate your company with a nominal capital of USD 1. However, if you are applying for an Occupation Permit in the Investor category, you must transfer a minimum of USD 50,000 to the company’s bank account. For a GBC, there is also no legal minimum capital, but the FSC assesses the financial viability of the project.

What are the annual accounting obligations?

Every company in Mauritius must maintain accounts in compliance with IFRS standards and file an annual tax return with the MRA. For Domestic Companies, an audit is only mandatory if turnover exceeds certain thresholds. For GBCs, an annual audit by an approved auditor is mandatory, and annual reporting must be filed with the FSC. CAP Maurice offers an accounting and compliance service tailored to both types of structures.

When This Makes Sense

Company formation in Mauritius is the right move in specific, well-defined situations. Here are the profiles that benefit most.

You are an international consultant or service provider earning over EUR 80,000 per year, and you are willing to relocate or already live outside a high-tax country. A Mauritian Domestic Company or GBC can reduce your effective tax rate from 40-50% to 3-15%.
You operate a holding structure with subsidiaries in Africa, Asia, or Europe. The network of 45+ tax treaties and the 0% withholding tax on outgoing dividends make Mauritius one of the strongest holding jurisdictions in the world.
You are planning to relocate to a country with a high quality of life, bilingual environment, and moderate cost of living. Mauritius offers all three, along with a 10-year Occupation Permit for investors.
You run an e-commerce or SaaS business with international clients and need a simple, low-tax structure with reliable banking and multi-currency accounts.
You are preparing a long-term expatriation to Mauritius and want your company operational before you arrive.

When This Is NOT the Right Fit

Mauritius is not the right answer for every entrepreneur. Here is when you should look elsewhere.

Your revenue is below EUR 50,000 per year. The fixed costs of maintaining a Mauritian company (especially a GBC) will eat into a large portion of your income. A simple local structure in your country of residence is more practical.
You have no intention of relocating and you remain tax resident in a high-tax country. Anti-avoidance rules like France’s Article 209 B can neutralise the tax benefits entirely. A Mauritian company without a genuine change of tax residence is often a liability, not an asset.
Your clients are exclusively local. If all your business is in one country and you live there, a foreign company adds complexity without meaningful benefit.
You are looking for a “letterbox” structure with no real substance. Mauritius requires genuine economic presence for GBCs, and the regulatory environment is actively enforced. This is not the jurisdiction for paper-only companies.
You need to be operational within days. While a Domestic Company can be incorporated in 5-10 days, the bank account can take 2-6 weeks. If you need to invoice immediately, plan accordingly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Beyond the detailed mistakes section earlier in this article, here are the errors we see most frequently among entrepreneurs considering company formation in Mauritius.

Relying on generic online advice. Every entrepreneur’s situation is different. Generic “how to incorporate in Mauritius” guides miss the nuances of your specific tax residency, business model, and obligations in your home country. Get a professional assessment before committing.
Starting with the wrong structure and converting later. Converting a Domestic Company to a GBC (or vice versa) costs EUR 3,000-6,000 and takes 6-12 weeks. It is far cheaper to get the structure right from day one. See our GBC vs Domestic Company comparison for guidance.
Forgetting about the bank account. The company is only as useful as its ability to transact. Start banking procedures in parallel with incorporation, not after. Read our guide on opening a bank account in Mauritius.
Not budgeting for ongoing compliance. Incorporation is a one-time cost. The real expense is annual: accounting, audit (for GBCs), FSC licence renewal, registered office. Budget EUR 2,000-12,000 per year depending on your structure.
Ignoring the tax implications in your country of origin. Every OECD country has reporting requirements for foreign companies and bank accounts. Non-compliance triggers automatic penalties. Get tax advice before incorporating, not after.

Create Your Company in Mauritius with Solid Support

Creating a company in Mauritius is a structured process that demands rigor at every step. The choice of structure, file preparation, bank account opening, and compliance setup are all areas where expert support makes the difference between a project that completes in 6 weeks and one that stalls for months.

At CAP Maurice, we support entrepreneurs from the initial analysis through to full compliance, handling all administrative and banking procedures along the way. Our approach is straightforward: transparency on costs, rigour in execution, and a single point of contact who knows the terrain.

Whether you need a Domestic Company for your freelance business or a Mauritius GBC for an international holding, we guide you through every step – from structure selection to accounting and compliance setup.

If you are considering setting up your company in Mauritius, book a free qualification call to review your situation.

Sources and official references

Companies Act 2001 (Mauritius): supremecourt.govmu.org
Financial Services Commission (FSC) Mauritius: fscmauritius.org
Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA), taxation and TRC: mra.mu
Economic Development Board (EDB) Mauritius: edbmauritius.org
Corporate and Business Registration Department: companies.govmu.org
OECD (BEPS Action 5): oecd.org/tax/beps

Article written by Quentin, founder of CAP Maurice. Last updated 27 May 2026. For comprehensive support from formation to compliance, book a discovery call or see our Company Formation service.