Language Barrier: Creole is the most widely spoken language in Seychelles. As it lives from tourism, this will not be a huge problem most of the time, but when living there you will not only frequent touristic locations and could encounter a language barrier.
Mauritius Mauritius is located beside Seychelles in the Indian Ocean, so it shares the same turquoise waters, great white sandy beaches and warm, breezy climate. Like Seychelles, English is the legal language, making it easier to buy property. Stronger Country Mauritius has one of the strongest economies and is one of the most stable democracies in Africa. It also has one of the highest standards of living in Africa, with a percapita GDP of USD5,080. Various Residency Schemes Foreigners can now buy property through one of the government’s schemes: the Permanent Residence Scheme (PRS), Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS), and Scheme to Attract Professionals for Emerging Sectors (SAPES). The PRS grants residency to foreigners who purchase up to 1.25 arpents (5,050m2) of residential property costing at least USD500,000. Foreigners may only purchase land at least 100 metres away from the sea. Under the IRS, foreigners may purchase luxury villas of up to 1.25 arpents each. As a property owner, a residency permit is also granted, which is extended to the investor’s family. SAPES is an incentive to encourage professionals to work in Mauritius and allows foreign professionals to acquire residential property.
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More in the Way of Culture The main island of Mauritius is much more heavily populated than the smaller islands of Seychelles, although it still has its unspoilt areas with pristine beaches, jungles and national parks. With a bigger and denser population comes a better experience in terms of culture and a wider choice of restaurants, bars and shopping. Tax Regime Like Seychelles, there is no inheritance or capital gains tax in Mauritius. However, residents are taxed on worldwide income at a flat rate of 15%. Residents are entitled to income tax allowances that vary depending on the family circumstance of the taxpayer. Low cost of Living Unlike many destinations these days, expats report that Mauritius is a fairly cheap place to live. Possible Drawbacks: Gargantuan Work Permit Procedure: To get a work permit in Mauritius is a massive ordeal that includes blood tests for everything from HIV and hepatitis B, to urine tests for albumin and sugar, stool tests for parasites and a chest x-ray. However, it only takes a month to obtain the permit. Language Barrier: English is not the most widely spoken language, which may create some difficulties in day-to-day life. For international luxury real estate, contact the following specialists: Leading Luxury Real Estate www.leadingluxuryrealestate.com Modern Homes Worldwide www.modernhomesworldwide.com International Luxury Real Estate www.ilre.com
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