Moving to Mauritius as a family is a plan many French speakers share: French and English are both spoken on the island, it has a reputation for being safe, taxes are low, and the living environment is pleasant all year round. This guide takes you through it step by step: visa, children's school, housing, budget, safety — and how to keep trading calmly from the Indian Ocean. But before you book a single ticket, one thing comes first: properly preparing your departure from France (tax residency, exit tax). Think of it like moving house — you don't pack the boxes before you've sorted out the paperwork.
Mauritius: who is it really for?
Mauritius suits families looking for stability, bilingualism (children switch schools smoothly), safety, and gentle taxation. In exchange, you accept life on an island: many products are imported, and the local market stays small. It's a life choice as much as a financial one — a bit like choosing to live in a large village where everyone knows the seasons, rather than a big city where everything is available at any hour.
The visa: you, your spouse, and your children
There are two main entry routes. The Occupation Permit is a combined work-and-residence permit, for investor, self-employed, or salaried profiles. The Residence Permit is the other path. On top of that comes a "dependents" component: it lets your spouse and children stay in the country with you, a bit like adding family members to a single membership card. There is also a Premium Visa, designed for remote workers who want to settle in for a long stay.
Income or investment thresholds and the list of required documents change over time: check directly with the Mauritian Economic Development Board. Where to submit your application: the Economic Development Board (edbmauritius.org); for entry requirements, see France Diplomatie.
Settling in: housing, banking, transport
Housing ranges from a studio in town (Grand Baie, Tamarin) to a villa with a garden, often inside gated communities — enclosed neighbourhoods with shared security. Opening a local bank account becomes much easier once the permit is obtained. For transport, a car is often essential outside the main centres: buses exist, but mainly serve the principal routes. Compare several neighbourhoods before signing anything: proximity to school, shops, and the sea makes prices swing widely.
Children's school: a real asset
This is one of the island's major selling points. Mauritius has accredited French schools (for example Lycée La Bourdonnais or École du Nord) as well as English-speaking or international Baccalaureate (IB) schools. The IB is an international diploma recognised by universities worldwide. You can therefore choose the language of instruction while keeping the option to follow the French curriculum. Tuition fees are significant per child per year: check directly with the institutions. Places are limited, so it's better to apply several months in advance — think of it like reserving seats for a popular show: the earlier you book, the more choice you have.
Daily family life
The island is very family friendly: lagoons, calm beaches, a large French-speaking community, and a good standard of private care (through private health insurance). The tropical climate stays pleasant all year round, with a possible cyclone season in the southern summer — local construction and habits take this into account, the way coastal towns elsewhere build for storms.
Continuing to trade and run your prop firm
The GMT+4 time zone works well: the US markets open in the evening, leaving the day free for family. In practice, that means your "market morning" happens while the island sleeps — a rhythm many expatriate traders come to appreciate. The internet connection is decent, with fibre in most residential areas; keeping a 4G backup is a good habit. Access to brokers and prop firms — firms that let you trade their capital under conditions — is generally possible, to be checked case by case depending on the institution.
To keep a structured method and serious remote monitoring, the JARVIS METHOD provides a clear framework: a TradingView indicator, session and exchange benchmarks, and a position calculator. The detailed rules remain reserved for members. The complete training pathway (with bootcamps, mentoring, and events) lets you progress at your own pace, and the member area (progress tracking, orientation test, trading journal with screenshots, results and a short psychology check, plus the "My Trading" hub with statistics) helps you stay on course even far from your usual reference points. For long-term investing, the investment journal (stocks, ETFs, crypto, with prices and a weekly report) usefully complements the tracking. Finally, mindset coaching (discipline, managing emotions) and the "My fitness" section remind us that a high-performing trader is first and foremost a well-rested, disciplined, and healthy trader — even more important when expatriating. The Telegram assistant (daily plan, morning market brief, news monitoring, reminders and targeted coaching) lets you stay connected without being glued to the screen. And when you want to compare service providers, the comparative directories for brokers and prop firms gather the practical details, such as withdrawal times.
Taxation (indicative)
Mauritius is known for moderate income tax (often cited as a low flat rate, with a higher bracket above a certain income) and favourable rules. Thresholds and eligibility must be verified with the Mauritius Revenue Authority and a tax specialist. Be careful, too, about the real substance of your setup on the French side: being a tax resident in Mauritius requires having your home and main economic interests there, not just an address. An address alone is like a library card without ever reading a book — it doesn't make you a resident in the eyes of the tax authorities.
Indicative budget: solo vs family (2 children)
The cost of living is lower than in France for many items (local food, services, dining out), but two items weigh heavily: private school and health insurance for two children. Housing varies greatly depending on the area (tourist north, west coast, inland). The right approach is to build your budget on site, item by item, rather than relying on general averages — the way you'd fill a shopping basket yourself instead of trusting a single price tag on the shelf.
Safety and crime
Mauritius is considered one of the safest countries in the region, with low violent crime. Vigilance is still needed for petty theft in tourist areas. It is recommended to regularly check official travel advisories, which can change.
Activities and places to visit (you and the children)
Beaches and lagoons (swimming, snorkelling, kitesurfing), hikes (Le Morne, Black River Gorges), waterfalls, Pamplemousses gardens, water activities, and parks: the ideal setting for children who live outdoors all year round. Culturally, local markets, festivals, and Creole cuisine enrich daily life.
Points of vigilance (including the France framework)
Leaving the European Union triggers specific obligations on the French side: the exit tax (Article 167 bis of the French General Tax Code, known as CGI, on Légifrance) applies without automatic deferral; foreign accounts must be declared (Form 3916, Article 1649 A of the CGI, on Légifrance); and the France-Mauritius tax treaty deserves detailed review. Always have your situation validated by a professional before departure.
Key takeaways
- Bilingual FR/EN → simple school transition for children.
- Occupation or Residence Permit + "dependents" component for the family.
- Low taxation (to be verified); safe and family-friendly island.
- Budget: school + health = the key items to anticipate.
- France framework: exit tax, Form 3916 declaration, a professional before leaving.
- Trading from Mauritius: comfortable GMT+4, decent connection, a structured framework (JARVIS METHOD, training, member area) to stay on course.
Indicative information (updated September 11, 2026) — not legal or tax advice. Permits, school, tax, and safety to be verified with the Mauritian authorities, schools, and a professional. Educational content: trading involves a risk of capital loss, this is not advice.