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Mauritius (MU)

Indian Ocean island state with bilingual English-French administration, strong financial services, occupation permits, premium visa options, beaches, private healthcare and a high-trust but paperwork-heavy expat environment.

Capital: Port Louis
Region: Africa
Language: English
Currency: MUR (Rs)
Cost of living: Affordable (index 52)
Emergency: 112
Free
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Currency & Money

Practical money tips for living in Mauritius.

Rs
Mauritian rupee
MUR

Denominations

Banknotes: 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000 and 2,000 rupees. Coins: 1, 5, 10 and 20 rupees plus cents in limited use.

Payment Culture

Cards are widely accepted in supermarkets, malls, hotels, clinics and restaurants, but cash is still useful for markets, buses, beach vendors, tradespeople and smaller village shops.

ATM Tips

Use ATMs at major banks or inside malls, watch weekend cash availability, and check foreign-card fees. Some premium accounts require minimum balances.

Exchange Tips

EUR, USD and GBP are easy to exchange. Compare bank and licensed money-changer rates, keep exchange receipts for large transfers, and avoid informal cash exchange.

Pro tip: Best apps for expats

  • • Wise — Send money internationally at near-interbank rates
  • • Revolut — Multi-currency account, free ATM withdrawals (limits apply)
  • • N26 — German IBAN, free account, good for EU residents