How to Set Up a Company in Mauritius from the UK – Daily Business

For UK-based entrepreneurs and investors looking to expand internationally, it has never been more straightforward to set up a company in Mauritius from the UK. With its stable legal system rooted in English common law, competitive tax regime, and extensive network of double taxation treaties, Mauritius has become one of the most attractive jurisdictions for international business structuring — and the entire process can now be completed remotely, without ever needing to travel to the island.

Why Mauritius Appeals to UK Investors

Mauritius offers a rare combination of political stability, a bilingual (English/French) business environment, and a regulatory framework overseen by the Financial Services Commission (FSC). For UK residents specifically, the appeal is reinforced by a long-standing double taxation agreement between the UK and Mauritius, first signed in 1981 and updated in subsequent protocols, which helps prevent income from being taxed twice and supports efficient cross-border tax planning.

Choosing the Right Company Structure

The two most common vehicles for foreign investors are the Global Business Company (GBC) and the Authorised Company (AC).

A GBC is the preferred structure for businesses that want to access Mauritius’s network of roughly 45 double tax treaties and demonstrate tax residency on the island. GBCs are subject to a standard corporate tax rate of 15%, but a partial exemption regime of up to 80% on qualifying foreign-source income can bring the effective tax rate down to as low as 3%, provided the company meets substance requirements such as having qualified staff, adequate expenditure, and at least two Mauritius-resident directors.

An Authorised Company, by contrast, is treated as non-resident for tax purposes and pays no Mauritius tax on foreign-source income. It doesn’t require resident directors and suits businesses that don’t need treaty access, such as holding or investment vehicles managed primarily from abroad.

The Incorporation Process

Setting up a company generally involves the following steps: selecting the appropriate structure and company name, preparing constitutional documents and know-your-customer (KYC) information for shareholders and directors, submitting the application to the Registrar of Companies and, where relevant, obtaining FSC approval for a GBC licence, and finally opening a corporate bank account.

Requirements are relatively light by international standards: a minimum of one shareholder of any nationality, a minimum share capital of as little as USD 1, and 100% foreign ownership is permitted with no local partner needed. A standard GBC can typically be operational within three to four weeks of document submission, while structures requiring an additional financial services licence may take six to ten weeks. Many providers can issue an incorporation certificate within 24 hours of approval.

Banking and Ongoing Compliance

Once incorporated, most companies open an account with a Mauritius-based bank or an international bank with a Mauritian presence, which can usually be arranged remotely with certified documentation. After incorporation, companies must maintain statutory records, file annual returns with the Registrar of Companies, submit audited or unaudited financial statements depending on size, and file annual tax returns with the Mauritius Revenue Authority. GBCs must also continue to satisfy substance requirements each year to retain their tax status and treaty benefits.

Getting Professional Support

Because the choice between a GBC and an AC, the tax treaty analysis, and the substance requirements can be technical, most UK-based founders work with a local corporate services provider or management company. A good provider will handle the paperwork, act as registered agent, supply resident directors where required, and manage ongoing compliance so the business stays in good standing.

With the right guidance, UK entrepreneurs can complete the entire process remotely and have a fully compliant Mauritian company ready to trade within a matter of weeks, making Mauritius a genuinely practical base for international expansion.