Mauritius or Cyprus: where should you start a business?
The two share an index score of 70. Which suits you depends on where the owners live, what the company is for and how it will be run.
Pillar by pillar
Doing business, side by side
Tax
Companies pay 15%, with an 80% partial exemption on specified foreign income where substance requirements are met. VAT is charged at 15%.
Corporate income tax rose from 12.5% to 15% on 1 January 2026. VAT is 19%, and deemed dividend distribution no longer applies to profits after 2025.
Set-up
The Registrar charges Rs 3,200 to incorporate a Global Business Company and Rs 18,000 a year, plus licence fees. No minimum capital is stated.
Online registration costs €165 and name approval €10, with a lawyer signing the application. The annual return costs €20, and no minimum capital applies.
On the ground
A Global Business Company needs at least two resident directors, a secretary and a licensed management company to administer it.
A company needs a registered office in Cyprus, which cannot be a mailbox, at least one director and a company secretary.
Ownership
Access to beneficial ownership information is limited to the authorities. The information is not available to the public.
Public access to the beneficial ownership register was suspended on 28 November 2022. Companies must confirm their beneficial owners each year.
Residence
The Investor Occupation Permit requires US$100,000 transferred from abroad and a business plan. It is valid for 10 years, and dependants are eligible.
A foreign-owned company whose beneficial owner invests €200,000 can register with the Business Facilitation Unit, giving its staff access to permits.
Living and working
Currency
Mauritian rupee.
Euro.
Time zone
UTC+4.
UTC+2, or UTC+3 in summer.
Personal tax
Income tax bands of 0%, 10% and 20% under the Finance Act 2026. No capital gains, inheritance, gift or wealth tax.
Top rate 35% on income of €72,001 and above from 2026. A 20% capital gains tax applies only to Cyprus property; no inheritance tax.
Flights
Air Mauritius flies direct to 13 destinations, including London Gatwick (12 hours 40 minutes, five days a week).
Larnaka and Pafos airports served 165 destinations in 42 countries in August 2026; Larnaka handled 9.91 million passengers in 2025.
Language
English is the language of the Assembly and the Supreme Court; French can also be used in the Intermediate and District Courts.
Greek and Turkish are the official languages and are used in the courts. Most people speak another language, usually English.
Mauritius vs Cyprus: common questions
Mauritius: Companies pay 15%, with an 80% partial exemption on specified foreign income where substance requirements are met. VAT is charged at 15%. Cyprus: Corporate income tax rose from 12.5% to 15% on 1 January 2026. VAT is 19%, and deemed dividend distribution no longer applies to profits after 2025.
Mauritius: The Registrar charges Rs 3,200 to incorporate a Global Business Company and Rs 18,000 a year, plus licence fees. No minimum capital is stated. Cyprus: Online registration costs €165 and name approval €10, with a lawyer signing the application. The annual return costs €20, and no minimum capital applies.
Mauritius: A Global Business Company needs at least two resident directors, a secretary and a licensed management company to administer it. Cyprus: A company needs a registered office in Cyprus, which cannot be a mailbox, at least one director and a company secretary.
Mauritius: Access to beneficial ownership information is limited to the authorities. The information is not available to the public. Cyprus: Public access to the beneficial ownership register was suspended on 28 November 2022. Companies must confirm their beneficial owners each year.
Mauritius: The Investor Occupation Permit requires US$100,000 transferred from abroad and a business plan. It is valid for 10 years, and dependants are eligible. Cyprus: A foreign-owned company whose beneficial owner invests €200,000 can register with the Business Facilitation Unit, giving its staff access to permits.
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