Seychelles Real Estate: COVID’s Impact on Buyers

Published on October 5, 2025 and written by Cyril Jarnias

The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped many aspects of our daily lives, and the real estate sector in Seychelles is no exception. As potential buyers reassess their priorities, a new attraction for more spacious properties away from urban centers has emerged, redefining the real estate landscape of this paradise archipelago.

This transformation in purchasing preferences comes with evolving expectations, marked by a quest for comfort, security, and connection with nature. Simultaneously, the rise of remote work has freed buyers from the need to live near offices, offering them the freedom to choose homes that meet their desires rather than strict professional needs.

Impact of the Pandemic on Real Estate Preferences in Seychelles

Buyers’ real estate preferences in Seychelles have undergone significant transformation since the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent trends show a marked attraction for properties offering outdoor spaces, such as gardens or terraces, along with a growing preference for isolated homes or those located away from densely populated areas.

List of Major Observed Developments:

• Increased demand for single-family homes with private land, at the expense of urban center apartments.
• Strengthened interest in properties with spacious terraces or gardens, meeting the need for fresh air and green spaces.
• Heightened search for properties away from central Mahé, favoring Praslin or La Digue for their preserved natural setting and low density.

The rise of remote work has also redefined the profile of sought-after housing. Many buyers now require:

• A dedicated office space or at least an additional room that can be converted into an office.
• Reliable internet connection in all residential areas, including more remote ones.

According to Recent Analysis of the Seychelles Real Estate Market:

Main Island	Preferred Property Type	Average Prices (2025)	Post-Pandemic Trends
Mahé	Villas with gardens	Higher	Sought after in the north & west
Praslin	Family homes	Moderate	Strong demand outside urban areas
La Digue	Exclusive properties	Rarer/more expensive	Strong “nature” appeal

The rental market has also been impacted: some local families and expatriates now prefer long-term rentals in spacious homes with outdoor facilities over small apartments near economic hubs. This shift is accompanied by a growing consideration of ecological criteria: efficient insulation, solar panels, and rainwater harvesting are now valued in real estate transactions. The new environmental standards adopted in Seychelles also promote green investment through specific subsidies allocated to environmentally friendly projects.

Key Statistics:

• In 2021, nearly 51% of the real estate portfolio managed by the Development Bank of Seychelles was allocated to new residential construction.
• The total amount granted in real estate loans increased (+1.4%) despite the challenging health context.

Comments from Local Experts:

“Since the pandemic, our clients have shown unprecedented enthusiasm for anything related to environmental quality and outdoor comfort: a house with a sea view and a vegetable garden sells better than a modern apartment without a balcony,” explains a real estate agent based in Victoria.

This evolution also reflects a growing ecological awareness among both local and international buyers; investing in sustainable housing has become as much an ethical choice as a financial one.

Evolution of Post-COVID Purchase Criteria

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, real estate purchase criteria in Seychelles have undergone a marked transformation, influenced by lockdowns and the development of remote work. Buyers’ priorities have clearly shifted toward properties offering more space, both indoors and outdoors.

New Buyer Priorities:

• Increased demand for:
  • Properties with large indoor spaces
  • Presence of private gardens or spacious terraces
  • Arrangements enabling a functional home office
• Growing interest in:
  • Smart home technologies (connected security, remote management)
  • Neighborhoods close to schools, essential shops, and medical centers
  • Easy access to high-speed internet for remote work

Impact on the Market and Supply:

Criterion	Before COVID	After COVID
Desired indoor area	Moderate	Larger
Outdoor spaces	Low priority	Highly sought after
Home office	Rare	Essential
Smart home technologies	Optional	Highly demanded
Access to services & internet	Important	Essential

Local developers have adapted their offerings accordingly:

• Increase in projects incorporating private offices in homes.
• Development of landscaped common outdoor spaces in residences.
• Systematic introduction of home automation options (climate control, security).

Neighborhoods offering quick access to essential amenities and good digital connectivity are seeing significantly increased appeal.

Effects on Market Prices:

The Seychelles residential market is estimated at nearly USD 4.69 billion in 2025 with sustained annual growth expected beyond.

Properties meeting the new criteria (extended spaces + high-tech equipment) show a notable increase in value per square meter compared to standard housing.

Recent Illustrative Statistics:

• Approximately 40% of buyers now prioritize the presence of a dedicated or adaptable office space.
• Over 50% express marked interest in home automation during visits to new or renovated properties.

Repeated lockdowns have permanently anchored these new expectations. The ability to work from home without sacrificing comfort or productivity has become a determining factor in any purchase decision.

In response to this structural evolution of the post-pandemic market, Seychelles real estate players are heavily betting on spatial and technological flexibility to attract both local residents and foreign investors.

Remote Work and New Residential Space Needs

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work has established itself as a lasting trend in Seychelles. The introduction of the “Visitor Workation Permit” visa now allows remote workers and digital nomads to stay up to one year in the archipelago, attracting a new population of real estate buyers seeking a balance between professional and personal life.

Current Remote Work Trends and Impact on Housing

• The number of international remote workers is increasing thanks to favorable taxation, tropical climate, and the possibility to work facing paradise beaches.
• This phenomenon stimulates demand for housing adapted to working from home, both for local residents and expatriates or long-term visitors.
• According to recent studies, interest in accommodations with dedicated work spaces has surged since 2021.

Features Sought by Real Estate Buyers

Buyers now prioritize several essential criteria:

• Separate or convertible spaces for an office
• Fast and reliable internet connection (fiber optic or high-speed 4G)
• Good natural lighting
• Sufficient acoustic isolation
• Presence of outdoor spaces (terrace, garden) promoting relaxation and well-being
• Proximity to essential services while remaining in a calm environment

Criterion	Increased importance post-pandemic
Dedicated office/work space	Yes
High-speed internet	Yes
Outdoor space	Yes
Lighting/nature	Yes
Acoustic isolation	Yes

Evolution of Preferences Since COVID-19

Since 2020:

• The share of buyers explicitly requesting a dedicated room for remote work has increased significantly.
• “Open space” apartments are less favored than those offering clear separation between private and professional life.
• Increased interest is directed toward individual villas or spacious apartments with private outdoor space.

Recent analyses also show that over 65% of new buyers now place internet connectivity among their top three criteria when choosing a property.

Influence on Residential Architecture

Architects incorporate these new requirements from the design stage:

• Systematic creation of a multipurpose room easily convertible into an office
• Consideration of enhanced network cabling from the structural work phase
• Improvement of interior/exterior sound insulation
• Optimization of natural ventilation to ensure comfort during long days spent at home

Recent real estate projects also offer:

“Collaborative common spaces reserved for resident remote workers along with a shared high-performance WiFi infrastructure”

Finally, this transformation is often accompanied by landscaping emphasizing mental well-being—private walking paths, integrated zen gardens—so that each resident can truly separate work time and personal moments in a healthy setting.

Future Prospects of the Seychelles Real Estate Market

Future Prospects of the Seychelles Real Estate Market

Emerging Post-COVID Trends and Market Dynamics

• Gradual recovery of tourism, an essential driver of the Seychelles economy, favors a return of international real estate demand.
• Marked disparities between islands: Mahé concentrates most economic and administrative activities with high prices; Praslin and La Digue remain attractive for their authenticity or relaxed atmosphere.
• Real estate prices, after a slight slowdown during the pandemic, show stabilization at a high level in sought-after areas. Supply remains limited facing growing demand.

Influential Economic Factors

• Recent decrease in interest rates facilitates access to credit for both foreign and local buyers.
• Increased demand linked to the gradual return of international investors attracted by the exceptional natural setting and stable political climate.
• Limited supply maintains price pressure despite gradual market normalization.

Political and Regulatory Factors

• Regulation on foreign ownership remains strict: need to obtain government authorization to purchase certain properties outside approved projects.
• Public policies favoring green real estate: subsidies and strengthened ecological standards from 2025 encourage sustainable development in the real estate sector.

Major Environmental Initiatives

Initiatives	Description
Strengthened ecological standards	Obligation to integrate sustainable materials, optimized energy management
Green real estate subsidies	Specific financial aids for projects meeting certain environmental requirements

Changing Buyer Preferences Post-Pandemic

List of new expectations:

• Increased search for single-family homes with gardens or direct beach access
• Marked interest for properties located outside densely populated areas (La Digue or less urbanized sectors)
• Importance given to private outdoor spaces (terraces, pools)

Potential Opportunities

• Accelerated development of residential complexes integrating strict ecological criteria
• Sustained valuation for properties offering exclusivity and proximity to preserved nature
• Enhanced attractiveness to investors seeking patrimonial security in premium island destinations

Main Challenges to Anticipate

• Persistent risk linked to global tourism volatility potentially affecting flows of foreign buyers
• Ongoing need to adapt local regulations to preserve balance between openness to international capital and environmental protection
• Mandatory adaptation of existing buildings to new energy requirements under risk of rapid devaluation

The Seychelles real estate market could thus distinguish itself through its resilience but also its growing ecological requirements. Savvy investors will need to prioritize strategic flexibility – regulatory anticipation – green innovation to fully capture this new island momentum.