Notaries and Fees in Mauritius: The Complete Guide

Published on October 4, 2025 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Notaries and Notary Fees in Mauritius

In the context of Mauritius, a paradise not only for idyllic beaches but also for investment opportunities, understanding notary fees and the role of notaries is essential for any potential buyer or real estate investor.

Using notary services is a crucial step in securing transactions, ensuring the legality and authenticity of every contractual document.

This article thoroughly explores the functions of notaries, breaking down the applicable rates and administrative processes involved, to best guide readers through the maze of Mauritian procedures.

Understanding the Notary’s Role in Property Purchase in Mauritius

The notary in Mauritius plays a central and mandatory role in the legal validation of any real estate transaction, ensuring legal security for both parties.

Main Responsibilities of the Notary in a Real Estate Transaction:

• Verification of Property Titles: The notary ensures that the seller actually owns the property, that it is free from any undisclosed mortgages or encumbrances, and that there are no obstacles to the sale. This step prevents any future disputes regarding property ownership or history.
• Document Control and Compliance: They certify all documents related to the property (permits, certificates, diagnostics) to guarantee their compliance with Mauritian laws.
• Financial Security: Once the preliminary agreement is signed, the buyer deposits funds into an escrow account managed by the notary. This mechanism ensures that the money will only be released to the seller after all contractual and legal conditions are met.
• Impartial Advice to Parties: As a ministerial officer bound by strict impartiality, they inform both buyer and seller about their respective rights and obligations (tax, administrative, or legal), as well as any specific implications based on their status (resident or non-resident).
• Guarantee of Compliance with All Legal Obligations: They meticulously ensure that every step complies with current regulations.

Key Stages Where the Notary Intervenes:

Stage	Notary’s Role
Drafting the Preliminary Agreement	Prepares a pre-contract that legally binds sellers/buyers
Preliminary Verification	Analyzes titles & legal/fiscal situation
Fund Management	Opens & administers a secure escrow account
Final Deed Drafting	Authenticates the final deed; controls compliance
Publication & Formalities	Publishes the deed with authorities; completes subsequent procedures

Legal Framework:

Using a notary is a legal requirement under Mauritian law for any real estate operation. This requirement protects both sellers and buyers against any legal or financial risks.

Regulated Fees:

The fees and charges collected by the notary are strictly regulated by law. For more detailed information on this specific point, refer to the dedicated section on notary fees.

In summary: The notary step is indispensable to guarantee a transparent transaction, legally secure and compliant with all local regulatory requirements.

Analysis of Fees and Costs Associated with Notary Intervention

The fees and costs related to notary intervention in Mauritius vary depending on the nature of the transaction, the amount involved, and certain regulatory specifics. Here is a detailed analysis of the main expense items clients can expect during a real estate or asset transaction.

Types of Notary Fees

• Notary fees (fixed and variable)
• Government taxes (mainly registration tax)
• Additional administrative fees

Type of Fee	Calculation Method	Main Observations
Notary Fees	Progressive scale based on price	Plus 15% VAT
Government Tax (Registration)	5% of acquisition price	Payable by the purchaser
Various Administrative Fees	Varies by case	Certificates, copies, disbursements…

Notary Fee Scale

The calculation is progressive:

• 2% on the first MUR 250,000
• 1.5% on the next MUR 500,000
• 1% on the next MUR 1,000,000
• 0.5% on the remainder

This scale can be replaced by a fixed rate of approximately 1% + VAT for specific projects like IRS, RES, or PDS where legal complexity is increased.

Concrete Example for a Standard Real Estate Transaction:

For a property purchase at MUR 8,000,000, here’s how the costs break down:

• First Rs 250,000 × 2% = Rs 5,000
• Next Rs 500,000 × 1.5% = Rs 7,500
• Next Rs 1,000,000 × 1% = Rs 10,000
• Remainder (Rs 6,250,000) × 0.5% = Rs 31,250

Total fees: Rs 53,750 + VAT (15%) = approximately Rs 61,813
Approximately 0.77% of the total price.

Additionally:

• Government tax: 8,000,000 × 5% = Rs 400,000

Total costs for this operation: approximately MUR 461,813, excluding any other additional fees.

Factors Influencing Fee Amounts

The main elements that modulate these costs are:

• Nature and Complexity – VEFA (sale in future state of completion), properties under PDS/IRS/RES often involve more legal work.
• Total Amount – The higher the value, the lower the marginal rate.
• Specific Mauritian Regulations, including partial exemptions or adjusted scales under certain legal schemes.

Quick International Comparison

For reference:

Country	Notary Fees (%)	Registration Taxes (%)
Mauritius	~0.75–2 (+VAT)	~5
France	~0.7–3	~4–6
Portugal	~0.8–2	~6–8

Mauritius thus falls within a medium-low range compared to standard European practices.

Practical Tips to Anticipate and Manage These Fees

• Always request a detailed quote from the notary before any signing.
• Check if your project falls under a special scheme that could reduce certain costs.
• Anticipate that all fees include local VAT at 15%.

Practical tip: Some developers sometimes offer partial or full coverage of notary fees during special commercial offers; it’s useful to negotiate this aspect before final commitment.

Solutions also exist to stagger certain payments through bank financing; inquire with local institutions that sometimes offer this type of service tied to the main mortgage.

Finally, note that there is no recurring annual property tax, which significantly reduces the overall cost compared to many other equivalent European or African countries.

Hidden Costs to Anticipate When Buying Property

When buying property in Mauritius, it’s common to underestimate the hidden costs that add to the listed price of the property. Here is an overview of the main additional fees to anticipate and tips to optimize your budget.

Main Types of Hidden Costs

• Notary fees: include the notary’s fees, registration duties, and sometimes specific taxes depending on the property type.
• Registration duties: calculated as a percentage of the acquisition price, they vary by transaction type (residential, rental investment, vacant land…).
• Transfer taxes: often due during the change of ownership.
• Real estate agency fees: generally a percentage (often 2–3%) of the sale price.
• Bank fees related to the mortgage:
  • Application fees,
  • Mandatory appraisal and inspection fees,
  • Borrower’s insurance required by the bank.
• Home or multi-risk insurance.
• Annual costs:
  • Property taxes,
  • Condominium fees if applicable,
  • Regular maintenance (gardening, security…),
  • Rental management if leasing out,
  • Potential renovation or compliance upgrades.

Cost Variation Based on Property Value and Type

Type/Fee	%/Estimated Amount	Observations
Notary Fees	~1% to 2%	Decreasing on large amounts
Registration Duties	~5%	May vary for primary/secondary residence
Real Estate Agency	~2–3%	Generally borne by the buyer
Bank Loan (Fees)	Variable (~0.5–1%)	Based on borrowed amount
Home Insurance	Based on area & risks	Mandatory with a loan

Precise amounts depend notably on:

• The total property value;
• The chosen program (new/old);
• The fiscal/migration status.

Other Potentially High Costs

Non-exhaustive list:

• High annual maintenance/renovation cost in a tropical climate
• Specific charges for secured residences or hotel complexes
• Exceptional fees during quick resale or major works

Practical Tips to Avoid Financial Surprises

1. Establish a detailed preliminary estimate, including all these items from the start of the process.
2. Plan for an additional margin: it is recommended to allocate between 10 and 15% of the total price as a reserve to cover these various unforeseen items.
3. Compare multiple quotes from banks/notaries/agencies before final commitment.
4. Inquire about recurring charges specific to the neighborhood or intended project.

Tip:

Frame your overall budget by listing all ancillary expenses in a forecast table before any firm offer to optimize your finances and avoid any unexpected imbalance.

By anticipating each budget line – both acquisition and ownership – you will significantly reduce your exposure to bad financial surprises when buying property in Mauritius.