September 10, 2026

Trust in Mauritius: Setup, Taxation and Administration in 2026

A trust in Mauritius can provide a structured framework for holding international assets, planning succession and organising family wealth. For expatriates, international families and investors considering Mauritius, establishing a trust requires careful consideration of the legal, tax and regulatory framework applicable to the structure and the individuals involved. In 2026, enhanced compliance requirements also make the choice of trustee and the ongoing administration of the trust particularly important.

Key takeaways

  • The Trusts Act 2001 is the principal legal framework governing trusts in Mauritius.
  • Mauritius recognises several types of trusts, including discretionary, protective, purpose and charitable trusts.
  • A Mauritian trust must, in particular, be administered by a qualified trustee meeting the applicable regulatory requirements.
  • The general tax rate applicable to the taxable income of a trust resident in Mauritius is 15%.
  • The tax treatment of a trust and that of its settlor and beneficiaries must be considered separately.
  • The tax residence of the individuals involved can determine additional tax and reporting obligations in their home jurisdictions.
  • Since 18 April 2026, Mauritius has introduced additional requirements relating to beneficial ownership information, transparency and trust record-keeping.

What is a trust in Mauritius?

A trust is a legal structure under which the settlor transfers assets to a trustee, who holds and administers them in accordance with the trust deed for the benefit of designated beneficiaries or for a specific purpose.

The settlor establishes the trust and determines its terms. The trustee holds and administers the trust assets in accordance with those terms and their fiduciary duties. The beneficiaries are the individuals or entities entitled to benefit from the trust. A protector may also be appointed with specific supervisory powers.

Main types of trusts

Mauritian law recognises several types of trusts, including:

  • Discretionary trusts;
  • Protective trusts;
  • Purpose trusts;
  • Charitable trusts.

The appropriate structure depends on the settlor’s objectives, the assets involved, the intended beneficiaries and the powers granted to the trustee.

How do you set up a trust in Mauritius?

Setting up a trust in Mauritius starts with defining its purpose and understanding the settlor’s circumstances, the intended beneficiaries and the assets to be transferred into the structure.

For an international client, the process can generally be organised around several stages:

Defining objectives → selecting the structure → due diligence → drafting the trust deed → appointing the trustee → transferring the assets → ongoing administration.

The trust deed is the central document governing the trust. It sets out the terms of the arrangement, including its objectives, beneficiaries, assets and operating provisions.

Due diligence is carried out before establishment to verify the identity and circumstances of the relevant parties and the source of the assets or funds involved.

The tax and reporting implications should also be assessed before any transfer of assets. These may extend beyond Mauritius depending on the tax residence of the settlor, beneficiaries and other relevant parties.

How is a trust in Mauritius taxed?

The taxation of a trust in Mauritius must be considered separately from the personal tax position of its settlor and beneficiaries.

The tax residence of the trust, the residence of the individuals involved and the nature and location of the assets can all affect the overall tax treatment.

How is a trust resident in Mauritius taxed?

A trust resident in Mauritius is subject to income tax on its taxable income. The general applicable rate is 15%.

Determining whether a trust is resident in Mauritius is therefore an important part of the structuring process. This depends, among other factors, on how the trust is administered and the residence of its trustees, in accordance with Mauritian tax rules.

The tax position should be assessed when the structure is designed rather than after the trust has been established.

What does this mean for international clients?

Establishing a trust in Mauritius does not, by itself, determine the tax treatment of the settlor or beneficiaries.

An individual who is tax resident outside Mauritius may remain subject to tax and reporting requirements in their country of residence. The same applies to beneficiaries receiving distributions or otherwise benefiting from the trust, depending on the rules applicable to their circumstances.

For example, French tax residents may be subject to specific French reporting and tax obligations in relation to trusts, even where the trust itself is established and administered in Mauritius.

The same principle applies to individuals resident in other jurisdictions: the Mauritian structure must be considered alongside the tax rules applicable in each relevant country.

A trust should therefore be structured on the basis of its overall legal and tax environment, rather than solely on the basis of the jurisdiction in which it is established.

How much does it cost to set up a trust in Mauritius?

There is no single standard cost for setting up a trust in Mauritius. Fees depend, in particular, on the complexity of the structure, the assets involved, the number of beneficiaries, the level of administration required and the compliance checks involved.

Establishment and ongoing administration costs should therefore be assessed based on the specific structure being considered.

How do you choose a trustee in Mauritius?

The choice of trustee is one of the key decisions when establishing a trust. The trustee is responsible for administering the structure and the trust assets in accordance with the trust deed, their fiduciary duties and the applicable regulatory framework.

Several criteria should be considered.

Check licensing and regulatory supervision

In Mauritius, corporate and fiduciary services are regulated by the Financial Services Commission (FSC). A prospective client should verify that the service provider holds the appropriate licence or authorisation for the services it provides.

Assess the trustee’s experience

A trust may need to be administered over many years. The trustee should therefore have the experience and resources required to provide consistent fiduciary and administrative support.

For international clients, experience with cross-border wealth structures and international families can be particularly relevant.

Examine governance and compliance

Effective trust administration requires more than maintaining documentation. The trustee must fulfil its fiduciary responsibilities and administer the trust in accordance with its governing documents and the applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

In 2026, beneficial ownership transparency and accurate record-keeping are also central to the administration of Mauritian trusts.

Consider international capabilities

Where the settlor, beneficiaries and assets are located in different jurisdictions, the structure may involve several sets of legal, tax and reporting requirements.

A trustee with experience in international structures can help coordinate the administration and documentation required across those different jurisdictions.

How does StraFin support the establishment of a trust in Mauritius?

Establishing a trust is only the beginning of the process. Its governance, administration and compliance must be managed throughout the life of the structure.

StraFin supports international clients in establishing and administering fiduciary structures aligned with their personal, family and international objectives.

Its services may include:

  • defining the trust structure;
  • coordinating the constitutive documentation;
  • carrying out due diligence procedures;
  • appointing and administering the trustee;
  • maintaining trust registers and documentation;
  • providing ongoing administrative and regulatory support;
  • coordinating the various professionals involved where several jurisdictions are concerned.

The objective is to establish a structure that is consistent with the settlor’s objectives, the beneficiaries’ circumstances and the applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

Considering setting up a trust in Mauritius? StraFin can support you with the structuring and ongoing administration of your trust, taking into account its legal, wealth planning and regulatory considerations.

Speak to our team about your trust structure.

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