International health insurance for expats in Mauritius

Looking to move to Mauritius? Health insurance is definitely one of the key issues to consider before you leave.

Expatriates have access to both public and private healthcare. However, the private sector can be expensive relative to the local standard of living, with medical fees sometimes higher than in Europe.

Taking out international private health insurance helps cover these private-sector costs and usually gives you wider protection beyond Mauritius, with worldwide cover, shorter waiting times for treatment, flexible deductibles and more choice over where you receive care.

This guide explains how the Mauritian healthcare system works, how public and private care compare, and what health insurance options are available. With some practical health tips about vaccinations and mosquito-borne diseases.

Key points to know about healthcare in Mauritius

• The healthcare system in Mauritius is based on a dual model, with 70 per cent of care covered by the public system and 30 per cent by the private sector
• Public facilities are sometimes outdated and lack resources, which can lead to fairly long waiting times
• Expatriates often turn to the private sector, making health insurance essential to ensure adequate medical cover, although treatment there can be quite expensive
• Expat health insurance is suitable for expatriates in Mauritius, including those on long-term stays, and in the event of complex medical procedures, evacuation abroad, particularly to Réunion, is recommended
• A Chikungunya outbreak is currently affecting Mauritius, with several thousand cases recorded since the start of 2026.

Understanding the Mauritian healthcare system

A modern public healthcare system in Africa, but still inadequate

The Mauritian public sector is funded by taxes and covers the vast majority of the population’s healthcare needs. Both locals and expatriates can benefit from free medical treatment in public hospitals.

The network is largely decentralised across five regional hospitals: 

• Dr A. Gaffoor Jeetoo Hospital in Port Louis (North-West)
• Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam National Hospital in Pamplemousses (North)
• Sir Anerood Jugnauth Hospital in Flacq (East)
• Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital in Rose-Belle (South)
• Victoria Hospital in Candos (Centre)

Mauritius’s public healthcare system is regarded as one of the most developed in sub-Saharan Africa. It continues to modernise and improve, but still faces several challenges, notably overcrowded facilities and a shortage of specialist staff.

This is why many expats who have chosen to live in Mauritius turn to the private sector.

A faster and more efficient private sector

The private healthcare sector in Mauritius is experiencing strong growth and offers a wide range of medical services, within hospitals and clinics that are often modern and well-equipped. To give you an idea, according to the latest studies, the island has gone from having 6 private medical clinics in the late 1990s to more than thirty in 2023.

Among the leading private facilities are:

• C-Care Wellkin Hospital in Moka (the largest and most modern in the country)
• The Darné Clinic in Curepipe
• The Apollo Bramwell Hospital in Moka

Unsurprisingly, the private sector compensates for the shortcomings of the public sector in several ways:

• Shorter waiting times
• More specialists
• Modern facilities
• More personalised care

But all this comes at a price. The costs of private healthcare can be high, particularly when compared to the local standard of living. 

It is not uncommon for some medical fees to be comparable to, or even higher than, those charged in several Western European countries. For example, a consultation with an experienced general practitioner can cost up to 70 euros.

So, how much does healthcare actually cost in Mauritius?

In the public sector, healthcare is free for residents.

In the private sector, each facility and each doctor sets their own fees. To give you an idea, here are the average charges:

• Consultation with a general practitioner: 27 to 55 euros, or even more for older patients
• Consultation with a specialist: 55 to 110 euros, up to 180 euros for experienced practitioners
• Hospitalisation in a private clinic: between 200 and 500 euros per day

For further information, see our guide: the cost of living in Mauritius.

What health cover should expats choose in Mauritius?

As an expat, you can choose to be covered by a local health insurance scheme, a mutual insurance policy, or a local or international private expat insurance policy. For a stay in Mauritius, premiums and the level of cover vary significantly depending on whether you are covered by the public, private or an international insurance plan.

Most expats opt for the second option, primarily to benefit from comprehensive coverage tailored to their lifestyle, valid in Mauritius, in their home country and whilst travelling. For most European countries, insurance in the home country does not cover Mauritius, and additional insurance is necessary.

When choosing international health insurance, several factors must be taken into account, especially if you wish to limit out-of-pocket healthcare costs:

• Reimbursement limits
• The network of healthcare providers
• The options included

International expat health insurance can cover expenses from the very first euro spent and can improve reimbursement rates.

Global Health: the leading provider of international health insurance for expats

At Global Health, specialists in international health insurance, we offer several personalised health plans to expatriates. 

Our team, made up of expats themselves, understands the challenges of living abroad and knows just how much the right health insurance can simplify daily life.

That’s why we have designed cover that is 100 per cent tailored to your needs, including:

• 5 fully customisable plans
• Cover in Mauritius, your home country and internationally
• 100 per cent digital management
• Multilingual assistance available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• A help centre with local expertise to guide you towards reliable doctors and healthcare facilities near you
• An emergency repatriation option

Additional wellbeing services, including a fitness programme and a mental health coaching programme, as we know that living abroad can bring its own set of emotions to manage.

Our health advice for Mauritius

• Get vaccinated: before you leave, make sure your vaccination schedule is up to date and speak to your doctor about any additional vaccinations you may need, particularly against chikungunya, yellow fever, measles, hepatitis A, typhoid fever or dengue fever
• Protect yourself from insects: you will soon come across mosquitoes, both indoors and outdoors, whether at home, in the streets or on the beach. Fit mosquito nets to your home and use repellents to protect yourself as effectively as possible;
• Memorise the emergency numbers: in the event of an accident, call 114 for an ambulance and 115 for the fire brigade.