New Residency Rules for Mauritius Basic Retirement Pension in 2026

The Mauritian government has approved new regulations that change the eligibility conditions for the Basic Retirement Pension (BRP), the universal old-age pension paid to residents of Mauritius from the age of 61.

The Cabinet has given its approval for the National Pensions (Non-Contributory Benefits) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2026 to be enacted. These rules apply specifically to people who turn 61 between 1 September and 31 December 2026 and who are applying for the BRP during that window.

The BRP is a non-contributory benefit, meaning applicants do not need to have paid into a pension fund to qualify. It is funded by the state and is a key part of the social protection system in Mauritius, particularly for low-income elderly residents and members of the diaspora who return to the island after years abroad.

Under the new rules, Mauritian citizens born on or before 31 December 1966 must prove at least twelve cumulative years of residence in Mauritius since their 18th birthday. This means periods of living abroad are counted against eligibility, and applicants will need to demonstrate they have spent a combined total of at least twelve years on the island over their adult life.

For non-citizens born on or before the same date, the threshold is higher. They must show fifteen cumulative years of residence in Mauritius since the age of 40, and crucially, at least three of those years must be continuous and immediately before the date of application.

The announcement has added to ongoing uncertainty around pension eligibility, particularly among the Mauritian diaspora. Many Mauritians who emigrated to France, the United Kingdom, Australia or Canada in earlier decades have been watching these rule changes closely, as they affect whether they can claim the BRP if they retire back home.

What this means: If you are a Mauritian citizen planning to return to the island and claim the Basic Retirement Pension at 61, you will now need to account for how many years you have actually lived in Mauritius since adulthood. Those who spent long stretches abroad may fall short of the twelve-year threshold. Non-citizens, including foreign spouses of Mauritians, face an even stricter test and must have been resident in Mauritius for three consecutive years immediately before applying. Anyone approaching the September 2026 eligibility window should seek guidance from the Ministry of Social Integration and Social Security to check whether they qualify under the amended regulations.

Source: ION News