Setting up Trusts in Mauritius offers a powerful, flexible solution for international clients seeking long-term asset protection, cross-border succession planning, and tax-efficient structures in a well-regulated jurisdiction.
Mauritius has positioned itself as a secure and reputable destination for Trusts. Its legal framework, built around the Trusts Act 2001, enables settlors from any part of the world to structure vehicles that preserve wealth, maintain confidentiality, and ensure family succession across generations. Whether you’re planning to protect assets, pass down business interests, or create a philanthropic legacy, a Mauritius Trust offers an adaptable and versatile platform.
The establishment of a Trust is more than a legal act — it is a strategic step in safeguarding one’s wealth and planning for the future. Here are several important reasons why high-net-worth individuals and families choose Mauritius for their Trust domiciliation.
Trusts help shield assets from claims, creditors, and legal disputes. Once transferred into a trust, assets are no longer under the direct ownership of the settlor, which helps ring-fence them from personal liability, divorce proceedings, or hostile litigation in other jurisdictions.
Mauritius-based trusts simplify the transfer of wealth across borders, particularly when beneficiaries reside in different countries. The trust ensures seamless estate transmission without the delays and expenses often associated with probate or inheritance laws in multiple jurisdictions.
A Mauritian trust can legally hold diverse types of property, movable and immovable — from shares in private companies and investment portfolios to offshore bank accounts and real estate. This allows for centralised ownership under one structure, with clear directives on how the assets are to be used or distributed.
By placing assets into trust, families can safeguard capital for future generations while providing for education, medical needs, or entrepreneurial ventures. The Trustee ensures that funds are managed prudently and used according to the family’s wishes.
Setting up a Trust involves several structured steps designed to reflect the unique objectives of the client.
A trust begins with the settlor transferring legal ownership of assets to a Trustee. These assets are then managed in accordance with the instructions set out in a Trust Deed — a detailed legal document that outlines the duties and powers of the trustee, the rights of beneficiaries, and any guiding principles such as a letter of wishes from the settlor.
The Trust Deed also covers the appointment of a Protector or Enforcer, where applicable, and determines how the Trust will operate over time. The structure is crafted to be both flexible and legally enforceable, with room for adaptations should circumstances change.
Mauritius offers several categories of trusts, each catering to different objectives. The flexibility of the legal framework allows clients to select or customise a trust model that aligns with personal, family, or philanthropic goals.
Discretionary Trusts are among the most widely used structures in Mauritius. Under this type, the Trustee holds complete discretion over how and when to distribute income or capital among the beneficiaries. The Trustee may also add or remove beneficiaries over time, based on circumstances, the consent of the Protector or Enforcer or the settlor’s non-binding letter of wishes.
This arrangement provides significant flexibility and protects the trust assets from being viewed as entitlements of the beneficiaries. Importantly, the duration of a discretionary trust is limited to 99 years, although early termination is permitted under the terms of the deed.
A Purpose Trust is created to fulfil a specific objective that does not involve named beneficiaries. This objective must be lawful, reasonable, and clearly defined. Examples may include holding shares for a company, managing intellectual property, or safeguarding cultural assets.
Even though no individuals directly benefit from the trust, an independent enforcer is appointed to ensure that the purpose of the trust is executed as intended. These trusts are often used in commercial or structured finance arrangements and can be of perpetual duration.
Charitable Trusts are a special category of purpose trust with objectives that promote public benefit. Permissible purposes include poverty relief, educational advancement, religious promotion, human rights advocacy, environmental conservation, or any other cause deemed beneficial to society.
These trusts are tax-efficient and can continue in perpetuity. They are often used by philanthropists seeking long-term impact without establishing a separate charity or foundation.
A Private Trust Company is a bespoke solution designed for families who want a higher level of involvement in the administration of their trusts. It is a Corporate Trustee that manages one or several family trusts, often serving multiple generations.
With a PTC, family members hold board positions, influence investment decisions, and maintain greater oversight without compromising legal independence. These entities can be licensed as Global Business Corporations in Mauritius, enhancing their credibility and cross-border applicability.
Trusts in Mauritius rely on a defined set of roles, each carrying specific responsibilities and legal implications.
A settlor is the individual or corporate body that establish the Trust by transferring assets to the Trustee to be held in Trust. Settlors may also serve in other roles — such as Trustee, Protector, or Beneficiary — provided they are not the sole beneficiary, which would defeat the separation principle of the Trust.
Trustees are the legal custodians of the trust assets. At least one Trustee must be a qualified entity licensed by the Mauritius Financial Services Commission (FSC). Trustees must carry out their duties in good faith, in accordance with the Trust Deed and in the best interests of the beneficiaries. While the settlor may act as one of the trustees, the total number of trustees may not exceed four.
A Protector acts as a check-and-balance on the Trustees. This role is especially valuable in Discretionary Trusts or where the settlor wants reassurance that the Trustees remain aligned with the original intent. Protectors may have powers to appoint or remove trustees, veto certain actions, or shift the trust’s governing law.
The Mauritian tax system provides an attractive environment for the establishment of non-resident trusts.
If a trust declares itself as non-resident (by filing the appropriate notice within three months of its financial year-end), it will not be subject to income tax on foreign-sourced income. Additionally:
✅ There is no withholding tax on trust distributions.
✅ Beneficiaries do not pay tax in Mauritius on distributions received from a non-resident trust.
✅ The trust remains compliant and fiscally neutral while operating in a reputable offshore jurisdiction.
Trusts formed under foreign laws can be redomiciled to Mauritius under relatively simple conditions. The key requirements are:
✅ A majority of the trustees must be residents of Mauritius.
✅ The trust must be administered from within Mauritius.
✅ A change in the proper law of the trust must be reflected in the trust instrument, typically through a trustee declaration.
Redomiciling a trust to Mauritius offers enhanced asset protection, robust legal oversight, and access to expert fiduciary services — all while maintaining continuity for the beneficiaries.
As a licensed fiduciary and corporate services provider, SAB&T IFC delivers end-to-end solutions for clients looking to establish or manage Trusts in Mauritius. Our services include:
✅ Drafting, reviewing, and updating Trust Deeds tailored to your personal
✅ Facilitating the legal establishment and registration of the Trust with compliant structuring.
✅ Acting as a licensed trustee or assisting in the formation of Private Trust Companies.
✅ Managing day-to-day trust administration, accounting, and MRA reporting.
✅ Offering tax guidance to ensure ongoing compliance and fiscal efficiency.
We serve private clients, family offices, legal advisors, and wealth managers across the globe, ensuring confidentiality, precision, and peace of mind.
Yes. Foreign individuals and entities commonly establish trusts in Mauritius to protect assets, manage inheritance, and create family legacies. There are no restrictions on non-residents creating or benefiting from Mauritian trusts.
With all the necessary documentation in place, a trust can be established in as little as 5 to 10 working days. The timeline may vary slightly based on complexity or the inclusion of cross-border elements.
Trusts can hold immovable property in Mauritius, subject to regulatory approvals and applicable property laws. This is often used in estate planning or to centralise asset ownership.
Yes. Trusts in Mauritius are private arrangements. They are not registered on any public registry, and the details of settlors, beneficiaries, and assets remain confidential.
Trusts can be terminated early if this is provided for in the Trust Deed or agreed upon by all parties. Trustees, with the guidance of protectors or court approval, may wind up the trust and distribute assets accordingly.
