Foreigners may buy certain residential property but must obtain government sanction (approval) under the Immovable Property Transfer Restriction Act, generally limited to designated areas or approved developments with a high minimum price. A sanction fee and stamp duty apply, and buying property does not by itself grant residence.
Before you buy in Seychelles, always:
General guidance only — rules change; confirm the current position with a qualified local lawyer.
Our free ownership checker and the Overseas Property Playbook walk through how foreign ownership works step by step — the questions to ask and the traps to sidestep.
Non-citizens need government sanction to buy; on top of 5% stamp duty expect a sanction fee of roughly 1.5% for an approved condominium but around 11-12% for standalone land or a house, plus legal fees. The sanction step adds time.
Mahe holds most amenities, including Eden Island, a marina development where foreigners buy readily; Praslin and La Digue offer a slower, scenic island life.
Public healthcare on Mahe (Seychelles Hospital in Victoria) is free to citizens and fine for routine needs, but expats use private clinics and complex cases go abroad. A comprehensive international policy is important and worth pricing carefully. Generally safe with sensible precautions against petty theft; English is an official language and widely spoken, and driving is on the left, so it is very easy for British retirees.
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