A comfortable retirement works out cheaper in Dominican Republic — around £1,650/month for a couple, versus £2,100 in Mauritius (about 21% more).
Cost of living, side by side
| Dominican Republic | Mauritius | |
|---|---|---|
| Modest (couple/mo) | £1,150 | £1,400 |
| Comfortable (couple/mo) | £1,650 | £2,100 |
| Premium (couple/mo) | £2,400 | £3,300 |
Indicative monthly estimates for a couple — real costs vary by location, lifestyle and exchange rates.
Dominican Republic: Foreigners buy with the same rights as citizens, taking full fee-simple (freehold) title in their own name with no restrictions. Property is registered in the buyer's name at the Title Registry.
Mauritius: Non-citizens buy mainly through government-approved schemes such as the Property Development Scheme (PDS), IRS and RES, or in ground-plus-two apartment developments, where they can own freehold. A qualifying purchase above set price thresholds can also confer residence. Buying ordinary land outside these schemes generally requires special approval.
Dominican Republic: Pensionado residency is aimed at retirees with about US$1,500 a month of pension income (plus roughly US$250 per dependent), with a Rentista option for other passive income; both offer a relatively quick route to permanent residency.
Mauritius: Those aged 50+ can apply for a Retired Non-Citizen residence permit by undertaking to transfer around USD 2,000 a month into a local account; buying a qualifying scheme property can also grant residence for as long as it is held.
Dominican Republic: Private hospitals in Santo Domingo, Santiago and the main expat hubs are modern and cost far less than in the US or UK; expat-focused insurance starts around US$100 a month, often including medical evacuation. Public care is basic, so most retirees insure privately.
Mauritius: Free public hospitals exist but expats use private clinics, chiefly the C-Care group (with branches at Grand Baie, Tamarin and Wellkin in Moka) plus others, offering good care in English and French, with anything highly specialised sometimes handled abroad. Private insurance is widely used and relatively affordable.
Dominican Republic: Holders of Pensionado residency have their foreign pension exempted from Dominican tax, and new residents broadly enjoy favourable treatment of foreign income; the Pensionado also brings a 50% cut in annual property tax and exemption from the 3% transfer tax on a first home. Confirm the current rules when you apply.
Mauritius: Mauritius has a flat 15% income tax and no capital-gains or inheritance tax, and a resident is taxed on foreign income only if it is remitted to Mauritius; the over-50s retirement permit needs about USD 24,000 a year of income. Take advice on remittance timing.
Dominican Republic: Tropical and warm all year, typically 26-31C; the drier, most comfortable season is December to April, with a wetter hurricane-season stretch from June to November. Relaxed and welcoming in the expat areas, though normal precautions against petty crime apply; Spanish is the language with English common in tourist zones, and driving is on the right.
Mauritius: Warm and tropical all year, with hot humid summers from December to March and pleasantly mild drier winters from June to September; cyclone season runs January to March. Winter is the most comfortable time. Very easy for British retirees, as English is an official language and driving is on the left as in the UK; the island is safe, stable and welcoming with a large established expat community.
Dominican Republic: One-off costs run roughly 4-5% of the price — a 3% transfer tax (waived on a first home for Pensionado residents), plus legal fees of about 1-1.5% and registration. Foreigners take full freehold title, and using a lawyer to verify title is strongly advised.
Mauritius: Foreign buyers purchase through approved schemes such as the PDS from a USD 375,000 minimum, and expect registration duty of around 5%, though from mid-2026 this is rising toward 10% for scheme purchases, so check the current rate; completion takes weeks to a few months.
Dominican Republic: Las Terrenas on the Samana peninsula for its French-Caribbean flavour, Sosua and Cabarete for an established north-coast expat scene, Punta Cana for resort-style living and flights, and Santo Domingo for city amenities and the best hospitals.
Mauritius: Grand Baie and the north for a lively expat hub, Tamarin and Black River on the west coast for a laid-back beach lifestyle, and Flic en Flac for lagoons and amenities.
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