Yes, employing a nanny or a housekeeper in Mauritius is treated like a real job.
The contract, pay, and declaration must be aligned with the correct category. In Mauritius, the version published in the Government Gazette is authoritative, and the national minimum wage has been raised to Rs 17,745 per month as of January 1, 2026.labour.govmu.org)
Things to check before hiring
A nanny, a housekeeper, a cook, a gardener, or a caregiver falls under the category of domestic workers. The correct job title matters, as the law distinguishes between housework, shopping, babysitting, and assisting a sick person. For a nanny, the closest category is often that of a domestic worker, since the definition includes babysitting.labour.govmu.org)
- The position must correspond to the actual tasks, for example cleaning, shopping or babysitting for a domestic worker.
- The salary must follow the correct scale and the latest version published in the Gazette.
- The social security declaration must be organized before the first month of pay.mra.mu)
- Evidence must be kept, especially the signed contract and pay slips. (labour.govmu.org)
For the general framework of the employer, the guide on the employer's obligations in Mauritius This point is usefully complemented.
Minimum wage and applicable pay scale
For domestic staff, wages are not limited to the national minimum wage. Specific regulations were amended in 2026, and the latest version in the Gazette is the legal reference to check before signing.labour.govmu.org)
Salary scale to be aware of before finalizing the contract
| Landmark | Amount or rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| National minimum | Rs 17,745 per month since January 1, 2026. | National regulations amended in 2026. |
| Domestic grid | The sectoral regulation for domestic workers was amended in 2026, so you should check the latest published version before signing. | The official page lists Amendment 2026 and reminds readers that the Gazette version is authoritative. |
| Examples 2024 | Housekeeper Rs 16,500, cook Rs 16,745, gardener Rs 17,100, nurse Rs 17,100, driver Rs 17,669. | The 2024 government PDF shows the logic of classification by function.labour.govmu.org) |
The key takeaway is this: the base salary must correspond to the actual job duties, then the rules for overtime, holidays, meal allowances, and transportation allowances, as stipulated in the official model, are added. (labour.govmu.org)
The practical rule is simple: write the job category, then the applicable legal amount on the day of signing. Do not use an approximate amount found on the market if the official text has changed.labour.govmu.org)
The written employment contract
The official domestic service contract template is particularly useful if the person is provided with accommodation or comes from abroad, but it also serves as a basis for local recruitment as long as the clauses correspond to the actual job. If you are also hiring a non-domestic employee, the guide on managing an employee in Mauritius recalls the general framework of charges and obligations.
Clauses not to be forgotten
| Clause to be included | What you need to write | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Job title and workplace | Please specify the exact position, the address of the workplace, and the duration of the contract. | The standard contract includes these fields in the header. (labour.govmu.org) |
| Salary and payslip | Specify a monthly salary in Mauritian rupees, paid monthly, directly to the employee, with a payslip and without illegal deductions. | The official model requires it. (labour.govmu.org) |
| Schedules and rest | An ordinary domestic employee works 48 hours a week, in principle 8 hours a day between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., with one day off per week and at least two Sundays a month. | The conditions are set by the regulations on domestic workers. |
| Overtime and benefits | Include overtime pay, holiday pay, food, travel allowance if the person works elsewhere, and transportation when required. | The official model details these benefits and increases. (labour.govmu.org) |
| Daily life, security and end of contract | If the person is being housed, ensure they have decent accommodation. Don't forget insurance, the prohibition on withholding the passport, the 30-day notice period, and the contract termination rules. | The model contract and sectoral regulations govern these points. (labour.govmu.org) |
The model also recognizes the right to join a union, repatriation assistance in certain cases, and leave and rest days as provided by law. (labour.govmu.org)
Declaration, MRA and contributions
For social security contributions, the correct contact is the MRA (Mauritius Revenue Authority). Individuals employing domestic staff receive an ERN (Employment Risk Number) when submitting their social security return or NSF (National Social Security Fund), and must then file their returns according to the established schedule. To understand a payslip without getting lost, the guide to the Mauritian payslip helps distinguish between PAYE (Pay As You Earn), CSG (General Social Contribution), and NSF.
What you need to declare and pay
| Obligation | Practical rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Employer registration | For domestic service, the ERN is assigned upon submission of the social return or NSF. The electronic EDF is then used to complete payroll data when necessary. | MRA. (mra.mu) |
| Monthly return | Each month, the employer must submit the details of each employee hired the previous month and pay the contributions on time. Contributions begin in the month of hiring, even for probationary or part-time employees. | MRA. |
| CSG | The CSG (General Social Contribution) is generally 1.5 times the employee's share and 3 times the employer's share up to Rs 50,000, then 3 times and 6 times the employer's share above that. It applies to the basic wage or salary, with the end-of-year bonus treated separately. | MRA. (mra.mu) |
| NSF and training levy | The NSF is 1 % for the employee and 2.5 % for the employer. The training levy is 1.5 % for the employees concerned, but not for a household worker. | MRA and public services.mra.mu) |
| Annual return possible | If no monthly return has been filed in the financial year, an annual return remains possible before July 31, with a quarterly statement for household employees. | MRA. (mra.mu) |
If the salary becomes taxable, the monthly return can also be included in the PAYE (Pay As You Earn) system, and the electronic EDF (French tax authority) system is used to calculate tax credits and deductions. The key principle remains simple: the contribution starts from the month of hiring, even if the person is part-time or on probation.
If the person hired comes from abroad
If the nanny or housekeeper is not Mauritian, the standard contract specifies that the employer must complete the Entry Visa, Work Permit, and Residence Permit formalities, and then pay the corresponding fees. The guide on Visas and work permits in Mauritius in 2026 can then serve as a reference point. (labour.govmu.org)
The model also adds a crucial point: the employee retains possession of their passport and identity documents. (labour.govmu.org)
FAQ
What are my rights when I hire a nanny in Mauritius and how can I enforce them?
You are entitled to a written contract, a 48-hour work week for a regular domestic employee, a rest period of at least 11 consecutive hours per day, a weekly day off, overtime pay, and a paid public holiday. The official model also prohibits reducing wages or making working conditions less favorable. To ensure these rights are respected, keep your signed contract, payslips, and MRA declarations up to date. In case of any obstruction, the labor inspectorate can register your complaint and take the necessary steps.
What is the minimum wage applicable to domestic staff in Mauritius and how is it recalculated?
In 2026, the national minimum wage is Rs 17,745 per month, effective January 1, 2026. However, for domestic staff, the sectoral pay scale, amended by regulation that same year, must be consulted. The 2026 text on additional remuneration also provides for an increase of 3.7%, capped at Rs 635 per month, for the amounts concerned. The correct approach is therefore to check the latest Gazette and then align the contract, payroll, and contributions with this version.
How to register a nanny or housekeeper in Mauritius and what administrative formalities are required?
The declaration is made to the MRA. An individual employing domestic staff receives an ERN when they submit their social security or NSF return. They must then file a monthly return with details of each employee and pay the contributions by the due date. Contributions begin in the month of employment, even if the person is part-time or on probation. If no monthly return has been filed in the year, an annual return is still possible before July 31, with a quarterly statement for household employees.
Is a written employment contract required for a live-in nanny in Mauritius, and what clauses should it include?
Yes. The official template includes a written contract specifying the position, workplace, duration, monthly salary in Mauritian rupees, direct payment, working hours, weekly rest days, overtime, meals, transportation, accommodation, insurance, repatriation, and a 30-day notice period. It serves as a very solid foundation to prevent oversights. In the case of a live-in nanny, it is particularly useful to also include the rules regarding accommodation and rest periods. (labour.govmu.org)
Is a permit required if the nanny or housekeeper is a foreigner?
Yes. If the nanny or housekeeper is not Mauritian, the employer must complete the Entry Visa, Work Permit, and Residence Permit formalities and pay the corresponding fees. The standard contract also specifies that the employee's passport and other identification documents must remain with them. In this type of case, it is helpful to keep track of the work permit timeline, as the contract and permit must be consistent. (labour.govmu.org)
And now ?
If you are preparing for a job offer in Mauritius, start with the homepage of EXPAT MAURITIUS, then reread the guide on the employer's responsibilities and obligations and the one on the Mauritian payslip. This will give you a clear basis for drafting a proper contract, paying correctly, and declaring on time.
