What is a Mauritius Authorized Company?
A Mauritius Authorized Company is a private limited liability company incorporated under the Mauritius Companies Act 2001 and authorized by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) to operate exclusively outside of Mauritius. Because its business activities, clients, and income are entirely non-Mauritius in nature, it is not considered a Mauritius tax resident — and therefore enjoys full exemption from Mauritius corporate income tax, withholding tax, capital gains tax, and stamp duties.
This is distinct from a Global Business Company (GBC), which is designed for international operations with substance and typically benefits from Mauritius's double taxation agreement network. The Authorized Company is a simpler, leaner structure — optimized for individual entrepreneurs, consultants, digital service businesses, and small to medium-sized international service operations that need a credible, reputable jurisdiction with banking access and 0% tax, without the substance overhead of a full GBC structure.
Critical operational constraint: An Authorized Company cannot trade within Mauritius, cannot have Mauritius-resident clients, and cannot derive income from within Mauritius. All business activities, clients, and revenue must be entirely outside Mauritius. This is a fundamental legal requirement — not a technicality. Companies that generate Mauritius-source income must use a different corporate structure. Zitadelle AG assesses your business model during the initial consultation to confirm Authorized Company suitability.
Key Features at a Glance
| Feature | Authorized Company |
|---|---|
| Corporate income tax | 0% |
| Withholding tax | 0% |
| Capital gains tax | 0% |
| Stamp duty | 0% |
| Audit requirement | None |
| Annual return | Minimal — no detailed financial statements |
| Shareholding | 100% foreign ownership permitted |
| Minimum shareholders | 1 |
| Minimum directors | 1 |
| Director residency | No requirement |
| Registered agent | Required |
| Registered office | Required (in Mauritius) |
| Shareholder privacy | Yes — not publicly disclosed |
| Director privacy | Partially protected |
| Banking | Eligible — MUR and multi-currency accounts |
| Incorporation time | 5–10 business days |
| Mauritius clients | Not permitted |
| GBC/DTAA access | Not applicable (not a GBC structure) |
Verified Government Fees and Cost Breakdown (2026)
The real cost to set up a company in Mauritius as an Authorized Company breaks down between fixed government fees and professional service fees. The verified 2026 government fees are as follows:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| FSC initial processing fee | USD $150 (one-time) |
| FSC annual renewal fee | USD $350/year |
| Registrar of Companies annual fee | USD $130/year |
| Total annual government fees | ~USD $480/year |
| Formation cost (Year 1, all-in) | USD $2,000–5,000 |
| Ongoing annual maintenance | USD $2,000–4,500/year |
Year 1 all-in cost includes: FSC processing fee, Registrar fee, registered agent/management company formation fee, company secretarial services, and Certificate of Authorization. Professional fees (management company, registered agent) make up the majority of cost as a licensed management company is legally required to act as the AC's registered agent. This makes the Mauritius Authorized Company formation one of the more cost-predictable options for a Mauritius 0% tax company.
Authorized Company vs. Global Business Company (GBC): Which Is Right?
The two most common Mauritius company structures for international business are the Authorized Company and the Global Business Company (GBC). Choosing the right one depends entirely on your business model, the scope of your international activities, and whether DTAA benefits matter to your specific situation.
| Feature | Authorized Company | Global Business Company (GBC) |
|---|---|---|
| Tax rate | 0% | ~3% effective |
| DTAA access | No | Yes — 46+ treaties |
| FSC classification | Non-resident | Resident (treaty purposes) |
| Audit requirement | None | Mandatory annual |
| Annual reporting | MRA income return only | Full audited financials |
| FSC annual fee | USD $350 | USD $1,950 |
| Total annual govt fees | ~USD $480 | ~USD $2,350 |
| Formation cost (Year 1) | USD $2,000–5,000 | USD $5,000–12,000 |
| Annual maintenance | USD $2,000–4,500 | USD $10,000–15,000 |
| Resident director | Not required | 2 required |
| Substance requirements | Minimal | CIGA requirements apply |
| Banking access | Good | High |
| CFC rule risk | High (depends on home country) | Lower (substance mitigates) |
| Best for | Consultants, SaaS, agencies, freelancers | Investment firms, holding structures, VASP, payment |
| Incorporation time | 5–10 days | 2–4 weeks |
Decision guidance: If your business provides services to international clients (outside Mauritius), has no need for DTAA access, and generates revenue through consulting, digital services, marketing, SaaS, or similar activities — the Authorized Company is the simpler and more cost-efficient structure. If your business involves investment activities, financial licensing, payment services, or requires DTAA benefits to manage withholding tax on cross-border flows — the GBC is the appropriate vehicle. Zitadelle AG confirms the correct structure during the initial consultation.
Mauritius AC vs Other 0% Tax Offshore Structures
The Mauritius Authorized Company is one of several 0% tax offshore company options. Founders comparing a Mauritius non-resident company against a Vanuatu, BVI, or Seychelles IBC should weigh banking access and regulator credibility, not just headline cost:
| Feature | Mauritius AC | Vanuatu IBC | BVI BC | Seychelles IBC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corporate tax | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% (non-trading) |
| Annual audit | None | None | None | None |
| Banking access | Good (MCB, SBM, AfrAsia) | Limited | Limited | Limited |
| FSC/regulator oversight | Yes (FSC-authorized) | VFSC registered | FSC BVI | Seychelles FSA |
| Annual govt fees | ~USD $480 | Low | ~USD $300 | ~USD $100–150 |
| Financial services allowed | No | No | No | No (needs SDL) |
| Management company required | Yes (mandatory) | No | No | No |
| Annual tax return required | Yes (MRA) | No | No | No |
| Formation time | 5–10 days | 2–5 days | 3–5 days | 3–5 days |
| Credibility for banking | High | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Home country CFC risk | High | High | High | High |
| Best for | Africa/Indian Ocean clients, banking | Pacific region | Lean holdco | Cost-first |
Historical Note — GBC2 Abolished
Many searches for “Mauritius offshore company” or “Mauritius GBC2” relate to the old Category 2 Global Business Licence (GBC2) structure that was abolished effective 1 January 2019. Companies previously holding a GBC2 licence were required to either convert to an Authorized Company (if their business model qualified) or transition to a full GBC by 30 June 2021. The Authorized Company is the current equivalent of the former GBC2 — with broadly similar positioning (non-resident, 0% tax, no DTAA access) but under updated FSC regulatory oversight and compliance obligations.
If you are researching “Mauritius GBC2” or “Mauritius offshore holding” — the Authorized Company is the current structure that most closely matches. In other words, the Mauritius GBC2 replacement for most service businesses is the Authorized Company.
Who Is the Mauritius Authorized Company Ideal For?
The Mauritius Authorized Company is designed for the following business profiles:
- ◆IT and technology consultants — freelance developers, software architects, and technology advisors invoicing international clients
- ◆Digital marketing agencies — performance marketing, SEO, social media management, and digital advertising agencies serving global clients
- ◆Business consultants — management, strategy, HR, finance, and operations consultants working with international businesses
- ◆Legal and compliance consultants — independent legal advisors, compliance specialists, and regulatory consultants operating internationally
- ◆SaaS and software businesses — software-as-a-service companies with subscription revenue from international customers
- ◆E-commerce and affiliate marketers — online retailers, drop-shippers, and affiliate marketers with non-Mauritius customer bases
- ◆Online educators and coaches — digital course creators, coaching programmes, and e-learning businesses with global student audiences
- ◆Freelancers and remote professionals — independent professionals invoicing international clients in any service category
- ◆Creative agencies — design studios, content production companies, video production businesses serving international clients
- ◆Trading companies — international procurement, trading, or re-export businesses with non-Mauritius buyers and sellers
Who should NOT use an Authorized Company:
Activities an Authorized Company CANNOT conduct:
- Financial services of any kind (forex, investment management, payment services, insurance, EMI)
- Collective investment fund or scheme management as a professional functionary
- Providing registered office facilities, nominee services, directorship services, secretarial services to other companies
- Trusteeship services
- Administration of employee benefit schemes
- Any activity that requires an FSC license
For financial services businesses (forex brokers, investment managers, payment companies, VASP operators), the correct structure is always the GBC — not the Authorized Company. The Authorized Company is specifically and legally prohibited from financial services activity.
Tax Status: Why 0% Is Legal and Compliant
The 0% corporate tax on an Authorized Company is not a loophole or aggressive tax planning — it is a specifically designed and legally recognized category under Mauritius law, consistent with international tax standards.
- ◆Mauritius Companies Act 2001 — authorizes the Authorized Company as a distinct legal entity category
- ◆Income Tax Act (Mauritius) — explicitly exempts Authorized Companies from corporate income tax because their income is entirely foreign-sourced
- ◆FSC regulatory framework — the FSC authorizes and supervises Authorized Companies as part of Mauritius's financial services regulatory architecture
- ◆FATF alignment — Mauritius is not on the EU or OECD blacklist and maintains FATF-aligned AML/CFT standards; Authorized Companies must comply with applicable AML/CFT registration and reporting requirements
Home country tax obligations:The 0% Mauritius tax is a Mauritius-level exemption only. Whether the company's profits are subject to tax in the beneficial owner's home country depends entirely on the tax laws of that country — including controlled foreign company (CFC) rules, residency rules, and dividend taxation. Zitadelle AG recommends consulting a qualified tax advisor in your country of residence before structuring operations through a Mauritius Authorized Company. Operating the Authorized Company correctly requires ensuring that income is properly declared where legally required.
Home Country Tax — What You Need to Know
The 0% Mauritius tax is a Mauritius-level exemption only. The AC's profits are not taxable in Mauritius, but they may be subject to tax in the beneficial owner's country of residence depending on:
CFC (Controlled Foreign Company) rules:Many countries — including the UK, Germany, France, Australia, and increasingly others — have CFC legislation that taxes a resident individual or company on the undistributed profits of a foreign company they control, even if those profits have not been remitted. Mauritius introduced its own CFC rules in 2019 for resident Mauritius companies controlling foreign entities; your home country's CFC rules are the relevant concern for how AC profits are treated at your personal or corporate level.
Practical guidance by founder profile:
- ◆Founders tax-resident in zero/low-tax jurisdictions (UAE, Qatar, Bahrain): AC structure typically works cleanly. No home-country tax on foreign-company profits.
- ◆Founders tax-resident in EU, UK, Australia: CFC rules are likely to apply. AC profits may be attributed to you personally. Seek specialist tax advice before incorporating.
- ◆Founders tax-resident in emerging markets (India, South Africa, Russia, etc.): FEMA/exchange control rules, CFC provisions, and disclosure requirements vary significantly. Local tax advice is essential.
Zitadelle AG recommends consulting a qualified tax advisor in your country of residence before structuring through an AC. This is not a formality — it is essential to avoid unexpected tax exposure at home.
Banking for Mauritius Authorized Companies
One of the most commercially significant features of the Mauritius Authorized Company — distinguishing it from many comparable offshore structures — is its ability to open genuine business bank accounts in Mauritius.
- ◆Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB) — Mauritius's largest bank; offers multi-currency accounts, international transfers, and online banking
- ◆SBM Bank (State Bank of Mauritius) — major domestic bank with business account facilities for Authorized Companies
- ◆Bank One — a growing international bank in Mauritius offering business accounts
- ◆AfrAsia Bank — specialist international banking for global business accounts
- ◆International EMIs — electronic money institutions providing multi-currency accounts as an alternative to traditional banking
Available currencies: Authorized Companies can typically hold accounts in Mauritian Rupees (MUR), US Dollars (USD), Euros (EUR), British Pounds (GBP), and other major currencies — providing genuine multi-currency banking capability for international business operations.
Banking process: Bank account opening for an Authorized Company typically requires: completed bank application forms, certified corporate documents (Certificate of Incorporation, M&A, FSC Certificate of Authorization), certified identification documents for all shareholders and directors (passport + proof of address), a business description or summary, and source of funds declarations. Some banks require in-person or video KYC. Zitadelle AG provides bank introductions and assists with documentation preparation for the banking process.
Incorporation Requirements and Documents
Incorporating a Mauritius Authorized Company requires the following:
Documents required from shareholders and directors:
- ◆Valid passport — certified copy for all shareholders and directors
- ◆Proof of address — recent utility bill or bank statement (not older than 3 months), certified
- ◆Source of funds declaration — for initial share capital and business funding
- ◆CV or professional background summary — for the primary beneficial owner
- ◆Business description — brief description of the services to be provided and target markets
Corporate requirements:
- ◆Company name ending with "Ltd" — approved by the Mauritius Registrar of Companies
- ◆Minimum 1 shareholder (individual or corporate — any nationality or residency)
- ◆Minimum 1 director (individual — any nationality or residency)
- ◆Registered agent — mandatory; must be an FSC-licensed management company in Mauritius
- ◆Registered office — Mauritius address provided by the registered agent
- ◆FSC Authorization Certificate — issued by the FSC upon satisfactory application
Incorporation timeline:
- ◆Name approval: 1–2 business days
- ◆Document preparation and submission: 2–3 business days
- ◆FSC review and authorization: 3–7 business days
- ◆Total: 5–10 business days from complete documentation
Ongoing Compliance Obligations
The Authorized Company has minimal ongoing compliance obligations — one of its primary commercial advantages over the GBC structure.
- ◆Registered agent — must be maintained throughout the company's life
- ◆Registered office — Mauritius address maintained through the registered agent
- ◆Annual return — filed with the Mauritius Registrar of Companies; minimal disclosure requirements; no audited financial statements required
- ◆AML/CFT compliance — the company must comply with Mauritius AML/CFT obligations applicable to its activities; basic KYC on clients where required
- ◆Government annual fees — payable to the Registrar of Companies and FSC for maintaining active status
- ◆Material change notifications — changes in directors, shareholders, or business activities must be notified to the FSC
- ◆Business activities review — the company must continue to conduct exclusively non-Mauritius business; any change to the business model that introduces Mauritius-source income requires restructuring
Annual MRA Income Tax Return (MANDATORY — often overlooked):Despite paying 0% corporate tax, every Mauritius Authorized Company is legally required to file an annual income tax return with the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) within 6 months of the company's financial year-end. This is a statutory obligation under Mauritius tax law — not optional and not waived by the 0% tax status.
The return confirms the company's non-resident status, declares that all income is foreign-sourced, and provides the MRA with the required annual filing. Failure to file is a compliance breach even where no tax is owed. Zitadelle AG manages MRA annual return filing as part of the AC compliance service.
No audit, no detailed financial statements: Unlike the GBC (which requires mandatory annual audited financial statements), the Authorized Company has no mandatory audit requirement and does not need to prepare or file detailed financial statements. This significantly reduces the annual compliance cost and administrative burden — making it the right structure for smaller service businesses and individual entrepreneurs.
Mauritius as a Jurisdiction: Why It Works
Beyond the specific features of the Authorized Company structure, Mauritius as a jurisdiction offers several commercial advantages that make it a more credible offshore business hub than many alternatives:
- ◆Not on EU or OECD blacklist — Mauritius is FATF-aligned and removed from the FATF grey list; it is not on the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes
- ◆English and French business environment — official bilingual jurisdiction; all corporate and legal documentation in English; banking, professional services, and regulatory interaction in English
- ◆Stable democratic governance — independent judiciary, rule of law, and consistent regulatory framework since independence
- ◆Geographic position — time zone between Europe and Asia; banking correspondent relationships across Africa, Europe, and Asia
- ◆Professional services ecosystem — licensed management companies, law firms, accounting firms, and compliance advisors servicing the Authorized Company market
- ◆Reputable banking system — MCB, SBM, and other Mauritius banks are internationally recognized with correspondent banking relationships globally
How Zitadelle AG Assists
- Business model assessment — confirming Authorized Company suitability vs. GBC
- Name approval with the Mauritius Registrar of Companies
- Complete FSC Authorized Company application — all documentation prepared and submitted
- Registered agent services — FSC-licensed management company in Mauritius
- Registered office — Mauritius address from our Port Louis administration office
- Bank introductions — MCB, SBM, Bank One, AfrAsia, and EMI options based on business profile
- Banking documentation preparation — all KYC and corporate document packages for bank application
- Ongoing compliance — annual return filing, FSC notifications, registered agent maintenance
- Upgrade advisory — if and when a GBC structure becomes more appropriate as the business scales
Mauritius office:Zitadelle AG's administration office at 1F River Court, 6 St. Denis Street, Port Louis, 11328, Mauritius provides direct FSC and Registrar of Companies access, registered agent services, and on-the-ground banking introductions for Authorized Company clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Mauritius Authorized Company?
Is the 0% tax rate legal?
Can an Authorized Company serve Mauritius clients?
Can an Authorized Company open a bank account in Mauritius?
Is an audit required for a Mauritius Authorized Company?
How long does incorporation take?
What is the difference between an Authorized Company and a GBC?
Can a non-Mauritius resident own and direct an Authorized Company?
Does a Mauritius Authorized Company need to file a tax return if it pays 0% tax?
What is the difference between a Mauritius Authorized Company and the old GBC2?
Ready to set up your Mauritius Authorized Company?
Zitadelle AG provides end-to-end Authorized Company incorporation from our Port Louis, Mauritius office — from FSC application and registered agent services through bank account introductions and ongoing annual compliance.
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This page is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Mauritius regulatory requirements may change. Beneficial owners may have tax obligations in their home country regardless of the 0% Mauritius rate — always consult a qualified tax advisor before incorporation. Last updated: April 2026.