Detailed comparison
| Side-by-side comparison of taxation, cost of living and scores between the two countries. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Taxation | ||
| Dividend tax | 0%, Tie | 0%, Tie |
| Capital gains tax | 0%, Tie | 0%, Tie |
| Corporate tax | 15%, Tie | 15%, Tie |
| Wealth tax | None | None |
| Direct inheritance | 0%, Tie | 0%, Tie |
| Cost and real estate | ||
| Monthly FIRE budget | €1,600 | €1,500, Edge to this country |
| Cost-of-living score | 82.3 | 86.0, Edge to this country |
| Reference city | Tbilissi | Grand Baie |
| City-center 2-bed rent | €600, Edge to this country | €750 |
| Safety and FIRE score | ||
| Insecurity | 2.2 | 1.6, Edge to this country |
| FIRE Ultimate V3 score | 92.5 | 99.7, Edge to this country |
Verdict
- Mauritius wins on quality of life (stable tropical climate, medical infrastructure Wellkin/Clinique Darné, international schools Greencoast/Le Bocage), francophone stability and absence of regional geopolitical risk.
- Georgia keeps the edge on entrepreneurial taxation (1% turnover for freelancers / IE up to €170k), Tbilisi cost (≈ 35% cheaper) and visa flexibility (1 year free).
- Verdict: Mauritius for francophone FIRE families > €600k accepting geographic isolation; Georgia for bootstrapping freelancers and Ultra-Lean FIRE 200-500 k€.
Frequently asked questions about this duel
How does Georgia's 1% IE regime work?
Georgia's Individual Entrepreneur (IE) Small Business Status: 1% of gross turnover up to GEL 500,000 (≈ €170k); 3% above up to GEL 1M. Registered with the Georgian Revenue Service, simplified quarterly filing. Pros: no mandatory social security (private cover recommended), no corporate tax, simplified accounting. Caveat: foreign-source income must be structured as services to foreign clients.
Which visa should I choose to settle in Mauritius?
Three paths: 1) Premium Visa (1-year renewable, no investment, proof of USD 1,500/month income; ideal for digital nomads). 2) Occupation Permit (Investor with USD 50k injection + forecast turnover ≥ MUR 4M ≈ €80k, or Professional with local contract ≥ MUR 60k ≈ €1,200/month). 3) Retirement Permit (50+, monthly transfer USD 1,500 ≈ €1,400). The Premium Visa remains the fastest path for young active FIRE.
What climate and geopolitical risks?
Mauritius: tropical cyclones December-April (category 3+ every 2-3 years on average — Mauritius Meteorological Services), sea-level rise threat at 10-30 years for low coastal zones, but zero geopolitical risk. Georgia: frozen conflicts in Abkhazia/South Ossetia (contested zones not recommended), Russian border proximity, moderate seismic risk, more continental climate without regular extreme events. Mauritius = climate; Georgia = geopolitics.
Is Mauritius really off the French tax radar?
Mauritius is NOT on the French list of non-cooperative states (2025 tax update). Bilateral France-Mauritius treaty signed in 1980 (revised 2020) — anti-abuse clause since 2020. Mauritian-source income of a French tax resident remains taxable in France, but an actual residency transfer with formal exit (exit tax if > €800k) and Mauritian registration neutralizes French taxation on future income.
Which wealth strategy for Tbilisi vs Port Louis?
Georgia: open a Bank of Georgia / TBC Bank account in GEL + USD, expose your portfolio via a European broker (Interactive Brokers) — Georgia does not tax capital gains on securities held > 2 years. Mauritius: MCB or ABC Banking account in MUR + USD, ideally a Mauritian trust (favorable Trust Act 2001) for transmission; the offshore context allows efficient multi-currency allocation without excessive fees.