The short version
- Mauritius has the lower entry bar: €1,292 per month versus €1,850 for Kenya.
- Kenya grants a longer initial stay (24 months vs 12), and it is renewable.
- Tax treatment differs: Kenya — standard resident taxation; Mauritius — foreign income exempt. Tax outcomes depend heavily on personal circumstances.
| Criteria | Kenya Class N Permit | Mauritius Premium Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum income / month | €1,850 | €1,292 (better) |
| Income basis | Salary / employment contract | Mixed (salary, freelance or savings) |
| Initial duration | 2 years (better) | 1 year |
| Renewable | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum total stay | No fixed limit | No fixed limit |
| Path to permanent residence | Indirect (switch required) | No |
| Path to citizenship | No | No |
| Family inclusion | Yes | Yes |
| Working for local clients | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Tax treatment | Standard resident taxation | Foreign income exempt (Remittance basis (Premium Visa holders)) |
| Health insurance | Required in practice | Required (explicit) |
| Insurance duration required | Full visa period | Full visa period |
| Application fee | ≈ €185 | ≈ €0 (better) |
| Where to apply | Online, In country | Online, In country |
| Processing time | — | 1–8 weeks |
Green values mark the objectively better number in that row.
Full guide
Kenya Class N Permit →
Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.
Full guide
Mauritius Premium Visa →
Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.
Don't forget insurance
Both programs have their own health-insurance rules — we match plans against each one's published requirement, with the evidence shown.
Sources
- Law firm Kenya Introduces the Class N–Digital Nomad Permit (CMS Law) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Kenya Operationalises New Permit Categories (CMS Law) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Kenya accepting applications for the new Digital Nomad Permit (EY Tax Alert) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Understanding the Class N (Digital Nomad) Permit in Kenya (Njaga & Co. Advocates) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Introduction of the Digital Nomad Permit in Kenya (WKA Advocates) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm The Kenya Citizenship and Immigration (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 — Legal Notice 155 / Gazette 179 (WKA Advocates) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Understanding the Class N (Digital Nomad) Work Permit in Kenya (Afriwise) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Kenya Digital Nomad Visa: Eligibility & Application Process (Otieno Aballah Advocates) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Kenya: Digital Nomad Visa Introduced, Further Details Forthcoming (Fragomen) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Kenya — Individual Residence (PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries): 183-day / 122-day tests, worldwide income for residents (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Kenya Foreign Nationals Services (eFNS) portal – Directorate of Immigration Services (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Kenya to Officially Launch Social Health Authority on October 1, 2024 (Ministry of Health) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Stay in Mauritius under Premium Visa - FAQs (Economic Development Board, Nov 2023): income USD 1500/adult + USD 500/child, validity, free of charge, insurance, taxation/remittance, no local labour market (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Premium Visa - Passport and Immigration Office (Government of Mauritius): one year renewable, free of cost (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government The New Premium Visa - EDB Mauritius newsletter: launch 16 Nov 2020, free of charge, travel and health insurance, validity (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Mauritius Premium Visa - Residency in Mauritius: validity, free of charge, insurance, remittance-basis tax, no entry into labour market, separate USD 50 fee for Occupation/Residence Permits from Dec 2025 (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Mauritius Premium Visa - IBN Immigration Solutions: USD 1,500/month, not automatically tax resident, no local employment (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Mauritius: Taxation of Individuals under the Remittance Rules (WTS): 183/270-day residency, remittance basis, foreign credit-card spending not a remittance (Dilloo case) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Media Mauritius Premium Visa - Citizen Remote: income tiers USD 1,500 / 3,000 / +500, processing time, online application (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Media Understanding the Healthcare System in Mauritius - guide for non-residents (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15