The short version
- Mauritius has the lower entry bar: €1,292 per month versus €2,580 for Panama.
- Mauritius grants a longer initial stay (12 months vs 9), and it is renewable.
- Tax treatment differs: Mauritius — foreign income exempt; Panama — territorial taxation. Tax outcomes depend heavily on personal circumstances.
| Criteria | Mauritius Premium Visa | Panama Remote Worker Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum income / month | €1,292 (better) | €2,580 |
| Income basis | Mixed (salary, freelance or savings) | Mixed (salary, freelance or savings) |
| Initial duration | 1 year (better) | 9 months |
| Renewable | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum total stay | No fixed limit | 18 months |
| Path to permanent residence | No | No |
| Path to citizenship | No | No |
| Family inclusion | Yes | Yes |
| Working for local clients | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Tax treatment | Foreign income exempt (Remittance basis (Premium Visa holders)) | Territorial taxation |
| Health insurance | Required (explicit) | Required (explicit) |
| Insurance duration required | Full visa period | Full visa period |
| Application fee | ≈ €0 (better) | ≈ €215 |
| Where to apply | Online, In country | In country |
| Processing time | 1–8 weeks | 6–9 weeks |
Green values mark the objectively better number in that row.
Full guide
Mauritius Premium Visa →
Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.
Full guide
Panama Remote Worker 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
- 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
- Government Requisitos para solicitar Visa de Corta Estancia como Trabajador Remoto (Servicio Nacional de Migracion, official requirements sheet citing Decreto Ejecutivo 198 de 2021) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Official gazette Gaceta Oficial Digital No. 29290-A, 20 de mayo de 2021 (publication of Decreto Ejecutivo 198) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Visa para Nomadas Digitales - PROPANAMA (official investment-promotion authority) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Panama: Short stay visa as a remote worker (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Visa for Remote Workers (Digital Nomads): Executive Decree 198 of May 7, 2021 (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Short Stay Visa as a Remote Worker (Digital Nomad) - Morgan & Morgan (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Panama Digital Nomad Visa - Kraemer & Kraemer (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Requirements and Process for the Remote Worker Visa in Panama (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Media Panama Tax Rate Guide 2026: Income, Property and Local Taxes Explained (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm 2024 Immigration Reforms in Panama: Updated Entry Rules, Fines, and Deadlines (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Media US Dollar (USD) to Euro (EUR) Exchange Rate History for 2026 (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15