SIM Cards and eSIMs in Mauritius: Documents, Prices and Getting a Local Number
Which documents to show, what a prepaid or tourist SIM costs at my.t and Emtel, and how an eSIM works in Mauritius.
You can get a Mauritian number in a single visit to a shop: a tourist needs a passport and an address of stay, a resident needs ID and a recent proof of address. A basic prepaid SIM costs Rs 100 at both my.t and Emtel, and the law bans selling a SIM that is already active, so every card is registered in the buyer’s name.
What documents do you need to buy a SIM card?
Since 1 April 2025, Telecommunication Directive 1 of 2025, issued by the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA), sets out what an operator or its agent must ask for. It depends on who is buying.
- A Mauritian citizen shows a National Identity Card or passport, plus a copy of a recent utility bill or another proof of address.
- A foreign resident shows a passport, a copy of a residence or occupation permit, and a recent proof of address.
- A tourist shows a passport (or another valid travel document) and an address of stay in Mauritius.
The text defines “recent” as no older than 3 months, so a six-month-old bill will not do. Operators may not sell a SIM to anyone under 18, or sell one that was activated before registration.
The directive also says a lost, stolen or damaged SIM is replaced, or the service restored, once the original registration is checked, so keep the details you registered with. A deactivated number cannot be given to someone else for at least 6 months.
Prepaid SIM cards from my.t and Emtel
Both operators sell a Rs 100 starter pack. At my.t it includes 35 GB of data, Rs 87 of calls and 150 local SMS; the free SMS and data are credited within three working days of activation, with 5 GB a day for the first 7 days. Emtel’s Rs 100 pack comes with Rs 87 of starting credit. Prepaid means no monthly fee: you pay for what you use. my.t lists calls to other mobile operators at Rs 3.60 a minute and SMS at Rs 0.60 each, excluding VAT.
my.t also sells a Premium SIM at Rs 1,500. According to the operator, the number stays yours even if you are abroad or the card is unused, and you only need to top up once every 10 years. It suits anyone who keeps a base on the island and wants the same number year after year.
One point to confirm in store: Emtel’s page for its starter pack limits it to holders of a Mauritian ID card or passport. A foreign resident should ask which offer is open to them before going, and bring a passport, permit and proof of address.
Tourist SIM cards: buy on arrival or book before you fly
Both operators sell a tourist SIM valid for 30 days.
| Operator | Price | Validity | Data | Calls and SMS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| my.t | €30 | 30 days | Unlimited | Rs 200 of calls, unlimited local SMS |
| Emtel | €35 including VAT | 30 days | Unlimited | Rs 200 of credit, unlimited local SMS |
These are the prices the operators show on that date, in euros rather than rupees. Emtel lets you book before you travel and collect the card at its counter at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport or at any showroom. my.t says its card is sold in its shops and through retailers. Registration uses your passport and your address of stay (hotel or rental), so have both to hand before you land.
The directive also lets hotels and other accommodation holding a Tourism Authority licence act as authorised agents and hand out SIM cards to tourists. The card is then registered in the tourist’s name.
How eSIM works in Mauritius
Emtel sets out its eSIM process on its website. An existing Emtel customer converts a physical SIM to eSIM online at no charge. A new customer pays Rs 100 for a prepaid eSIM and goes to a showroom, where an agent hands over a QR code; you connect to Wi-Fi, scan it, and the line is normally ready within a few minutes. You need ID (a passport for tourists), a proof of address under 3 months old and a compatible phone.
To check whether your phone supports eSIM, dial *#06#: if an EID number appears, it does. A phone can store several eSIM profiles but only one is active at a time. Emtel gives 8970 as its helpline.
The my.t page we read does not publish an eSIM price, so ask in store or on the operator’s website before you count on one.
Which option suits you?
For a stay of a few weeks, the tourist SIM is the simplest: everything is included for 30 days. For a longer stay, buy the Rs 100 starter pack and top it up. If you are moving here, the easiest route is to register the card with your residence permit and a proof of address in your name, which gives you one stable number to hand to your bank, your internet provider and your agent. It is also the number couriers call before bringing you a parcel: see how to receive a parcel in Mauritius.
A phone is no substitute for a fixed line when you work from home: for fibre and home 4G, see our guide to internet in Mauritius. A local number also makes it easier to deal with an agency when you look for a long-term rental.
Sources and checks
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