Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Mauritania Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Mauritania Property Pack
Mauritania remains one of Africa's most affordable retirement destinations, though it requires careful planning and realistic expectations about infrastructure and services.
In this guide, we break down actual monthly budgets, housing prices in Nouakchott, visa requirements, healthcare costs, and what you can really expect at each spending level in 2026.
We constantly update this blog post with the latest data from official sources, so the numbers you see reflect current market conditions.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Mauritania.
How much money do I need to retire in Mauritania right now?
What's the absolute minimum monthly budget to survive in Mauritania?
The absolute minimum monthly budget to survive in Mauritania in 2026 is around 36,000 MRU, which equals approximately $900 or €775, though this assumes you live very simply and avoid most imported goods.
At this level, your budget covers basic rent in an outer neighborhood like Dar Naim or Arafat, home-cooked meals using local staples, minimal transportation by shared taxi, and cash payments for basic medical needs when they arise.
The main sacrifice at this budget in Mauritania is that you will have no financial cushion for emergencies, no air conditioning during the hot months, limited access to familiar foods, and you may face power outages without backup options.
What lifestyle do I get with $2,000/month in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, a budget of $2,000 per month (around 80,000 MRU or €1,720) in Mauritania gives you a comfortable local lifestyle with some expat comforts, meaning you can cover your basics without constant financial worry.
With this budget, you can afford a decent one-bedroom apartment in better-connected areas like Ksar or parts of Tevragh-Zeina for around 28,000 to 48,000 MRU ($700 to $1,200 or €600 to €1,030) per month, depending on whether it is furnished and has reliable utilities.
Your social life at this level in Nouakchott includes occasional dining at local restaurants, regular visits to cafes, reliable internet for video calls, and weekend trips to nearby beaches at Cité Plage without stressing about the cost.
The main limitation at $2,000 per month in Mauritania is that premium expat housing with backup generators and high-end imported groceries remains out of reach, and you will need to be selective about private healthcare options.
What lifestyle do I get with $3,000/month in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, a budget of $3,000 per month (around 120,000 MRU or €2,580) in Mauritania provides a solid expat-standard comfort level where daily life feels easy and you rarely think about small expenses.
At this budget, you can rent a furnished apartment or small villa in sought-after neighborhoods like Tevragh-Zeina or the better streets of Ksar for approximately 40,000 to 72,000 MRU ($1,000 to $1,800 or €860 to €1,550) per month, including better security and more reliable water and power.
This spending level in Mauritania opens up regular dining at the nicer restaurants in Nouakchott, imported groceries when you want them, weekend excursions to places like Banc d'Arguin National Park, and comfortable regional flights to Dakar or Casablanca.
The key upgrade from $2,000 to $3,000 per month in Mauritania is peace of mind around healthcare, since you can now afford proper international health insurance plus cash reserves for private clinic visits without hesitation.
What lifestyle do I get with $5,000/month in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, a budget of $5,000 per month (around 200,000 MRU or €4,300) in Mauritania provides a very comfortable lifestyle with minimal hassle, while $10,000 per month (400,000 MRU or €8,600) puts you in full luxury expat territory where almost nothing is out of reach.
At $5,000 per month in Nouakchott, you can rent a spacious villa in prime Tevragh-Zeina for 72,000 to 120,000 MRU ($1,800 to $3,000 or €1,550 to €2,580), while at $10,000 per month, you access the best properties in the city with staff quarters, pools, and top-tier security.
At the $5,000 to $10,000 range in Mauritania, you can afford full-time domestic help, a private driver, premium imported foods, top-quality health insurance with evacuation coverage, and frequent international travel without budget concerns.
How much for a "comfortable" retirement in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, the recommended budget for a comfortable retirement in Mauritania is approximately 100,000 MRU per month, which equals around $2,500 or €2,150.
We recommend adding a safety buffer of at least 20%, meaning you should plan as if you spend 120,000 MRU ($3,000 or €2,580) per month to cover generator fuel spikes, unexpected medical visits, and imported goods that cost more than expected.
A comfortable budget in Mauritania covers things that a basic budget does not, including international health insurance, air conditioning you can actually use, better-quality housing with reliable water, occasional dining out, and a small emergency fund that grows over time.
How much for a "luxury" retirement in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, a luxury retirement in Mauritania requires approximately 260,000 MRU per month, which equals around $6,500 or €5,600.
At this level, you can afford a premium furnished villa in Tevragh-Zeina for 120,000 to 200,000 MRU ($3,000 to $5,000 or €2,580 to €4,300) per month, full-time household staff, a private driver, top-tier international health insurance, and imported goods without checking prices.
The most popular neighborhoods in Mauritania for retirees seeking luxury are Tevragh-Zeina (the embassy and diplomatic district), the prime streets of Ksar (central and well-established), and the coastal areas near Cité Plage for those who want ocean access.
The main advantage of a luxury budget in Mauritania beyond comfort is resilience, since you have the financial cushion to handle any emergency, fly out for specialized medical care, and weather infrastructure disruptions without stress.
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Mauritania. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
What are the real monthly expenses for retirees in Mauritania in 2026?
What is a realistic monthly budget breakdown by category in Mauritania?
A realistic monthly budget breakdown for a retiree in Mauritania in 2026 looks roughly like this: housing takes $700 to $1,200 (€600 to €1,030), utilities and power backup take $150 to $350 (€130 to €300), food takes $300 to $600 (€260 to €520), transport takes $100 to $250 (€85 to €215), healthcare takes $200 to $400 (€170 to €345), and miscellaneous expenses take $150 to $400 (€130 to €345).
Housing typically represents 30% to 40% of your total monthly budget in Mauritania, ranging from 28,000 to 48,000 MRU ($700 to $1,200 or €600 to €1,030) depending on whether you choose a basic apartment in Ksar or a furnished place in Tevragh-Zeina.
Food and groceries in Mauritania account for roughly 15% to 20% of a retiree's monthly budget, which means 12,000 to 24,000 MRU ($300 to $600 or €260 to €520) depending on how much you cook at home versus relying on imported products.
The category that varies most in Mauritania based on personal lifestyle is utilities and power backup, since air conditioning usage in the hot months and generator fuel costs can swing from 6,000 MRU ($150 or €130) to over 14,000 MRU ($350 or €300) depending on your tolerance for heat and your home's infrastructure.
What fees surprise foreigners most after moving to Mauritania?
The top three hidden fees that surprise foreigners in Mauritania are generator fuel and maintenance costs (which can add $100 to $200 or €85 to €170 per month), the premium you pay for "expat-standard" housing with reliable utilities (often 50% to 100% more than local rates), and the cost of imported Western products like familiar brands of food, toiletries, and electronics (which can be two to three times what you would pay at home).
When first arriving in Mauritania, foreigners should budget for one-time setup and administrative fees totaling approximately 200,000 to 400,000 MRU ($5,000 to $10,000 or €4,300 to €8,600), which covers security deposits (typically two to three months rent), residence card processing, document translations, furniture, and initial stocking of a kitchen and household.
What's the average rent for a 1-bedroom or a 2-bedroom in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Nouakchott is approximately 6,000 to 8,700 MRU ($150 to $220 or €130 to €190), while a two-bedroom apartment averages 12,000 to 20,000 MRU ($300 to $500 or €260 to €430), though expat-standard options cost significantly more.
For a one-bedroom in Mauritania, the realistic rent range goes from 6,000 MRU ($150 or €130) in budget neighborhoods like Dar Naim or outer Arafat up to 48,000 MRU ($1,200 or €1,030) for a furnished, secure apartment in prime Tevragh-Zeina.
For a two-bedroom in Mauritania, expect to pay anywhere from 12,000 MRU ($300 or €260) in more affordable areas to 80,000 MRU ($2,000 or €1,720) or more in the best parts of Tevragh-Zeina or Ksar with good amenities.
The neighborhoods that offer the best value for retirees seeking affordable rent in Mauritania are Sebkha (central and commercially active), Teyarett (reasonable prices with improving infrastructure), and the better parts of Arafat (developing rapidly with lower entry costs).
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the latest rent data in Mauritania.
What do utilities cost monthly in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, the estimated total monthly utilities cost for a typical retiree apartment in Nouakchott ranges from 6,000 to 14,000 MRU ($150 to $350 or €130 to €300), with wide variation depending on air conditioning usage and whether you need backup power.
The typical monthly breakdown in Mauritania is: electricity runs 4,000 to 10,000 MRU ($100 to $250 or €85 to €215) depending heavily on air conditioning, water costs 800 to 2,000 MRU ($20 to $50 or €17 to €43), and there is no piped gas so cooking relies on bottled gas cylinders costing around 400 to 800 MRU ($10 to $20 or €8 to €17) per month.
Internet and mobile phone service in Mauritania typically costs 1,200 to 2,400 MRU ($30 to $60 or €26 to €52) per month for a decent data package, though faster or unlimited plans can run higher.
What's the monthly food and transportation budget for one person in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, the estimated combined monthly food and transportation budget for one person in Mauritania ranges from 13,200 to 34,000 MRU ($330 to $850 or €285 to €730), depending on how locally you eat and how often you use taxis.
A realistic monthly grocery budget for a single retiree cooking mostly at home in Mauritania is 10,000 to 24,000 MRU ($250 to $600 or €215 to €520), with the lower end representing local market staples like rice, fish, vegetables, and bread, while the higher end includes imported cheeses, meats, and specialty items.
Dining out regularly in Mauritania adds roughly 4,000 to 12,000 MRU ($100 to $300 or €85 to €260) per month on top of groceries, since a meal at a local restaurant costs around 600 to 1,200 MRU ($15 to $30 or €13 to €26), while Western-style restaurants charge more.
Monthly transportation costs in Mauritania run from 3,200 to 10,000 MRU ($80 to $250 or €70 to €215), with shared taxis at the low end and frequent private taxi use or a hired driver at the high end, since there is no reliable public transit system in Nouakchott.
Get fresh and reliable information about the market in Mauritania
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Can I retire in Mauritania if I want to buy property in 2026?
What's the average home price in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, the estimated average home price in Nouakchott varies enormously by neighborhood, but a typical mid-range property costs approximately 8,000,000 to 20,000,000 MRU ($200,000 to $500,000 or €170,000 to €430,000) in established areas like Ksar or Teyarett.
The realistic price range in Mauritania goes from around 2,200,000 MRU ($55,000 or €47,000) for a basic home in Dar Naim up to 120,000,000 MRU ($3,000,000 or €2,580,000) for a premium villa in the best streets of Tevragh-Zeina.
For retirees in Mauritania, existing apartments in the mid-market areas of Ksar or Teyarett often offer the best value because they combine reasonable prices with proximity to services, while new-build villas in Tevragh-Zeina carry premium prices but deliver better construction quality and security features.
Please note that you will find all the information you need in our pack about properties in Mauritania.
What down payment do foreigners usually need in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, most foreigners buying property in Mauritania should plan for a cash purchase or a down payment of at least 50%, which means 4,000,000 MRU or more ($100,000 or €86,000) for a mid-range property, because local mortgage availability is limited and rates often exceed 15%.
Foreigners in Mauritania generally face higher barriers than locals when seeking financing, not because of explicit legal restrictions but because banks are cautious about lending to non-residents, and the documentation requirements can be challenging to meet without a long local credit history.
We have a document entirely dedicated to the mortgage process in our pack about properties in Mauritania.
You can also read our latest update about mortgage and interest rates in Mauritania.
What's the all-in monthly cost to own in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, the estimated all-in monthly cost to own a typical property in Mauritania (bought cash, not including purchase financing) is approximately 16,000 to 30,000 MRU ($400 to $750 or €345 to €645) for running costs and maintenance reserves.
This all-in figure includes utilities and backup power (6,000 to 14,000 MRU or $150 to $350), a maintenance reserve of roughly 1% of property value per year spread monthly (4,000 to 8,000 MRU or $100 to $200), minor repairs and fees (2,000 to 4,000 MRU or $50 to $100), and any community or security charges if applicable.
Typical monthly property tax in Mauritania is relatively low compared to Western countries, and formal HOA fees are uncommon, but informal security contributions or gated compound fees can add 2,000 to 8,000 MRU ($50 to $200 or €43 to €170) per month in better neighborhoods.
The hidden ownership cost that catches new buyers off guard in Mauritania is the ongoing expense of maintaining properties against heat, dust, and power fluctuations, which degrades equipment faster than in temperate climates, plus the cost of ensuring clean title documentation remains current.
By the way, we also have a blog article detailing the property taxes and fees in Mauritania.
Is buying cheaper than renting in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, the comparison between buying and renting in Mauritania depends heavily on your situation: a cash buyer paying 8,000,000 MRU ($200,000 or €172,000) for an apartment might face all-in ownership costs of 20,000 MRU ($500 or €430) per month, while renting a similar property costs 28,000 to 40,000 MRU ($700 to $1,000 or €600 to €860) per month.
The typical break-even point in Mauritania where buying becomes cheaper than renting is around seven to ten years for a cash purchaser, though this extends significantly if you need mortgage financing at high local interest rates.
The key factors that make buying more attractive in Mauritania are if you can pay cash, plan to stay long-term (ten years or more), and secure a property with clean, transferable title, while renting remains the better choice if you want flexibility, need furnished accommodation, or are uncertain about navigating the local bureaucracy for property registration.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Mauritania versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
What visas, taxes, and healthcare costs should I plan for in Mauritania in 2026?
What retirement visa options exist in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, Mauritania does not offer a dedicated retirement visa, so most foreign retirees obtain a residence card (carte de séjour) through an eligible basis such as property ownership, family ties, or sponsorship, with annual administrative costs estimated at 10,000 to 24,000 MRU ($250 to $600 or €215 to €520) including translations and repeat visits.
There are no clearly published income or savings thresholds for a retirement-specific visa in Mauritania, but demonstrating financial self-sufficiency through bank statements and property ownership can strengthen a residence application.
The typical annual visa renewal cost in Mauritania is not officially posted, so we recommend budgeting 10,000 to 24,000 MRU ($250 to $600 or €215 to €520) per year to cover government fees, required document translations, certified copies, photos, and administrative trips.
The most common visa mistake foreign retirees make in Mauritania is assuming they can stay long-term on tourist entries, when in reality overstaying or failing to formalize residence status can create problems, so working with a local lawyer or fixer early is strongly recommended.
Do I pay tax on foreign income in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, retirees who become tax residents of Mauritania are generally subject to tax on worldwide income, though foreign income that has already been taxed in another country may be exempt from Mauritanian tax if you can provide documentation proving it was taxed elsewhere.
In Mauritania, foreign pensions and investment income are typically taxable if you are resident, but Social Security payments and other income already taxed at source in your home country may qualify for exemption under the "already taxed abroad" rule, which requires keeping clear records.
Mauritania does not have an extensive network of tax treaties with major countries, so double taxation relief often depends on proving that tax was paid elsewhere rather than on a formal treaty mechanism.
The single most important tax rule for foreign retirees to understand before moving to Mauritania is that tax residency triggers worldwide income taxation, so you should consult a local tax adviser to structure your income and documentation properly before establishing residence.
What health insurance do retirees need in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, retirees in Mauritania typically need international health insurance costing 6,000 to 16,000 MRU ($150 to $400 or €130 to €345) per month, plus cash reserves for out-of-pocket expenses, because the public healthcare system has significant capacity and quality constraints especially outside Nouakchott.
Foreigners can technically access public healthcare in Mauritania, but quality and availability are limited, so most expats and retirees rely on private clinics in Nouakchott for routine care and plan for medical evacuation to Dakar, Casablanca, or Europe for serious conditions.
A realistic total annual healthcare budget for a retiree in Mauritania is 36,000 to 96,000 MRU ($900 to $2,400 or €775 to €2,060) for insurance premiums, plus another 6,000 to 18,000 MRU ($150 to $450 or €130 to €390) per year for out-of-pocket clinic visits, medications, and minor procedures.
Buying real estate in Mauritania can be risky
An increasing number of foreign investors are showing interest. However, 90% of them will make mistakes. Avoid the pitfalls with our comprehensive guide.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Mauritania, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can, and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why It's Authoritative | How We Used It |
|---|---|---|
| ANSADE (Mauritania National Statistics Agency) | It's the official producer of Mauritania's inflation and price statistics. | We used ANSADE's monthly consumer price index to anchor current price levels in Mauritania. We also used their construction cost index to justify maintenance budget estimates. |
| Banque Centrale de Mauritanie | It's the central bank and most authoritative source for exchange rates. | We used BCM's official rate tables to convert MRU to USD and EUR for all budget figures. We also referenced their annual report for context on financing constraints. |
| Numbeo | It's a transparent, methodology-described dataset with current city-level estimates. | We used Numbeo as a market snapshot for rent, utilities, groceries, and property prices in Nouakchott. We then stress-tested these figures with conservative buffers. |
| PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries | It's a widely-used professional tax reference that cites local law. | We used PwC's summary to explain how foreign income is taxed in Mauritania. We framed what retirees should confirm with a local tax adviser. |
| World Health Organization | WHO is the top international public health authority. | We used WHO's country profile to ground healthcare system expectations. We justified budgeting for private care and evacuation options based on their assessments. |
| World Bank | It's a global reference dataset with consistent methodology. | We used World Bank data on out-of-pocket health spending to show why retirees need insurance reserves. We also referenced their housing and Doing Business reports. |
| Mauritania Government Procedures Portal | It's an official administrative procedures portal for Mauritania. | We used this portal to describe residence card requirements and typical documents needed. We budgeted a range because fees are not always clearly published. |
| International Monetary Fund | The IMF is a top-tier macroeconomic authority with detailed staff reports. | We used IMF reports to cross-check macro stability assumptions like inflation and currency trends. We justified keeping inflation adjustments modest based on their analysis. |
| Wise | It provides real-time mid-market exchange rates with historical data. | We used Wise to verify current USD to MRU and EUR to USD exchange rates for January 2026. We applied these rates consistently across all budget conversions. |
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Mauritania compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
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