Victoria: what to see and whether to move there

Is it worth moving to Victoria in 2026

Victoria is the capital of the Seychelles and one of the world's smallest capitals, a town of about 25,000 people in the north-east of Mahé island. It has the market, port, banks and almost all government offices, and the island's best beaches are 15-30 minutes away by car. The Seychelles attracts with a warm ocean all year, safety, English and no visa for citizens of any country.

There are downsides too: island life is expensive, almost everything is imported, jobs for foreigners are mostly in tourism, finance and construction, and the remote work programme was effectively wound down by mid-2026. A foreigner can buy property only with government permission and large fees.

Cost of living in Victoria

Prices come from two independent price databases for 2026 and are shown in dollars; the rate in early October 2026 was about 14.4 Seychelles rupees per dollar. Seaside houses and villas on the west coast and on Eden Island cost far more than the averages. Food and household goods are much more expensive than in Europe because almost everything is imported.

Where to live on Mahé: neighbourhoods

• Victoria - the centre with the market, banks, schools and government offices, convenient but with little modern housing.
• Eden Island - an artificial island next to the capital with a marina, villas and apartments, popular with foreigners.
• Beau Vallon - the north-west coast with a long beach, hotels, cafés and housing for holidays and living.
• East coast towards the airport - residential villages along the airport road, convenient for working in the capital.
• South Mahé - quiet beaches and villages, far from the capital and shops.

Roads on Mahé are narrow and mountainous, buses run on the main routes, but most foreigners buy or rent a car.

Entry and residence

No visa is needed for the Seychelles for citizens of any country, including Russia. Before departure an electronic travel authorisation is obtained on the official website, with a fee of $12 (10 euros) per adult. On arrival a visitor's permit is issued for the length of the trip and can be extended up to 12 months if you have accommodation, funds and a return ticket. The remote work programme, which used to allow living on the islands for up to a year, was effectively wound down by mid-2026. More on the page Seychelles digital nomad visa.

Work requires a gainful occupation permit obtained by the employer after showing that no local specialist is available for the job. The worker's spouse and children receive dependent residence permits.

Taxes in the Seychelles

Foreign workers pay income tax from the first rupee: the tax-free allowance applies only to Seychellois citizens. Tax is withheld by the employer. VAT is 15%. Income earned outside the Seychelles is generally not subject to local income tax, since the tax is withheld from pay for work on the islands.

Renting and buying property

A foreigner can buy property in the Seychelles only with government permission. On top of the price you pay 5% stamp duty, a 1.5% processing fee and a special sanction duty of about 11-12% of the property value, so the purchase costs almost a fifth more than the price. The permission takes several months, and a purchase does not grant residence. It is easiest for foreigners to buy in complexes built specifically for them, such as on Eden Island.

Leases run for a year with a deposit of one or two months' rent, and furnished housing for foreigners is often found through the employer.

Climate and daily life

The climate is tropical: around 26-31 degrees all year. From December to March the north-west monsoon brings hotter, wetter weather, and from May to September the south-east wind brings drier, cooler weather. The official languages are Seychellois Creole, English and French. The main hospital is in Victoria, complex treatment is done abroad, so insurance with evacuation is needed. There is an international school with limited places. International flights connect via Dubai, Doha and Addis Ababa, and direct flights from Moscow were launched in summer 2026.

Pitfalls

• The remote work programme was effectively wound down in 2026.
• A foreigner's purchase needs government permission and fees of about 18% on top.
• High prices for imported food and goods.
• Foreigners pay tax from the first rupee.
• Few jobs for foreigners outside tourism and finance.
• Weak healthcare for complex cases.

Murblz specialists help with the work permit, visitor's permit extensions, government permission to buy property and deal checks. A consultant in the chat will calculate the cost of support.