The +230 country code is for Mauritius. An island nation of about 1.3 million people in the Indian Ocean, roughly 2,000 km off the southeast coast of Africa and 900 km east of Madagascar. Port Louis is the capital and main commercial center. Mauritius punches well above its weight economically -- it's one of Africa's highest-income countries, with a diversified economy built on sugar, textiles, tourism, and financial services. The population is one of the most ethnically mixed in the world: roughly 68% Indo-Mauritian (descendants of Indian laborers brought during British rule), 27% Creole (of African and mixed descent), and smaller Chinese and Franco-Mauritian communities. Everyone speaks Mauritian Creole at home, French in the media, and English in government. It's the only country where all three coexist so evenly.
Quick answer: The country code +230 is for Mauritius. Mobile numbers are 8 digits starting with 5:
+230 5XXX XXXX. Landlines are 8 digits starting with other numbers:+230 2XX XXXXX. There is no trunk prefix -- dial the number exactly as written.
How to call Mauritius: quick reference
Mauritius does not use a trunk prefix. The domestic number is the same as the international number minus the country code. No leading 0 to drop.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +230 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-230-[local number] |
| UK | 00-230-[local number] |
| Australia | 0011-230-[local number] |
| Germany | 00-230-[local number] |
| France | 00-230-[local number] |
Understanding Mauritius phone numbers
Mauritius uses a closed numbering plan with 8-digit numbers. No area codes, no trunk prefix. The first digit tells you whether it's a mobile or landline.
Mobile numbers
All mobile numbers start with 5 and are 8 digits long:
- 52XX XXXX: Mauritius Telecom (my.t)
- 58XX XXXX: Mauritius Telecom (my.t)
- 57XX XXXX: Emtel
- 59XX XXXX: MTML (Mahanagar Telephone Mauritius Limited)
The format is always +230 5XXX XXXX. If someone gives you a Mauritian mobile number, it starts with 5 and has 8 digits. Add +230 and dial.
Landline numbers
Landlines also have 8 digits but start with digits other than 5:
| Starts with | Area |
|---|---|
| 2XX | Port Louis and general landlines |
| 4XX | Various regions (Curepipe, Quatre Bornes, Rose Hill) |
| 6XX | VoIP and newer landline allocations |
Landlines are relatively common in Mauritius compared to mainland Africa. The island is small (2,040 km²) and well-connected, so fixed-line infrastructure reaches most of the population.
Mobile carriers in Mauritius
Mauritius Telecom (my.t)
Prefix 52XX, 58XX. The state-controlled incumbent, rebranded as "my.t" for its consumer-facing services. Mauritius Telecom runs the fixed-line network, the dominant mobile network, and the country's main internet backbone. It has the widest coverage on the island, including Rodrigues Island (an autonomous dependency 650 km to the east). If you're calling a +230 52 or 58 number, it's a my.t mobile.
Emtel
Prefix 57XX. Part of the Currimjee Jeewanjee group, one of Mauritius's oldest business families. Emtel was the first private mobile operator in Mauritius, launching in 1989. It has strong coverage across the main island and competes aggressively on data pricing. Emtel numbers are identified by the 57 prefix.
MTML
Prefix 59XX. Mahanagar Telephone Mauritius Limited, a joint venture involving India's MTNL. The smallest of the three operators with the least market share. MTML numbers starting with 59 are less common than 52 or 57 numbers.
Don't confuse +230 with nearby codes
The most common confusion is with +262 (Réunion). Réunion is a French overseas department just 200 km southwest of Mauritius, and the two islands have close historical and family ties. But +262 is part of the French numbering system and works differently (10-digit numbers with trunk prefix 0).
| Code | Country | Region |
|---|---|---|
| +230 | Mauritius | Indian Ocean |
| +262 | Réunion (France) | Indian Ocean |
| +231 | Liberia | West Africa |
| +232 | Sierra Leone | West Africa |
+231 (Liberia) and +232 (Sierra Leone) are numerically close but geographically on the other side of Africa. If you're trying to reach someone on a tropical island in the Indian Ocean, it's +230.
Time zone considerations
Mauritius is on Mauritius Time (MUT, UTC+4) year-round with no daylight saving time. This is the same offset as Dubai, the Seychelles, and Réunion.
| Your location | Time difference | Call Mauritius 9 AM - 6 PM |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | Mauritius is 9 hours ahead | 12 AM - 9 AM EST |
| US East Coast (EDT) | Mauritius is 8 hours ahead | 1 AM - 10 AM EDT |
| UK (GMT) | Mauritius is 4 hours ahead | 5 AM - 2 PM GMT |
| UK (BST) | Mauritius is 3 hours ahead | 6 AM - 3 PM BST |
| France (CET) | Mauritius is 3 hours ahead | 6 AM - 3 PM CET |
| France (CEST) | Mauritius is 2 hours ahead | 7 AM - 4 PM CEST |
| India (IST) | Mauritius is 30 min behind | 9:30 AM - 6:30 PM IST |
| Australia (AEST) | Mauritius is 6 hours behind | 3 PM - 12 AM AEST |
The India-Mauritius window is the easiest: only 30 minutes apart, which matters because of the large Indo-Mauritian population with family ties in India. France and the UK have manageable gaps. US callers are looking at early mornings.
Communication in Mauritius
Business hours and culture
Government offices run 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday. Private businesses typically follow 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Shops in Port Louis and the main towns are open Saturday mornings. Mauritians are multilingual by default -- a phone conversation might start in Creole, switch to French for technical terms, and include English phrases. In a business context, French is the default spoken language, while English is used for formal written communication and legal matters.
Languages
English is the official language of parliament and the courts, but almost nobody speaks English as a first language. French is the language of media, business, and education. Mauritian Creole (Kreol Morisien) is what everyone actually speaks at home and on the street. Hindi, Bhojpuri, Tamil, Urdu, and Mandarin are spoken within their respective communities. When you call a Mauritian number, the person is most likely to answer in Creole or French. English works but may feel more formal.
Network quality
Mauritius has excellent telecom infrastructure for its size. 4G covers the entire main island, and 5G has been rolling out since 2023. Call quality is consistently good. The undersea SAFE and LION fibre-optic cables connect Mauritius to South Africa, India, and beyond. Rodrigues Island has more limited connectivity but still has 4G via Mauritius Telecom. You're unlikely to have connection issues calling any +230 number.
The Mauritius diaspora
Where they went
France has the largest Mauritian diaspora, estimated at 50,000-80,000 people. Paris is the main hub, but there are communities in Lyon, Marseille, and Bordeaux. The French connection is obvious -- Mauritius was a French colony (then called Île de France) until 1810, and French remains the working language. Many Mauritians study at French universities and stay.
The United Kingdom has a significant community, mostly in London. The British colonial period (1810-1968) created the migration link. Many UK-based Mauritians work in finance, IT, and healthcare.
Australia (Melbourne, Perth, Sydney) has a growing Mauritian community, estimated around 30,000-40,000. Australia's skilled migration program has attracted Mauritian professionals since the 1990s. Melbourne has the largest concentration.
Smaller communities exist in Canada (Montreal, given the French language connection), South Africa, and India (particularly for business ties with the Indo-Mauritian community).
Why they call
Mauritius is a tight-knit society. Even Mauritians who've been abroad for decades maintain close family connections on the island. Religious festivals (Diwali, Eid, Chinese New Year, Christmas -- Mauritius celebrates them all) drive spikes in international calls. The island's small size means most Mauritians know each other through some connection, so the pull to call home stays strong.
Dialing examples
Example 1: Calling a Port Louis mobile (my.t) from the US
- Mauritian number: 5234 5678
- From a US mobile:
+230 5234 5678 - From a US landline:
011 230 5234 5678
Example 2: Calling an Emtel mobile from France
- Mauritian number: 5712 3456
- From France:
00 230 5712 3456
Example 3: Calling a Port Louis landline from the UK
- Mauritian number: 2123 4567
- From UK:
00 230 2123 4567
Example 4: Calling a mobile from India
- Mauritian number: 5891 2345
- From India:
00 230 5891 2345
Common mistakes to avoid
Adding a trunk prefix that doesn't exist
Mauritius has no trunk prefix. Don't add a 0 before the number. If the number is 5234 5678, dial +230 5234 5678, not +230 0 5234 5678. This is the single most common mistake people make.
Confusing +230 with +262
+230 is Mauritius. +262 is Réunion, the neighboring French department. Réunion uses French numbering (10-digit numbers starting with 0262 domestically). If someone says they're in "the islands near Madagascar," double-check which code they need.
Wrong digit count
All Mauritian numbers are 8 digits after +230. If you have 7 digits or 9 digits, something is wrong. Mobile numbers always start with 5. If your 8-digit number starts with something other than 5, it's likely a landline.
Expecting English on the phone
Despite English being the official language, most Mauritians answer the phone in Creole or French. If you speak English, you'll be understood, but the initial greeting will probably be "Allo" followed by Creole. Don't worry -- most Mauritians can switch to English or French comfortably.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country has the +230 country code?
The +230 country code is for Mauritius, an island nation in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar.
How many digits is a Mauritian phone number?
All Mauritian numbers are 8 digits after +230. Mobile numbers start with 5. Landlines start with other digits (2, 4, 6).
How do I call Mauritius from the USA?
From a mobile, dial +230 followed by the 8-digit number. From a landline, dial 011, then 230, then the 8-digit number. No leading 0 to drop.
Does Mauritius have a trunk prefix?
No. Mauritius does not use a trunk prefix. Dial the 8-digit number directly after +230.
What is the difference between +230 and +262?
+230 is Mauritius (capital: Port Louis). +262 is Réunion, a French overseas department 200 km to the southwest. Réunion uses the French numbering system.
For more dialing guides, see our complete country codes directory. You can also check guides for nearby Madagascar (+261) and Réunion (+262).