Costs in Seychelles

There is no single official national monthly budget standard for Seychelles. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) publishes the Consumer Price Index and household expenditure data. The latest published detailed Household Budget Survey (HBS) expenditure base is from 2018; a new survey ran from July 2024 to 2025, but its detailed results are not verified here. The CPI stood at 127.98 in July 2026 and shows how prices move over time, not what a household actually pays. A useful budget therefore separates fixed payments, variable consumption, one-off expenses and costs that depend on the island or legal status. Housing is often the largest difference between households. The 2022 Census recorded 75.3% of households as owner-occupied, 16.2% as rented and 7.7% as living rent-free. Rents vary strongly by island, location and property. No verified official market median is available. Social-housing eligibility includes Seychellois nationality, age of at least 18, at least three years of domicile, no previous ownership and household income below SCR 15,000 per month. The Part Rental scheme requires a housing application, at least three months of Housing Support Scheme contributions, employment, a valid tenancy agreement and household income of no more than SCR 15,000 per month. The scheme considers rent up to SCR 15,000, utilities up to SCR 500 and basic household expenses up to SCR 4,000. The Housing Subsidy supports eligible first-time owners with gross income below SCR 30,000 per month. The Housing Finance Company (HFC) offers a 6% interest subsidy where net income is no more than SCR 20,000. In 2026, a mid-range condominium cost about SCR 1,500,000 while the beneficiary amount was about SCR 900,000, leaving a substantial gap. The Public Utilities Corporation supplies electricity, water and sewerage on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. Domestic electricity averaged about SCR 2.74 per kWh in 2024. In January 2024, water and sewerage tariffs rose by 9.2%. In 2026, domestic electricity use up to the first 400 kWh did not receive the fuel-cost surcharge; consumption above that level incurred an additional 25 to 29 cents per kWh. Electricity bills are due within 30 days, and late payment adds 2% for each further 30-day period. Water availability can become more restricted during the dry season, which may affect household planning. Food prices remain exposed to imported food, freight, fuel and foreign-exchange shocks. The State Trading Company (STC) and an essential-commodity price regime continue to apply price limits. The STC Card was reactivated in 2026 for low-income households, and an STC list covering 12 additional everyday products was announced. No verified current official basket prices or average monthly food expenditure should be substituted with invented figures. Public transport is a major cost reference. The Seychelles Public Transport Corporation bus fare has been SCR 8 per trip since 1 February 2026, with a stated plan for SCR 7 in 2027 and SCR 6 in 2028. Some privileged groups may receive reduced fares. Inter-island Cat Cocos and air fares depend on the island pair, travel date and resident status, so they do not have one stable nationwide price. In July 2026, domestic mogas and gasoil prices rose by about SCR 2 per litre in stages; without subsidy, the pump price exceeded SCR 30 per litre. Citizens receive free primary health care in state institutions, and public health services, including hospital treatment according to the official description, are user-charge-free. Non-citizens, tourists and expatriates may need to pay privately or use insurance. Private providers and treatment abroad can also create direct costs. Overseas treatment for citizens is assessed according to medical need rather than treated as an ordinary household expense. The state education system is free and compulsory until age 16. Public-school direct fees are low or absent, but transport, meals, supplies, uniforms and other personal expenses vary. Private education ranges from early childhood to tertiary study and is privately financed. In 2026, students from Praslin and La Digue who reside on Mahé received a one-off location allowance of SCR 2,000, while scholarships and stipends were increased. Registered childcare assistance has been SCR 750 per child per month since February 2026. A means-tested additional SCR 750 per child per month applies when net household income is no more than SCR 8,555.50, and the facility must be registered. The government took over the mandatory SCR 1,000 contribution for residents of elderly homes for rent, utilities and social activities in 2026. A communal-catering contribution remains at Anse Royale and Grand Anse Praslin. The Social Security retirement benefit increased by SCR 800 per month from 1 January 2026, and the stated eligibility age is 63. Communication costs depend on the plan and promotion. Airtel prepaid examples include 5 GB for 30 days at SCR 297, 10 GB at SCR 497, 15 GB at SCR 797 and 30 GB at SCR 999. A 5 GB package with unlimited local calls and SMS costs SCR 288 including VAT. Airtel home-broadband examples range from 20 GB at SCR 449 excluding VAT to 250 GB at SCR 3,299 excluding VAT. Cable & Wireless, Intelvision and Airtel provide local services, and prices can change by plan or promotion. Seychellois and residents can enter SPGA sites without an entrance ticket. For non-residents over age 12, trail access costs SCR 100 to SCR 250, marine parks SCR 200 to SCR 300, the Botanical Garden SCR 250, the Biodiversity Centre SCR 150 and overnight mooring SCR 250 per vessel per night. Beaches and some nature areas remain free, while protected-site fees, transfers and excursions may be charged separately. The national minimum wage has been SCR 40.95 per hour since 1 April 2025, equal to approximately SCR 7,098 per month at 40 hours per week. The casual rate is SCR 47.19 per hour. The latest prominently available average gross earnings figure is SCR 16,710 per month for the fourth quarter of 2023. A 2026 Finance position noted that the minimum wage may not reflect actual living costs and that a national living-wage framework was being developed. A realistic budget should therefore compare household costs with actual earnings, housing status, island, citizenship or residence status, private-service use and likely import-price changes.