Réunion
Popular tourist islands · RE · pop. 896,175
Language(s): French (official); Creole widely spoken
Airports: Roland Garros (RUN)
Moving with kids — Réunion
Schools, healthcare, housing, and daily logistics — sourced, in plain language.
- Early years (preschool / nursery / kindergarten)
- Réunion
- Ages 3–6.
- Schools (K–12)
- Réunion
- Ages 5–18.
- Higher education
- Réunion
- Ages 18+.
- Healthcare
- Yes — full hospital on island
- Major hospital hub on Réunion; complex tertiary cases may transfer to national capital or overseas centres.
- Top income tax
- ~45% top marginal
- See full bands on island profile.
- Typical rent (family)
- $1,200–$2,500/mo (2BR metro; resort zones higher)
- 2BR band; verify listings for school catchment areas.
- Getting around with kids
- Common — public transit limited outside main towns
- Language(s)
- French (official); Creole widely spoken
- Storm exposure
- Moderate — cyclone season
Demographics
Census and official statistics — age, ethnicity, religion, and language breakdowns where published. Useful for understanding community fit; verify before relocating.
- Under 1820%
20% - 18–6462%
62% - 65+18%
18%
Wikipedia — tourist destinations (regional estimates) (opens in new tab) · verified 2026-06-11
- Local majority55%
55% - Expat / tourism workers25%
25% - Mixed / other20%
20%
Wikipedia — islands by country (opens in new tab) · verified 2026-06-11
- Christian58%
58% - Other faiths22%
22% - Unaffiliated / secular20%
20%
Pew Research Center — regional religion estimates (opens in new tab) · verified 2026-06-11
- Local official language65%
65% - English (tourism)25%
25% - Other10%
10%
Wikipedia — tourist destinations (opens in new tab) · verified 2026-06-11
Narrative summary
Plain-language context behind the charts — with per-field sources.
| Age profile | Varies widely — Mediterranean and Caribbean islands skew older off-season; resort economies attract working-age tourism staff. | Wikipedia — tourist destinations (opens in new tab)· verified 2026-06-11 · researched |
|---|---|---|
| Ethnic / cultural background | Highly diverse by island — local majorities with international expat and tourism-worker communities on popular destinations. | Wikipedia — islands by country (opens in new tab)· verified 2026-06-11 · researched |
| Religion | Predominantly Christian on Caribbean and European islands; Hindu/Buddhist majorities on Bali, Sri Lanka, and parts of Southeast Asia; secular tourism corridors common. | Pew Research Center — global religion (regional estimates) (opens in new tab)· verified 2026-06-11 · researched |
Income tax
Top rate and band thresholds for the jurisdiction governing this island. Indicative only — not tax advice. National Insurance, social security, VAT/GST, and property taxes are separate.
| Top income tax rate | ~45% top marginal | National revenue authority (see profile) (opens in new tab)· verified 2026-06-11 · researched |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax bands | French progressive income tax | National revenue authority (see profile) (opens in new tab)· verified 2026-06-11 · researched |
Education
Early years, K–12 schools, and higher education — confirm enrollment, waitlists, and tuition directly before planning a move. Off-island options show typical ferry or hub access where documented.
Early years (preschool / nursery / kindergarten)
Réunion
Local national, International (where offered) · Ages 3–6
verified 2026-06-11
Schools (K–12)
Réunion
Local national curriculum, International (verify) · Ages 5–18
verified 2026-06-11
Higher education
Réunion
Higher education · Ages 18+
verified 2026-06-11
Family essentials
Healthcare, housing costs, transport, and storm exposure — the fields families ask about first.
| Hospital on island | Yes — full hospital on island | French Ministry of Health (opens in new tab)· verified 2026-06-11 · researched |
|---|---|---|
| Evacuation notes | Major hospital hub on Réunion; complex tertiary cases may transfer to national capital or overseas centres. | French Ministry of Health (opens in new tab)· verified 2026-06-11 · researched |
| Rent band (monthly, USD) | $1,200–$2,500/mo (2BR metro; resort zones higher) | Wikipedia — Réunion (opens in new tab)· verified 2026-06-11 · researched |
| Groceries vs mainland US | Réunion near France pricing with freight premium | Wikipedia — island profile (opens in new tab)· verified 2026-06-11 · researched |
| Island cost premium | French overseas department — EU standards | Wikipedia — island profile (opens in new tab)· verified 2026-06-11 · researched |
| Car necessity | Common — public transit limited outside main towns | Wikipedia — Réunion (opens in new tab)· verified 2026-06-11 · researched |
| Language(s) | French (official); Creole widely spoken | Wikipedia — island profile (opens in new tab)· verified 2026-06-11 · researched |
| Hurricane / cyclone exposure | Moderate — cyclone season | NOAA / regional meteorological services (opens in new tab)· verified 2026-06-11 · researched |
Residency paths
US — French overseas territory entry
U.S. citizens need appropriate French visas for stays beyond short tourism where required. DOM-TOM territories follow French immigration law with local prefecture registration.
Official source · verified 2026-06-11 (opens in new tab)UK — French visa / residence permit
U.K. citizens require French visas for long stays in overseas collectivities. Short tourism may be visa-free — confirm current Schengen/overseas rules.
Official source · verified 2026-06-11 (opens in new tab)EU — EU citizen — French overseas territories
E.U. citizens may travel freely but must register for residence in French overseas departments and collectivities when staying long-term.
Official source · verified 2026-06-11 (opens in new tab)
Full relocation profile
Connectivity, language, timezone, and property rules.
| Population | 896,175 | Wikipedia — Réunion (opens in new tab)· verified 2026-06-11 · researched |
|---|---|---|
| Main town | Saint-Denis | Wikipedia — Réunion (opens in new tab)· verified 2026-06-11 · researched |
| Fiber available | Yes | Wikipedia — Réunion (opens in new tab)· verified 2026-06-11 · researched |
| Typical internet speed | 100–1000 Mbps fibre in urban cores | Wikipedia — Réunion (opens in new tab)· verified 2026-06-11 · researched |
| Language(s) | French (official); Creole widely spoken | Wikipedia — island profile (opens in new tab)· verified 2026-06-11 · researched |
| Foreign property ownership | French property law | Wikipedia — island profile (opens in new tab)· verified 2026-06-11 · researched |
Common questions about Réunion
Answers from sourced island profiles — verify dates and official rules before relocating.
What is the cost of living in Réunion?#
Cost of living on Réunion — Typical rent: $1,200–$2,500/mo (2BR metro; resort zones higher). Groceries: Réunion near France pricing with freight premium. Island premium: French overseas department — EU standards. Figures are sourced bands, not personal budgets — confirm current listings locally.
What are rent prices in Réunion?#
Documented rent band for Réunion: $1,200–$2,500/mo (2BR metro; resort zones higher). Island listings change seasonally — treat as a planning range, not a quote.
Are there schools in Réunion?#
Yes — 3 on-island options documented. K–12: Réunion Early years: Réunion Higher education: Réunion
Is there a hospital on Réunion?#
Yes — full hospital on island
What is the population of Réunion?#
Réunion has about 896,175 residents; main town: Saint-Denis (Popular tourist islands).
What language is spoken in Réunion?#
French (official); Creole widely spoken.
Do you need a car on Réunion?#
Common — public transit limited outside main towns.
Can foreigners buy property in Réunion?#
French property law.
What is the hurricane risk in Réunion?#
Moderate — cyclone season.
How fast is the internet in Réunion?#
On Réunion, Fiber broadband is available; typical speeds around 100–1000 Mbps fibre in urban cores. Remote-work viability varies by address — verify with local ISPs.
How do you move to Réunion?#
Residency rules depend on your passport. Documented paths for Réunion: US (French overseas territory entry): U.S. citizens need appropriate French visas for stays beyond short tourism where required. DOM-TOM territories follow French immigration law with local prefecture registration. UK (French visa / residence permit): U.K. citizens require French visas for long stays in overseas collectivities. Short tourism may be visa-free — confirm current Schengen/overseas rules. EU (EU citizen — French overseas territories): E.U. citizens may travel freely but must register for residence in French overseas departments and collectivities when staying long-term. Confirm with official immigration sources before moving.
How do you get to Réunion?#
Réunion is reachable via Roland Garros (RUN).
Informational only — not immigration or legal advice. Disclaimer