An archipelago where the Civil Code sets the rules for couples
In Seychelles, marriage, divorce and family life fall under the Civil Code. The World Bank's Women, Business and the Law 2024 study cites several of its articles and gives the country a score of 70 out of 100 for its legal framework.
Equality of spouses in the Seychellois household
According to WBL 2024, a Seychellois woman can be head of household on the same terms as a man, and no provision imposes obedience on the wife (article 201 of the Civil Code). This egalitarian framework eases couples' plans, including between a Seychellois and a foreigner.
Marriage age and polygamy: information missing
Neither the minimum age of marriage nor the rules on polygamy in Seychelles appear in the sources consulted. For the archipelago, the WBL 2024 profile records no law dedicated to child marriage. Check with the Seychellois civil registry before any plans.
Articles 146 and 230: divorcing and remarrying on equal terms
Women and men divorce and remarry on the same terms under articles 230 and 146 of the Civil Code. Legal aid is available in Seychelles for family disputes. Details on rebuilding a love life are on our page on divorce in Seychelles.
The Domestic Violence Act of 2020
The World Bank mentions the Domestic Violence Act of 2020 and section 130 of the Penal Code among the texts that protect against violence within couples. If you are in danger, contact the Seychelles police or a local association without delay.
Victoria, Praslin, La Digue: living between islands
Working life is concentrated in Victoria, on Mahé, the city chosen by WBL. Praslin and La Digue are smaller and geared towards tourism. Seychellois Creole, English and French coexist: you will often be able to communicate in French.
Dating apps usable in the archipelago
No platform specific to Seychelles has been verified. Tinder, Bumble and Badoo, the last two owned by Bumble Inc., are global apps, with the first two restricted to adults. The share of Seychellois people online is not published in our sources.
Small islands, a tight social network
On islands where many people know each other, news of a relationship travels fast. Be discreet about private details at first, respect the other person's reputation and avoid juggling several dates at once within the same circle of friends.
Romance scams targeting visitors and residents
The FCDO page on Seychelles contains no specific warning about romance scams. That does not mean they do not exist: in 2025, the FBI recorded 23,159 romance scam complaints, with 929 million dollars in losses.
Same-sex relations legal, marriage not recognised
The FCDO (update of 21 January 2026) states that same-sex relations are legal but attitudes vary, and that same-sex marriage is not recognised. More details on the gay and lesbian page for Seychelles.
Mixed couples and wedding plans in the archipelago
The official formalities for marrying a foreigner in Seychelles have not been consulted. A French national will in principle need a certificate of capacity to marry followed by transcription. Profile, dates and steps are covered on the page on dating between men and women in Seychelles.
Seychellois retirees and Mauritian neighbours
Retirement ages are identical for both sexes under the Social Security Regulations of 2022; the exact age is not published here. Seniors can read the retirees page for Seychelles, and the neighbouring island is presented in the Mauritius guide.
Sources and benchmarks for Seychelles
- Banque mondiale, WBL 2024 Seychelles: World Bank legal profile citing articles 146, 201 and 230 of the Civil Code and the texts on retirement.
- FCDO, sécurité aux Seychelles: British advice updated on 21 January 2026 on local laws, including the status of same-sex relations.
- Judiciary of Seychelles: Institution cited by the World Bank as the source of legal aid available for family disputes.
- Bumble Inc.: Group owning the Bumble and Badoo apps, the latter claiming members in 190 countries.
- Tinder: Dating app restricted to those aged 18 and over, available in more than 190 countries.
Starting a serious relationship in Seychelles
- Choose an adults-only app and write a sincere profile, without giving your address or hotel.
- Chat through the app's messaging until a video call confirms the person's identity.
- Suggest a first date in a public place in Victoria or on your island, in daytime.
- Tell someone close the time and place, and keep your own means of transport between islands.
- Never transfer money, even for a boat or plane ticket presented as urgent.
- Ask the Seychellois civil registry and your consulate before considering a marriage.
Seychelles in five sourced benchmarks
| Key point | What the source says | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum age of marriage | Not published in the sources consulted | WBL 2024 |
| Divorce and remarriage for women | Equal with men, articles 230 and 146 | World Bank, WBL 2024 |
| Same-sex relations | Legal, marriage not recognised | FCDO, 21 January 2026 |
| Legal aid for family matters | Available | World Bank, WBL 2024 |
| Share of the population online | Not published | No source consulted |
Documents to plan for a couple's project in Seychelles
- Valid passport or identity document
- Recent birth certificate for each future spouse
- Certificate of capacity to marry for a French national
- Divorce judgment or death certificate in case of a previous union
- Certified translations of certificates written in another language
Missteps to avoid when dating in Seychelles
- Sending money to someone met online, even if they say they are stranded on an island or at the airport.
- Sharing intimate photos early in the relationship, when they can fuel blackmail or sextortion.
- Going alone to the home of someone barely known rather than to a lively public place.
- Thinking that a same-sex marriage celebrated elsewhere will be recognised in Seychelles, which the FCDO rules out.
- Believing a promise of a quick marriage or a visa made by someone you have never met.
Meeting someone in Seychelles: your questions
Which dating app works in Seychelles?
No specifically Seychellois platform has been verified. Global apps such as Tinder, Bumble or Badoo are available from the archipelago. Tinder and Bumble require users to be at least 18. In a small territory, however, the number of profiles may remain limited.
Does a same-sex couple risk prosecution in Seychelles?
No. The British FCDO, in its update of 21 January 2026, states that same-sex relations are legal in Seychelles. It specifies that attitudes vary and that same-sex marriage is not recognised.
Do women have the same rights as men in marriage in Seychelles?
According to the World Bank (WBL 2024), yes on several points: a woman can be head of household, has no obligation of obedience and can divorce and remarry as a man can, under articles 201, 230 and 146 of the Civil Code.
What is the legal age of marriage in Seychelles?
The sources consulted do not publish this age, and the World Bank notes the absence of specific legislation on child marriage. Whatever the local rule, never get involved with anyone under 18.
Useful platforms and organisations
Bumble – Safety CentreBumble's official Safety Centre gathering advice, reporting tools and resources for safer online dating.
Tinder – Safety tipsTinder's official page offering safety tips before, during and after a first date with someone met online.
Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr – Escroquerie sentimentaleGuidance from the French public platform explaining how to react, keep evidence and file a complaint after a romance scam.
GOV.UK – Documents for British people abroadOfficial UK page on documents British nationals may need abroad, including for a marriage.
Indicative list: AfriqueRencontres.com has no commercial link with these organisations. Never send money to someone you only know online.
Information up to date as of October 2026. AfriqueRencontres.com does not arrange meetings and never asks for money: never transfer money to someone you know only online.