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Before you go to Morocco: what to know

Must know

  • The dirham is a closed currency: you can leave with at most 2,000 MAD in notes (2026 rules) — spend or reconvert the rest, keeping exchange receipts.
  • Declare foreign currency worth 100,000 MAD or more on entry and exit.
  • Make sure your passport is stamped on entry (passport must be valid 3+ months; damaged passports have been refused).
  • Drones are confiscated at customs unless you have prior authorisation.
  • Same-sex relations, criticising the King or Islam, and proselytising are criminal offences.

Entry and visas

Visa-free for up to 90 days for UK, US, most EU, Russian, Chinese, Turkish and UAE citizens; Kazakhstan citizens since March 2025. Longer stays need a police extension. Other nationalities (e.g. Indians) can use the official e-Visa if eligible — apply only at acces-maroc.ma.

Online arrival forms and permits

  • Morocco e-Visa ↗ optional
    Before travel, for eligible nationalities that need a visa · Visa-required nationalities eligible for e-Visa

Passport validity: At least 3 months beyond arrival; must be in good condition.

At the border you may be asked for

  • Check your passport is stamped on entry.
  • Have your hotel address ready for the arrival card/border officer.

Customs

  • Max 2,000 MAD in banknotes may be exported per traveller.
  • Declare foreign currency ≥100,000 MAD equivalent.
  • Drones are prohibited without authorisation.
  • Carry prescription medicines in original packaging with the prescription.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗, acces-maroc.ma ↗, bladi.net ↗, oc.gov.ma ↗

Money

Mostly cash is used. Cards are accepted mainly in cities and tourist areas.

Payment networks: Visa, Mastercard

Apple Pay — works in some places · Google Pay — works in some places

Where to exchange money

  • Banks and licensed bureaux de change in city centres (rates are regulated and close to official)
  • Bank ATMs in cities

Where not to exchange

  • Hotel desks
  • Unofficial street changers
  • Buying dirhams abroad (not possible legally)

ATMs: ATMs are common in cities and towns; some banks add a fee for foreign cards. Decline conversion and withdraw in MAD. Few ATMs in desert/mountain villages.

Tipping: Around 10% in restaurants; small tips (10–20 MAD) for porters, guides, parking attendants.

  • Keep exchange receipts — needed to reconvert dirhams before leaving (airport counters reconvert up to 2,000 MAD with your boarding pass).
  • Souks and taxis are cash only; bargaining is normal.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗, bladi.net ↗, bkam.ma ↗

Rules and bans

Prohibited

  • Drones without authorisation
  • Same-sex sexual relations
  • Criticising the King, monarchy or Islam
  • Proselytising other religions
  • Possession of cannabis (despite local availability)
  • Eating, drinking or smoking in public during Ramadan daylight (illegal for Muslims; avoid as a courtesy)

Laws visitors break unknowingly

  • Non-Muslims may not enter most mosques (Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca is an exception, on tours).
  • Alcohol only in licensed venues; public drunkenness is an offence.
  • Sex outside marriage is illegal for Moroccans; hotels may ask Moroccan–foreign couples for a marriage certificate.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗

Culture and clothing

Religion: Sunni Muslim; the King is also Commander of the Faithful.

Clothing: Cover shoulders and knees in medinas and rural areas; beachwear only on beaches and at pools. Women may get less unwanted attention with loose, longer clothing.

Etiquette

  • Use your right hand for eating and giving.
  • Ask before photographing people; some will ask for a tip.
  • Decline unofficial 'guides' firmly but politely.
  • Bargaining in souks is expected — start well below the first price.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗

Climate

Mediterranean on the coast, hot and dry inland (Marrakech, Fes), desert in the south (very hot days, cold nights), snow in the Atlas in winter.

Month by month
  • January: Jan: Marrakech ~6–19°C; cold nights, Atlas snow
  • February: Feb: mild days, cool nights
  • March: Mar: pleasant, spring flowers
  • April: Apr: warm, ideal
  • May: May: warm to hot inland
  • June: Jun: hot inland; coast pleasant
  • July: Jul: very hot inland, 38°C+
  • August: Aug: very hot; coast busy
  • September: Sep: hot, then easing
  • October: Oct: warm, ideal
  • November: Nov: mild, some rain in north
  • December: Dec: cool, cold desert nights

Best season: March–May and September–November.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: en.wikipedia.org ↗

What to pack

  • Loose clothing covering shoulders and knees
  • Scarf (sun, dust, modesty)
  • Warm layer for desert nights and Atlas
  • Small MAD notes for tips
  • Sunscreen and hat
  • Hand sanitiser

Do not bring / prohibited to import

  • Drones
  • Revealing clothing in medinas
  • Carrying more than 2,000 MAD out of the country

Practical

Plugs: Type C/E, 220 V, 50 Hz

Water: Tap water is treated in cities, but bottled is recommended for visitors.

Traffic: drives on the right

Mobile and eSIM: Maroc Telecom, Orange and inwi SIMs at airports with a passport; eSIMs available.

Apps: inDrive, Heetch, Glovo, ONCF Voyages, Google Maps

Internet: No significant restrictions.

Health: No compulsory vaccinations (polio certificate if arriving from a polio-affected country). Hepatitis A and typhoid advised.

Insurance: Not required for visa-free visitors; travel insurance recommended.

Emergency: 19 police (cities), 177 gendarmerie, 15 ambulance/fire, 112 from mobiles

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗, travelhealthpro.org.uk ↗

Entry rules change. Before your trip, check the website of the embassy or immigration service of the country.