# Bab Lblad (English) > Dirham rate, prayer times, consulates, passport and ID guides, customs rules, money transfers, property, Moroccan recipes and places to go: everything Moroccans abroad need, every day. Bab Lblad is an independent guide for Moroccans living abroad and their families. It is not a government site and is not linked to any administration. Each practical guide was checked against the official source named at the bottom of its page, and carries the date of the last check. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you act. Checked: October 2026. # Papers Passport, ID card, civil status, marriage, and the hard moments. Each guide says what to bring and where the official form is. ## Renew or get a biometric passport Apply in person at a consulate after an online pre-application. Adults get five years. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_passport.html ### Key facts - Valid 5 years for adults. It cannot be extended, only renewed. - Issued at any age. Under 12, it is made from the birth certificate. From 12 to 18, the child's fingerprints are taken at the consulate. - A new generation of passports has been rolling out since August 2026. Your current passport stays valid until the date printed on it. - A parent can apply for a minor child's passport without the father's prior consent, unless a court has ruled otherwise. ### Steps 1. Check that your consular registration shows your current address. 2. Fill in the pre-application on passeport.ma and print it. 3. Book a slot on rdv.consulat.ma. Since 2024 you can choose any Moroccan consulate. 4. Go in person with your documents. A minor comes with a parent or legal guardian. 5. Keep the receipt. Track the file on passeport.ma, then collect the passport with the receipt. Collection needs no appointment. ### What to bring - Printed pre-application form from passeport.ma - CNIE, or the receipt of your CNIE application, for adults - Your previous passport - For a child: birth certificate and the parent's or guardian's CNIE, original and copy - Photos and the stamp fee: the exact format and amount are on passeport.ma and at your consulate ### Watch out - Summer is the busy season. Renew in autumn or winter, well before you book tickets. - Many countries and airlines ask for a passport valid three to six months after your trip. - Lost or damaged passport: declare it at the consulate when you apply for the new one. ### Official sources - https://www.passeport.ma/ - https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - https://www.consulat.ma/en/delivery-biometric-passport ## National ID card (CNIE) Compulsory from age 16, valid ten years, requested in person at the consulate or in Morocco. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_cnie.html ### Key facts - Valid 10 years. Compulsory from 16. A child over 12 can get one when applying for a passport. - You can also apply in Morocco at a police (DGSN) office with the same documents, including your consular registration certificate. - The receipt you are given is needed to collect the card. ### Steps 1. Get your consular registration certificate with your current address. 2. Book on rdv.consulat.ma and go in person. Fingerprints are taken for a first card or a replacement. 3. Keep the dated receipt and come back with it to collect the card. ### What to bring - Consular registration certificate with your current address - First card: a copy of your page in the family booklet, or a full copy or extract of your Moroccan birth certificate less than six months old, with names in Arabic and Latin letters - First card: four recent colour photos, 3.5 × 4.5 cm, white background, face uncovered, no dark glasses - Renewal: two photos in the same format and your old card, which you hand back - Lost, stolen or damaged card: a declaration made at the CNIE desk, plus the documents for a renewal - Change of name or date of birth: the administrative or court documents that prove it ### Watch out - Lost the receipt? You can still collect the card: declare the loss at the consulate on the day. A small fee applies. - Moved house? The card must be updated with your new address. - Children born before 2 April 2007 to a Moroccan mother and a foreign father need their nationality document for a first card. ### Official sources - https://www.cnie.ma/ - https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - https://www.consulat.ma/en/renewal-id ## Consular registration and appointments Registration opens the door to every other service. It is done once, in person. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_registration.html ### Key facts - Only registered Moroccans can get a CNIE, a passport and most certificates from a consulate. - You receive a consular registration certificate. Most files ask for it as proof of where you live. - Appointments are booked on rdv.consulat.ma, where you can also attach your documents in advance. - No appointment is needed to collect a CNIE, a passport, an adoul deed or a family booklet, or to request the transfer of a body to Morocco. ### Steps 1. Book a registration appointment on rdv.consulat.ma. 2. Come in person with the documents below. Children come with their legal representative. 3. Ask for the certificate with your current address, and ask again each time you move. ### What to bring - Passport and CNIE, originals and copies. For a child without a CNIE: the Moroccan family booklet or a birth certificate less than a year old - Proof of legal residence: residence permit, visa, or the ID or passport of your country of residence - Proof of address if your permit does not show it: lease, utility bill or certificate of residence - Two colour photos, 4 × 3 cm ### Watch out - Arrive on time with your confirmation: a missed slot is cancelled. - Mobile consulates visit cities far from a consulate. Each consulate announces its own dates, so follow its page or social media. ### Official sources - https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - https://www.consulat.ma/en/consular-registration ## Register a birth abroad Have the local birth certificate transcribed at the consulate so your child exists in Moroccan records. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_birth.html ### Key facts - The transcription is made at the consulate that covers the place of birth. - It can be requested by the father or the mother, then the guardian, a brother, a nephew or anyone given a mandate. - A child born to a Moroccan mother and a foreign father is Moroccan. If born after 2 April 2007, the birth is transcribed directly. If born before, a certificate of Moroccan nationality is needed first. - The consulate then enters the child in your family booklet and can issue Moroccan birth certificates. ### Steps 1. Get a full copy of the birth certificate from the local town hall or registry. 2. Bring it to the consulate with your family booklet and your registration. 3. Ask for the child to be added to the family booklet and request a few birth certificates for later files. ### What to bring - Consular registration of the parents - Moroccan family booklet - Full copy of the child's local birth certificate - Parents' CNIE or passports ### Watch out - Do it in the first months. Consulates long applied a time limit for births abroad, after which a court judgment was needed. The legal guide of the Hassan II Foundation now says the law sets no time limit. Ask your consulate which rule it applies. - Need a Moroccan birth certificate without travelling? Order it on watiqa.ma. Users reported outages in 2026: the fallback is the consulate where the birth is registered, or a relative at the commune in Morocco with your power of attorney. - Birth certificates for a CNIE must be less than six months old. ### Official sources - https://www.watiqa.ma/ - https://www.consulat.ma/en/birth-transcript-register-civil-status-and-family-record-book ## When a loved one dies abroad The consulate issues the authorisation to bring the body home. Insurance usually pays; the State helps families who cannot. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_death.html ### Key facts - The authorisation to transfer the body is requested at the consulate that covers the place of death. No appointment is needed. - Costs are paid by the family or by repatriation insurance, often included with a Moroccan bank account for residents abroad. - For a person without insurance whose family cannot pay, the ministry in charge of Moroccans abroad can cover repatriation. The request goes through the consulate. - The body must be met at the Moroccan border by the person who signed the commitment. ### Steps 1. Call the consulate and a funeral home. The funeral home handles the local formalities. 2. Give the consulate the details: identity, date, place and cause of death, burial place in Morocco, arrival date and border post, and who pays. 3. Collect the authorisation with the documents below. Two sets travel with the coffin. 4. Afterwards, have the death transcribed in the Moroccan civil register at the consulate. ### What to bring - Death certificate - CNIE or Moroccan passport of the deceased, or failing that the CNIE or passport of a close relative - Certificate from the funeral home that the coffin is hermetically sealed - Medical certificate of no contagious disease - Local authorisation for the body to leave the country - For State support: proof of the family's lack of means, proof that the deceased lived abroad more than six months, and a signed commitment to receive the coffin ### Watch out - Check today whether you and your parents have repatriation insurance. It costs little and spares the family a collection at the worst moment. - The consulate emergency lines are in our Directory. ### Official sources - https://www.consulat.ma/en/authorisation-transfer-body-remains-inhumation-morocco - https://www.consulat.ma/en/request-moroccan-authorities-pay-cost-repatriating-cases-families-need ## Power of attorney For property, only a deed drawn up by a notary, an adoul or an authorised lawyer is accepted. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_poa.html ### Key facts - Since 14 September 2017, the land registry rejects any property transaction based on a private power of attorney, even one legalised at a town hall. - For other matters, such as collecting a document or handling a file, your signature can be legalised at the consulate. - A power of attorney for a car that is not in your name must be legalised where the owner lives abroad, or at the consulate. ### Steps 1. Write down exactly what the person may do, on which property or file, and until when. 2. For property, have it drawn up by adouls at the consulate or by a notary. 3. Send the original to Morocco and keep a copy. ### What to bring - Your CNIE and consular registration - Full identity of the person you appoint, with their CNIE number - References of the property: land title number and address ### Watch out - A general power of attorney lets someone sell or mortgage in your name. Give a specific one, limited in time. - Cancel it in writing as soon as the job is done. ### Official sources - https://www.consulat.ma/en/power-attorney-real-estate-transactions - https://www.ancfcc.gov.ma/ ## Criminal record, apostille, life certificate, driving licence Four documents that come up again and again, and the fastest way to each. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_otherdocs.html ### Key facts - Criminal record extract: request it online at casierjudiciaire.justice.gov.ma. Born in Morocco, you collect it at the court of your place of birth. Born abroad, it comes from the national centre in Rabat. A consulate can also take the request with a copy of your CNIE and a 10 dirham stamp. - Apostille: since August 2016 a Moroccan public document only needs an apostille to be used in most countries, with no chain of legalisations. The list of countries is on apostille.ma. - Life certificate: issued at the consulate on presentation of your registration, family booklet and ID. It is free for pensioners. - Driving licence: once you settle back in Morocco you may drive on your foreign licence for one year. After that you exchange it, where an agreement exists, or pass the Moroccan test. ### Watch out - A power of attorney legalised at the consulate lets a relative collect your criminal record in Morocco. - Driving in your country of residence on a Moroccan licence is only allowed for short stays. Long-term residents must convert it under local rules. ### Official sources - https://casierjudiciaire.justice.gov.ma/ - https://www.apostille.ma/ - https://www.consulat.ma/en/driving-license # Travel The road home: your car, customs, cash at the border, Operation Marhaba, and moving back for good. ## Bring your car on holiday Temporary admission is free and needs no paperwork in advance, but the 180 days are strict. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_car.html ### Key facts - 180 days per calendar year, in one stay or several. The period cannot be extended. - No form to fill in beforehand. Customs officers register the car on board the ferry or at the border and give you a temporary admission slip. - Once a car has used its 180 days, it cannot come back that year, even driven by someone else with a power of attorney. - Anyone who lives abroad may drive it, with the registration document, the slip and proof of foreign residence. A resident of Morocco may only drive it when you are in the car. - Since 2026 a car on a provisional registration can be admitted with a power of attorney from the certificate holder. ### Steps 1. Before leaving, check that your insurance covers Morocco. If not, buy border insurance at the port. 2. At the border, show your residence permit and the original registration document. 3. Keep the temporary admission slip in the car for any roadside check. 4. Take the car out before the last day. You can check your record on douane.gov.ma/at. ### What to bring - Original registration document - Passport, and residence permit or other proof that you live abroad - Insurance valid in Morocco - Car in someone else's name: power of attorney legalised abroad or at the consulate - Rental car: the contract must say the car may go to Morocco ### Watch out - Lending, selling or leaving the car to a relative who lives in Morocco is a customs offence. - Urgent return by plane? While the admission is still valid you may leave the car in a garage of your choice, but nobody may use it and you must take it out yourself before the deadline. - You cannot bring a second car until the first has left or been cleared through customs. - Seasonal workers must show at least six months of stay abroad. ### Official sources - https://www.douane.gov.ma/web/guest/mre - https://www.douane.gov.ma/at/ - https://www.consulat.ma/en/temporary-admission-cars-morocco ## What you can bring through customs Gifts for the family are duty-free up to 25,000 dirhams a year, with a few firm exceptions. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_customs.html ### Key facts - Family gifts: duty-free up to 25,000 dirhams in total, once per calendar year. The whole amount cannot go on one kind of item. - The allowance is for gifts. Customs has separate tolerances for your own clothes and personal items. - Not covered by the allowance: mopeds, adult bicycles, furniture, more than one carpet, household appliances new or used, televisions and similar sets. Duty is due on these. - Forbidden: weapons and ammunition, drugs, counterfeit goods, material contrary to public order, and some plants. - Need formalities: drones, hunting weapons, pets, and animal or plant products. - Tax refund when you leave: purchases of 2,000 dirhams or more made the same day in one approved shop. Show the goods, the invoice and the refund slip to customs before boarding. ### Steps 1. Keep receipts or a rough list of values for the gifts you carry. 2. Have your residence permit and proof of work or status abroad ready: they prove your right to the allowance. 3. Declare anything outside the allowance and pay the duty. You get a receipt. ### What to bring - Residence permit or other proof of residence abroad - Work contract, payslip, trader's card or long-stay visa - Pets: a health certificate from an official vet issued within three days before boarding. A 10 dirham inspection fee is charged per animal ### Watch out - Cannot pay the duty on the spot? Leave the item in customs storage and collect or re-export it within 45 days. After that it is treated as abandoned. - Quantities that look commercial are taxed as merchandise, whatever their value. - Keep medicines in their boxes with the prescription. ### Official sources - https://www.douane.gov.ma/web/guest/mre - https://www.consulat.ma/en/introduction-pets ## Cash at the border Bring as much foreign currency as you like, declare large amounts, and leave your dirhams in Morocco. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_cash.html ### Key facts - Foreign currency comes in freely, with no limit, as notes, cards, cheques or transfers. - Declare notes and bearer instruments worth 100,000 dirhams or more on arrival. Customs gives you the form. - Dirhams: no more than 2,000 in or out. Above that it is an exchange offence. - Leaving with foreign notes: you can buy back what you brought in and changed during the last 12 months, up to 100,000 dirhams' worth a year. ### Steps 1. On arrival, declare amounts over the threshold and keep the stamped declaration. 2. Change money at banks or approved exchange offices and keep every slip in your name. 3. Before leaving, buy back foreign currency at the bank with the declaration and the slips. ### Watch out - No declaration on the way in means no proof on the way out. Undeclared notes can be seized. - Money held in a convertible dirham account or a foreign currency account is not subject to the 100,000 dirham limit. - Your country of residence has its own rule. In the European Union, 10,000 euros or more in cash must be declared when you enter or leave. ### Official sources - https://www.douane.gov.ma/web/guest/mre - https://www.oc.gov.ma/ ## Operation Marhaba and the summer crossing From mid-June to mid-September, reception areas, medical teams and extra ferries line the route home. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_marhaba.html ### Key facts - The 2026 edition ran from 10 June to 15 September and carried more than 4 million people, about half of them by sea. - The Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity runs 26 reception areas, 20 in Morocco and 6 abroad, with around 1,400 social workers, doctors and nurses. - In 2026 tickets were interchangeable between ferry companies on the Strait, which helps when a sailing is full or late. - Busiest days: late June to early July on the way in, mid-August onwards on the way back. ### Steps 1. Book a ticket with a fixed date and time. Consulates advise against open tickets in peak weeks. 2. Choose your route: the Strait from Algeciras or Tarifa, or a long crossing from Sète, Marseille, Barcelona, Almería, Motril or Genoa to Tanger Med or Nador. 3. On the motorway in Spain, stop only at the official rest areas. 4. On the way back, stop at the rest area before Tanger Med: that is where you confirm your ticket and sailing time before driving to the port. ### Watch out - Ticket prices are the first complaint every year and were raised in Parliament in June 2026. Booking months ahead and travelling mid-week are the only reliable savings. - Compare a nearby airport or a different port: the difference can pay for the detour. - Buy tickets from the company or a known agency. Sellers on the roadside near the ports cannot be traced when a sailing is cancelled. ### Official sources - https://www.fm5.ma/ ## Moving back for good One duty-free move per family, a larger allowance since 2026, and real savings on your car if you qualify. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_return.html ### Key facts - Your household goods and personal effects come in free of duty, in one move per family. - On top of the move, effects with no commercial character are duty-free up to 40,000 dirhams. The ceiling was 30,000 until 2026. - The move may be split in two if everything is on the first inventory and both parts pass through the same customs office within six months. - Car under three years old: it is treated as three years older when cleared. That is a 25% reduction on a new car, 20% on a one-year-old car, 10% on a two-year-old car. Once only. - Aged 60 or over with more than ten years abroad: 90% reduction on the value of one passenger car, once in a lifetime. The car cannot be sold for five years and you must be present at clearance. - The two car advantages cannot be combined. ### Steps 1. Ask the authorities of your country for a certificate of change of residence. Where none exists, the consulate legalises a sworn statement. 2. Draw up a detailed inventory, dated and signed, of everything you move. 3. For the 90% reduction, ask the consulate for the certificate of ten years' residence. 4. Clear the move and the car at the customs office of entry. ### What to bring - Certificate of change of residence, or sworn statement legalised at the consulate - Detailed inventory, dated and signed - List of professional tools and equipment if you bring your trade with you - For the 90% reduction: consular registration, CNIE or passport, proof of ten years abroad, and a valid residence permit ### Watch out - The 90% reduction covers passenger cars only: no vans, pick-ups, motorhomes, motorbikes or quads. - People who already live in Morocco do not qualify for it. - Your foreign driving licence is valid one year after you settle. Start the exchange early. - Before leaving, ask your pension and health funds in writing what you keep once you live in Morocco. ### Official sources - https://www.douane.gov.ma/web/guest/mre - https://www.consulat.ma/en/final-return-morocco - https://www.consulat.ma/en/benefit-90-reduction-granted-clearance-motor-vehicle # Money Send more of your money home, keep the right account, and stay clear of tax surprises. ## Send money home for less The fee is only half the price. The exchange rate you are given is the other half. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_send.html ### Key facts - The true cost of a transfer is the fee plus the gap between the provider's rate and the mid-market rate shown on our Today page. - Three families of services: your bank or a Moroccan bank's branch abroad, online transfer apps, and cash networks with pick-up counters. - The recipient can be paid into a bank account, in cash at a counter such as Wafacash, Cash Plus or Barid Cash, or on a mobile wallet. ### Steps 1. Decide the amount in your currency, then ask each service one question: how many dirhams arrive? 2. Compare at least three services on the same day. The World Bank's Remittance Prices Worldwide site lists costs by country. 3. Check the delivery time and whether the recipient pays anything to collect. 4. Keep the receipt until the money has arrived. ### Watch out - A transfer advertised with zero fees usually earns its money on the rate. - Rates offered at weekends and on holidays are often worse. - Sending a larger amount less often costs less than many small transfers. - Avoid informal couriers. If the money disappears, you have no proof and no recourse. ### Official sources - https://remittanceprices.worldbank.org/ ## The right bank account in Morocco Three kinds of account exist for Moroccans abroad. The one you pay from decides whether your money can leave again. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_accounts.html ### Key facts - Convertible dirham account: fed from abroad in foreign currency, held in dirhams. The balance can be sent back abroad freely. - Foreign currency account: held in euros, dollars or another currency, also freely transferable. - Ordinary dirham account: for daily life in Morocco. Money in it cannot be sent abroad freely. - An investment paid for in foreign currency through the bank keeps a guarantee: the income, the sale price and any gain can be transferred back out. ### Steps 1. Open a convertible dirham or foreign currency account before any large purchase. Many Moroccan banks open them from their branches in Europe. 2. Pay for property, building work or shares from that account, by transfer. 3. Ask the bank for the document proving the funds came from abroad, and keep it with the deed. ### Watch out - Buy from an ordinary dirham account, or in cash, and the sale proceeds may stay blocked in Morocco later. - Keep every transfer slip for as long as you own the asset. ### Official sources - https://www.oc.gov.ma/ ## Taxes on a home in Morocco Five rules that catch owners living abroad, taken from the tax office's guide for Moroccans abroad. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_tax.html ### Key facts - Selling: tax is due on the profit, with a minimum of 3% of the sale price even when you make no gain. - Main home exemption: no tax on the profit if the home was your main residence for at least five years before the sale and was never rented or used for business. - For an owner living abroad, a home lived in free of charge by your spouse, children or parents counts as your main residence. - The exemption can be used once every five years. After you move out you have one year to sell, as long as the home stays empty. - The communal services tax is still due when you are exempt from the housing tax. ### Steps 1. After a sale, file the property profit declaration within 30 days. 2. Declare the end of building work or an empty home by 31 January. 3. File the yearly income declaration, for example for rent received, by 1 March. ### Watch out - Inherited property: each heir files a separate declaration and pays on their own share. One missing declaration can block the sale for everyone. - Late filing brings penalties. A trusted accountant or notary in Morocco costs less than a reassessment. - Rent from Morocco may also need to be declared in your country of residence. The tax treaty between the two countries decides who taxes what. ### Official sources - https://www.tax.gov.ma/ ## Pension, benefits and health cover What you keep when you spend months in Morocco, or retire there, depends on the country that pays. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_pension.html ### Key facts - Morocco has social security agreements with the main countries of residence. They cover how pensions are paid in Morocco and, in some cases, health care. - A pension you have earned is normally paid wherever you live. Benefits tied to residence, such as some allowances and supplements, can stop when you leave. - Pension funds ask for a life certificate every year. The consulate issues it free of charge to pensioners. ### Steps 1. Write to your pension fund and your health fund before a long stay. Ask what continues, what stops, and which form to carry. 2. Ask for the agreement form that gives access to care in Morocco, where the agreement provides one. 3. Send the life certificate on time each year. ### Watch out - On sick leave or unemployment benefit? A stay in Morocco without the fund's written agreement can lead to a demand for repayment, even with your doctor's approval. - Some allowances paid to you in Morocco stop or change at retirement age. Keep every letter from your fund. - Without an agreement form, medical care in Morocco is paid out of pocket. Take assistance insurance for each trip. ### Official sources - https://www.consulat.ma/en/individual-or-collective-life-certificate-or-family-registration-form # Property Buy, build and keep a home in Morocco without losing sleep, even from far away. ## Buy a home safely Most bad stories share the same three mistakes: no title check, money paid outside the bank, and a deposit handed to a salesman. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_buy.html ### Key facts - A registered property has a land title number. The land registry, ANCFCC, issues a certificate showing the owner, mortgages and seizures. - Unregistered property, known as melkia, rests on adoul deeds and is far easier to dispute. - Off-plan sales are governed by a specific law: a written contract, staged payments linked to progress, and guarantees for your money. - Paying part of the price abroad, or undeclared, is illegal. The Exchange Office opened investigations into developers who asked buyers abroad for it. ### Steps 1. Ask for the land title number and get the ownership certificate yourself from ANCFCC. 2. Choose your own notary, not the seller's. The notary checks the title, the taxes owed and the permits. 3. Pay every dirham by transfer through the notary, from a convertible or foreign currency account. 4. Sign nothing and pay nothing at a property fair. Visit the site and read the building permit first. 5. After signing, check that the title has been registered in your name. ### What to bring - CNIE or passport - Proof that the funds came from abroad - For property bought through someone else: a power of attorney drawn up by a notary, an adoul or an authorised lawyer ### Watch out - Brochures promising delivery in three or four years are not a guarantee. Ask which bank or insurer guarantees completion. - A price far below the market, or pressure to pay today, is the oldest signal there is. - Never let the purchase be registered in a relative's name for convenience. Legally, the home is theirs. ### Official sources - https://www.ancfcc.gov.ma/ - https://www.oc.gov.ma/ ## State housing aid: Daam Sakane A direct grant for a first home in Morocco. Moroccans abroad are eligible and make up about a quarter of beneficiaries. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_aid.html ### Key facts - 100,000 dirhams for a home priced at 300,000 dirhams or less, tax included. - 70,000 dirhams for a home priced between 300,000 and 700,000 dirhams. - The programme runs from 2024 to 2028. At the end of November 2025, 24% of its 75,760 beneficiaries lived abroad. - It is for a first home that becomes a main residence. The full conditions are on the programme's website. ### Steps 1. Check that you qualify and apply on the Daam Sakane platform. 2. Choose a home with a land title and a certificate of occupancy. 3. Sign the preliminary contract at a notary, who requests the payment of the aid. 4. Sign the final deed. The aid is paid through the notary. ### Watch out - The aid comes with a commitment to keep the home as a main residence for several years. Selling or renting early can mean repaying it. - The grant does not check the builder for you. Visit, compare and ask about the surroundings: the ministry is now reviewing the quality of homes bought with the aid. ### Official sources - https://www.daamsakane.ma/ ## Invest or start a business Most of the money sent home goes to family and housing. Here is where to start if you want to build something. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_invest.html ### Key facts - The Regional Investment Centres are the single entry point for creating a company and for permits. - Customs has a unit that advises Moroccans abroad on importing equipment for a project. - MDM Invest is a State co-financing scheme for projects by Moroccans abroad. Its terms have changed over the years, so ask a bank for the current ones. - An investment financed in foreign currency keeps the right to transfer dividends and sale proceeds abroad. ### Steps 1. Test the idea on a long stay before you move money. 2. Meet the Regional Investment Centre of the region you are targeting. 3. Bring the capital in through a convertible or foreign currency account. 4. Take a local accountant from the first day. ### Watch out - Be careful with a partnership where a relative holds everything in their name. - Put every agreement in writing, including within the family. ### Official sources - https://www.douane.gov.ma/web/guest/mre - https://marocainsdumonde.gov.ma/ ## Protect what you own from afar Empty homes and undivided inheritances are the usual targets of fraud. A few habits close the door. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_protect.html ### Key facts - Property fraud relies on forged powers of attorney and forged deeds. This is why private powers of attorney are no longer accepted for property. - ANCFCC runs an alert service, Mohafadati, that warns the owner when something is filed on a land title. - An inheritance left undivided for years blocks sales and feeds family disputes. ### Steps 1. Register unregistered land. A land title is the strongest protection there is. 2. Sign up for the alert service on each of your titles. 3. Pay local taxes every year and keep the receipts: they are proof of possession. 4. After a death, settle the inheritance quickly with a notary or adouls and register each heir's share. ### Watch out - Cancel old powers of attorney in writing. - Do not leave original deeds with a caretaker or a distant relative. - If something has been filed on your title without you, see a lawyer immediately. Deadlines to contest are short. ### Official sources - https://www.ancfcc.gov.ma/ # Family Marriage, divorce, children, nationality and inheritance, between two Moroccans or with a foreigner, in Morocco and where you live. Then the link with the country: language, health cover and your voice. ## Marrying abroad: town hall or adouls at the consulate A civil marriage abroad is valid for Morocco when it meets the conditions of the Family Code. You then deposit a copy of the certificate at the consulate. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_marriage.html ### Key facts - As a Moroccan living abroad, you may marry under the local procedure of your country of residence, at the town hall or registry office (Family Code, article 14). - For Morocco, that marriage must have: the consent of both, legal capacity, the marriage guardian (wali) where one is required, no legal impediment, and no agreement to drop the dowry (sadaq). Two Muslim witnesses must be present. - The local certificate is then enough to prove the marriage under Moroccan law. No second deed is needed in Morocco or at the consulate. - You must deposit a copy of the certificate at a Moroccan consulate within three months of the wedding. Since a 2021 change to article 15, it can be the consulate of your place of residence or of the place of marriage. - Missed the three months? You can still deposit it, even years later. The legal guide of the Hassan II Foundation states that the law sets no penalty for lateness. - If the certificate does not show two Muslim witnesses or the dowry, the adoul service of the consulate draws up an annex to it, called Ishhad Moulhaq. - The consulate forwards the copy to the civil status office of each spouse's place of birth in Morocco. For a spouse born outside Morocco, it goes to Rabat. - A civil marriage that meets these rules has the same value as a marriage before adouls, including for entering your children in Moroccan civil status. - The other route: marry before adouls at a Moroccan consulate, under the same rules as in Morocco. The family judge must authorise the deed first. - The minimum age to marry is 18 for both. Under 18, only the family judge can authorise the marriage, by a reasoned decision. - The Family Code applies to every Moroccan, including those who hold a second nationality, and to any couple in which one of the two is Moroccan. ### Steps 1. Before the wedding, make sure two Muslim witnesses will be present at the ceremony and that the dowry is not waived. 2. Marry before the local authority, under the procedure of your country of residence. 3. Ask the consulate which form of copy and which translation it wants. Then deposit the certificate within three months, at the consulate of your residence or of the place of marriage. 4. If witnesses or dowry are missing from the certificate, ask the adoul service for the annex at the same visit. 5. Ask when the marriage will appear on your Moroccan birth records and how to get the family booklet. ### What to bring - A copy of the marriage certificate issued by the local authority. It is the only paper the law itself names. - Consulates usually also ask for: the consular registration of the Moroccan spouse, birth certificates, CNIE and passports, and an Arabic translation of the certificate, legalised or with an apostille. Ask yours for its list and its fee. - For the annex on witnesses: one spouse can ask for it alone. If it records the dowry, both spouses must come. - Adoul marriage at the consulate: the request form for the judge's authorisation, plus a birth certificate extract, an administrative certificate and a medical certificate for each of you. - Adoul marriage with a foreigner or a convert to Islam: a special authorisation and, for the foreign fiancé, a certificate of capacity to marry. - Marriage by proxy: a mandate that names the other spouse and the dowry, made as an official deed or with your signature legalised, and approved by the family judge. ### Watch out - The impediments of Moroccan law also apply to a civil marriage abroad. Article 39 bars the marriage of a Muslim woman with a non-Muslim man, and of a Muslim man with a non-Muslim woman unless she is Christian or Jewish. - A marriage before adouls at a consulate is a Moroccan deed. Check first that your country of residence accepts a marriage concluded at a foreign consulate on its soil, above all if one of you has that country's nationality. - Marriage by proxy is an exception: the judge allows it only when special circumstances keep you from coming in person. Some countries do not recognise it. - A religious marriage with no deed (by the Fatiha) is not proof of marriage in Morocco. - Proposal, not law: the reform outline of December 2024 would let Moroccans abroad marry without two Muslim witnesses when having them is impossible. Today the two witnesses are still required. ### A marriage that was never registered in Morocco - A civil marriage, never deposited: Take a copy of the certificate to the consulate of your residence or of the place of marriage. The 2021 rule also covers marriages concluded before it. - A certificate without witnesses or dowry: The adoul service of the consulate completes it with the annex (Ishhad Moulhaq). - A religious marriage only, no deed: The court action to have such a marriage recognised closed on 5 February 2019 and was not reopened. The couple must conclude a new marriage under the legal rules. - Children born before there was a deed: The father can acknowledge paternity by a deed before adouls, so that the children are entered in civil status. A 2016 circular asks civil status officers to accept it. ### Official sources - https://www.consulat.ma/en/registration-civil-marriage-consular-services - https://www.consulat.ma/en/ishhad-moulhaq-annexation-witness - https://www.fh2mre.ma/guide-juridique/ - https://adala.justice.gov.ma/fr/resources/433 ## Marrying in Morocco when you live abroad In Morocco you marry before two adouls, once the family judge has authorised the deed. Prepare the papers before your holiday. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_marryma.html ### Key facts - A marriage in Morocco is concluded before two adouls. They hear the offer and the acceptance of both of you and write the deed. - First the family judge at the court of first instance checks your file and authorises the adouls to draw up the deed. Without the authorisation there is no deed. - An adult woman concludes her marriage herself. She may also delegate her father or a relative: marriage guardianship (wilaya) is her right. - The dowry (sadaq) cannot be waived. It is written in the deed, with the part paid and the part deferred, and it belongs to the wife. - The minimum age is 18 for both. Under 18, only the family judge can authorise the marriage. - The deed states the judge's authorisation, the dowry, the conditions you agreed on and your signatures. The judge then approves it. - The wife receives the original deed and the husband an official copy. - An extract is sent to the civil status office of each spouse's place of birth within 15 days. For a spouse born outside Morocco, it goes to the King's prosecutor in Rabat. - The Ministry of Justice runs a portal for marriage authorisation requests, eadoul.justice.gov.ma. Ask your adoul whether your court uses it. - Two Moroccans, one of whom also holds another nationality, are not a mixed couple for Moroccan law. The procedure for foreigners does not apply to them. - A marriage concluded under Moroccan law is generally valid in your country of residence, but most countries want it recorded there before it counts for papers, a visa or family reunification. ### Steps 1. Ask the family justice section of the court where you will marry, and an adoul, for the current list of papers. It varies from one court to another. 2. Before you travel, collect the papers that come from your country of residence. Have them translated into Arabic by a sworn translator if the court asks. 3. If you hold the nationality of your country of residence, ask its consulate in Morocco what it requires before the wedding. France and Spain want a certificate of capacity to marry first. 4. In Morocco, get the medical certificate from a doctor there and the administrative certificate from the local authority. 5. File the request. The judge checks the file and authorises two adouls. 6. Conclude the marriage before the two adouls. Tell them beforehand which conditions you want written in the deed. 7. Once the judge has approved the deed, ask for certified copies and a sworn translation. Then have the marriage recorded in your country of residence. ### What to bring - The request form for the authorisation to have the marriage deed drawn up - A birth certificate extract for each of you, issued for the marriage - An administrative certificate for each of you - A medical certificate for each of you, from a doctor in Morocco - Your CNIE. Ask the court what else it wants from a Moroccan who lives abroad. - If either of you was married before: proof that the earlier marriage ended, a divorce deed or judgment, or a death certificate - A special authorisation from the judge for a marriage under 18, polygamy, a convert to Islam or a foreigner - For a marriage by proxy: the mandate, legalised, naming the other spouse and the dowry, and approved by the judge ### Watch out - Embassy and consulate papers take time. The French consulates in Morocco need at least three months from a complete file to issue the certificate of capacity to marry. - Marriage by proxy can be refused abroad. The Italian consulate in Casablanca says a marriage concluded by proxy cannot be transcribed in Italy. - Conditions agreed before adouls are not a marriage contract for a foreign notary. France takes into account only a contract made before a notary before the wedding. - We found no official figure for the fees. The United States Embassy reports 150 dirhams for filing a marriage request with an adoul. Ask your adoul what the deed costs. - Proposal, not law: the reform would keep 18 as the age of marriage, with an exception from 17 only under strict conditions, and would let an engagement be put on record. ### If you also hold the nationality of the country where you live - That country treats you as its own national. Its rules for marrying abroad apply to you, even when you marry another Moroccan. - France: Before the wedding, both of you file in person for a certificate of capacity to marry (CCAM) at the French consulate that covers the place of the wedding. After it, the marriage is transcribed by post at the Service central d'état civil in Nantes. Until then it has no effect for French offices. - Spain: Before the adoul marriage, get a certificate of capacity to marry from the civil registry of your place of residence in Spain. Without it, the marriage cannot be entered in the consular civil registry, nor used for a visa or family reunification. - Italy: The marriage must be transcribed at your Italian municipality, of residence or of AIRE registration. The Moroccan deed must show both spouses' names, dates and places of birth. - Belgium: The Moroccan deed, legalised or with an apostille and translated if needed, can be entered in the Belgian civil status database by the registrar of your municipality. It is recognised if each of you met the conditions of your own national law. - Netherlands: If you live in the Netherlands, you must register the marriage certificate with your municipality. A marriage celebrated informally, without the Moroccan deed, cannot be registered. - Germany: A marriage valid under Moroccan law is valid in Germany. The Moroccan certificate must be legalised to be used there. - United Kingdom: The marriage is recognised if you followed the Moroccan legal process and it would be allowed under UK law. - Canada and the United States: The United States Embassy states that a Moroccan marriage is recognised and need not be registered. For Canada we found no official page on recording a marriage made abroad: ask your province. ### Official sources - https://eadoul.justice.gov.ma/ - https://www.fh2mre.ma/guide-juridique/ - https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F36480/0 - https://ma.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/etat-civil/mariage-scec - https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/casablanca/es/Consulado/PublishingImages/Paginas/Registro-Civil/MATRIMONIOS.pdf - https://conscasablanca.esteri.it/it/servizi-consolari-e-visti/servizi-per-il-cittadino-italiano/stato-civile/matrimonio/ ## Marrying a foreigner A Moroccan can marry a foreigner, in Morocco or abroad. Moroccan law sets a religion rule and, in Morocco, a court authorisation after an enquiry. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_mixed.html ### Key facts - The Family Code governs the marriage as soon as one of the two is Moroccan, wherever it takes place. - Religion rule (article 39): a Muslim woman cannot marry a non-Muslim man. A Muslim man can marry a Muslim, Christian or Jewish woman. A marriage concluded against this rule is null. - In practice: a foreign man who is not Muslim must convert to Islam before the marriage. A Christian or Jewish foreign woman does not have to convert. - Three routes exist. In Morocco, before adouls, with the court's authorisation. Abroad, at the town hall, under local law. Or before adouls at a Moroccan consulate, but only if the law of that country allows it. - In Morocco, the marriage of a foreigner needs a special authorisation. You file the request with the family judge at the court of first instance, usually that of the Moroccan partner's home. - The judge sends the file to the King's prosecutor for an enquiry on the foreign partner: no impediment, good conduct, no risk for public order, job and income. - With the authorisation, two adouls draw up the deed. Foreign embassies in Morocco do not celebrate these marriages. - No official source gives a fixed duration. The United States Embassy says the document checks take from a few days to a few months, and that the court's time varies. - Abroad, at the town hall: for Morocco the same rules apply as for two Moroccans, including the two Muslim witnesses and the deposit of the certificate at the consulate within three months. - At a consulate, a mixed couple applies to the family judge posted at the Moroccan consulate or embassy. The consul runs an enquiry and certifies that there is no impediment. The country of residence may forbid such a marriage when one of you is its national. - Marriage changes nobody's nationality, and gives the foreign spouse no automatic right to live in the other's country. - A Moroccan who also holds the other country's nationality stays Moroccan for the Family Code. Two such spouses are not a mixed couple in Morocco. ### Steps 1. Foreign partner: before travelling, get your home-country papers: birth certificate, police record, proof of divorce or widowhood if any. 2. Foreign partner: get the certificate of capacity to marry, or the paper that replaces it, from your embassy or consulate in Morocco or from your home authority. Some embassies add a nationality certificate. 3. Have the embassy papers legalised by the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and every foreign paper translated into Arabic. 4. If a conversion to Islam is needed, it is recorded by adouls. Their deed goes into the file. 5. In Morocco, get the medical certificates from a doctor there and the Moroccan criminal record extract. 6. File the request with the family judge. Wait for the enquiry and the authorisation. 7. Conclude the marriage before two adouls. The judge approves the deed. 8. Have the marriage recorded in the foreign spouse's country: see the country notes below. ### What to bring - A written request with your full identity and the purpose of the request - Birth certificate extracts, and a certified copy of the Moroccan partner's CNIE - Foreign partner: the certificate of capacity to marry, or its equivalent - Foreign partner: a copy of the passport. The United States Embassy specifies a certified copy of the identity page and of the page with the stamp of entry into Morocco. - Foreign partner: a nationality certificate and, where it applies, a certificate of residence - Foreign partner: the police record from the home country, and the Moroccan criminal record extract issued by the Ministry of Justice in Rabat - Foreign partner: proof of occupation and income, for example a work and salary certificate - The deed of conversion to Islam where it applies. For a non-Muslim bride, the German Embassy lists proof that she belongs to a religion of the Book. - A medical certificate and an administrative certificate for each of you - Four recent identity photos - If either of you was married before: original or certified proof that the earlier marriage ended ### Watch out - The list changes from one court to another. Ask the family justice section where you will marry, and the adoul, before you collect anything. - Sources differ on the counter. The guide of the Hassan II Foundation names the family judge at the court of first instance. The United States Embassy names the family section of the prosecutor's office at the court of appeal. Ask locally. - Embassy certificates expire. The British one must be used within three months. - Foreign papers must be legalised or carry an apostille, and be translated into Arabic. - Polygamy: a second marriage deed cannot be relied on in countries that ban polygamy, and a second wife cannot join her husband there through family reunification. - An unmarried partner has no status in Morocco: living together is not recognised. ### What the foreign spouse's country asks - Before the wedding, most countries ask their national for a certificate. After it, most want the marriage entered in their own registers. - France: Before: a certificate of capacity to marry (CCAM) from the French consulate covering the place of the wedding. Both come in person, banns are posted for 10 days, and you should allow at least three months. After: transcription by post at the Service central d'état civil in Nantes, needed for the spouse's visa. Married without the certificate? Write directly to Nantes; an interview can be required. - Spain: Before: a certificate of capacity to marry from the civil registry of the Spanish partner's place of residence. After: registration at that civil registry. Without the certificate, the marriage is not entered and does not count for a visa or family reunification. - Italy: After: transcription at the Italian municipality of last residence or of AIRE registration. If the Moroccan deed lacks names, dates or places of birth, the consulate asks for a correcting deed. A marriage by proxy cannot be transcribed. - Belgium: Before: where the Moroccan authorities ask for it, a certificate of non-impediment from the Belgian consulate. After: the deed, legalised or with an apostille and translated, can be entered in the Belgian civil status database by your municipality. - Netherlands: Before: a declaration of capacity to marry, from your Dutch municipality or, if you never lived in the Netherlands, from the embassy in Rabat (30 euros). After: registration with your municipality is compulsory if you live in the Netherlands. - Germany: Before: the embassy in Rabat issues the certificate of capacity to marry, on the basis of the certificate from your German registry office, and a nationality certificate, 36 euros each. After: the Moroccan certificate must be legalised to be used in Germany. - United Kingdom: Before: a certificate of no impediment from your register office if you live in the UK. If you live elsewhere, a marital status affirmation (50 pounds) and a certified passport copy (25 pounds) at the embassy in Rabat. The affirmation is valid for three months. - Canada: Before: the embassy in Rabat issues a certificate of non-impediment to marriage the same day, by appointment, for 50 Canadian dollars. Its list for the Moroccan authorities adds a criminal record check with an apostille. - United States: The embassy publishes a detailed list of papers. It stresses that the police record must be obtained before you come to Morocco. A Moroccan marriage is recognised in the United States and is not registered there. ### Official sources - https://service-public.ma/node/9984 - https://www.fh2mre.ma/guide-juridique/ - https://ma.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/etat-civil/mariage-scec - https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/casablanca/es/Consulado/PublishingImages/Paginas/Registro-Civil/MATRIMONIOS.pdf - https://conscasablanca.esteri.it/it/servizi-consolari-e-visti/servizi-per-il-cittadino-italiano/stato-civile/matrimonio/ - https://diplomatie.belgium.be/en/belgians-abroad/registry/marriage - https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/marry/morocco.fr - https://rabat.diplo.de/resource/blob/2452162/3e1ff0b58b9edd0aa3793706579058a5/eheschliessung-in-marokko-data.pdf - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/confirm-youre-free-to-get-married-in-morocco - https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/morocco-maroc/rabat-info.aspx?lang=eng - https://ma.usembassy.gov/services/marriage-in-morocco/ ## The marriage deed: conditions, property and polygamy What you write in the deed on the wedding day decides a lot later: the conditions, the dowry, and what happens to property bought during the marriage. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_contract.html ### Key facts - Conditions written into the marriage bind both of you. Only conditions that go against the purpose of marriage or against mandatory rules are void, and then the marriage itself stays valid. - The conditions are written in the marriage deed itself. - Monogamy clause: when the wife has made the husband undertake not to take another wife, polygamy is forbidden to him. - The right to divorce: a husband can give his wife the right to end the marriage herself (tamlik), usually in the deed. She then applies to the court and he cannot stop her. - The dowry (sadaq) is the wife's own property. The Code calls its value moral and symbolic. The deed states what is paid and what is deferred. - Property: each spouse keeps a separate estate. Marriage under the Family Code does not merge what you own. - You can agree how property acquired during the marriage is managed and shared. This agreement is optional and is written in a document separate from the marriage deed (article 49). - The adouls must inform both of you of these property rules at the wedding. - Without an agreement, a dispute over property acquired during the marriage is judged on the evidence, taking into account the work of each spouse and the burdens each carried. - Polygamy needs a court authorisation. The husband must show an exceptional, objective reason and enough resources for two families. The court summons the first wife. - If the first wife refuses and the husband insists, the court applies the discord divorce procedure of its own motion. - The new wife must be told by the judge that the man is already married, and her consent is recorded. - If later events make a condition too hard to keep, the spouse bound by it can ask the court to lift it or change it. ### Steps 1. Before the wedding day, decide together which conditions you want, for example the monogamy clause or the wife's right to divorce. 2. Tell the adouls before they write. Read the deed, or have it read to you, before you sign. 3. If you want to share what you acquire during the marriage, have the property agreement written as a separate document. 4. If you marry under a foreign law, check its default property regime: in some countries it is community of property. 5. Keep the original deed and the agreement in a safe place, with copies in both countries. ### What to bring - The marriage deed, with the agreed conditions and the dowry - The separate agreement on property acquired during the marriage, if you make one - Later, in a dispute: any proof of what each of you paid or did for the family's property ### Watch out - Without an agreement there is no automatic half share. The court weighs the contribution of each spouse, which does not mean an equal split. - A first wife's refusal does not by itself stop the court from ruling on a polygamy request. Only the monogamy clause forbids it outright. - Conditions agreed before adouls do not count as a marriage contract in France. For a contract that France will note, see a notary before the wedding. - Polygamy authorised in Morocco has no effect in countries that ban it: the second deed is not accepted there, and a second wife gets no family reunification. - Proposal, not law: the reform would oblige the adouls to ask the wife whether she requires the husband to give up polygamy, and to record her answer. It would also count the wife's work in the home as a contribution to the property. ### Official sources - https://adala.justice.gov.ma/fr/resources/433 - https://www.fh2mre.ma/guide-juridique/ ## Divorcing under Moroccan law In Morocco a marriage ends only through the court. The Family Code offers several routes: by agreement, for discord, at the husband's or the wife's request. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_divorcema.html ### Key facts - No divorce exists outside the court. Words said at home, an oath or a letter do not end the marriage. Only the court's authorisation or judgment counts, recorded where needed by two adouls. - The Code applies to every Moroccan, also with a second nationality, and to any couple in which one spouse is Moroccan. - You file with the family section of the court of first instance: that of the marital home, or of the wife's home or residence, or of the place where the marriage deed was made, in that order. - The court first tries to reconcile you. With children, it makes two attempts at least 30 days apart. - A discord divorce (chiqaq) must be decided within six months of the request. So must the divorces asked by the wife on legal grounds, except in exceptional circumstances. - When the husband asks for the divorce (talaq), the court fixes what the wife and children are owed. He must deposit the sum at the court within 30 days. If he does not, the court treats it as giving up the divorce. - The court's decision ending the marriage cannot be appealed on the divorce itself. The parts on money and children can. - The court sends a summary to the civil status office of each spouse's place of birth, which notes the divorce on your birth records. For a spouse born abroad, it goes to the prosecutor in Rabat. - A new Code of Civil Procedure (law 58.25) has applied since 24 August 2026. Press reports say requests can now be filed through electronic platforms. - Under that code, Moroccan courts can hear a divorce against a spouse who lives abroad when the marriage deed was made in Morocco, when the spouse who files is Moroccan, or when the spouse who is sued is Moroccan, according to a specialist's review. ### Steps 1. Choose the route with a lawyer: by agreement, for discord, or one of the others below. It decides what the court checks and what is owed. 2. File the request with the marriage deed. For a talaq, add proof of the husband's income. For a divorce by agreement, add your written agreement. 3. Attend the reconciliation hearing. Ask the court, through your lawyer, whether you must come in person: the Code says nothing for spouses who live abroad. 4. In a talaq, the husband deposits the sum fixed by the court within 30 days. 5. With the court's authorisation, the divorce is recorded by two adouls of the court's district. In a judicial divorce, the judgment itself ends the marriage. 6. Collect the divorce deed or the judgment, and a certificate that it is final. 7. Check that the divorce is noted on your Moroccan birth record by ordering a fresh copy. Then have it recognised in your country of residence. ### What to bring - The marriage deed - The identity of both spouses, and details on the children - For a talaq: proof of the husband's income and obligations - For a divorce by agreement or a khol': your written agreement and its conditions - From abroad: a power of attorney for your lawyer, legalised at the consulate. Ask the court what it accepts. ### Watch out - If the husband asked for the divorce, was summoned in person and does not come, the court treats his request as withdrawn. - If the wife was summoned in person and neither comes nor answers in writing, the case can be decided without her after a warning from the prosecutor. - Check which kind of divorce is written on your deed. Several European countries refuse a talaq decided by the husband alone, and accept a divorce by agreement or for discord. - A divorce case in Morocco does not stop a case abroad by itself. Between France and Morocco, the court seized second must wait. - We could not read the consulates' page on divorce in Morocco. Ask your consulate what can be done on site. - Proposals, not law: the reform would turn divorce by agreement into a contract without a court case, reduce the number of divorce types, and cap every divorce case at six months. ### The routes to divorce - By agreement (mutual consent): You both agree to end the marriage, with or without conditions. The conditions must not harm the children. One or both of you file; the court tries reconciliation, then authorises the divorce. - For discord (chiqaq): Either spouse, or both, asks the court to settle a dispute that threatens the marriage. If reconciliation fails, the court grants the divorce and fixes what is owed, weighing each one's share of responsibility. - At the husband's request (talaq): He needs the court's permission, deposits what the wife and children are owed, then has the divorce recorded by two adouls. - By the wife, with a delegated right (tamlik): If her husband gave her the right to divorce, usually in the marriage deed, she applies to the court herself. He cannot oppose it. - For compensation (khol'): The wife gives something in exchange for the divorce, by agreement. If you disagree on the amount, the court sets it. What she gives cannot come from the children's money. - At the wife's request, on legal grounds: Six grounds: the husband broke a condition of the deed, harm, non-payment of maintenance, absence of more than a year, a hidden defect, or his oath of abstinence. Harm can be proved by any means, including witnesses. - Before the marriage is consummated: The divorce is final at once. The wife is owed half of the dowry and observes no waiting period. ### After the decision: revocable or final, and the waiting period - Final divorces: A divorce granted by the court is irrevocable, except for an oath of abstinence or non-payment of maintenance. So are a divorce by agreement, a khol', a divorce under tamlik and a third talaq. To live together again, you need a new marriage deed. - Revocable divorce: A first or second talaq by the husband is revocable during the waiting period. He can take his wife back before two adouls. The judge calls the wife, and if she refuses she can ask for a discord divorce. - Waiting period (idda): It runs from the divorce when the marriage was consummated: three menstrual cycles, or three months for a woman without cycles, or until the birth for a pregnant woman. A widow observes four months and ten days. - After a third divorce: You cannot remarry each other unless the woman has since been through a consummated marriage with another man that has ended. ### Official sources - https://www.consulat.ma/en/divorce-morocco - https://adala.justice.gov.ma/fr/resources/433 - https://www.fh2mre.ma/guide-juridique/ ## Divorce across two countries A divorce obtained in one country does not change your records in the other by itself. Have it recognised there before you remarry. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_divorce.html ### Key facts - Morocco accepts a divorce decided by a foreign court if that court had jurisdiction and the grounds do not contradict those of the Family Code (article 128). - Since 24 August 2026 a new Code of Civil Procedure (law 58.25) governs foreign judgments, in articles 451 to 456. A foreign judgment is enforced in Morocco only after a Moroccan court grants enforceability, the exequatur. - The Moroccan court checks that both spouses were properly called and represented abroad, that the judgment is final there, that it does not clash with a Moroccan judgment, and that it respects Moroccan public policy. - New in 2026: the court also looks at whether the country that gave the judgment treats Moroccan judgments the same way (reciprocity). This test has no track record yet. - Deeds made abroad before a competent official, not only court judgments, can be made enforceable. - For civil status only, a 2016 circular of four ministries lets final foreign divorce decisions be noted without exequatur, unless they contain financial commitments or offend public policy, according to Médias24. Other official sources say a court order is always needed. Practice differs. - French divorce by mutual consent without a judge: a 2019 circular of the Interior Ministry favours noting it in Moroccan registers without exequatur, according to a French legal journal. This rests on a circular, not on a law. - Until the divorce is noted on your Moroccan birth record, you are still married in Moroccan registers. That blocks remarriage in Morocco and confuses inheritance. - You do not need to travel: a lawyer in Morocco can act with a power of attorney legalised at the consulate. - The other way round, a Moroccan divorce must be recognised or noted in your country of residence before it counts there. Each country has its own procedure: see below. ### Steps 1. Get the complete foreign judgment and proof that it is final in the country that gave it. 2. Ask your consulate, or the civil status office of your place of birth, whether the divorce can be noted directly or whether they want a Moroccan court order first. 3. If a court order is needed, or if you must enforce money or custody decisions in Morocco, have a lawyer apply for enforceability under the new procedure code. 4. Have all the papers translated into Arabic by a sworn translator. 5. Once it is accepted, have the divorce noted on your birth record, and check by ordering a fresh copy. ### What to bring - The foreign divorce judgment, original and copy - Proof that it is final and can no longer be appealed - Proof that both spouses were properly called to the proceedings, for example the proof of service - The marriage deed or certificate - Your CNIE or passport, and your consular registration - Sworn Arabic translations - The exact list is now set by article 454 of the new code, which we could not read. Have your lawyer or the court registry confirm it. ### Watch out - Do not remarry on the strength of a divorce that the other country has not yet recognised. - Before 24 August 2026, the president of the court of first instance ruled on foreign divorces within one week. We could not confirm that the new code keeps this. Ask your lawyer which court and which time limits apply now. - A foreign custody order is not carried out in Morocco automatically. It also needs the exequatur. - Living in Europe? A talaq obtained by the husband alone in Morocco may be refused there. French and Belgian sources treat a divorce by agreement or for discord differently. - If cases are started in both countries: between France and Morocco, the court seized second must wait. For other countries the new Moroccan code has no detailed rule, according to a specialist's review. ### A Moroccan divorce in the country where you live - France: Under the France-Morocco convention of 1981, a final Moroccan divorce can be noted in French registers without exequatur. Send a request to check it (vérification d'opposabilité), with French translations, to the public prosecutor of the place of marriage, or of Nantes if the marriage took place abroad. The prosecutor refuses a repudiation. The Cour de cassation accepted the Moroccan divorce by agreement in 2014. - Belgium: A foreign divorce judgment is recognised without a special procedure if it passes the legal checks. A divorce by the husband's will alone is refused unless strict conditions are met, including the wife's free and clear acceptance. - Netherlands: A divorce obtained after proper proceedings before a competent authority is recognised. One made by one spouse's declaration is recognised only if the other clearly agreed or accepted it. - Germany: You file a formal request for recognition (section 107 FamFG) with the justice authority of your Land, with the originals and translations by a translator admitted in Germany. - Spain: A divorce judgment from outside the European Union must go through the exequatur procedure of law 29/2015 before the civil registry relies on it. Moroccan documents need an apostille and a sworn translation. - Italy: Recognition is asked under article 64 of law 218/1995. The consular forms ask for the judgment in the original and in Italian, and for the date it became final. - United Kingdom: A divorce obtained abroad through proceedings is recognised if it is effective where it was obtained and one spouse lived there, was domiciled there or was a national of that country. - Canada: A foreign divorce is recognised if either spouse lived in that country for at least one year just before the proceedings started. ### Mixed couples: which court, which law - In a Moroccan court: The court applies the Family Code as soon as one spouse is Moroccan, even with a second nationality. - France and Morocco: If you both have the same nationality, the law of that country governs the divorce. If not, it is the law of the country of your shared home, or of your last shared home. The courts of that country can decide. If you both have the nationality of one of the two countries, so can its courts. - A spouse abroad sued in Morocco: Since August 2026, Moroccan courts can hear the case when the marriage deed was made in Morocco, when the spouse who files is Moroccan, or when the spouse who is sued is a Moroccan national. ### Official sources - https://www.consulat.ma/en/divorce-pronounced-foreign-courts - https://adala.justice.gov.ma/fr/resources/433 - https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/Convention_Maroc.pdf - https://www.justice.fr/fiche/mettre-jour-actes-detat-civil-francais-suite-divorce-prononce-etranger - https://www.justiz.sachsen.de/olg/download/Scheidungsanerkennung/Marokko_S.pdf - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1986/55/section/46 - https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/d-3.4/section-22.html ## Children after a divorce: custody, guardianship and travel Custody usually goes to the mother, while the father stays the legal guardian. That difference matters for school, papers and travel. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_custody.html ### Key facts - Custody (hadana) means caring for the child day to day. After a divorce it goes first to the mother, then to the father, then to the mother's mother. Failing that, the court chooses the most suitable relative. - Custody lasts until 18 for boys and girls. From the age of 15, the child can choose to live with the father or the mother. - Legal guardianship (wilaya) is separate. By law the father is the guardian of his children, also after a divorce. A mother with custody is not the guardian for that reason alone. - The mother becomes guardian when the father is dead, absent or has lost capacity. When he is prevented from acting, she can deal with the children's urgent matters. - A mother with custody who remarries keeps it if the child is under 7, if separation would harm the child, if the child has an illness or disability that makes her care necessary, or if her new husband is a close relative of the child or its legal representative. Otherwise she can lose it. - The other parent has the right to visit the child and to receive the child. You can agree on the times; otherwise the court fixes precise times and places. - If a parent cheats on the visiting arrangements, the court can change them and can even withdraw custody. - Moving to another town inside Morocco does not end custody. The Code gives no such protection for a move abroad. - The court can ban taking the child out of Morocco without the legal representative's consent. If consent is refused, the parent with custody can ask the urgent-applications judge, who agrees only for a temporary trip with an assured return. - Passport: the official passport site states that a divorced mother can have passports made for her minor children, unless a court decision opposes it. The child must be present. - Custody can be reviewed whenever the child's interest requires. - If one parent dies, that parent's own parents keep the right to visit the child. ### Steps 1. Read the custody decision: it names the custodian, the visits and any travel ban. 2. Agree on visits and holidays in writing, and have the agreement written into the court decision. 3. Before travelling with the child, get the other parent's written consent, legalised. British official guidance says Morocco asks for the authorisation of both parents for a child to leave the country, until the age of 18. 4. If consent is refused, apply to the urgent-applications judge and show that the trip is temporary. 5. For the child's Moroccan passport, go with the child to your consulate. A parent who cannot come can give a power of attorney. 6. If your child is taken to another country or kept there, contact the central authority of the country where you live at once. ### What to bring - A copy of the divorce decision: it names the children, the custodian and the visits - The other parent's written consent for travel, legalised - For the passport: the child in person, and the papers your consulate lists for minors - For a custody, visiting or maintenance decision used between France and Morocco: the court clerk's certificate that it is enforceable ### Watch out - A person entitled to custody who stays silent for one year after learning that the custodian has married loses the right to claim it. - Either parent can ask a Moroccan court for a travel ban on the child. A parent can be stopped at the airport when a ban exists. - A dual-national child can leave Morocco on the Moroccan passport. A second passport does not protect against a child being taken to Morocco. - A return order does not decide who gets custody. - Proposals, not law: the reform would let a divorced mother keep custody when she remarries, give the mother with custody legal guardianship as well, and make guardianship joint. ### If a child is taken to another country - The 1980 Hague Convention: Morocco has been a party since 2010. It applies only with the countries that accepted Morocco's accession: check the status table before relying on it. With the United Kingdom it has applied since 1 July 2016. - Morocco's central authority: The Ministry of Justice in Rabat, Directorate of Civil Affairs. It receives return requests and works with the authority of your country. - France and Morocco: The convention of 1981 applies. The two Ministries of Justice help for free: they locate the child, seek a voluntary return and bring the case to court. The judge must order the immediate return, unless it would seriously endanger the child. - The 1996 Hague Convention: It covers custody and protection decisions. It is in force between Morocco and France, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Belgium and Italy. Canada is not a party. ### Official sources - https://www.passeport.ma/Home/Faq - https://adala.justice.gov.ma/fr/resources/433 - https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/status-table/?cid=24 - https://www.hcch.net/en/states/authorities/details3/?aid=850 - https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/status-table/?cid=70 - https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/Convention_Maroc.pdf - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/morocco-child-abduction/morocco-child-abduction ## Money after a divorce The court fixes what is owed: the wife's dues at the divorce, then maintenance and housing for the children until they can stand on their own. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_dues.html ### Key facts - When the husband asks for the divorce, the wife is owed: any unpaid part of the dowry, maintenance for the waiting period, and a consolation gift (mut'a). - The court sets the consolation gift from the length of the marriage, the husband's means, the reasons for the divorce and how far he abused his right. There is no scale. - During the waiting period the wife stays in the marital home or another suitable home. Failing that, the court fixes a sum for housing. - In a discord divorce the court fixes the same dues and weighs each spouse's share of responsibility. The one at fault can be ordered to compensate the other. - Dowry: all of it is owed once the marriage is consummated, half if the divorce comes before. - The children's maintenance covers food, clothing, medical care and education. It is set from the payer's income, the children's standard of living before the divorce, and the cost of living. - The children's housing is fixed separately. The father must house them or pay a rent set by the court, and they cannot be put out of the home before he has complied. - A father owes maintenance until 18, or 25 for a child still studying. For a daughter it lasts until she earns her living or marries. For a child with a disability who cannot earn a living, it continues. - If the father cannot pay and the mother is well off, she covers the part he cannot pay. - Maintenance is owed from the day the payments stopped, not from the day of the judgment. - The court can order maintenance to be withheld from the payer's salary. The Code says maintenance cases must be decided within one month. - If the mother with custody remarries, the father no longer owes the child's housing or the custody pay. He still owes maintenance. - Property: each of you keeps what is yours. There is no automatic sharing on divorce, unless you signed an agreement on property acquired during the marriage. ### Steps 1. Ask the court to fix the maintenance and the children's housing. Bring proof of income and of the children's expenses. 2. Ask the judgment to say how it is paid, for example by deduction from salary. 3. If payments stop for more than a month without good reason, the rules on family neglect apply. Ask a lawyer or the prosecutor's office how to file a complaint. 4. To collect in another country: between France and Morocco, the two Ministries of Justice act as central authorities for maintenance, and their help is free. Elsewhere, ask a lawyer how to enforce the judgment where the payer lives. ### What to bring - Proof of the payer's income and obligations: pay slips, tax papers, contracts - Proof of the children's expenses: school, health, housing - The written agreement on property, if you signed one; if not, proof of what you contributed - The judgment, with the clerk's certificate that it is enforceable, to use it in another country ### Watch out - You cannot ask to raise or lower maintenance before one year has passed, except in exceptional circumstances. - A maintenance judgment stays in force until another decision replaces it. - When the payer cannot pay everyone, the order is: the wife, then the young children, then daughters, sons, the mother and the father. - Not paying court-ordered maintenance is also a criminal matter, family neglect. We did not read the text of the Penal Code: ask a lawyer about the penalties. - Proposals, not law: the reform would set reference criteria for maintenance, give the consolation gift to a wife who asks for the divorce herself, and count work in the home as a contribution to the property. ### Official sources - https://adala.justice.gov.ma/fr/resources/433 - https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/Convention_Maroc.pdf ## Moroccan nationality: who has it, how to prove it You are Moroccan if your father or your mother is. Taking another nationality does not end it. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_nationality.html ### Key facts - You are Moroccan from birth if your father or your mother is Moroccan, wherever you were born and whatever the other parent's nationality (Nationality Code, article 6). - The mother's line was added in 2007. It also covers people born before that date to a Moroccan mother and a foreign father. - Morocco accepts dual nationality. You do not lose Moroccan nationality by taking another one. - Inside Morocco, a dual national is treated as Moroccan only. The other country's consulate can do little for you there. - Marriage changes nobody's nationality. A Moroccan who marries a foreigner stays Moroccan. Divorce changes nothing either. - You prove your nationality with a certificate of nationality. You ask the King's prosecutor at the court of first instance. From abroad, the consulate forwards the request. - For Moroccans born abroad, the guide of the Hassan II Foundation names the prosecutor at the Rabat court of first instance. - An online service for nationality certificate requests was launched in January 2024, and the Ministry of Justice published a simplified procedure in February 2026. We could not open either: ask the court or the consulate for the current address. - A Moroccan by birth can also prove it by any means, including the fact of having always been treated as Moroccan. - A child born in Morocco of unknown parents is Moroccan. Being born in Morocco to foreign parents gives no nationality by itself. - Kafala does not change a child's nationality. After five years, a Moroccan guardian can file a declaration so that a child born abroad of unknown parents becomes Moroccan. ### Steps 1. To get a certificate: collect a full copy of your birth certificate and proof that your parent is Moroccan. 2. Hand the request to your consulate, or to the prosecutor's office at the court of first instance in Morocco. 3. Through your mother, born abroad: the request goes to the prosecutor in Rabat. Then have your birth entered in Moroccan civil status. 4. To give up Moroccan nationality: send a request to the Minister of Justice, through the consulate. You stay Moroccan until a decree is published. ### What to bring - Proof of your identity if you are an adult: passport or residence card - A full copy of your birth certificate - Through your mother: a full copy of her birth certificate and a copy of her CNIE - Through your father: we found no official list. Expect your birth certificate and proof that he is Moroccan, and ask the prosecutor's office or the consulate. ### Watch out - Enter and leave Morocco with your Moroccan passport or CNIE if you hold them. Dual nationals are regularly asked for the CNIE at Moroccan airports. - Becoming a citizen of another country, or handing in a Moroccan passport, does not end Moroccan nationality. Only a published decree does. - If you give up Moroccan nationality, your unmarried minor children who live with you lose it too. - Born before 2 April 2007 to a Moroccan mother: you could keep your family name and first name, under a joint circular quoted by the Foundation's guide. ### How Moroccan nationality is lost - By decree, at your request: An adult who has acquired a foreign nationality abroad, or a person who has had one since birth, can be authorised by decree to give up the Moroccan one. Nothing happens without the decree. - The choice between 18 and 20: A child of a mixed marriage who is Moroccan through the mother can declare, between 18 and 20, that he or she keeps only one parent's nationality. - Withdrawal: It can only hit a person who acquired Moroccan nationality, never a Moroccan by birth, for serious offences committed within ten years of the acquisition. - Getting it back: A person who was Moroccan by birth and lost that nationality can ask for it back. Reinstatement is granted by decree. ### Official sources - https://www.consulat.ma/en/nationality-certificate - https://www.consulat.ma/index.php/en/moroccan-nationality-certificate-children-born-moroccan-mother-and-foreign-father - https://www.fh2mre.ma/guide-juridique/ - https://justice.gov.ma/ ## Children of a Moroccan and a foreigner Your child is Moroccan from birth through the Moroccan parent. The other nationality depends on the other country's law, sometimes on a short deadline. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_kids.html ### Key facts - A child with one Moroccan parent is Moroccan from birth, whether that parent is the father or the mother, and wherever the child is born. - The rule on descent sets no condition of religion. - Whether the child also has the other parent's nationality is decided by that country's law. See the country notes below. - In Morocco the child is treated as Moroccan, and the Family Code applies to the child, whatever the second nationality. - To exist in Moroccan records, the birth must be entered in Moroccan civil status: at your consulate, or directly at the civil status office in Morocco. - If the Moroccan parent is the mother and the consulate asks for proof of the child's nationality, request a nationality certificate from the King's prosecutor, through the consulate. - The choice between 18 and 20: a child of a mixed marriage who is Moroccan through the mother can declare to the Minister of Justice that he or she keeps only one parent's nationality. Before 18, the mother can make this declaration for the child, who can undo it between 18 and 20. - A child who is Moroccan through the father has no such declaration. Giving up Moroccan nationality then needs a decree. - First name in Moroccan records: it must not offend morals or public order, and must not be a family name, more than two first names, or the name of a town, village or tribe, the Foundation's guide says. - Among the duties of parents, the Family Code lists the child's religious guidance. ### Steps 1. Register the birth with the local authority of the country of birth, and get a full copy of the birth certificate. 2. Moroccan parent: have the birth entered in Moroccan civil status through your consulate, and the child added to the family booklet. 3. Foreign parent: check your own country's rule the same month. Some deadlines are short. 4. Apply for the child's papers on both sides: the Moroccan passport and, later, the CNIE. 5. At 18, a child who is Moroccan through the mother and wants only one nationality has two years to file the declaration. ### What to bring - Consular registration of the parents and the Moroccan family booklet - A full copy of the child's local birth certificate - The parents' marriage certificate - The Moroccan parent's birth certificate extract and a copy of the other parent's identity document - The identity document of the person who declares the birth - For a nationality certificate through the mother: the child's full birth certificate, her full birth certificate and a copy of her CNIE ### Watch out - Missing the other country's deadline can cost the child that nationality. - Parents can prevent their children from leaving Morocco, Canada's official travel advice notes. Travel with the other parent's written consent. - In Morocco, the second country's consulate can do less for a child who is also Moroccan. - Register the Moroccan birth early. Sources disagree on whether a deadline still applies: ask your consulate. ### Does the child get the other nationality? - Rules read on each country's official site in October 2026. They often depend on where the foreign parent was born or has lived. - France: The child is French if at least one parent is French, wherever the child is born, once the link with that parent is legally established. - Belgium: If the Belgian parent was born in Belgium, the child is Belgian. If that parent was born abroad, a declaration must be made within five years of the birth. - Spain: A child of a Spanish father or mother is Spanish by origin. - Italy: Rules changed in 2025. A child born abroad with another nationality is Italian automatically only if a parent or grandparent holds only Italian citizenship, or if the Italian parent lived two years in a row in Italy before the birth. Otherwise a parent who is Italian by birth can file a declaration within three years of the birth. - Netherlands: The child is Dutch if a parent is Dutch at the birth, or if a Dutch man acknowledges paternity. - Germany: If the German parent was born abroad after 31 December 1999 and the child is born abroad with another nationality, the child is German only if the birth is registered with the German registry office within one year. - Switzerland: A child born abroad who has another nationality loses Swiss nationality at 25, unless he or she has been registered with a Swiss authority or has declared in writing the wish to keep it. - United Kingdom: A child born outside the UK to a British parent may be British, depending on the dates and the parents' situation. Use the official checker on GOV.UK. - Canada: Rules in force since 15 December 2025: the child of a Canadian born in Canada is Canadian. If the Canadian parent was also born abroad, that parent must have spent at least 1,095 days in Canada before the birth. - United States: With one American parent married to the other parent: the American parent must have lived in the United States for five years before the birth, two of them after the age of 14. ### Official sources - https://www.consulat.ma/en/birth-transcript-register-civil-status-and-family-record-book - https://www.fh2mre.ma/guide-juridique/ - https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F3068 - https://diplomatie.belgium.be/en/belgians-abroad/nationality/being-granted-belgian-nationality-age-18 - https://www.mjusticia.gob.es/es/ciudadania/nacionalidad/que-es-nacionalidad/como-adquiere-nacionalidad/espanoles-origen - https://www.esteri.it/en/servizi-opportunita/italiani-all-estero/cittadinanza/ - https://www.government.nl/topics/dutch-citizenship/becoming-a-dutch-citizen - https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/cu-de/2538312-2538312 - https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/integration-einbuergerung/schweizer-werden/verlust.html - https://www.gov.uk/check-british-citizenship/born-outside-the-uk-or-stateless - https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/act-changes/rules-2025.html - https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal-considerations/us-citizenship-laws-policies/citizenship-child-born-abroad.html ## Your foreign husband or wife in Morocco: nationality, residence, work Marriage gives your foreign spouse no Moroccan nationality by itself. It does open the way to a residence card in Morocco and, for a wife, to a declaration after five years. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_spouse.html ### Key facts - Marrying a Moroccan does not make anyone Moroccan automatically. - Foreign wife of a Moroccan man: she can acquire nationality by a declaration to the Minister of Justice, if the couple has lived habitually and lawfully in Morocco for at least five years and the marriage is still in force when she signs (Nationality Code, article 10). - The five years are lived in Morocco. As the article is written, years abroad do not count, so a couple settled abroad does not meet the condition. - The Minister has one year to answer. Silence for a year counts as a refusal. If he accepts, she is Moroccan from the date she filed. - A divorce, or the husband's death, after the filing does not cancel the declaration. - Foreign husband of a Moroccan woman: the law gives him no such declaration. His only route is ordinary naturalisation, in which marriage is not a condition and gives no shortcut. - Naturalisation asks for five years of lawful residence in Morocco before the request, adulthood, good health, good conduct with no serious conviction, knowledge of Arabic or Amazigh, and sufficient means. It is a decision, not a right, and is granted by decree. - Residence: the law on foreigners gives the residence card to the foreign spouse of a Moroccan, husband or wife, if entry and stay were lawful. It sets no minimum length of marriage. - A foreigner married to a Moroccan for at least one year cannot be expelled, apart from cases of State security. - Work: press articles and NGO guides list the spouses of Moroccans among the foreigners exempt from the ANAPEC certificate. A residence document is needed in every case to sign a work contract. - Your children together are Moroccan through you, whatever your spouse's status. ### Steps 1. Enter Morocco lawfully and keep the proof: passport stamp or visa. 2. Before 90 days have passed, apply for the card at the foreigners' office of the police prefecture of your town, or at the Royal Gendarmerie in the countryside. 3. Hand in the form and the papers in two certified copies, and keep the receipt: it serves as a temporary residence document. 4. Renew before the card expires, and report any change of address. 5. Wife, after five years in Morocco: send the declaration to the Minister of Justice with proof of the marriage, of your husband's nationality and of the five years. Keep proof of the filing date. ### What to bring - For the card, the police give the exact list. The usual base: the form, a certified copy of the passport, photos, proof of address, a criminal record extract, a medical certificate, a tax stamp, and the marriage certificate. - To take a job: a legalised copy of the marriage certificate and a recent copy of the Moroccan spouse's CNIE, according to the press. Confirm with the employer. - For the wife's declaration: the Code gives no list. Expect to prove the marriage, your husband's Moroccan nationality and five years of lawful residence of the couple in Morocco. ### Watch out - Proposal, not law: bill 019.13, announced in 2023, would open the declaration to the foreign husbands of Moroccan women. We found no trace of its adoption up to October 2026. Websites that announce it describe the bill. - Living in Morocco without a card is an offence: a fine of 5,000 to 30,000 dirhams and one month to one year in prison, or one of the two. - A residence card lapses after more than two years outside Morocco. This matters for couples who move back abroad. - The law says nothing on the card when the marriage ends, by divorce or death. Ask the foreigners' office well before the next renewal. - Practice can differ from the text: the French consulates say the card is renewed every year until a ten-year card is obtained. - Our sources do not agree on whether the spouse of a Moroccan still needs the Ministry of Labour's approval of the work contract. Ask the ministry before you sign. - An unmarried partner cannot rely on the relationship: cohabitation is not recognised in Morocco. - The other direction is decided by your country of residence. Marrying a German national, for example, gives no right of residence in Germany by itself. ### Official sources - https://justice.gov.ma/ - https://www.fh2mre.ma/guide-juridique/ - https://www.travail.gov.ma/mtip-espace-emploi/migrations-pour-des-fins-de-travail/recruter-un-salarie-etranger/?lang=fr - https://ma.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/vivre-venir/permis-de-sejour ## Inheritance in a mixed couple Moroccan law follows a Moroccan everywhere, and it bars inheritance between a Muslim and a non-Muslim. A will and a choice of law can prepare what the law does not give. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_inherit.html ### Key facts - For Morocco, the estate of a Moroccan follows the Family Code, even with a second nationality and a life abroad. - Under the Family Code there is no inheritance by law between a Muslim and a non-Muslim (article 332). It holds whichever of the two dies, and also between parents and children. - So a non-Muslim wife does not inherit by law from her Muslim husband, and he does not inherit from her. - The bar concerns inheritance by law, not wills. The non-Muslim spouse can be named in a will that respects the Code, a notary explains in the Moroccan press. - A will (wasiya) can cover at most one third of the estate. Above one third, it stands only if the heirs agree after the death. - A will cannot favour someone who is already a legal heir unless the other heirs agree. - If the foreign spouse is Muslim, the bar does not apply: he or she inherits by law like any spouse. - Each spouse owns his or her property separately. What belongs to the surviving spouse is not part of the estate. - The estate in Morocco of a foreigner who is not Muslim follows that person's national law, the same notary says. - If you live in the European Union: for the courts there, the law of the country where you habitually lived governs your whole estate, unless you chose the law of your nationality in a will (Regulation 650/2012). The rule does not apply in Denmark and Ireland. - So the two systems start from different points: residence for the European court, nationality for Morocco. Property in Europe and property in Morocco can be shared out under different rules. - In Morocco, heirs prove their status with a deed of heirship (iratha), drawn up by adouls on the statements of twelve witnesses. - Grandchildren whose parent died before the grandparent receive that parent's share, within one third of the estate (obligatory bequest). ### Steps 1. List what each of you owns, and in which country. 2. If one of you cannot inherit from the other, see adouls or a notary in Morocco about a will, for up to one third. 3. If you live in the European Union, decide with a notary whether to write a choice of law in your will. Without it, the law of your country of residence applies there. 4. Remember that what is in your name is yours and stays out of your spouse's estate. The written agreement on property acquired during the marriage records who owns what. 5. See a notary in each country where you own property. ### What to bring - For a deed of heirship in Morocco: twelve witnesses who knew the deceased. Ask the adouls which identity and family papers they want. - Your marriage deed, and the property agreement if you made one - Title deeds and account statements, for each country ### Watch out - A will cannot give everything to the spouse. Anything above one third depends on the heirs' agreement after the death. - A will can be changed or cancelled by its author at any time. - The Foundation's guide stresses that its examples hold for property located in Morocco. Property abroad follows other rules. - Proposal, not law: the opinion of the Council of Oulémas on the reform would let spouses of different religions bequeath or give to each other freely. It has not been adopted. - We could not read the articles on wills in an official copy of the Code. The rules above come from the Moroccan press quoting a notary. Check the wording with a notary before you act. - These rules are those of the Family Code. Moroccans of Jewish faith follow the rules of Moroccan Hebraic personal status. ### Official sources - https://www.fh2mre.ma/guide-juridique/ - https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02012R0650-20120705 - https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/family/inheritances/planning-inheritance/index_en.htm ## Arabic, Amazigh and Morocco for your children The second and third generations keep the link through language, visits and stories. Help exists. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_roots.html ### Key facts - Morocco sends teachers of Arabic and Moroccan culture to several European countries through the Hassan II Foundation for Moroccans abroad. - The Foundation organises a summer cultural stay in Morocco every year for children of Moroccans abroad, most recently in July 2026. - The National Day of Moroccans Abroad is 10 August. ### Steps 1. Ask your consulate or the Foundation where classes run near you. 2. Speak Darija or Tamazight at home, even a little every day. Our Darija of the day is one small start. 3. Give children their own reason to go: a cousin, a sport, a recipe, a village story. ### Watch out - A child who is never registered at the consulate has no Moroccan papers later. Register the birth first. ### Official sources - https://www.fh2mre.ma/ ## Health and emergencies during a stay Your cover abroad rarely follows you to Morocco. Sort it out before you travel. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_health.html ### Key facts - Without an agreement form from your fund, you pay for care in Morocco yourself and claim later, if your cover allows it. - Private clinics may ask for a deposit before admission. - Assistance insurance covers medical repatriation and, often, the return of the family and the car. ### Steps 1. Ask your health fund for the form for temporary stays in Morocco, where one exists. 2. Take travel assistance for each trip, or check what your bank card includes. 3. Save the emergency numbers on our Morocco page in your phone. ### Watch out - Elderly parents visiting you abroad need travel insurance for their visa, and it is worth having even when not required. ### Official sources - https://www.consulat.ma/en/sanitary-repatriation-insured-persons ## Complaints and having your say When an office does not answer, there are channels that leave a trace. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/guide_voice.html ### Key facts - Chikaya.ma is the national portal for complaints about any Moroccan administration. In 2024 it handled more than 1,300 requests and complaints from Moroccans abroad. - Each consulate has an email address and, in several countries, a call centre for consular services. They are in our Directory. - The Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad, CCME, is the advisory body that speaks for the diaspora. - Political representation of Moroccans abroad is a long-standing demand that was still under debate in 2026. ### Steps 1. Write first to the office concerned and keep a copy. 2. With no answer, file on Chikaya.ma with dates, names and documents. 3. For a customs dispute, use the complaints page of the customs website. ### Official sources - https://www.chikaya.ma/ - https://www.ccme.org.ma/ ## Services Banks, phone operators, transfer services, airlines, ferries and official websites, by name, with prices and the date each one was read. - [Services](https://bablblad.com/en/services.html) - [Banks](https://bablblad.com/en/svc_banks.html): Every bank in Morocco, its offer for Moroccans abroad, the number to call from abroad and where it is present in your country. - [Sending money](https://bablblad.com/en/svc_transfers.html): Each transfer service by name, where the money is collected in Morocco, and what sending 140 euros really cost from six countries. - [Phone and internet in Morocco](https://bablblad.com/en/svc_phone.html): A SIM or eSIM for the summer, the recharge codes, data passes, topping up from abroad and internet for the family home. - [Calling Morocco](https://bablblad.com/en/call.html): The plans and options that include Morocco, the price per minute, and what it costs to use your phone there, country by country. - [Flights and airports](https://bablblad.com/en/svc_flights.html): Which airlines fly to which Moroccan airports from your country, and what to know about baggage. - [Ferries](https://bablblad.com/en/svc_ferries.html): Every line from Spain, France and Italy, who sails it since the 2026 takeovers, how long it takes and the lowest fare shown. - [Getting around Morocco](https://bablblad.com/en/svc_transport.html): Al Boraq and the other trains, CTM and Supratours coaches, the Jawaz tag, fines and car insurance at the border. - [Health and assistance](https://bablblad.com/en/svc_health.html): The assistance and repatriation contracts sold by each bank, the main hospitals, and what your health insurance covers during a stay. - [Official online services](https://bablblad.com/en/svc_online.html): Fifty government websites and phone lines: what each one does, what you need to sign in, and whether it works from abroad. - [TV, radio and news](https://bablblad.com/en/svc_media.html): Where to watch Moroccan channels live, the satellite frequencies for Europe, the Gulf and North America, radio stations and news sites. - [Regions and cities](https://bablblad.com/en/svc_regions.html): A fact sheet for each of the 12 regions, the 20 largest cities at the 2024 census, and the figures to know about the country. - [Studying and youth programmes](https://bablblad.com/en/svc_study.html): Getting into a Moroccan university with a foreign diploma, Arabic classes abroad, summer stays and cultural centres. - [Working and investing](https://bablblad.com/en/svc_work.html): Starting a company, the MDM Invest premium, the 12 regional investment centres, and tax on a foreign pension. - [Parcels and moving home](https://bablblad.com/en/svc_shipping.html): What customs lets through free of duty by post and in person, and the official steps of a permanent return. - [Calling Morocco from France](https://bablblad.com/en/call_fr.html) - [Calling Morocco from Spain](https://bablblad.com/en/call_es.html) - [Calling Morocco from Italy](https://bablblad.com/en/call_it.html) - [Calling Morocco from Belgium](https://bablblad.com/en/call_be.html) - [Calling Morocco from Netherlands](https://bablblad.com/en/call_nl.html) - [Calling Morocco from Germany](https://bablblad.com/en/call_de.html) - [Calling Morocco from United Kingdom](https://bablblad.com/en/call_gb.html) - [Calling Morocco from Canada](https://bablblad.com/en/call_ca.html) - [Calling Morocco from United States](https://bablblad.com/en/call_us.html) - [Calling Morocco from United Arab Emirates](https://bablblad.com/en/call_ae.html) - [Calling Morocco from Saudi Arabia](https://bablblad.com/en/call_sa.html) - [Calling Morocco from Qatar](https://bablblad.com/en/call_qa.html) - [Calling Morocco from Switzerland](https://bablblad.com/en/call_ch.html) # Banks URL: https://bablblad.com/en/svc_banks.html ### In short - Eight banks say you can open the account from abroad, online or in their app: Attijariwafa bank, Banque Populaire, BANK OF AFRICA, CIH Bank, Crédit Agricole du Maroc, BMCI, Saham Bank and Bank Al Yousr. - From abroad, call the number given for customers abroad. Short numbers such as 2121, 2828, 3232 or 4242 work only from inside Morocco. - Three banks have their own branches in Europe: Attijariwafa bank Europe, Chaabi Bank (Banque Populaire) and BANK OF AFRICA. - Several packages are free only at the start: 12 months at BMCI, the first year at Crédit du Maroc. Ask what they cost afterwards. - An account in convertible dirhams lets you take your money back out of Morocco. An ordinary dirham account is for spending in Morocco. ### Banks - Attijariwafa bank (Pack Elan), From abroad: +212 5 22 58 88 59, Inside Morocco: +212 5 22 58 88 88. A dirham account for Moroccans abroad with a Visa card and online banking. There are four levels; the cheapest, for 18 to 25 year olds, starts at 5 dirhams a month. https://www.attijariwafabank.com/fr - Banque Populaire (Pack BLADI), From abroad: +212 5 22 58 50 66, Inside Morocco: 2121. A bundle of account, cards and remote banking for Moroccans abroad, sold in six versions. https://www.groupebcp.com/fr/ - BANK OF AFRICA (Pack BLUE / Pack FIRST), From abroad: +212 5 22 42 15 42, Inside Morocco: 080 100 8100. An account in dirhams or in convertible dirhams with a Visa card and online banking. It opens online from abroad in four steps. https://www.bankofafrica.ma/fr - CIH Bank (CODE 212), From abroad: +212 5 20 912 212. An account opened fully online from abroad. At its launch in July 2024 the bank announced account fees and a card free for life. https://www.cihbank.ma/ - Crédit Agricole du Maroc (Pack L'BLED). A bundle of everyday banking services for Moroccans abroad. The account can be opened from your mobile, wherever you are. https://www.creditagricole.ma/ - Crédit du Maroc (Confiance Jaliya), From abroad: +212 5 22 477 477, Inside Morocco: 3232. Includes an account in convertible dirhams and free transfers inside Crédit du Maroc. Free for the first year, according to the bank's 2025 brochure. https://www.creditdumaroc.ma/ - BMCI (Pack Horizons), From abroad: +212 5 29 044 044, Inside Morocco: 2828. An account in convertible dirhams with a Visa Gold International card. Free for the first 12 months. The account opens online in six steps. https://www.bmci.ma/ - Saham Bank (Forfait Start / Dynamic / Signature), From abroad: +212 5 22 42 42 44, Inside Morocco: 4242. Three packages with unlimited standard and instant transfers. Dynamic adds two free withdrawals a month at other banks' cash machines. The account opens remotely. https://www.sahambank.com/ - Al Barid Bank (Hssab Rawabit), Inside Morocco: 080 200 32 32. The post office bank's account for Moroccans abroad, with Visa cards and an assistance contract. The account is opened in a branch in Morocco. https://www.albaridbank.ma/ - CFG Bank, From abroad: +212 5 22 776 800. No package for Moroccans abroad, but they can hold an account in dirhams, in convertible dirhams or in foreign currency. https://www.cfgbank.com/ - Arab Bank https://www.arabbank.ma/ - Umnia Bank https://www.umniabank.ma/fr - Bank Assafa, Inside Morocco: 05 29 04 04 44 https://www.bankassafa.com/fr - Bank Al Yousr, From abroad: +212 5 22 58 50 50, Inside Morocco: 05 22 58 50 50 https://www.alyousr.ma/ - Bank Al Karam, Inside Morocco: 0801 05 04 04 https://www.bankalkaram.ma/ - Al Akhdar Bank # Sending money URL: https://bablblad.com/en/svc_transfers.html ### In short - These prices are World Bank figures for sending 140 euros in the third quarter of 2025. Prices change often, so check the amount your recipient gets before you send. - From France, Remitly online to a bank account cost 1.46 percent. Paying in cash at a counter cost 3.99 percent with Banque Chaabi de Maroc, 4.71 percent with Ria and 7.56 percent with Western Union. - An ordinary bank transfer is dear for a small amount. On 140 euros the fee alone was 63 euros at Caisse D'Epargne Ile de France, 37 euros at La Caixa in Spain and 35 euros at ABN AMRO Bank in the Netherlands. - A fee of 0 euros is not a free transfer. With no fee, MoneyGram from Belgium still kept 1.18 percent through the exchange rate, and Boursorama from France kept 2.58 percent. - With Remitly, cash pick-up cost more than a deposit to a bank account: 2.17 against 1.46 percent from France, 3.58 against 1.79 percent from Spain. - The average cost was 3.86 percent from Belgium, 4.11 from Germany, 5.57 from the Netherlands, 6.29 from Spain, 7.21 from Italy and 7.39 from France. The world average is 6.36 percent. ### The services, one by one - Wise: Wise pays only into a bank account in Morocco, in dirhams. You need the recipient's 24-digit account number (RIB). There is no cash pick-up. https://wise.com/ - Remitly: Remitly pays into a bank account, in cash or into an Orange Money wallet. From France, Remitly advertises no fee on deposits to a bank account. https://www.remitly.com/ - WorldRemit: WorldRemit pays by bank transfer, cash pick-up or mobile money. WorldRemit limits a cash pick-up to 80,000 dirhams per transfer. https://www.worldremit.com/ - Sendwave: Sendwave works only through its mobile app. To Morocco, Sendwave pays out in cash only. Part of the cost is in the exchange rate. https://www.sendwave.com/ - Taptap Send: Taptap Send charges no fee to a bank account or an Orange Money wallet. Cash pick-up costs 2.99 euros from France and 2.50 euros from Spain, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands or Germany. The rate includes a margin. https://www.taptapsend.com/ - Western Union: With Western Union you can send online, in the app or at an agent. Western Union pays into a bank account, in cash at an agent or into an Orange Money wallet. https://www.westernunion.com/ - MoneyGram: With MoneyGram you can send online or at an agent. The MoneyGram fee changes with the amount, how you pay, how the money is received and where it is collected. https://www.moneygram.com/ - Ria Money Transfer: With Ria Money Transfer you can send online or at an agent. Cash is paid at more than 14,000 partner points in Morocco. Ria Money Transfer also pays into a bank account or an Orange Money wallet. https://www.riamoneytransfer.com/ - Revolut: Revolut sends dirhams to a bank account. A Revolut bank transfer from the Netherlands usually arrives within 3 to 5 business days. https://www.revolut.com/ - Paysend: Paysend pays to a bank card, a bank account or a digital wallet in Morocco. From France, the Paysend fee starts at 0 euros. https://paysend.com/ - Xoom: Xoom pays by deposit to the main Moroccan banks or by cash pick-up. https://www.xoom.com/ - Moneytrans: With Moneytrans, cash is ready in about 1 hour, depending on the partner. A deposit to a bank account takes 48 to 72 hours. Moneytrans has 6,500 payment points in Morocco. https://www.moneytrans.eu/ - TransferGo: TransferGo pays to a bank card, a bank account or in cash. A transfer to a card usually takes a few minutes. The TransferGo fee changes with how you pay and how the money is received. https://www.transfergo.com/ - Xe: Xe pays by bank deposit or by cash pick-up at more than 9,000 points in Morocco. From the United States, an Xe transfer takes from a few minutes to 3 business days. https://www.xe.com/ - Attijariwafa bank Europe: The Attijariwafa bank Europe site for France states that online transfers to Morocco are free and available in 2 hours. https://www.attijariwafa.net/ - Chaabi Bank: For a Chaabi Bank transfer to an account, the recipient's account must be at Banque Populaire in Morocco. It is credited in 24 hours if you confirm before 16:00, otherwise within 48 hours at most. https://www.chaabibank.fr/ - Bank of Africa - BMCE EuroServices (DabaTransfer): With DabaTransfer, the mobile app of BMCE EuroServices, you can send money to Morocco without going to a branch. https://www.bankofafrica.ma/en/marocains-du-monde/transfert-dargent-en-ligne/france ### France (Q3 2025, 140 EUR (200 USD), Average from this country 7.39 %) - Remitly (Credit card → Bank account): Fee 0 EUR, Total cost 1.46 % - Remitly (Credit card → Mobile wallet): Fee 0 EUR, Total cost 1.46 % - Remitly (Debit card → Bank account): Fee 0 EUR, Total cost 1.46 % - Remitly (Debit card → Mobile wallet): Fee 0 EUR, Total cost 1.46 % - Attijariwafa Bank (Bank transfer → Bank account): Fee 1.5 EUR, Total cost 1.49 % - TransferGo (Bank transfer → Bank account): Fee 0 EUR, Total cost 1.82 % - Remitly (Credit card → Cash): Fee 0.99 EUR, Total cost 2.17 % - Remitly (Debit card → Cash): Fee 0.99 EUR, Total cost 2.17 % ### Spain (Q3 2025, 140 EUR (200 USD), Average from this country 6.29 %) - Remitly (Credit card → Bank account): Fee 0.49 EUR, Total cost 1.79 % - Remitly (Debit card → Bank account): Fee 0.49 EUR, Total cost 1.79 % - MoneyGram (Credit card → Cash): Fee 1.99 EUR, Total cost 2.63 % - MoneyGram (Debit card → Cash): Fee 1.99 EUR, Total cost 2.65 % - Money Exchange (Cash → Cash): Fee 3 EUR, Total cost 2.66 % - MoneyGram (Credit card → Bank account): Fee 2.99 EUR, Total cost 2.93 % - MoneyGram (Debit card → Bank account): Fee 2.99 EUR, Total cost 2.94 % - Remitly (Credit card → Cash): Fee 2.99 EUR, Total cost 3.58 % ### Italy (Q3 2025, 140 EUR (200 USD), Average from this country 7.21 %) - Poste Italiane via Western Union (Debit card → Cash): Fee 0.99 EUR, Total cost -1.12 % - Poste Italiane via MoneyGram (Cash → Cash): Fee 3 EUR, Total cost -0.45 % - Remitly (Credit card → Bank account): Fee 0.49 EUR, Total cost 1.14 % - Remitly (Debit card → Bank account): Fee 0.49 EUR, Total cost 1.14 % - MoneyGram (Debit card → Bank account): Fee 0.99 EUR, Total cost 1.55 % - MoneyGram (Credit card → Bank account): Fee 0.99 EUR, Total cost 1.9 % - Ria (Credit card → Cash): Fee 2.5 EUR, Total cost 1.94 % - Ria (Debit card → Cash): Fee 2.5 EUR, Total cost 1.94 % ### Belgium (Q3 2025, 140 EUR (200 USD), Average from this country 3.86 %) - MoneyGram (Debit card → Bank account): Fee 0 EUR, Total cost 1.18 % - MoneyGram (Credit card → Bank account): Fee 0 EUR, Total cost 1.51 % - MoneyGram (Credit card → Cash): Fee 2.5 EUR, Total cost 2.15 % - Ria (Cash → Cash): Fee 2.5 EUR, Total cost 2.74 % - MoneyGram (Debit card → Cash): Fee 2.99 EUR, Total cost 2.92 % - Atena Money Transfert (Cash → Cash): Fee 4 EUR, Total cost 3.34 % - Remitly (Credit card → Cash): Fee 1.99 EUR, Total cost 3.53 % - Remitly (Debit card → Cash): Fee 1.99 EUR, Total cost 3.53 % ### Netherlands (Q3 2025, 140 EUR (200 USD), Average from this country 5.57 %) - Western Union (Debit card → Cash): Fee 4.5 EUR, Total cost 0.98 % - Western Union (Credit card → Cash): Fee 4.5 EUR, Total cost 0.99 % - Paysend (Bank transfer → Bank account): Fee 1.5 EUR, Total cost 2.1 % - Paysend (Debit card → Bank account): Fee 1.5 EUR, Total cost 2.1 % - Remitly (Bank transfer → Bank account): Fee 0.49 EUR, Total cost 2.87 % - Remitly (Credit card → Bank account): Fee 0.49 EUR, Total cost 2.87 % - Remitly (Debit card → Bank account): Fee 0.49 EUR, Total cost 2.87 % - Western Union (Bank transfer → Bank account): Fee 1.99 EUR, Total cost 3.63 % ### Germany (Q3 2025, 140 EUR (200 USD), Average from this country 4.11 %) - Ria (Bank transfer → Bank account): Fee 0.8 EUR, Total cost 2.24 % - MoneyGram (Debit card → Cash): Fee 2.5 EUR, Total cost 2.43 % - Remitly (Bank transfer → Bank account): Fee 0.49 EUR, Total cost 2.5 % - Remitly (Bank transfer → Mobile wallet): Fee 0.49 EUR, Total cost 2.5 % - Remitly (Credit card → Bank account): Fee 0.49 EUR, Total cost 2.5 % - Remitly (Credit card → Mobile wallet): Fee 0.49 EUR, Total cost 2.5 % - Remitly (Debit card → Bank account): Fee 0.49 EUR, Total cost 2.5 % - Remitly (Debit card → Mobile wallet): Fee 0.49 EUR, Total cost 2.5 % # Phone and internet in Morocco URL: https://bablblad.com/en/svc_phone.html ### In short - All three operators sell eSIMs, in their agencies or online. Maroc Telecom and Orange send the QR code by e-mail after an online order. - A physical prepaid SIM costs little: Orange lists it at 20 dirhams with a 20 dirham balance included. Bring a valid passport or identity card, because every line must be identified. - For internet, add the code *3 to your recharge with any of the three operators. As a guide, 100 dirhams gives 10 GB for one month. - For a short stay with heavy use, inwi (300 dirhams) and Maroc Telecom (320 dirhams) sell packs with unlimited data for 14 days. - To keep your number for next year, recharge before its validity ends. Maroc Telecom keeps the SIM 12 months after each recharge. inwi allows incoming calls for 6 more months, then 2 months to recharge. - From abroad, you can top up a number of any of the three operators on Max it, Orange's international top-up site, and pay by Visa or Mastercard. ### Maroc Telecom - Customer service: 888 / 0801 000 888 - Balance code: #580# - Visitor eSIM packs start at 70 dirhams. Order in the online shop and choose the eSIM card type, or ask in an agency. The QR code and PIN come by e-mail. Make a first call in Morocco to activate. - From any country, you can top up the number on the site linked here and pay by Visa or Mastercard. The operator also sells recharges online by bank card on its own site. - The SIM is valid 12 months from activation, and each recharge renews the 12 months. Without a recharge in that time, the SIM is deactivated and you lose the number. - Pass *3 Internet: 5 MAD, 0.5 GB, 1 days - Pass *3 Internet: 10 MAD, 1 GB, 3 days - Pass *3 Internet: 20 MAD, 2 GB, 7 days - Pass *30 Internet: 20 MAD, 5 GB, 3 days - Pass *2 Appels nationaux et internet: 25 MAD, 1 GB, 14 days - Pass *3 Internet: 30 MAD, 3 GB, 14 days - Pass *3 Internet: 50 MAD, 5 GB - Pass *3 Internet: 100 MAD, 10 GB - Pass *3 Internet: 200 MAD, 20 GB - Pass *3 Internet: 300 MAD, 30 GB - Pass *2 Appels nationaux et internet: 300 MAD, 14 days - Pass *3 Internet: 500 MAD, 50 GB ### Orange Maroc - Customer service: 121 - Balance code: #554# / 5554 - New line: buy it in eSIM format in the online shop and scan the QR code sent by e-mail, or ask in a shop. Existing number: an agency swaps your SIM for an eSIM for 20 dirhams. - On the operator's international top-up site, enter the Moroccan number, choose credit, an internet plan or a pack, and pay by Visa or Mastercard. It works from any country. - Orange Internet 30 MAD: 30 MAD, 3 GB, 14 days - Orange Internet 50 MAD: 50 MAD, 5 GB, 30 days - Orange Internet 100 MAD: 100 MAD, 10 GB, 30 days - Recharge Marhaba (*66): 100 MAD, 30 days - Orange Morocco Bundle 100 MAD: 100 MAD, 6 GB, 30 days ### inwi - Customer service: 220 / 0529 000 220 - Balance code: *120# - Ask for it in an agency or order it on the operator's website, then scan the QR code while on Wi-Fi. The eSIM pack with recharge includes a 20 dirham balance valid 90 days. - From any country, you can top up the number on the site linked here and pay by Visa or Mastercard. The operator also sells recharges from 5 dirhams by bank card on its own site. - Each recharge extends the line's validity. When it ends, the line only receives calls for 6 months. Incoming calls are then cut and you have 2 more months to recharge before the line is closed. - Recharge Internet *3: 5 MAD, 0.5 GB, 1 days - Recharge Internet *3: 10 MAD, 1 GB, 3 days - Recharge Réseaux Sociaux *6: 10 MAD, 3 days - Recharge Internet *3: 20 MAD, 2 GB, 7 days - Recharge Réseaux Sociaux *6: 20 MAD, 15 days - Recharge Internet *3: 50 MAD, 5 GB, 30 days - Recharge Internet *3: 100 MAD, 10 GB, 30 days - Vacay Wifi: 100 MAD, 7 days # Calling Morocco from France URL: https://bablblad.com/en/call_fr.html - Freebox, Orange's Livebox and Bouygues Telecom's Bbox include unlimited calls to Moroccan landlines, but not to mobiles: a minute to a Moroccan mobile costs 0.37 euros from a Livebox and 0.63 euros from a Bbox. - Moroccan fixed numbers with restricted mobility (starting 212 526, 212 527, 212 533, 212 534, 212 540 and a few others) are not included with Freebox or Bbox and are billed per minute. - No mobile plan listed here includes calls to Moroccan mobiles: without an add-on, a minute costs from 0.49 euros with Lebara's 200 Go 5G to 0.81 euros with Forfaits SFR and Forfaits Bouygues Telecom. - The cheapest add-on found is Option Maroc 5h from Orange and Sosh: 5 hours a month to Moroccan mobiles and landlines for 5 euros. - RED by SFR charges 9 euros for 30 minutes (30MIN VERS LE MAGHREB) and 29 euros for 2 hours (2H VERS LE MAGHREB). - For trips, Free Mobile's Forfait Free Max at 29.99 euros a month has unlimited mobile internet in Morocco; calls made there are still billed per minute. - Travel passes for Morocco: Orange's Pass Maroc 35Go gives 35 GB for 10 days at 14.99 euros, and Bouygues Telecom's Pass Maghreb gives 8 GB for 30 days at 35 euros. ### Plans, options and rates - Orange Option Maroc 5h: 5 EUR / month. The 5 hours of Orange's Option Maroc 5h are shared between Moroccan mobiles and landlines, for calls made from France. Unused time is lost at the end of the month. - Orange Option Maroc 10h + 10h: 10 EUR / month. Orange's Option Maroc 10h + 10h gives 10 hours shared between Moroccan mobiles and landlines. The extra 10 hours only work to Moroccan numbers that start with certain prefixes. - Sosh Option Maroc 5h: 5 EUR / month. The 5 hours of Sosh's Option Maroc 5h are shared between Moroccan mobiles and landlines. Special numbers are excluded. - Sosh Option Maroc 10h: 10 EUR / month. The 10 hours of Sosh's Option Maroc 10h are shared between Moroccan mobiles and landlines. Special numbers are excluded. - RED by SFR 30MIN VERS LE MAGHREB: 9 EUR / month. The 30 minutes of RED by SFR's 30MIN VERS LE MAGHREB are shared between landlines and mobiles of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. - RED by SFR 1H VERS LE MAGHREB: 17 EUR / month. The 60 minutes of RED by SFR's 1H VERS LE MAGHREB are shared between landlines and mobiles of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. - RED by SFR 2H VERS LE MAGHREB: 29 EUR / month. The 120 minutes of RED by SFR's 2H VERS LE MAGHREB are shared between landlines and mobiles of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. Unused minutes are lost at the end of the month. - La Poste Mobile OPTION 1H MAGHREB: 9 EUR / month. La Poste Mobile's OPTION 1H MAGHREB is for the home phone of an internet box: 1 hour a month to Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. Moroccan landlines are already included with the box and are not deducted. - Syma Mobile 100 Go 5G: 9.99 EUR / month. Syma Mobile's 100 Go 5G has unlimited calls to Moroccan landlines only; calls to mobiles are billed per minute. The SIM card costs 10 euros. - Bouygues Telecom Forfait B&YOU 50Go, Forfaits Bouygues Telecom 150Go et plus. Forfait B&YOU 50Go and Forfaits Bouygues Telecom 150Go et plus cover landlines only. Moroccan fixed numbers starting 212 526, 527, 533, 534, 540, 546, 547, 550 or 553 cost 0.81 euros a minute. - Free Freebox (Pop, Ultra, Ultra Essentiel, Révolution Light). Freebox covers landlines only. Moroccan fixed numbers with restricted mobility, starting 212 526, 527, 533, 534, 540, 546, 547, 550 or 553, are not included. - Orange Livebox. Orange's Livebox covers landlines only. Calls to Moroccan mobiles are billed per minute, plus a connection fee of 0.13 euros per call. - Bouygues Telecom Bbox. Bouygues Telecom's Bbox covers landlines only. Moroccan fixed numbers starting 212 526, 527, 533, 534, 540, 546, 547, 550 or 553 are not included and cost 0.60 euros a minute. - Free Mobile Forfait Free Max: 29.99 EUR / month. With Free Mobile's Forfait Free Max, mobile internet is unlimited in France and in Morocco. Calls from France to Morocco, and calls and text messages made in Morocco, are billed per unit. - Free Mobile Forfait Free 5G+: 19.99 EUR / month. Morocco is not among the countries where Free Mobile's Forfait Free 5G+ works abroad: data, calls and text messages in Morocco are billed per unit. - Free Mobile Forfait 2€: 2 EUR / month. Using the phone in Morocco is not included in Free Mobile's Forfait 2€. - Lebara 200 Go 5G: 9.99 EUR / 30 days. Calls to Morocco are not included in Lebara's 200 Go 5G and are billed per minute. - Bouygues Telecom Forfaits Bouygues Telecom, Forfaits B&You. Rate per minute from France on Forfaits Bouygues Telecom and Forfaits B&You that do not include calls to Moroccan landlines. - SFR Forfaits SFR. Rate per minute from France on Forfaits SFR. On SFR's capped 2-hour plan the rate is 0.99 euros a minute. - Orange Pass Maroc 35Go: 14.99 EUR / 10 days. Orange's Pass Maroc 35Go is mobile internet only, no calls or text messages. Valid 10 days in a row from activation. Not available with prepaid cards. - Orange Pass Voyage 1: 29.99 EUR / 10 days. Orange's Pass Voyage 1 gives unlimited internet, 30 minutes of calls and 50 text messages for 10 days, valid in 69 destinations including Morocco. - Bouygues Telecom Pass Maghreb: 35 EUR / 30 days. Bouygues Telecom's Pass Maghreb is mobile internet only, in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. Calls and text messages are not included. Works with all Bouygues Telecom mobile plans. # Calling Morocco from Spain URL: https://bablblad.com/en/call_es.html - In Spain, minutes to Morocco come with 28-day prepaid plans: Vodafone, Lebara and Llamaya include a fixed number of minutes to Moroccan mobiles from their 10 euro plans upwards. - At 10 euros per 28 days, Vodafone Prepago S, Lebara's 100 GB (Todo Incluido 10) and Llamaya's Bono 100 GB each give 100 minutes to Moroccan mobiles. - At 20 euros, Lebara's 300 GB (Todo Incluido 20) and Llamaya's Bono 200 GB give 300 minutes to Moroccan mobiles, and Vodafone Prepago L gives 200. - The cheapest plans, Llamaya's Bono 25 GB at 5 euros and Lebara's 7 GB (Todo Incluido 7) at 7 euros, cover Moroccan landlines only. No plan listed here has unlimited calls to Morocco. - Outside a plan, a call to a Moroccan mobile costs 0.24 to 0.56 euros a minute plus a 0.90 euro setup fee with Lebara and Llamaya. - A 5 euro add-on pays off quickly: Lebara's Bono Maroc has 60 minutes to Moroccan mobiles and Orange's Bono Marruecos has 50 minutes. - No plan listed here includes mobile data in Morocco. Standard prices are very high, up to 12.10 euros per megabyte with Movistar; Orange sells a prepaid add-on with 1 GB per day for 10 euros. ### Plans, options and rates - Vodafone Vodafone Prepago S: 10 EUR / 28 days. With Vodafone Prepago S, the 100 minutes to mobiles are shared between Morocco and Venezuela; the 200 landline minutes are shared with other countries. - Vodafone Vodafone Prepago M: 15 EUR / 28 days. With Vodafone Prepago M, the 150 minutes to mobiles are shared between Morocco and Venezuela; the 300 landline minutes are shared with other countries. - Vodafone Vodafone Prepago L: 20 EUR / 28 days. With Vodafone Prepago L, the 200 minutes to mobiles are shared between Morocco and Venezuela; the 400 landline minutes are shared with other countries. - Vodafone Vodafone Prepago XL: 30 EUR / 28 days. With Vodafone Prepago XL, the 300 minutes to mobiles are shared between Morocco and Venezuela; the 450 landline minutes are shared with other countries. - Vodafone Vodafone Prepago XXL: 40 EUR / 28 days. With Vodafone Prepago XXL, the 400 minutes to mobiles are shared between Morocco and Venezuela; the 500 landline minutes are shared with other countries. - Orange Bono Marruecos: 5 EUR / 28 days. Orange's Bono Marruecos gives 50 minutes in total for Moroccan landlines and mobiles, to no more than 5 different numbers. Only for calls made from Spain. - Lebara Bono Maroc: 5 EUR / 28 days. Lebara's Bono Maroc is for calls to Moroccan mobiles. You need an active Lebara Todo Incluido 10, 15, 20 or 30 plan to add it. - Lebara 100 GB (Todo Incluido 10): 10 EUR / 28 days. With Lebara's 100 GB (Todo Incluido 10), calls to Moroccan landlines count in the plan's 500 international minutes, shared across 81 destinations. - Lebara 250 GB (Todo Incluido 15): 15 EUR / 28 days. With Lebara's 250 GB (Todo Incluido 15), calls to Moroccan landlines count in the plan's 1000 international minutes, shared across 81 destinations. - Lebara 300 GB (Todo Incluido 20): 20 EUR / 28 days. With Lebara's 300 GB (Todo Incluido 20), calls to Moroccan landlines count in the plan's 2000 international minutes, shared across 81 destinations. - Llamaya Bono 100 GB: 10 EUR / 28 days - Llamaya Bono 150 GB: 15 EUR / 28 days - Llamaya Bono 200 GB: 20 EUR / 28 days. The 300 minutes to Moroccan mobiles in Llamaya's Bono 200 GB are part of the plan's 1000 international minutes. - Llamaya Bono 25 GB: 5 EUR / 28 days. Llamaya's Bono 25 GB covers Moroccan landlines only; mobiles are not included. The 100 minutes are shared with calls inside Spain and to 72 other countries. - Lebara 7 GB (Todo Incluido 7): 7 EUR / 28 days. Lebara's 7 GB (Todo Incluido 7) covers Moroccan landlines only; mobiles are not included. The 100 minutes are shared across 81 destinations. - Lebara Tarifas internacionales. Lebara adds a 0.90 euro setup fee to each call. Depending on the Moroccan network called, mobiles cost 0.24 or 0.56 euros a minute and landlines 0.19, 0.24 or 0.60 euros. - Llamaya Tarifas internacionales. Llamaya adds a 0.90 euro setup fee to each call. Depending on the Moroccan network called, mobiles cost 0.24 or 0.56 euros a minute and landlines 0.19, 0.24 or 0.60 euros. # Calling Morocco from Italy URL: https://bablblad.com/en/call_it.html - Plans sold in Italy for calling abroad mostly cover Moroccan landlines only. - TIM International Special Rete 5G, TIM International Rete 5G and TIM International New Rete 5G (7.99 to 10.99 euros a month) count Morocco inside 300 shared minutes, mobiles excluded. - Only WindTre's Call Your Country Special 5G Marocco includes minutes to Moroccan mobiles: 30 minutes a month, landlines and mobiles together, for 10.99 euros with 200 GB. - Without an allowance, a call from Italy to Morocco costs 0.70 euros a minute with iliad, and 2.04 euros a minute plus a 0.19 euro connection fee on TIM's Tariffa base. - For trips, iliad's iliadclub MONDO at 12.99 euros a month includes 30 GB usable in Morocco. - TIM sells travel passes from 19.99 euros (TIM in Viaggio Pass MONDO Small: 5 GB, 7 days) to 34.99 euros (TIM in Viaggio Pass MONDO Large: 50 GB, 30 days). - Without such a plan or pass, use in Morocco is billed per unit: iliad charges 0.23 euros per megabyte and 1.99 euros per minute, so keep mobile data switched off. ### Plans, options and rates - WindTre Call Your Country Special 5G Marocco: 10.99 EUR / month. WindTre's Call Your Country Special 5G Marocco gives 30 minutes in total for Moroccan landlines and mobiles. For new customers born in Morocco. - TIM TIM International Special Rete 5G: 7.99 EUR / month. TIM International Special Rete 5G covers Moroccan landlines only, inside 300 minutes shared with other countries. You need a foreign tax code. The first month is free. - TIM TIM International Rete 5G: 8.99 EUR / month. TIM International Rete 5G covers Moroccan landlines only, inside 300 minutes shared with other countries. For new customers with a foreign tax code; 200 GB with automatic top-up. - TIM TIM International New Rete 5G: 10.99 EUR / month. TIM International New Rete 5G covers Moroccan landlines only, inside 300 minutes shared with other countries. For new customers with a foreign tax code; 250 GB with automatic top-up. - WindTre Call Your Country Plus 5G: 9.99 EUR / month. WindTre's Call Your Country Plus 5G covers Moroccan landlines only; the 100 minutes are shared across 53 countries. - WindTre Call Your Country Special World 5G: 10.99 EUR / month. WindTre's Call Your Country Special World 5G covers Moroccan landlines only; the 300 minutes are shared across 53 countries. - WindTre Call Your Country Unlimited Full 5G: 19.99 EUR / month. WindTre's Call Your Country Unlimited Full 5G covers Moroccan landlines only; the 300 minutes are shared across 53 countries. Data in Italy is unlimited. - iliad iliadclub MONDO: 12.99 EUR / month. The 30 GB of iliadclub MONDO in Morocco are data only; calls made there cost 1.99 euros a minute. Data in Italy drops to 300 GB if the plan's conditions are no longer met. - iliad GIGA 150: 7.99 EUR / month. Morocco is not among the included international destinations of iliad's GIGA 150. In Morocco, mobile data costs 0.23 euros per megabyte. - TIM Tariffa base. TIM's Tariffa base applies to calls from Italy without an offer: billed per full minute in advance, plus a connection fee of 0.19 euros per call. - TIM TIM in Viaggio Pass MONDO Small: 19.99 EUR / 7 days. TIM in Viaggio Pass MONDO Small: 5 GB, 100 minutes (50 made, 50 received) and 100 text messages for use in Morocco. Charged once, at activation. - TIM TIM in Viaggio Pass MONDO Medium: 29.99 EUR / 30 days. TIM in Viaggio Pass MONDO Medium: 25 GB, 100 minutes (50 made, 50 received) and 100 text messages for use in Morocco. Charged once, at activation. - TIM TIM in Viaggio Pass MONDO Large: 34.99 EUR / 30 days. TIM in Viaggio Pass MONDO Large: 50 GB, 100 minutes (50 made, 50 received) and 100 text messages for use in Morocco. Charged once, at activation. # Calling Morocco from Belgium URL: https://bablblad.com/en/call_be.html - Telenet's Option Appels internationaux is the only offer here that includes calls to Moroccan mobiles: 2,000 minutes a month to landlines and mobiles in a list of countries that includes Morocco, for 10 euros a month. - The Proximus options cover Moroccan landlines only: Free Calls International (3.50 euros a month), Calls & SMS (4.99 euros) and Calls & SMS+ (9.99 euros), so check which kind of number you call most. - Proximus bills Moroccan numbers starting with 526, 527, 533, 534, 540, 546, 547, 550, 553, 600 or 892 as mobile numbers, so its landline options do not cover them. - Without an option, a minute to a Moroccan mobile costs 1.00 euros with Telenet Mobile and 1.05 euros with Scarlet. - With a Lycamobile prepaid card, a minute to a Moroccan mobile costs 0.40 euros plus 0.19 euros per call. - To use your phone in Morocco, Proximus charges 7.49 euros per 24 hours and Orange Belgium's Daily Travel costs 4 euros per day for 1 GB; Telenet's Roaming Basic pass costs 7 euros for 1 GB over 30 days. - Without a pass, Scarlet charges 3.00 euros a minute to make a call in Morocco and 1.50 euros a minute to receive one. ### Plans, options and rates - Telenet Option Appels internationaux: 10 EUR / month. The 2,000 minutes a month are one shared allowance for all the countries covered, landlines and mobiles together. - Proximus Free Calls International: 3.5 EUR / month. From a home phone line to Moroccan landlines only, from 17:00 to 8:00 on weekdays and all day at weekends and public holidays, up to 2,000 minutes a month. - Proximus Calls & SMS: 4.99 EUR / month. The 25 minutes cover Moroccan landlines only; calls to Moroccan mobiles are not included. - Proximus Calls & SMS+: 9.99 EUR / month. The 60 minutes cover Moroccan landlines only; calls to Moroccan mobiles are not included. - Lycamobile. Each call also costs a connection fee of 0.19 euros. These are promotional rates: send the word "SAVE" by text message to 2525 to get them. - Telenet Telenet Mobile - Scarlet. Rates from Scarlet's price list dated 12 July 2023. - Telenet Roaming Basic: 7 EUR / 30 days. Data only, no call minutes. The usual roaming rates apply once the pass is used up. - Telenet Roaming Plus: 29 EUR / 30 days. Also includes 60 minutes of calls in Morocco. The usual roaming rates apply once the pass is used up. - Telenet Roaming Ultra: 55 EUR / 30 days. Also includes 180 minutes of calls in Morocco. The usual roaming rates apply once the pass is used up. - BASE Roaming Lite: 15 EUR / month. Data only, valid in a list of countries outside the European Union that includes Morocco. Standard rates apply once the volume is used up. - BASE Roaming Smart: 25 EUR / month. Data only, valid in a list of countries outside the European Union that includes Morocco. Standard rates apply once the volume is used up. - BASE Roaming Max: 30 EUR / month. Data only, valid in a list of countries outside the European Union that includes Morocco. Standard rates apply once the volume is used up. - Orange Belgium Daily Travel: 4 EUR / day. You pay only on the days you use mobile data in Morocco; a day runs from midnight to midnight, Belgian time. - Mobile Vikings Global Data Pass 250 MB: 10 EUR / month. Data only, valid one month in 28 destinations outside the European Union, Morocco included. Prices as published in July 2025. - Mobile Vikings Global Data Pass 1 GB: 15 EUR / month. Data only, valid one month in 28 destinations outside the European Union, Morocco included. Prices as published in July 2025. - Mobile Vikings Global Data Pass 3 GB: 25 EUR / month. Data only, valid one month in 28 destinations outside the European Union, Morocco included. Prices as published in July 2025. # Calling Morocco from Netherlands URL: https://bablblad.com/en/call_nl.html - No Dutch offer here includes many minutes to Moroccan mobiles: Odido's Bellen Wereld gives 30 minutes for 5 euros a month, and Vodafone's prepaid bundle Voordeel naar Wereld gives 50 minutes for 15 euros per 30 days. - Lebara's unlimited international add-on at 5 euros a month covers Moroccan landlines only, not mobiles. - Without an option, a minute from the Netherlands to Morocco costs 1.271 euros with Simyo Sim Only and 1.50 euros with hollandsnieuwe; with Odido's Bellen Wereld, minutes beyond the first 30 cost 0.50 euros. - For mobile data in Morocco, Simyo sells Buitenlandbundel Marokko 3 GB for 20 euros and Buitenlandbundel Marokko 6 GB for 30 euros, both valid 31 days. - Vodafone's Unlimited Max subscription includes 25 GB a month in Morocco. - Without a bundle, mobile data in Morocco is billed per MB: 2.50 euros with KPN, 4 euros with hollandsnieuwe and 5 euros with Simyo, so buy a bundle or switch off data roaming before you land. - A call made in Morocco costs 1.00 euros a minute with KPN, 2.00 euros with hollandsnieuwe and 2.542 euros with Simyo; receiving a call there costs 0.50, 1.00 and 2.542 euros a minute. ### Plans, options and rates - Odido Bellen Wereld: 5 EUR / month. The 30 minutes are shared between all countries outside the European Union and the United States; after that each minute costs 0.50 euros. - Vodafone Voordeel naar Wereld: 15 EUR / 30 days. For prepaid cards only: 50 minutes or 50 text messages to countries outside Europe. The bundle is not renewed automatically. - Lebara: 5 EUR / month. Lebara add-on with unlimited calls to 44 countries. For Morocco it covers landlines only; calls to Moroccan mobiles are not included. - Simyo Sim Only. Calls from the Netherlands to other countries are never part of your bundle. - hollandsnieuwe. The same price applies whether or not you have minutes left in your bundle. - Simyo Buitenlandbundel Marokko 3 GB: 20 EUR / 31 days. Data only; valid 31 days or until the data is used up. - Simyo Buitenlandbundel Marokko 6 GB: 30 EUR / 31 days. Data only; valid 31 days or until the data is used up. # Calling Morocco from Germany URL: https://bablblad.com/en/call_de.html - No German offer here includes minutes to Morocco. Ortel Mobile has the lowest prices per minute: 0.05 euros to Moroccan landlines and 0.29 euros to mobiles, plus 0.15 euros per call. - For calls from Germany to Morocco, Vodafone charges up to 0.98 euros a minute, O2 Prepaid 0.99 euros and 1&1 1.79 euros. - For mobile data in Morocco, passes start at 4.99 euros: Vodafone's WorldTravel and the 1&1 500 MB Tagespaket (Paketzone B). - For 9.99 euros, ALDI TALK's Welt 1 GB gives 1 GB for 7 days and Ortel Mobile's Travel Paket Africa + Middle East S gives 2 GB for 28 days. - Without a pass, a call made in Morocco costs 0.99 euros a minute with Ortel Mobile and ALDI TALK, 2.49 euros with 1&1, 2.73 euros with Vodafone and 2.99 euros with O2 prepaid cards. - Without a pass, mobile data in Morocco costs 0.99 euros per MB with Ortel Mobile and ALDI TALK and 1.49 euros per MB with 1&1. - You also pay to receive calls in Morocco: 0.99 euros a minute with Ortel Mobile, and 1.59 euros with O2 prepaid cards and with 1&1. ### Plans, options and rates - Ortel Mobile. Each call also costs a connection fee of 0.15 euros. - Vodafone. The price is between 0.69 and 0.98 euros a minute; 0.98 euros is the maximum. - O2 O2 Prepaid - 1&1 - Ortel Mobile Travel Paket Africa + Middle East S: 9.99 EUR / 28 days. Data only, valid for 28 days in a group of countries that includes Morocco. - Ortel Mobile Travel Paket Africa + Middle East L: 19.99 EUR / 28 days. Data only, valid for 28 days in a group of countries that includes Morocco. - Vodafone WorldTravel: 4.99 EUR / month. Data only. The option has a minimum term of 12 months. - Vodafone ReisePaket World Tag: 9.99 EUR / day. Also includes 50 minutes and 50 text messages to Germany or within Morocco. No contract term. - Vodafone ReisePaket World Woche: 34.99 EUR / 7 days. Also includes 50 minutes and 50 text messages a day to Germany or within Morocco. - O2 Roaming Plus World: 14.99 EUR / month. For contract tariffs. Data only, valid one month; you can buy more volume by text message. - O2 Roaming Plus World (Prepaid): 9.99 EUR / 7 days. For prepaid cards. Data only, no call minutes. - ALDI TALK Welt 250 MB: 5.99 EUR / 7 days. Data only; valid for up to 7 days and not renewed automatically. - ALDI TALK Welt 1 GB: 9.99 EUR / 7 days. Data only; valid for up to 7 days and not renewed automatically. - 1&1 500 MB Tagespaket (Paketzone B): 4.99 EUR / 24 hours. Data only; valid for up to 24 hours. - 1&1 1000 MB Wochenpaket (Paketzone B): 9.99 EUR / 7 days. Data only; valid for up to 7 days. - 1&1 5000 MB Monatspaket (Paketzone B): 39.99 EUR / 30 days. Data only; valid for up to 30 days. - Telekom Travel & Surf: 49.95 EUR / 28 days. Data only. - congstar: 30 EUR / 7 days. congstar data pass valid in Morocco only. - congstar: 50 EUR / 28 days. congstar data pass valid in Morocco only. # Calling Morocco from United Kingdom URL: https://bablblad.com/en/call_gb.html - At EE's standard rate, a call from the UK to Morocco costs 4.64 pounds a minute, so avoid calling Morocco at this rate. - Vodafone's Call Abroad 75 add-on costs 14 pounds a month and gives 75 minutes for a list of 200 destinations that includes Morocco, mobiles and landlines. - Cheaper rates exist: 45 pence a minute with VOXI, and 37 pence to mobiles or 7.7 pence to landlines with the BOSS Revolution calling credit app. - To use your phone in Morocco you need a pass or an add-on: the EE daily pass costs 7.50 pounds with 500 MB and unlimited calls. - The iD Mobile Roam Beyond data add-on costs 5 pounds for 2 GB for one day in Morocco. - Without a pass, costs rise fast: O2 charges 3 pounds a minute to make or receive a call outside Europe and 26 pounds for 100 MB of data. ### Plans, options and rates - Vodafone Call Abroad 75: 14 GBP / month. The 75 minutes are one shared allowance for calls from the UK to 200 destinations that include Morocco. The add-on renews every month until you cancel. - BOSS Revolution. You buy calling credit in advance. 10 pounds of credit gives 27 minutes to a Moroccan mobile or 130 minutes to a landline. - VOXI. Morocco is in VOXI's Zone 5 for calls from the UK. The same rate applies to mobiles and landlines. - EE. EE standard rate; a text message costs 98 pence. With EE's International Pass monthly add-on, a minute to Morocco costs 51 pence. On EE SIM cards topped up with credit, it costs 1.50 pounds. - iD Mobile Roam Beyond data add-on: 5 GBP / 1 day. Data only, for use in Morocco. Larger add-ons: 10 GB for 5 days costs 20 pounds and 20 GB for 10 days costs 35 pounds. - Lebara Roaming Add-On 8 Days: 10 GBP / 8 days. Also includes 50 minutes and 50 texts. Valid in a group of 55 destinations that includes Morocco. # Calling Morocco from Canada URL: https://bablblad.com/en/call_ca.html - Only one plan here names Morocco for calls: Bell's Ultra - Unlimited with international roaming, at 100 Canadian dollars a month. - This Bell plan includes unlimited calls from Canada to Morocco and 5 GB of data a day in Morocco. - With the BOSS Revolution calling credit app, a minute to Morocco costs 77.3 cents to a mobile and 13.3 cents to a landline. - For a short trip, a daily fee lets you use your own plan in Morocco: 16 Canadian dollars with Virgin Plus, 18 Canadian dollars with TELUS and with Fido. - For a longer stay, a 30-day pass costs 120 Canadian dollars with Rogers and with Fido; their passes for 3, 7 and 14 days cost 45, 75 and 100 dollars. - Virgin Plus charges its daily roaming fee for at most 20 days in each billing period. ### Plans, options and rates - Bell Ultra - Unlimited with international roaming: 100 CAD / month. Unlimited calls from Canada to 83 countries that include Morocco. In Morocco: 5 GB of data a day, then slower data. The price includes the automatic payment credit. - BOSS Revolution. You buy calling credit in advance. 10 dollars of credit gives 13 minutes to a Moroccan mobile or 75 minutes to a landline. # Calling Morocco from United States URL: https://bablblad.com/en/call_us.html - No offer here includes minutes to Moroccan mobiles. T-Mobile's Stateside International Talk add-on, at 15 US dollars a month, lowers the rate to Morocco from 3.00 to 0.30 dollars a minute. - Ultra Mobile includes unlimited calls to Moroccan landlines only, on a plan at 19 US dollars for one month. - With the Rebtel app, a minute costs 0.50 US dollars to a Moroccan mobile and 0.025 US dollars to a landline. - For a trip, T-Mobile lists Morocco among the countries where roaming is included: texts are not charged and calls cost 0.50 US dollars a minute. - A T-Mobile International Pass with more data costs 50 US dollars for 10 days with 15 GB. - AT&T charges 12 US dollars a day, with its International Day Pass, to use your home plan in Morocco. ### Plans, options and rates - Ultra Mobile: 19 USD / month. Unlimited calls to Moroccan landlines only. Calls to Moroccan mobiles use calling credit; the plan gives 1.50 dollars of credit a month. Price for one month, paid upfront. - T-Mobile Stateside International Talk: 15 USD / month. Morocco is not among the countries with unlimited calls. With this add-on a minute to Morocco costs 0.30 dollars instead of 3.00. The price is per line. - Rebtel Pay As You Go credits. You buy credit in the app. The credit packs shown for Morocco are 10 minutes for 5 dollars and 20 minutes for 10 dollars. - T-Mobile Pay Per Use. T-Mobile rate for calls from the United States to Morocco without the Stateside International Talk add-on. # Calling Morocco from United Arab Emirates URL: https://bablblad.com/en/call_ae.html - With the International Calling Offer from e& (etisalat and) for prepaid lines, a call to Morocco costs 1.89 UAE dirhams a minute, VAT included, charged per second. - e& advertises unlimited international calls on some Freedom monthly plans (Freedom Unlimited Calls) from 260 UAE dirhams, and one e& list names Morocco. - Another e& list excludes Morocco from international minutes, so confirm with e& before you buy any plan or minutes pack for Morocco. - WhatsApp voice and video calls were still restricted in the UAE in May 2026; apps listed as usable there include BOTIM, GoChat Messenger and Voico. - For a trip to Morocco, the e& Roaming Daily Data Plan costs 35 UAE dirhams a day with 500 MB a day. - The e& Roaming Daily Combo Plan costs 60 UAE dirhams a day with 1 GB a day and call minutes. - Without a pass, receiving a call in Morocco on an e& line costs 4.25 UAE dirhams a minute and calling the UAE costs 9.50 UAE dirhams a minute. ### Plans, options and rates - e& (etisalat and) Freedom Unlimited Calls: 260 AED / month. Starting price. One e& list names Morocco for unlimited international calls; another e& list excludes Morocco from international minutes. Confirm with e& before you subscribe. - e& (etisalat and) International Calling Offer. Rate for e& prepaid lines after you opt in to the International Calling Offer. 5% VAT is included. Calls are charged per second, with no call set-up fee. - e& (etisalat and) Roaming Daily Data Plan: 35 AED / day. Charged only on the days you use it. After 500 MB in a day the speed drops to 64 Kbps. Works in Morocco on the IAM and Orange networks. - e& (etisalat and) Roaming Daily Combo Plan: 60 AED / day. Data and call minutes for use abroad. After 1 GB in a day the speed drops to 64 Kbps. Works in Morocco on the IAM and Orange networks. # Calling Morocco from Saudi Arabia URL: https://bablblad.com/en/call_sa.html - No pack with minutes to Morocco is listed here: the international minute packs of stc, Zain KSA and Friendi cover other countries only. - For a trip to Morocco, stc sells global roaming packages that cover Morocco: 138 Saudi riyals for 2 days with 5 GB, up to 517.5 Saudi riyals for 30 days with 50 GB. - With these stc packages, calls within Morocco, calls to Saudi Arabia and calls you receive cost 1.03 Saudi riyals a minute. - The calls-only roaming packages from stc do not cover Morocco, so choose a package that includes data. ### Plans, options and rates - stc global roaming: 138 SAR / 2 days. stc global roaming package that covers Morocco. Calls within Morocco, calls to Saudi Arabia and calls you receive cost 1.03 Saudi riyals a minute. - stc global roaming: 184 SAR / 4 days. stc global roaming package that covers Morocco. Calls within Morocco, calls to Saudi Arabia and calls you receive cost 1.03 Saudi riyals a minute. - stc global roaming: 287.5 SAR / 10 days. stc global roaming package that covers Morocco. Calls within Morocco, calls to Saudi Arabia and calls you receive cost 1.03 Saudi riyals a minute. - stc global roaming: 517.5 SAR / 30 days. stc global roaming package that covers Morocco. Calls within Morocco, calls to Saudi Arabia and calls you receive cost 1.03 Saudi riyals a minute. # Calling Morocco from Qatar URL: https://bablblad.com/en/call_qa.html - Vodafone Qatar includes international minutes in its Postpaid+ and Unlimited+ monthly plans, and its list of countries for these minutes includes Morocco. - The Postpaid+ plans cost 130 to 230 Qatari riyals a month and include up to 300 international minutes. - The Unlimited+ plans, with unlimited local data, cost 300 to 1,000 Qatari riyals a month and include 200 to 1,000 international minutes. - Several of these Vodafone Qatar plans are sold at a lower price for the first 6 months. - Before you subscribe, ask Vodafone Qatar how many minutes your plan gives and whether they cover calls to all Moroccan mobile numbers. - Ooredoo and Vodafone Qatar publish their per-minute rates to Morocco and their roaming prices on their sites and in their apps; check them before you call or travel. ### Plans, options and rates - Vodafone Qatar Postpaid+: 130 QAR / month. Up to 300 international minutes a month, for a list of countries that includes Morocco. Promotional price: 115 Qatari riyals a month for the first 6 months. - Vodafone Qatar Postpaid+: 180 QAR / month. Up to 300 international minutes a month, for a list of countries that includes Morocco. Promotional price: 145 Qatari riyals a month for the first 6 months. - Vodafone Qatar Postpaid+: 230 QAR / month. Up to 300 international minutes a month, for a list of countries that includes Morocco. Promotional price: 175 Qatari riyals a month for the first 6 months. - Vodafone Qatar Unlimited+: 300 QAR / month. Unlimited local data. The international minutes are for a list of countries that includes Morocco. Until 3 November 2026: 225 Qatari riyals a month for the first 6 months. - Vodafone Qatar Unlimited+: 450 QAR / month. Unlimited local data. The international minutes are for a list of countries that includes Morocco. Until 3 November 2026: 350 Qatari riyals a month for the first 6 months. - Vodafone Qatar Unlimited+: 750 QAR / month. Unlimited local data. The international minutes are for a list of countries that includes Morocco. Until 3 November 2026: 650 Qatari riyals a month for the first 6 months. - Vodafone Qatar Unlimited+: 1000 QAR / month. Unlimited local data. The international minutes are for a list of countries that includes Morocco. # Calling Morocco from Switzerland URL: https://bablblad.com/en/call_ch.html - Calling Morocco from a Swiss mobile is expensive: 3.99 Swiss francs a minute with Lidl Connect and 4.29 Swiss francs with Salt, and no offer here includes minutes from Switzerland to Morocco. - yallo's BLACK, BLACK Plus and BLACK Max subscriptions include 5 GB a month in Morocco, from 25.90 Swiss francs a month; BLACK Plus and BLACK Max add 5 hours of calls there. - Otherwise buy a data pack before you travel: Swisscom's Data Travel 1 GB, valid 12 months, costs 19.90 Swiss francs. - One week with 5 GB at high speed costs 49.95 Swiss francs with Salt's 1-week Data Pack or Lidl Connect's 1-week data pack. - Without a pack, a call in Morocco costs 4.99 Swiss francs a minute with Salt and 2.60 to 6.20 Swiss francs with Lidl Connect, and you pay even to receive calls. - Without a pack, mobile data abroad can cost up to 15 Swiss francs per MB with Salt, so switch off data roaming or buy a pack first. ### Plans, options and rates - Lidl Connect - Salt - yallo BLACK: 25.9 CHF / month. Price with a permanent discount; the list price is 93 Swiss francs a month. The 5 GB are valid in 49 destinations that include Morocco. - yallo BLACK Plus: 31.9 CHF / month. Also includes 5 hours of calls a month in these destinations. Price with a permanent discount; the list price is 115 Swiss francs a month. - yallo BLACK Max: 34.9 CHF / month. Also includes 5 hours of calls a month in these destinations, but not calls from Switzerland to Morocco. List price without the permanent discount: 135 Swiss francs. - Swisscom Data Travel 1 GB: 19.9 CHF / 12 months. Data only; valid for 12 months in a zone of countries that includes Morocco. - Swisscom Data Travel 5 GB: 49.9 CHF / 12 months. Data only; valid for 12 months in a zone of countries that includes Morocco. - Swisscom Data Travel 10 GB: 69.9 CHF / 12 months. Data only; valid for 12 months in a zone of countries that includes Morocco. - Salt Data DayPass: 14.95 CHF / 24 hours. 1 GB at high speed per 24 hours, then a slow connection. You pay only when you use data, and the pass renews every 24 hours of use. - Salt 1-week Data Pack: 49.95 CHF / week. Unlimited data for one week, 5 GB of it at high speed. The pack works in one country only. - Lidl Connect 1-week data pack: 49.95 CHF / 7 days. Unlimited data for 7 days from first use, 5 GB of it at high speed. # Ferries URL: https://bablblad.com/en/svc_ferries.html ### In short - Armas Trasmediterránea became part of Baleària on 30 June 2026. Its former crossings from Motril to Nador and Al Hoceima are now sold by Baleària. - DFDS has not sailed Tarifa to Tanger Ville since 5 May 2025. Baleària and AML sail this route. - AML started Almería to Nador in summer 2026, next to Baleària and GNV. - La Méridionale suspended Marseille to Tanger Med from 15 September 2026 to 15 June 2027. From France, GNV sails from Sète all year. - For the shortest crossing, choose Tarifa to Tanger Ville (1 h) or Algeciras to Tanger Med (1 h 30). Algeciras has more crossings and a lower starting price. - In summer, buy a ticket for a fixed date before you drive to the port. Open tickets are not accepted at boarding by Baleària. ### The lines - Tarifa → Tanger Ville (1 h): Baleària, Africa Morocco Link (AML), from 70 EUR. Fast ferries only. DFDS has not sailed this route since 5 May 2025. With Baleària, a change of date or time made in advance is free. - Algeciras → Tanger Med (1 h 30): Baleària, Africa Morocco Link (AML), DFDS, from 29 EUR. Armas Trasmediterránea became part of Baleària on 30 June 2026. With Baleària, a change of date or time made in advance is free. - Motril → Nador (Beni Ensar) (5 h): Baleària, from 77.55 EUR. Former Armas Trasmediterránea line, now sold by Baleària. - Motril → Al Hoceima (5 h): Baleària, from 86.55 EUR. Former Armas Trasmediterránea line, now sold by Baleària. In 2026 it ran from June to September. - Almería → Nador (Beni Ensar) (7 h 25 (Baleària), 9 h (GNV)): Baleària, GNV, Africa Morocco Link (AML), from 85 EUR. AML started this route in summer 2026. With Baleària, a change of time can cost a fare difference, plus a penalty in the last 48 hours. - Motril → Tanger Med (8 h): Baleària, from 111 EUR. With Baleària, a change of date or time made in advance is free. - Barcelona → Nador (Beni Ensar) (27 h – 30 h 25): GNV, from 96 EUR. Check the sailing days in the company's departures calendar. - Barcelona → Tanger Med (31 h): GNV, from 87 EUR. Direct crossing. The return from Tanger Med takes 37 hours. - Algeciras → Ceuta (1 h): Baleària, DFDS, from 38 EUR. From Ceuta you enter Morocco by road at Bab Sebta. The competition authority lets DFDS buy the Armas Trasmediterránea assets on this line only if a third operator keeps that service running. - Málaga → Melilla (6–7 h): Baleària, from 53.29 EUR. A change of time can cost a fare difference. - Almería → Melilla (7 h): Baleària, from 50 EUR. Former Armas Trasmediterránea line. That company became part of Baleària on 30 June 2026. - Motril → Melilla (7 h): Baleària, from 50 EUR. Overnight crossing. Former Armas Trasmediterránea line. That company became part of Baleària on 30 June 2026. - Sète → Nador (Beni Ensar) (39 h 45): GNV, from 82 EUR. The crossing takes 38 to 44 hours, depending on the ship and the weather. - Marseille → Tanger Med (40 h 30): La Méridionale. Crossings are suspended from 15 September 2026 to 15 June 2027. If you booked a crossing in that period, the company contacts you to offer a solution. - Sète → Tanger Med (42 h): GNV, from 97 EUR. The crossing takes 39 to 48 hours, depending on the ship. Some sailings call at Barcelona. - Genoa → Tanger Med (51 h): GNV, from 148 EUR. Direct, or 53 h 30 with a call at Barcelona. - Civitavecchia → Tanger Med (51 h): GNV, from 172 EUR. The ship calls at Barcelona. # Flights and airports URL: https://bablblad.com/en/svc_flights.html ### In short - In these lists, Marrakech and Agadir are served by the most airlines from Europe, followed by Tangier. - Royal Air Maroc opened a base at Tétouan in March 2026, with flights to Paris, London-Gatwick, Brussels, Barcelona, Madrid and Málaga. - For summer 2026, Royal Air Maroc scheduled new flights from Tangier to Barcelona, Málaga and Madrid, and from Nador to Frankfurt, Düsseldorf and Barcelona. - Many routes run only in summer or only in winter. Check the airline's site for your dates. - With Royal Air Maroc, a checked bag is not included in every economy fare between Morocco and Europe. Check your fare before you pay. Each route below was found in at least two independent sources, read on 2026-10-11. Routes found in only one source were left out, so a real route can be missing. This is not a timetable: airlines add and drop routes every season, and the winter schedule starts on 25 October 2026. Check the airline's site for your dates. ### France - Brest (BES): AGA Transavia; RAK Transavia - Bastia (BIA): OUD Transavia (seasonal) - Biarritz (BIQ): RAK Transavia - Bordeaux (BOD): AGA easyJet (from 2026-10-25), Transavia, Volotea (seasonal); CMN Royal Air Maroc; ESU easyJet (seasonal); FEZ Air Arabia Maroc; RAK easyJet, Transavia, Royal Air Maroc, Volotea (seasonal); RBA easyJet; TNG Air Arabia Maroc; VIL Transavia (seasonal) - Basel-Mulhouse (BSL): AGA easyJet; CMN Air Arabia Maroc; RAK easyJet; RBA Air Arabia Maroc; TNG easyJet (seasonal) - Paris Beauvais (BVA): AGA Ryanair; ESU Ryanair; FEZ Ryanair; NDR Ryanair; OUD Ryanair; RAK Ryanair; RBA Ryanair; TNG Ryanair - Carcassonne (CCF): TNG Ryanair (seasonal) - Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG): AGA easyJet (seasonal); CMN Royal Air Maroc, Air France; FEZ Air Arabia Maroc; OUD Air Arabia Maroc; RAK easyJet, Royal Air Maroc, Air France; RBA Air Arabia Maroc, Air France, easyJet, Royal Air Maroc (seasonal); TNG Air Arabia Maroc, Air France; TTU Royal Air Maroc - Dole (DLE): FEZ Ryanair; RAK Ryanair - Deauville (DOL): RAK Transavia - Metz-Nancy (ETZ): CMN TUI fly - Nîmes (FNI): FEZ Ryanair; RAK Ryanair - Limoges (LIG): RAK Ryanair (seasonal) - Lille (LIL): AGA Transavia, Volotea (seasonal); CMN TUI fly; FEZ Ryanair; RAK easyJet, TUI fly, Volotea (seasonal), Transavia - La Rochelle (LRH): RAK Ryanair (seasonal) - Lyon (LYS): AGA easyJet (seasonal), Transavia; CMN Royal Air Maroc, Air Arabia Maroc, Transavia; ESU easyJet (seasonal); FEZ Air Arabia Maroc, Transavia; OUD Transavia; RAK easyJet, Transavia, Royal Air Maroc, Volotea (seasonal); RBA easyJet; TNG Air Arabia Maroc, easyJet (seasonal) - Montpellier (MPL): AGA Transavia; CMN Royal Air Maroc, Air Arabia Maroc; FEZ Air Arabia Maroc; NDR Air Arabia Maroc; RAK Transavia; RBA Transavia; TNG Air Arabia Maroc - Marseille (MRS): AGA Ryanair; CMN Royal Air Maroc, Shanghai Airlines; ESU Ryanair; FEZ Air Arabia Maroc, Ryanair; NDR Ryanair; OUD Ryanair; OZZ Ryanair; RAK Ryanair, Transavia (seasonal), Royal Air Maroc; RBA Ryanair, Royal Air Maroc; TNG Ryanair; TTU Ryanair (seasonal) - Nice (NCE): AGA easyJet; CMN Royal Air Maroc; RAK easyJet; RBA easyJet - Nantes (NTE): AGA Ryanair (seasonal), Transavia, Volotea (seasonal); CMN Royal Air Maroc, Transavia; ESU easyJet (seasonal) (from 2026-10-27), Transavia (seasonal); FEZ Ryanair; OUD Transavia (seasonal); RAK easyJet, Transavia, Royal Air Maroc, Volotea; RBA easyJet; TNG Transavia (seasonal) - Paris Orly (ORY): AGA Royal Air Maroc, Transavia; CMN Royal Air Maroc, Transavia, TUI fly; ERH Transavia (seasonal); ESU Transavia; FEZ Royal Air Maroc, Transavia; NDR Transavia; OUD Royal Air Maroc, Transavia; OZZ Transavia; RAK Transavia, Royal Air Maroc, TUI fly, Vueling (seasonal); RBA Royal Air Maroc, Transavia, TUI fly; TNG Royal Air Maroc, Transavia, Vueling; VIL Royal Air Maroc, Transavia - Perpignan (PGF): RAK Ryanair - Rennes (RNS): AGA Transavia; RAK Transavia - Strasbourg (SXB): AGA Volotea (seasonal); CMN Royal Air Maroc; FEZ Air Arabia Maroc; NDR Air Arabia Maroc; RAK easyJet, Volotea (seasonal) - Toulouse (TLS): AGA Ryanair, Transavia; CMN Royal Air Maroc; FEZ Air Arabia Maroc, Ryanair; NDR Ryanair (seasonal); OUD Ryanair; RAK Ryanair, easyJet, Royal Air Maroc, Transavia; RBA Ryanair; TNG Ryanair - Tours (TUF): RAK Ryanair - Paris Vatry (Châlons) (XCR): RAK Ryanair ### Spain - Lanzarote (ACE): GLN Binter; RAK Ryanair (seasonal); VIL Ryanair - Málaga (AGP): CMN Royal Air Maroc, Air Arabia Maroc, Iberia; FEZ Ryanair; RAK easyJet, Ryanair; RBA easyJet, Ryanair; TNG Ryanair (seasonal); TTU Royal Air Maroc, Ryanair - Alicante (ALC): CMN Royal Air Maroc; FEZ Ryanair (seasonal); RAK Ryanair; TTU Ryanair - Barcelona (BCN): AGA Vueling (seasonal); CMN Royal Air Maroc, Air Arabia Maroc; ESU Vueling (seasonal); FEZ Air Arabia Maroc, Ryanair, Vueling (seasonal); NDR Air Arabia Maroc, Royal Air Maroc (seasonal), Ryanair, Vueling; OUD Ryanair (seasonal); OZZ Ryanair; RAK Ryanair, Vueling; RBA Air Arabia Maroc, Ryanair; TNG Air Arabia Maroc, Royal Air Maroc (seasonal), Ryanair, Vueling; TTU Royal Air Maroc - Bilbao (BIO): CMN Royal Air Maroc; RAK Volotea (seasonal), Vueling (seasonal); TNG Air Arabia Maroc - Girona (GRO): BEM Ryanair; RAK Ryanair; TNG Air Arabia Maroc (seasonal) - Gran Canaria (LPA): AGA Binter; CMN Royal Air Maroc; EUN Binter, Royal Air Maroc; GLN Binter; RAK Ryanair; TNG Binter (seasonal); VIL Binter - Madrid (MAD): AGA Ryanair (seasonal); CMN Royal Air Maroc, Air Arabia Maroc, Iberia; ESU Ryanair; FEZ Ryanair; NDR Iberia (summer), Royal Air Maroc (summer), Ryanair; RAK Ryanair, Air Europa, Iberia; RBA Ryanair; TNG Air Arabia Maroc, Iberia, Royal Air Maroc (seasonal), Ryanair; TTU Royal Air Maroc, Ryanair (seasonal); VIL Ryanair - Palma de Mallorca (PMI): NDR Air Arabia Maroc; RAK Ryanair (seasonal) - Murcia (RMU): NDR Air Arabia Maroc - Santiago de Compostela (SCQ): RAK Vueling (seasonal) - Santander (SDR): RAK Ryanair - Seville (SVQ): CMN Royal Air Maroc; ESU Vueling (seasonal); RAK Ryanair; RBA Ryanair; TNG Ryanair - Tenerife North (TFN): RAK Binter (seasonal) - Tenerife South (TFS): AGA Ryanair; CMN Royal Air Maroc; RAK Ryanair (seasonal) - Valencia (VLC): CMN Royal Air Maroc; FEZ Ryanair (seasonal); RAK Ryanair; RBA Ryanair; TNG Ryanair - Zaragoza (ZAZ): RAK Ryanair ### Italy - Milan Bergamo (BGY): AGA Ryanair; BEM Ryanair; CMN Air Arabia Maroc; FEZ Air Arabia Maroc, Ryanair; RAK Ryanair; RBA Ryanair; TNG Ryanair - Bologna (BLQ): CMN Royal Air Maroc, Air Arabia Maroc; FEZ Ryanair; RAK TUI fly - Rome Ciampino (CIA): FEZ Ryanair; RAK Ryanair; RBA Ryanair - Catania (CTA): CMN Royal Air Maroc, Air Arabia Maroc - Cuneo (CUF): CMN Air Arabia Maroc - Rome Fiumicino (FCO): CMN Royal Air Maroc; RAK Wizz Air (seasonal) - Milan Malpensa (MXP): AGA Ryanair (seasonal) (from 2026-10-28), Wizz Air; CMN Royal Air Maroc; RAK Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air; RBA easyJet - Naples (NAP): CMN Royal Air Maroc, Air Arabia Maroc; RAK Ryanair, easyJet - Palermo (PMO): RAK Wizz Air - Pisa (PSA): CMN Air Arabia Maroc; RAK Ryanair; RBA Ryanair - Turin (TRN): CMN Royal Air Maroc; RAK Ryanair - Venice Treviso (TSF): RAK Ryanair - Venice (VCE): CMN Royal Air Maroc, Air Arabia Maroc - Verona (VRN): CMN Royal Air Maroc (seasonal) ### Belgium - Brussels (BRU): AGA Transavia, TUI fly (seasonal); AHU Royal Air Maroc (seasonal), TUI fly; CMN Royal Air Maroc, Air Arabia Maroc, TUI fly, Turkish Airlines; FEZ Air Arabia Maroc, TUI fly; NDR Air Arabia Maroc, Brussels Airlines (seasonal), Royal Air Maroc, TUI fly (seasonal); OUD Royal Air Maroc (seasonal), Brussels Airlines (seasonal), TUI fly; RAK Ryanair, Transavia, Royal Air Maroc, TUI fly; RBA Air Arabia Maroc, Royal Air Maroc, TUI fly; TNG Air Arabia Maroc, Brussels Airlines (seasonal), Royal Air Maroc, TUI fly (seasonal); TTU Royal Air Maroc, TUI fly (seasonal) - Brussels South Charleroi (CRL): AGA Ryanair; ESU Ryanair; FEZ Ryanair; NDR Ryanair; OUD Ryanair; RAK Ryanair; RBA Ryanair; TNG Ryanair; TTU Ryanair ### Netherlands - Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS): AGA Transavia; AHU Royal Air Maroc (seasonal); CMN Royal Air Maroc, Transavia; FEZ Air Arabia Maroc; NDR Air Arabia Maroc, Royal Air Maroc; RAK easyJet (seasonal), Transavia; RBA Transavia; TNG Air Arabia Maroc, Royal Air Maroc; TTU Air Arabia Maroc - Eindhoven (EIN): FEZ Ryanair; NDR TUI fly; OUD TUI fly; RAK Ryanair, Transavia; TNG Ryanair - Rotterdam The Hague (RTM): AHU Transavia; CMN TUI fly; FEZ Transavia; NDR Transavia, TUI fly; TNG Air Arabia Maroc, Transavia (seasonal) ### Germany - Berlin (BER): AGA easyJet, Transavia (seasonal); RAK Ryanair, Transavia (seasonal) - Cologne Bonn (CGN): AGA Ryanair (seasonal); NDR Air Arabia Maroc, Corendon (seasonal), Eurowings (seasonal); RAK Ryanair; TNG Air Arabia Maroc, Eurowings (seasonal) - Düsseldorf (DUS): AGA Condor (seasonal), Eurowings (seasonal); CMN Eurowings (seasonal); NDR Corendon (seasonal), Eurowings (seasonal), Royal Air Maroc (seasonal); OUD Royal Air Maroc (seasonal); RAK Eurowings (seasonal) - Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden (FKB): AGA Ryanair; FEZ Ryanair; RBA Ryanair; TNG Ryanair - Memmingen (FMM): TNG Ryanair - Frankfurt (FRA): AGA Condor (seasonal), Discover Airlines (seasonal) (from 2026-10-26); CMN Royal Air Maroc, Lufthansa; NDR Royal Air Maroc (seasonal); RAK Discover Airlines - Hamburg (HAM): AGA Condor (seasonal), Marabu (seasonal); RAK easyJet - Frankfurt-Hahn (HHN): AGA Ryanair; FEZ Ryanair; NDR Air Arabia Maroc (seasonal), Ryanair; RAK Ryanair (seasonal); RBA Ryanair - Munich (MUC): AGA Condor (seasonal); CMN Royal Air Maroc; FEZ Discover Airlines (seasonal) (from 2026-10-25); RAK Discover Airlines - Düsseldorf Weeze (NRN): AGA Ryanair; ESU Ryanair; FEZ Ryanair; NDR Ryanair; OUD Ryanair; RAK Ryanair; RBA Ryanair; TNG Ryanair - Nuremberg (NUE): RBA Ryanair - Stuttgart (STR): AGA Eurowings (seasonal); RAK Eurowings (seasonal) ### United Kingdom - Belfast (BFS): RAK easyJet (seasonal) - Birmingham (BHX): AGA easyJet (from 2026-10-27), Jet2, Ryanair, TUI Airways; RAK Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, TUI Airways - Bournemouth (BOH): AGA Jet2 (seasonal) - Bristol (BRS): AGA easyJet, Jet2; RAK easyJet, TUI Airways (seasonal) - Edinburgh (EDI): AGA easyJet, Ryanair; RAK Ryanair, easyJet (seasonal) - East Midlands (EMA): AGA Jet2 (seasonal) (from 2026-10-15) - Glasgow (GLA): AGA easyJet (seasonal), Jet2; RAK easyJet (seasonal), Jet2 - Leeds Bradford (LBA): AGA Jet2; RAK Jet2 (seasonal) - London Gatwick (LGW): AGA British Airways, easyJet, Jet2 (seasonal) (from 2026-10-26), TUI Airways; CMN Royal Air Maroc; RAK easyJet, TUI Airways, Wizz Air, British Airways; RBA British Airways; TNG Air Arabia Maroc, Royal Air Maroc (seasonal); TTU Royal Air Maroc - London Heathrow (LHR): CMN Royal Air Maroc; RAK British Airways - Liverpool (LPL): RAK Ryanair, easyJet - London Luton (LTN): AGA easyJet; RAK easyJet; RBA easyJet (from 2026-11-05) - Manchester (MAN): AGA easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, TUI Airways; CMN Royal Air Maroc; RAK Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, TUI Airways; RBA Ryanair; TNG Ryanair - Newcastle (NCL): AGA Jet2 (seasonal), TUI Airways (seasonal); RAK Ryanair (seasonal), Jet2 - London Southend (SEN): RAK easyJet - London Stansted (STN): AGA Jet2, Ryanair; CMN Royal Air Maroc; ESU Ryanair; FEZ Ryanair; RAK Ryanair, Jet2; RBA Ryanair; TNG Ryanair ### Canada - Montréal (YUL): AGA Air Transat (seasonal); CMN Royal Air Maroc, Air Canada; RAK Air Transat - Toronto (YYZ): CMN Royal Air Maroc ### United States - Atlanta (ATL): RAK Delta Air Lines (seasonal) - Newark (EWR): RAK United Airlines (seasonal) - Washington Dulles (IAD): CMN Royal Air Maroc - New York JFK (JFK): CMN Royal Air Maroc - Los Angeles (LAX): CMN Royal Air Maroc - Miami (MIA): CMN Royal Air Maroc ### United Arab Emirates - Abu Dhabi (AUH): CMN Etihad Airways - Dubai (DXB): CMN Royal Air Maroc, Emirates ### Saudi Arabia - Jeddah (JED): CMN Royal Air Maroc, flynas, Saudia; RBA flynas - Medina (MED): AGA Royal Air Maroc; CMN Royal Air Maroc, Saudia - Riyadh (RUH): CMN Royal Air Maroc, Saudia ### Qatar - Doha (DOH): CMN Royal Air Maroc, Qatar Airways; RAK Qatar Airways ### Switzerland - Basel-Mulhouse (BSL): AGA easyJet; CMN Air Arabia Maroc; RAK easyJet; RBA Air Arabia Maroc; TNG easyJet (seasonal) - Geneva (GVA): AGA easyJet; CMN Royal Air Maroc, Air Arabia Maroc; RAK easyJet, Swiss; RBA easyJet; TNG easyJet (seasonal) - Zurich (ZRH): AGA Edelweiss (seasonal); CMN Royal Air Maroc; RAK Chair Airlines, Edelweiss (seasonal), easyJet (from 2026-10-28) ### Portugal - Faro (FAO): RAK Ryanair - Funchal (FNC): RAK Binter (seasonal) - Lisbon (LIS): AGA Ryanair (seasonal); CMN Royal Air Maroc, TAP Air Portugal; RAK Ryanair, easyJet, TAP Air Portugal; TNG Ryanair - Porto (OPO): AGA Ryanair (seasonal); CMN Royal Air Maroc; RAK Ryanair, easyJet; RBA Ryanair; TNG Ryanair ### Türkiye - Istanbul (IST): CMN Royal Air Maroc, Turkish Airlines; RAK Turkish Airlines; RBA Air Arabia Maroc; TNG Royal Air Maroc - Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (SAW): CMN Air Arabia Maroc, Pegasus; TNG Air Arabia Maroc ### Poland - Kraków (KRK): AGA Ryanair; RAK Ryanair (seasonal) - Katowice (KTW): AGA Wizz Air (seasonal) - Warsaw (WAW): AGA Wizz Air (seasonal); RAK Wizz Air, LOT Polish Airlines (seasonal) - Wrocław (WRO): AGA Ryanair ### Denmark - Copenhagen (CPH): AGA Norwegian (seasonal), SAS (seasonal); RAK Norwegian, SAS (seasonal); TNG Norwegian (seasonal) ### Egypt - Cairo (CAI): CMN Royal Air Maroc, Egyptair; TNG Air Cairo - Alexandria (HBE): CMN Air Cairo (seasonal) - Sharm El Sheikh (SSH): CMN Air Cairo (seasonal) ### Ireland - Dublin (DUB): AGA Ryanair; RAK Ryanair, Aer Lingus (seasonal); RBA Ryanair ### Sweden - Stockholm Arlanda (ARN): AGA Norwegian (seasonal); RAK Ryanair, Norwegian (seasonal) - Gothenburg (GOT): RAK Norwegian (seasonal) ### Czechia - Prague (PRG): AGA Eurowings (seasonal); RAK easyJet (from 2026-10-25), Eurowings (seasonal) ### Norway - Oslo (OSL): AGA Norwegian (seasonal); RAK Norwegian (seasonal); TNG Norwegian (seasonal) ### Romania - Cluj-Napoca (CLJ): RAK Wizz Air (seasonal) - Bucharest (OTP): RAK Wizz Air (seasonal), Animawings (seasonal) ### Tunisia - Tunis (TUN): CMN Royal Air Maroc, Tunisair; RBA Nouvelair ### Austria - Vienna (VIE): AGA Ryanair; RAK Austrian Airlines (seasonal) ### Bulgaria - Sofia (SOF): RAK Wizz Air (seasonal), Ryanair ### Cameroon - Douala (DLA): CMN Royal Air Maroc - Yaoundé (NSI): CMN Royal Air Maroc ### Cape Verde - Praia (RAI): CMN Royal Air Maroc - Sal (SID): CMN Royal Air Maroc ### Finland - Helsinki (HEL): AGA Norwegian (seasonal); RAK Norwegian (seasonal) ### Greece - Athens (ATH): CMN Aegean Airlines; RAK Aegean Airlines (seasonal) ### Hungary - Budapest (BUD): RAK Ryanair, Wizz Air ### Luxembourg - Luxembourg (LUX): AGA Luxair (seasonal); RAK Luxair (seasonal) ### Mauritania - Nouakchott (NKC): CMN Royal Air Maroc, Mauritania Airlines ### Nigeria - Abuja (ABV): CMN Royal Air Maroc - Lagos (LOS): CMN Royal Air Maroc ### Russia - Saint Petersburg (LED): CMN Royal Air Maroc - Moscow Sheremetyevo (SVO): CMN Royal Air Maroc ### Senegal - Dakar (DSS): CMN Royal Air Maroc, Air Sénégal ### Angola - Luanda (NBJ): CMN Royal Air Maroc ### Burkina Faso - Ouagadougou (OUA): CMN Royal Air Maroc ### Bahrain - Bahrain (BAH): CMN Gulf Air ### Benin - Cotonou (COO): CMN Royal Air Maroc ### Brazil - São Paulo (GRU): CMN Royal Air Maroc ### Congo - Kinshasa - Kinshasa (FIH): CMN Royal Air Maroc ### Central African Republic - Bangui (BGF): CMN Royal Air Maroc ### Congo - Brazzaville - Brazzaville (BZV): CMN Royal Air Maroc ### Côte d’Ivoire - Abidjan (ABJ): CMN Royal Air Maroc ### China - Beijing Daxing (PKX): CMN Royal Air Maroc ### Gabon - Libreville (LBV): CMN Royal Air Maroc ### Ghana - Accra (ACC): CMN Royal Air Maroc ### Gambia - Banjul (BJL): CMN Royal Air Maroc ### Guinea - Conakry (CKY): CMN Royal Air Maroc ### Equatorial Guinea - Malabo (SSG): CMN Royal Air Maroc ### Guinea-Bissau - Bissau (OXB): CMN Royal Air Maroc ### Israel - Tel Aviv (TLV): RAK Arkia ### Jordan - Amman (AMM): CMN Royal Jordanian ### Kuwait - Kuwait (KWI): CMN Kuwait Airways ### Liberia - Monrovia (ROB): CMN Royal Air Maroc ### Latvia - Riga (RIX): RAK airBaltic (seasonal) ### Mali - Bamako (BKO): CMN Royal Air Maroc ### Niger - Niamey (NIM): CMN Royal Air Maroc ### Slovakia - Bratislava (BTS): AGA Wizz Air (seasonal) (from 2026-10-27) ### Sierra Leone - Freetown (FNA): CMN Royal Air Maroc ### Chad - N'Djamena (NDJ): CMN Royal Air Maroc ### Togo - Lomé (LFW): CMN Royal Air Maroc ### Flights inside Morocco - AGA ↔ CMN: Royal Air Maroc - AGA ↔ EUN: Royal Air Maroc - AGA ↔ FEZ: Air Arabia Maroc, Ryanair - AGA ↔ OUD: Ryanair - AGA ↔ RBA: Air Arabia Maroc - AGA ↔ TNG: Air Arabia Maroc, Ryanair - AGA ↔ VIL: Royal Air Maroc - AHU ↔ CMN: Royal Air Maroc - AHU ↔ TNG: Royal Air Maroc - AHU ↔ TTU: Royal Air Maroc - BEM ↔ TNG: Ryanair - CMN ↔ ERH: Royal Air Maroc - CMN ↔ EUN: Royal Air Maroc - CMN ↔ FEZ: Royal Air Maroc - CMN ↔ GLN: Royal Air Maroc - CMN ↔ NDR: Royal Air Maroc - CMN ↔ OUD: Royal Air Maroc - CMN ↔ OZG: Royal Air Maroc - CMN ↔ OZZ: Royal Air Maroc - CMN ↔ RAK: Royal Air Maroc - CMN ↔ SMW: Royal Air Maroc - CMN ↔ TNG: Royal Air Maroc - CMN ↔ TTA: Royal Air Maroc - CMN ↔ TTU: Royal Air Maroc - CMN ↔ VIL: Royal Air Maroc - ERH ↔ RAK: Ryanair - ERH ↔ RBA: Royal Air Maroc - ESU ↔ RBA: Air Arabia Maroc - EUN ↔ RAK: Royal Air Maroc - EUN ↔ RBA: Royal Air Maroc - EUN ↔ VIL: Royal Air Maroc - FEZ ↔ RAK: Ryanair - NDR ↔ RBA: Air Arabia Maroc - NDR ↔ TNG: Air Arabia Maroc - OUD ↔ RAK: Ryanair - OUD ↔ RBA: Air Arabia Maroc - OUD ↔ TNG: Ryanair - OZG ↔ OZZ: Royal Air Maroc - RAK ↔ TNG: Ryanair - RAK ↔ TTU: Ryanair - RAK ↔ VIL: Royal Air Maroc - RBA ↔ VIL: Royal Air Maroc # Getting around Morocco URL: https://bablblad.com/en/svc_transport.html ### In short - Book Al Boraq early: advance tickets are cheaper and booking opens 3 months before departure. - In Rabat, Al Boraq stops at Rabat Agdal station, not at Rabat Ville. - Keep cash in dirhams for motorway tolls. Every toll station takes cash, but card payment is not available everywhere. - Before you travel, check that your green card shows Morocco (MA). If it does not, buy border insurance at the border post on arrival. - Pay a traffic fine within 24 hours and it is lower: 400 dirhams instead of 700 for a first-class offence. - In a taxi, agree the fare first or check that the meter is running. ### Trains - Where Al Boraq stops: Al Boraq high-speed trains stop at Tanger Ville, Kénitra, Rabat Agdal and Casa Voyageurs. They do not stop at Rabat Ville, which only has classic trains. - Time saved: Tangier to Casablanca takes 2 hours 10 minutes by Al Boraq. Before the high-speed line the journey took 4 hours 45 minutes. - Departures from Tangier: In the 2026 timetable Al Boraq leaves Tangier for Rabat and Casablanca at 06:00, then every hour until 19:00, with a last train at 21:00. - Prices change with the date: Al Boraq and most long-distance trains have cheaper advance tickets that cannot be changed and dearer flexible tickets. Last-minute tickets are sold at the flexible price. - Booking online: Tickets are sold on oncf-voyages.ma. Booking opens 3 months before departure. - Paying with a foreign card: The railway website should accept most foreign bank cards. If your card is refused, try another card or a ticket reseller. - Reserved seats: Every Al Boraq and Al Atlas ticket includes a reserved seat. Second class on the Rabat to Casablanca shuttle trains is not reserved. - Night train: The night train from Tangier to Marrakech has second class seats and first class couchettes with 4 berths. Couchettes cannot be booked online, only seats. - Young children: Children under 4 travel free on trains. - High-speed line to Marrakech: A high-speed line from Kénitra to Marrakech is being built. It was about 30% complete in May 2026 and is due to open in 2029. - Journey times after 2029: When the new line opens, Tangier to Marrakech should take about 3 hours 30 minutes and Rabat to Tangier about 1 hour. - Rabat to Casablanca airport: With the new line, Rabat to Casablanca Mohammed V airport should take no more than 35 minutes. ### Coaches - CTM: booking: CTM sells tickets online at booking.ctm.ma. - CTM: return tickets: CTM advertises 10% off return tickets on all its routes in Morocco. - CTM: your ticket: You do not need to print your CTM ticket. You can show the electronic ticket on the day of travel. - CTM: luggage: You may put two bags in the hold, each up to 20 kilograms. Hand luggage can measure up to 40 x 50 x 16 cm. - CTM: luggage charge: A bag in the hold costs from 5 dirhams, up to 20 kilograms. For a heavier bag the price is worked out at the agency. - CTM: lost luggage: If a bag is lost, CTM pays 100 dirhams unless you declared its value. You can declare a value of up to 5,000 dirhams. - CTM: changes and refunds: You can change a CTM ticket on the website or at an agency up to 12 hours before departure. Tickets are not refundable. - CTM: children: A child under 4 travels free on an adult's lap, one child per adult. From age 4 a child has a seat and pays the full fare. - CTM: customer service: CTM customer service answers from 08:00 to 22:00 on +212 521 640 640. - Supratours: Supratours is the coach company of the national railway. In Marrakech its coaches leave from the terminal next to the railway station. - Supratours: how often: Coaches from Marrakech to Agadir leave about every hour and cost about 110 dirhams. Coaches to Essaouira leave every 2 to 3 hours. - Supratours: luggage: On Supratours, checking a bag into the hold costs about 5 dirhams. - Train and coach on one ticket: At any railway station you can ask for a combined train and coach ticket to Agadir through Marrakech. ### Motorways and the Jawaz tag - The network: Morocco has 1,839 km of toll motorways, run by the national motorway company ADM. - Jawaz tag price: The official price of the Jawaz electronic toll tag is 100 dirhams since September 2024. For five years before that it was sold at 80 dirhams. - Jawaz gives no discount: The Jawaz tag does not lower the toll. It lets you use the electronic toll lanes. - Where to buy the Jawaz tag: ADM sells the tag at mobile sales points at the main toll stations and service areas. You do not need to leave your car. - Topping up the Jawaz tag: You can top up the tag by bank transfer, at a cash machine, at Wafacash agencies or in bank apps. - Cash at the toll: Every toll station accepts cash in dirhams. - Bank cards at the toll: Card payment is not available at every toll station. Do not rely on it. - Motorway information by phone: For motorway information, call ADM on 5050. - Live traffic app: ADM's app for live traffic information is called ADM TRAFIC. ### Road rules and fines - Speed limits: The limit is 120 km/h on motorways, 100 km/h on roads outside towns and 40 to 60 km/h in towns. Follow the signs. - Speeding by 20 to under 30 km/h: This is a second-class offence. The fine starts at 500 dirhams. - Speeding by 30 to under 50 km/h: This is a first-class offence. The fine starts at 700 dirhams and 4 points are removed from a Moroccan licence. - Speeding by 50 km/h or more: This goes to court: a fine of 4,000 to 8,000 dirhams and the licence suspended for 1 to 3 months. - Red light or stop sign: Not stopping at a red light or a stop sign is a first-class offence. The fine starts at 700 dirhams and 4 points are removed from a Moroccan licence. - Phone: Holding a phone in your hand while driving is a second-class offence. The fine starts at 500 dirhams. - Seat belt: The driver and passengers must wear a seat belt. Not wearing one is a second-class offence. The fine starts at 500 dirhams. - Children in the front: Children under 10 may not travel in the front seats. It is a second-class offence. The fine starts at 500 dirhams. - Alcohol: Drink-driving starts at 0.20 grams of alcohol per litre of blood. The penalty is 6 months to 1 year in prison, a fine of 5,000 to 10,000 dirhams, or both. - Alcohol: your licence: For drink-driving the court also suspends the driving licence for 6 months to 1 year. Refusing the breath test carries the same penalties. - Fixed fine, first class: You pay 400 dirhams within 24 hours, 500 dirhams within 15 days, and 700 dirhams after that. - Fixed fine, second class: You pay 300 dirhams within 24 hours, 350 dirhams within 15 days, and 500 dirhams after that. - Fixed fine, third class: You pay 150 dirhams within 24 hours. The full fixed fine is 300 dirhams. - Pedestrians: Pedestrians who break the traffic rules pay a fixed fine of 25 dirhams. - Checking your fines: You can check fines recorded by radar, police or gendarmerie on the road safety agency's site infractionsroutieres.narsa.gov.ma. - Foreign driving licence: A foreign driving licence is valid in Morocco for one year from the date you become resident. - After one year in Morocco: After one year as a resident you must exchange your foreign licence or pass the Moroccan driving tests. - British licence: With a British licence you also need the 1968 international driving permit. Morocco no longer accepts the 1949 version. - Documents to carry: Always carry your driving licence, insurance certificate and registration document when you drive. - Car registered abroad: documents: With a car registered abroad, carry the registration certificate, the valid temporary admission card and proof that you live abroad. - Car registered abroad: length of stay: A car registered abroad may stay in Morocco 180 days per year, in one stay or several. - Leaving with the same car: Your registration number is recorded when you drive into Morocco. You are not allowed to leave the country without that vehicle. - Accident: After a road accident, fill in a joint accident report form. Both drivers sign it. ### Car insurance at the border - Green card: Your European green card covers you in Morocco only if it shows Morocco (code MA) and that box is not crossed out. - Checked at the border: You must show proof of motor insurance when you enter Morocco and when you leave. - If your green card does not cover Morocco: Buy border insurance on arrival, at the insurance counters at the entry points. - How long it lasts: Border insurance is sold for 5 days, 10 days, 1 month, 3 months or 6 months, and it can be renewed. - Price: No official price list is published. You are told the price at the counter. - Where it is sold: Insurance offices at the Tanger Med and Tanger Ville border posts sell border insurance. - Who sells it: The insurer CAT sells border insurance at the border posts. - Accident report forms: Blank accident report forms are available at the insurance booths at Tangier port and from tobacconists in cities. # Health and assistance URL: https://bablblad.com/en/svc_health.html ### In short - Contracts differ in where you must live: some accept only residents of Europe and the Maghreb, others accept any country of residence, including Canada and the United States. - Some contracts cover death only. Others add medical transport, medical costs, vehicle breakdown and legal help. Read the list of guarantees and their limits before you sign. - Check the age limit and the waiting period: some contracts must be taken before 65 or 70, and one covers death from illness only after 90 days. - Several banks use the name Injad for different contracts run by different assistance companies. Check the assistance company named on your own contract. - Keep the assistance company's emergency number in your wallet. The number to call from abroad can differ from the number to call in Morocco. - If you are a Moroccan national insured in France and not also French, ask for form SE 350-04 before you leave and keep it with your passport. The European Health Insurance Card is for Europe only. ### Emergency numbers - Ambulance and fire service: Dial 150 and ask for an ambulance. The same number reaches the fire service. 150 - Police: Emergency number of the police. 190 - Gendarmerie: Emergency number of the gendarmerie, the military police. 177 - Pharmacies open day and night: Every city and district has pharmacies that are open 24 hours. ### Assistance and repatriation contracts - Barid INJAD MRE (Al Barid Bank): Transport of the body to the burial place, with ritual washing, coffin and formalities; Two return tickets for family members who accompany the deceased; Contribution of 15,000 dirhams to funeral costs (20,000 dirhams with the enriched option); Return ticket to attend a close relative's burial in Morocco; Enriched option: medical transport and repatriation, advance of medical fees; Enriched option: towing, accommodation, vehicle theft - INJAD BILA HOUDOUD (Attijariwafa bank, Wafa IMA Assistance): Death: transport of the body and administrative formalities; Medical: consultations and medical evacuation; Vehicle: breakdown, accident or theft; Legal assistance - Injad Sans Frontière (Attijariwafa bank Europe, IMA Assurances (Inter Mutuelles Assistance)): Preparation and repatriation of the deceased; Transport of 2 relatives to the place of burial; Funeral lump sum; Repatriation of personal effects to Morocco and Tunisia; Medical transport and advance of medical costs up to 3,500 euros on the journey to or from Morocco and Tunisia; Towing to the nearest garage up to 220 euros, replacement vehicle and hotel; Legal help abroad: bail advance up to 5,200 euros and legal representative's fees up to 1,740 euros - Salama (BANK OF AFRICA, RMA ASSISTANCE), +212 5 22 46 46 47: Repatriation of the body and return tickets for relatives; Lump-sum funeral payment to beneficiaries; Help for travellers after illness or accident; Vehicle assistance on trips to Morocco, for declared vehicles; Legal assistance after a road accident outside the country of residence - Injad Achamil (Banque Populaire, Maroc Assistance Internationale (MAI)), +33 1 45 81 16 16: Repatriation of the body to Morocco or to the country of residence; Travel tickets for two family members after a death; Funeral allowance of 15,000 dirhams; Return tickets to attend a close relative's funeral in Morocco; Medical transport and repatriation, in Morocco and abroad; Medical costs outside the country of residence; Vehicle in Morocco: towing, hotel or transport of passengers, replacement vehicle - Assur-Plus Assistance MRE (BMCI, Africa First Assist), +212 522 97 47 47: Repatriation of the body with up to two companions, or burial in the country of residence; Contribution of 15,000 dirhams to funeral costs; Early return after a close relative's death; Medical transport and repatriation to the country of residence; Advance of medical costs abroad; Vehicle: towing, return of passengers, repairs, replacement driver, parts delivery; Legal help abroad after a vehicle accident: lawyer's fees and bail advance - Salama Europe (BOA EuroServices, RMA Assistance / Mutuaide Assistance (Groupama)): Medical and hospital costs up to 4,650 euros; Funeral lump sum of 2,050 euros; 4 plane tickets to attend a close relative's funeral in Morocco; Advance of criminal bail up to 5,580 euros; Lawyer's fees up to 1,860 euros; Vehicle assistance; Assistance in case of death - Injad Achamil Europe (Chaabi Bank, Maroc Assistance Internationale (MAI)), +33 1 45 81 16 16: Medical assistance; Assistance for the insured vehicle; Assistance after theft or loss of belongings; Death: formalities and repatriation to Morocco or the country of residence, or burial on site - Assalama Euro Assistance (Crédit Agricole du Maroc): Repatriation of the body to Morocco for Islamic burial; Administrative formalities; Early return to Morocco after a close relative's death; Accompanying the deceased; Burial in the country of residence; Allowance if a social welfare body paid for the transport of the body - Assalama Globe Assistance (Crédit Agricole du Maroc): Repatriation of the body to Morocco for Islamic burial; Administrative formalities; Early return to Morocco after a close relative's death; Accompanying the deceased; Burial in the country of residence; Allowance if a social welfare body paid for the transport of the body - Assalama Mondial Assistance (Crédit Agricole du Maroc, Saham Assistance (Africa First Assist)): Medical assistance; Assistance in case of death; Technical assistance for the vehicle; Legal assistance abroad; Assistance after theft or loss of property - Isaaf Mondial Assistance (Crédit du Maroc, SAHAM Assistance (Africa First Assist)): Assistance in case of death, with repatriation of the body; Where the assistance company has no representative: repatriation costs refunded up to 30,000 dirhams; Medical costs advanced up to 50,000 dirhams, of which 20,000 dirhams are paid by the assistance company; Vehicle assistance; Legal assistance abroad; Equivalent of 3,000 dirhams in cash after loss or theft of documents - INJAD ASSALAMA (Maroc Assistance Internationale, Maroc Assistance Internationale (MAI)), +33 1 45 81 16 16: Repatriation of the body with an escort, and a funeral allowance; Return travel to attend a funeral in Morocco; Administrative formalities after a death; Medical transport and repatriation in Morocco after illness or accident; Vehicle in Morocco: towing, return of passengers or continuation of the trip, accommodation during repairs ### What your health insurance covers during a stay - France. Who can use the France-Morocco agreement: You must be a Moroccan national insured in France through your work or as a compensated jobseeker. People who hold both French and Moroccan nationality are excluded. - France. The form to ask for before you leave: Ask your French health insurance fund for form SE 350-04. It must list the family members who live with you in France. It is valid for 3 months and can be extended by 3 more. - France. What to do in Morocco: Show the form to the Moroccan social security fund (CNSS). Care that is immediately necessary is then provided under Moroccan rules. Without the form, the CNSS can ask your French fund for it. - France. Sick leave during your stay: If you are put on sick leave in Morocco, send the short medical report (form SE 350-20) to your French fund within 48 hours. Your French fund decides on the daily allowance. - France. Refund after your return: Outside the agreement, your French fund may refund only urgent, unplanned care after your return, at French flat rates, not what you paid. Without an online account, send the bills with form S3125. - France. The European card and extra insurance: The European Health Insurance Card is for the European Union, the European Economic Area, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Elsewhere, French health insurance recommends an assistance contract. - United Kingdom. Travel insurance: British government travel advice tells you to have travel health insurance that covers treatment in Morocco and medical evacuation, and to have funds you can access. # Official online services URL: https://bablblad.com/en/svc_online.html ### In short - You can order a birth certificate or a consular registration certificate online, with no account, and have it sent by registered post to your address abroad. - The consular portal lets you book an appointment, submit and track an application and pay online for passports, legalisation and civil status documents. - The land registry site lets you order a property certificate and track the formalities on a land title, and you can pay the housing tax online without an account. - The national digital identity app works with your national identity card. You need it to sign in to the online legalisation service and to the foreign exchange office app. - Online legalisation costs 20 dirhams per electronic signature or certified copy, and it requires a Moroccan national identity card, so you cannot use it without one. - Several phone lines are published only as Moroccan national numbers. The complaints portal gives a separate number for callers outside Morocco: +212 5 37 67 99 06. ### Official online services - Consular appointment (rendez-vous consulaire) (https://www.consulat.ma/fr/node/6548): Request an appointment at your consulate for a consular service. - Consulat.ma - Online consular services (https://www.consulat.ma): Book appointments, submit and track applications and pay online for passports, legalisation and civil status documents. - Demande de Passeport Biométrique (passeport.ma) (https://www.passeport.ma/Home/Index): Apply online for a biometric passport. - La Carte Nationale d'Identité Electronique (CNIE) (https://www.cnie.ma/): Official site for the national electronic identity card. - Mon Identité Numérique (Mon eID) (https://www.identitenumerique.ma): National digital identity app linked to your national identity card. You use it to create an account and sign in on other public online services. - Watiqa.ma - Demande d'acte de naissance (https://www.watiqa.ma/index.php?page=citoyen.FormulaireCommande): Order a birth certificate extract or full copy online and receive it by registered post in Morocco or abroad. - Watiqa.ma - Demande d'attestation d'immatriculation consulaire (https://www.watiqa.ma/index.php5?page=citoyen.FormulaireCommandeEtranger&): Order a consular registration certificate online and have it sent by registered post to the address you give. - Wraqi (légalisation et signature en ligne) (https://wraqi.ma/): Sign documents electronically, get certified true copies and a residence certificate, and have documents checked without going to an office. - Demande de Certificat de nationalité Marocaine (https://nationalitemarocaine.justice.gov.ma/Pages/NouvelleDemande): Apply online for a certificate of Moroccan nationality. - Guichet électronique du casier judiciaire (https://casierjudiciaire.justice.gov.ma/Accueil.aspx?culture=fr-FR): Submit a request for an extract of your criminal record online, without having to travel. - Mahakim.ma (بوابة محاكم) (https://www.mahakim.ma): Portal of the Moroccan courts. - Services administratifs et judiciaires en ligne (https://servicesenligne.justice.gov.ma/#/home): Get remote access to several Ministry of Justice services linked to cases before Moroccan courts. - ANCFCC - services en ligne (https://www.ancfcc.gov.ma): Order a property certificate or a cadastral plan, look up land publicity, pay land registry fees and file a complaint with the land registry. - Certificat de propriété (commande en ligne) (https://www.ancfcc.gov.ma/CertificatPropriete): Order a property certificate online, then track the order and verify the document you receive. - Daam Sakane (aide directe au logement) (https://www.daamsakane.ma/): Apply for the State's direct aid for buying a home. - Mohafadati (https://www.ancfcc.gov.ma/DemandeSuiviTitresPage): Track all formalities carried out on a land title. - Rokhas (guichet unique national des autorisations territoriales) (https://rokhas.ma/): File requests for building permits and other local authorisations online through the national one-stop shop. - Direction Générale des Impôts - SIMPL (https://www.tax.gov.ma): Get a tax identifier online, declare and pay tax on rental income, and pay the housing tax and the communal services tax. - Le Rendez-vous Fiscal (https://tax.rdv.gov.ma/?page=citoyen.PrendreRendezVous): Book an appointment with a tax office. - Paiement TH-TSC sans compte (https://tl.tax.gov.ma/tl/public/autresDeclarations/PaiementTHTSCAnonyme.do?method=list&avisNonRecu=true): Pay the housing tax and the communal services tax online without creating an account. - Télé-déclaration des avoirs et liquidités détenus à l'étranger (Ex-MRE) (https://services.oc.gov.ma/Teledeclaration/ExMRE/fr): Declare the assets and cash you hold abroad when you lived abroad and move your tax residence to Morocco. - Trésorerie Générale du Royaume - téléservices (https://www.tgr.gov.ma): Open an online account with the treasury, see your payment receipts and file a complaint online. - Administration des Douanes et Impôts Indirects (https://www.douane.gov.ma): Check in advance the steps for each customs formality in the catalogue of customs procedures. - Dédouanement d'un véhicule (MCV) - simulateur (https://www.douane.gov.ma/mcv/#/view): Read the formalities, duties and taxes for clearing a vehicle through customs and simulate the amount. - Diw@nati (https://www2.douane.gov.ma/diwanati/#/home?returnUrl=%2Fidentification): Use the customs administration's online services for businesses. - OC CONNECT (https://www.oc.gov.ma/fr/e-services/application-mobile-oc-connect): Check the balance and history of your personal foreign-currency allowance and get an alert on each exchange operation. - Office des Changes (dont plateforme SMART) (https://www.oc.gov.ma): Read the foreign exchange rules for Moroccans living abroad and file requests, declarations and complaints on the online platform. - Accès Maroc (e-Visa) (https://www.acces-maroc.ma): Check eligibility and apply for a visa, an electronic visa or an entry authorisation for Morocco. - ONDA - Guide du voyageur (https://www.onda.ma/Je-suis-Passager#formalities): Traveller guide of the airports authority: airport network, baggage, electronic visa and timetable guide. - Opération Marhaba (Fondation Mohammed V pour la Solidarité) (https://www.fm5.ma/fr/operations/operation-marhaba): Read about the yearly summer reception operation: reception areas at sea transit points in Italy, France and Spain and on arrival in Morocco. - CNOPS - Espace assuré (https://www.cnops.org.ma/): Insured members' space of the public-sector health insurance fund. - CNSS - services en ligne (https://www.cnss.ma/fr/content/services-en-ligne-0): Manage your social security procedures remotely, as an employer, employee, self-employed worker or beneficiary. - Caisse Marocaine des Retraites (CMR) (https://www.cmr.gov.ma/Portal/cmr/prestations#1): Services and practical information for retired people who receive a pension from this fund. - RCAR - services en ligne (https://www.rcar.ma): Use the member, beneficiary and employer spaces, authenticate documents, ask for information and file complaints with this pension scheme. - Conseil de la communauté marocaine à l'étranger (CCME) (https://www.ccme.org.ma): Read news, studies and publications on Moroccans abroad and use the council's chatbot. - Département des Marocains résidant à l'étranger (DMRE) (https://www.mre.gov.ma): Official site for Moroccans living abroad: news, a tax guide, a directory of online services, a contact form for information and a duty phone line. - Fondation Hassan II - Déposer une plainte (https://www.fh2mre.ma/?page_id=59338/): Send the Foundation a signed complaint about a dispute in Morocco so that it can follow it up with the competent authorities. - Fondation Hassan II pour les Marocains Résidant à l'Etranger (https://www.fh2mre.ma): Legal and social assistance, economic promotion, education and culture programmes, with a legal guide and direct contacts for each department. - CursusSup - Portail d'orientation et d'inscription Postbac (https://www.cursussup.gov.ma/): Guidance and registration portal for entry to higher education after the baccalaureate. - E-madrassa (https://www.e-madrassa.ma/): Free online Arabic courses for the children of Moroccans living abroad. - Plateforme pour la gestion des équivalences de diplôme (https://equivalence.men.gov.ma/Account): Apply online for Moroccan recognition (equivalence) of a diploma or training obtained abroad. - ANAPEC - services aux chercheurs d'emploi (https://anapec.ma/accueil/services-aux-chercheurs-demploi/): Public employment agency services for job seekers. - Demande du Registre de Commerce (https://justice.gov.ma/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%AC%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A/): Request an extract from the commercial register from the Ministry of Justice. - Directinfo (Registre central du commerce) (https://www.directinfo.ma): Search legal and financial information on Moroccan companies from the central commercial register and buy the documents online. - Amendis (https://www.amendis.ma): Manage your contract and pay your bills in the online agency. - Fatourati (https://www.fatourati.ma): Pay bills online: national electricity bills, the regional water and electricity operators and some schools. - Redal (https://www.redal.ma): Manage your account in the online customer space and sign up for electronic invoices. - Bureau d'Ordre Digital (https://bodigital.gov.ma/?lang=fr): Send a letter electronically to a ministry, public body or local authority that has joined, and get an acknowledgement of receipt. - Chikaya.ma (البوابة الوطنية للشكايات) (https://www.chikaya.ma): File a complaint, remark or suggestion about any public service and track how it is handled. - Idarati (https://www.idarati.ma): Look up any administrative procedure by theme or administration and find the public services available online. ### Phone lines - DMRE - permanence téléphonique: +212 700 009 734. Duty line of the department for Moroccans living abroad, for information and guidance. - Chikaya.ma: 3737 / +212 5 37 67 99 06. Help line of the national complaints portal. In Morocco you can also dial 08 0200 3737. - Opération Marhaba - numéro vert: 080000 23 23. Toll-free line of the yearly reception operation. - Fondation Hassan II pour les MRE - standard: +212 5 37 27 46 50. Main line of the Foundation for Moroccans living abroad. - Fondation Hassan II pour les MRE - pôle juridique: +212 7 62 86 92 59. Legal assistance department of the Foundation. The site lists this number under the heading "Marhaba 2026". - Fondation Hassan II pour les MRE - pôle économique: +212 7 62 84 11 65. Economic promotion department of the Foundation. The site lists this number under the heading "Marhaba 2026". - CCME: +212 5 37 56 71 71. Telephone of the council of the Moroccan community abroad, in Rabat. - Office des Changes - centre d'appel: 05 37 26 63 63. Call centre of the foreign exchange office. - DGI - Centre d'Information Téléphonique: 05 37 27 37 27. Information centre of the tax administration. - ANCFCC - e-services: +212 5 30 14 14 14. Complaints, suggestions and information on the land registry's online services. Two other numbers are listed: +212 8 00 00 29 29 and +212 8 00 00 20 16. - RCAR: 0537 71 81 81. Telephone of the pension scheme, shown on its home page. - OMPIC - Centre de Relation Clients: 0802 000 018. Customer line for company information and commercial register services. A second number is listed: 0802 000 019. - OMPIC - standard: +212 5 22 58 64 00. Switchboard of the industrial and commercial property office. # TV, radio and news URL: https://bablblad.com/en/svc_media.html ### In short - In Europe, point a satellite dish at Hot Bird 13.0°E: Al Aoula, 2M Monde, Arryadia, Al Maghribia, Tamazight, Athaqafia and Assadissa are free there on one frequency. - In the Gulf, the public channels are free on Es'hail 1 at 25.5°E, and 2M Monde and Al Aoula are also free on Nilesat at 7.0°W. - In North America, 2M TV and Al Maghribia are listed on the satellite Galaxy 19 at 97.0°W. - Without a dish, use the official web players: SNRT Live for the public channels and radios, and medi1tv.com or the MEDI1TV app for MEDI1TV. - Forja is the free video-on-demand service of SNRT, with Moroccan series, films, theatre and documentaries, on the web and in iOS and Android apps. - Forja has users in France, Spain, Italy and Canada. ### Satellite frequencies - Hot Bird 13F / Hot Bird 13G 13.0°E, 10872.70 V 27500: Al Aoula Inter HD, Al Aoula Inter, Al Aoula Laayoune, 2M Monde, Arryadia HD, Assadissa, Tamazight HD, Athaqafia HD, Al Maghribia - Eutelsat 3B / Rascom QAF 1R 3.0°E, 11656.00 H 7350: 2M National HD, 2M Monde HD, 2M MENA HD - Eutelsat 3B / Rascom QAF 1R 3.0°E, 11646.50 H 1900: M24 Maroc - Eutelsat 7 West A 7.0°W, 11475.00 V 27500: Al Aoula Inter HD, Al Aoula Inter, Al Aoula Laayoune, Arriadia, Assadissa, Tamazight, Al Maghribia, Athaqafia, 2M National HD - Eutelsat 7 West A / Nilesat 102 / Nilesat 201 / Nilesat 301 7.0°W, 11372.60 H 27500: 2M Monde, Medi 1 TV Inter HD - Nilesat 201 7.0°W, 12015.30 V 27500: 2M Monde - Nilesat 201 7.0°W, 12207.30 V 27500: Al Aoula Inter - Eutelsat 7 West A / Nilesat 102 / Nilesat 201 / Nilesat 301 7.0°W, 11430.20 V 27500: M24 Maroc - Eutelsat 7 West A 7.0°W, 11315.30 V 27500: Chada TV - Eutelsat 7 West A 7.0°W, 11158.00 V 5000: Tele Maroc, Chada Radio - Es'hail 1 25.5°E, 11180.00 V 27500: Al Aoula, Al Aoula Inter HD, Al Aoula Laayoune, Arryadia HD, Arriadia, Assadissa HD, Assadissa, Tamazight, Al Maghribia, Athaqafia, Aflam HD, 2M National, Medi 1 TV - Es'hail 1 25.5°E, 11623 V: Arryadia HD1, Arryadia HD2, Arryadia HD3, Arryadia - Badr 7 / Badr 8 / Es'hail 2 26.0°E, 12303.00 H 27500: 2M National - Arabsat 5C 20.0°E, 3884.00 R 27500: Al Maghribia - Eutelsat 7C 7.0°E, 11595 H: 2M TV - Galaxy 19 97.0°W, 12053 V 22000: 2M TV, Al Maghribia # Regions and cities URL: https://bablblad.com/en/svc_regions.html ### In short - Casablanca-Settat is the most populated region with 7,688,967 residents in 2024, ahead of Rabat-Salé-Kénitra (5,132,639) and Marrakech-Safi (4,892,393). - The three southern regions, Guelmim-Oued Noun, Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra and Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab, have 1,119,678 residents together. - The 2024 census counted 36,828,330 residents in Morocco, and 62.8% of them live in urban areas. - Between the 2014 and 2024 censuses, Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab grew from 142,955 to 219,965 residents, while Béni Mellal-Khénifra barely changed (2,520,776 to 2,525,801). - Four cities have more than one million residents: Casablanca, Tanger, Fès and Marrakech. ### The 12 regions - Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceïma: Capital Tanger, Population, 2024 census 4030222. Known for the Tanger Med container port on the Strait of Gibraltar and the free economic zones set up around it. - L'Oriental: Capital Oujda, Population, 2024 census 2294665. Eastern region on the Mediterranean, with the industrial port of Béni Ensar near Nador and the university city of Oujda. - Fès-Meknès: Capital Fès, Population, 2024 census 4467911. Known mainly for cultural tourism, thanks to the historic and architectural heritage of Fès and Meknès. - Rabat-Salé-Kénitra: Capital Rabat, Population, 2024 census 5132639. Region of Rabat, the national capital and seat of government; Salé, Kénitra and Témara are its other large cities. - Béni Mellal-Khénifra: Capital Béni Mellal, Population, 2024 census 2525801. Farming is the main activity of this inland region, and the basin near Khouribga holds 44% of Morocco's phosphate reserves. - Casablanca-Settat: Capital Casablanca, Population, 2024 census 7688967. Morocco's most populated region, with an economy based mainly on services and industry and large ports at Casablanca, Jorf Lasfar and Mohammédia. - Marrakech-Safi: Capital Marrakech, Population, 2024 census 4892393. Region of Marrakech, with Atlantic ports at Safi and Essaouira and a polytechnic university at Ben Guerir. - Drâa-Tafilalet: Capital Errachidia, Population, 2024 census 1655623. Inland region of oases on the edge of the Sahara, known for farming and herding, tourism, crafts and the film industry around Ouarzazate. - Souss-Massa: Capital Agadir, Population, 2024 census 3020431. Atlantic region around Agadir, known for farming in the Souss and Massa river basins, fishing and seaside tourism. - Guelmim-Oued Noun: Capital Guelmim, Population, 2024 census 448685. Southern region where fishing is an important activity, with fishing ports at Sidi Ifni and at El Ouatia near Tan-Tan. - Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra: Capital Laâyoune, Population, 2024 census 451028. Region with a trade and fishing port at Laâyoune, a phosphate port at El Marsa, fishing ports at Boujdour and Tarfaya, and wind and solar parks. - Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab: Capital Dakhla, Population, 2024 census 219965. Morocco's southernmost and least populated region; Dakhla has one of the largest fishing ports of the south, and a new Atlantic port is under construction. ### Morocco in figures - Population in 2024: The census of 1 September 2024 counted 36,828,330 residents: 36,680,178 Moroccans and 148,152 foreigners. - People living in towns and cities: At the 2024 census, 62.8% of the population lives in urban areas. - Moroccans living abroad: More than 6.1 million Moroccans live abroad, according to the ministry in charge of Moroccans living abroad. - Registered at consulates: About 5.1 million Moroccans were registered at consulates in April 2021. The Economic, Social and Environmental Council estimates the whole community abroad at 6 to 6.5 million. - Share living in Europe: Europe is home to 89% of Moroccans living abroad. - Summer arrivals in 2026: The Marhaba 2026 summer operation welcomed more than 4,137,589 Moroccans living abroad. - Money sent home in 2025: Moroccans living abroad sent 122,023 million dirhams to Morocco in 2025. The figure is provisional. - Money sent home in 2024: Moroccans living abroad sent 118,979 million dirhams to Morocco in 2024. - Money sent home, January to August 2026: From January to the end of August 2026, transfers reached 89,215 million dirhams, 9.0% more than in the same months of 2025. The figure is provisional. - Official languages: Morocco has two official languages: Arabic and Amazigh (Berber). - Currency: The currency is the Moroccan dirham, written MAD, divided into 100 centimes. It is not freely convertible. - Banknotes and coins: Banknotes: 20, 50, 100 and 200 dirhams. Coins: 10 and 20 centimes, half a dirham, and 1, 2, 5 and 10 dirhams. - Time zone: Morocco returned to GMT (UTC+0) all year on 20 September 2026. The clock no longer changes for Ramadan. - Office hours and weekend: Public administrations open Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 16:30. Saturday and Sunday are the weekend, and hours can change during Ramadan. - Minimum wage outside farming (2025 rate): Since 1 January 2025 the legal minimum wage outside farming is 17.1 dirhams per hour. This figure is the 2025 rate. - Minimum wage in farming (2025 rate): Since 1 April 2025 the legal minimum wage in farming is 93 dirhams per day. This figure is the 2025 rate. - Value added tax (TVA): The standard rate of value added tax is 20%. Lower rates apply to some goods and services. - Start of the 2026-2027 school year: Classes for the 2026-2027 school year start on Monday 7 September 2026 for all levels. - Paid public holidays: The official list has 17 paid public holidays a year: 10 national days and 7 days for religious feasts. - National holidays with fixed dates: One day each: 1 January, 11 January, 14 January (Amazigh New Year), 1 May, 30 July, 14 August, 20 August, 21 August, 6 November and 18 November. - Religious holidays: 1 Moharram (1 day), Aïd Al Mawlid (2 days), Aïd Al Fitr (2 days) and Aïd Al Adha (2 days). The dates follow the lunar calendar. - Unity Day, 31 October: 31 October is Unity Day (Aïd Al Wahda), a recent public holiday. It marks the anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2797. - Dialling code and phone numbers: The country code is +212. National numbers have 9 digits after the first 0. Landlines start with 05 and mobiles with 06 or 07. - Emergency numbers: Call 19 for the police, 15 for the fire brigade or an ambulance, and 177 for the Gendarmerie Royale. - Postal codes: Postal codes have five digits. The first two show the wider area and the last three the postal district. # Studying and youth programmes URL: https://bablblad.com/en/svc_study.html ### Studying in Morocco - Admission to selective public institutions: Admission to selective public institutions runs on the national platform CursusSup. New baccalaureate holders were admitted through it for 2026-2027. - Applying with a foreign baccalaureate: The application form on CursusSup asks for your type of baccalaureate. 'Baccalauréat étranger' (foreign baccalaureate) is one of the choices. - Equivalence of foreign school certificates: The Ministry of National Education has an online platform for the equivalence of foreign school certificates. You register, apply online, track your file and receive a copy of the decision. - A foreign baccalaureate needs an equivalence certificate: The higher-education equivalence platform asks holders of a foreign baccalaureate to upload an equivalence certificate issued by the National Education department. - Equivalence of foreign higher-education diplomas: You apply on the Ministry of Higher Education's E-équivalence platform, then hand in a paper file in Rabat. The fee is generally around 200 dirhams. Processing takes 2 to 6 months. - Public-university degrees from five countries are recognised: Orders published on 17 July 2025 recognise licence, master and doctorate degrees from public universities in Spain, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Germany and France as equivalent to Moroccan ones. - Conditions for this recognition, and engineering degrees: It must be a state diploma obtained through regular studies, with proof that you lived in the country. Engineering diplomas qualify if the course lasts at least five years after the baccalaureate. - Degrees from French public universities: Under a decision of 3 April 2025, licence, master and doctorate degrees from French public universities are recognised automatically. The diploma must be signed or stamped by the French recteur d'académie. - No equivalence needed for international students in 2026-2027: For 2026-2027, international students can apply to public universities with foreign diplomas without a Moroccan equivalence. If you hold Moroccan nationality, ask the university whether this applies to you. - Al Akhawayn University: Moroccan and international tuition rates: From Fall 2026, undergraduate tuition is 2,226 dirhams per credit for Moroccan students and 3,392 for international students. An international applicant with one Moroccan parent pays the Moroccan rate. - Université Mohammed VI des Sciences et de la Santé: scholarships: The excellence scholarship requires an excellent average in a baccalaureate obtained in Morocco, so a foreign baccalaureate may not qualify. Ask the university about its other scholarships and its fees. ### Programmes for Moroccans abroad - Enseignement de la langue arabe et de la culture marocaine (ELACM) (Fondation Hassan II pour les Marocains Résidant à l'Etranger): Arabic language and Moroccan culture classes: preschool, classes inside school hours, classes outside school hours in public schools, and classes in associations and mosques. - ELACM (année scolaire 2021/2022) (Fondation Hassan II pour les Marocains Résidant à l'Etranger): Teachers and pupils in the 2021-2022 school year: France 340 and 48,141; Spain 96 and 6,778; Belgium 58 and 7,850; Germany 6 and 466; Netherlands 2 and 384. - e-Madrassa (Fondation Hassan II pour les Marocains Résidant à l'Etranger): Online platform for learning Arabic, with images, audio-visual sequences, songs, stories and games. It complements classroom teaching. - Séjour culturel (Fondation Hassan II pour les Marocains Résidant à l'Etranger): Summer stay in Morocco in four 10-day sessions of 240 children each. In 2026: 4 to 13 July, 16 to 25 July, 28 July to 6 August and 9 to 18 August. - Séjour culturel 2025 (Fondation Hassan II pour les Marocains Résidant à l'Etranger): The 2025 stay was held at the Foundation's socio-cultural centre in Kénitra, with workshops, sport, an educational farm and outings in Rabat. - Séjours culturels (Département des Marocains Résidant à l'Étranger): Cultural summer stays in Morocco for children, listed under the ministry's identity programme. - Université d'été (Département des Marocains Résidant à l'Étranger): Nine days of workshops, debates and field visits. In 2026 it was held in Tangier from 4 to 12 July. Online registration closed on 19 April 2026. - Bourses universitaires pour étudiants MRE (Département des Marocains Résidant à l'Étranger): University scholarships under the ministry's social support programme. - Assistance juridique (Fondation Hassan II pour les Marocains Résidant à l'Etranger): Follows complaints and court cases with the justice authorities, liaises with lawyers and local authorities, and advises on procedures, family disputes, inheritance and detainees. - Pôle Promotion économique (Fondation Hassan II pour les Marocains Résidant à l'Etranger): Help and assistance for Moroccans abroad who want to invest in Morocco. Foundation head office: 67, boulevard Ibn Sina, Agdal, Rabat, +212 537 27 46 50. - MeM by CGEM (Marocains Entrepreneurs du Monde) (CGEM): Network of the Moroccan employers' confederation built around mentoring, investment and business-ambassador actions, linked to its regions and federations. Phone: 05 22 99 70 00. - Desk Marocains du Monde (Agence Marocaine de Développement des Investissements et des Exportations (AMDIE)): Contact point for diaspora investors at the national investment agency: diaspora@amdie.gov.ma, +212 661 550 523, Avenue Attine, Mahaj Riad Center, Rabat. - Journée nationale des Marocains Résidant à l'Étranger (Département des Marocains Résidant à l'Étranger): National day held every 10 August since 2003, with events in the prefectures and provinces. - Semaine de l'investissement pour les Marocains du Monde (Centres Régionaux d'Investissement): Meetings at the twelve regional investment centres, held from 10 to 13 August in 2026. A Fast Track service gives you a single contact, priority handling and individual follow-up. - Permanence téléphonique (Département des Marocains Résidant à l'Étranger): Telephone line of the ministry department: +212 700 009 734, Monday to Friday 16:30 to 18:30, Saturdays and public holidays 09:00 to 13:00. An online contact form is also available. # Working and investing URL: https://bablblad.com/en/svc_work.html ### Working, investing, starting a business - Auto-entrepreneur status: who can register: The status is open to any natural person resident in Morocco who carries out an independent activity in their own name. If you still live abroad, you do not meet the residence condition. - Auto-entrepreneur status: how to register: Check that your activity is eligible, pre-register on rn.ae.gov.ma, prepare your file and hand it in at a counter of a partner bank of Poste Maroc. You follow it online, then receive your card. - Auto-entrepreneur status: turnover ceilings and the single-client rule: Turnover ceiling: 500,000 dirhams a year for commerce, industry and crafts, 200,000 for services. For services above 80,000 dirhams a year with one client, the client withholds 30% tax on the excess. - Creating a company online: DIRECT ENTREPRISE (www.directentreprise.ma) is the official online channel for all company-creation formalities. - Company creation: reserving the name: The first step is the negative certificate, which reserves the company name. You request it online. It costs about 233 dirhams and is valid three months. - Company creation: registration fees: Registering the articles of association is free; other deeds cost from 260 dirhams. Commercial register: 350 dirhams. Legal notice: 973 dirhams for a société anonyme, 423 for the other forms listed, 223 for a branch. - Regional investment centres: the CRI-Invest platform: On this platform of the regional investment centres you launch an investment project online, follow its progress, read the procedures and incentives, and receive authorisations. - Investment charter: scheme for smaller companies: For very small, small and medium companies: a project of 1 to 50 million dirhams, a stable-jobs ratio of at least 1.5 (1 for tourism) and at least 10% of the project financed by equity. - Investment charter: ceiling on premiums: Under the investment charter, the overall premium can reach 30% of the eligible investment, adding together the common, territorial and sector premiums. - MDM Invest: what it is: State fund managed by Tamwilcom. It pays a non-repayable premium, once the project is completed, to companies created or extended in Morocco by Moroccans living abroad. Phone: 0537 71 68 68. - MDM Invest: premium and project size: The premium is 10% of the investment, capped at 5 million dirhams. The project must be a creation or an extension worth at least 1 million dirhams. Projects completed before the request are not eligible. - MDM Invest: eligible sectors: Industry and related services, education, transport and logistics, energy, green economy, digital, crafts, tourism and health. - MDM Invest: your own contribution: Your equity must be at least 20% of the project; the rest is bank credit or another contribution. Some official pages still show older terms (25% in foreign currency), so confirm with your bank. - MDM Invest: who can apply and how: Open to Moroccans living abroad who hold a residence permit, a foreign identity document or a consular card, and to those who returned for good less than a year before filing. You apply only through a bank. - MDM Tamwil: co-financing loan: Tamwilcom co-finances, with a bank, companies created or extended by Moroccans abroad. Its share is 1 to 5 million dirhams, up to 40% of the investment, for projects of at least 2.5 million dirhams. - MDM Tamwil: rate and duration: Tamwilcom's share costs 2.5% a year excluding tax, over 7 years at most, including up to 2 years before repayment of the principal starts. You apply through the bank. - Loan guarantees for small businesses: Intelaka: bank loans up to 1.2 million dirhams, guaranteed at 80% of the principal. Damane Express: 70% guarantee on loans and leases up to 1 million dirhams, 80% for companies led mainly by women. - Grants for small projects: The National Initiative for Human Development grants up to 100,000 dirhams per project, covering at most 90% of its cost. - Foreign pension: allowance and 80% tax reduction: If you settle in Morocco with a foreign pension, a flat allowance applies first: 70% up to 168,000 dirhams a year and 40% above. The tax due on the pension you transfer is then reduced by 80%. - Foreign pension: conditions and yearly return: The reduction covers only amounts transferred for good in non-convertible dirhams. File your income return before 1 March each year, with certificates from the payer and your bank. Help line: 05 37 27 37 27. # Parcels and moving home URL: https://bablblad.com/en/svc_shipping.html ### Parcels and customs - Parcel between private persons: the 1,250 dirham threshold: Customs circular no. 6346/210 of 1 July 2022: items worth no more than 1,250 dirhams, sent directly from one private person to another, stay exempt from duty. The parcel must have no commercial character. - Online purchases: taxed from the first dirham: Since 1 July 2022, any goods bought on e-commerce platforms pay customs duties and taxes, whatever their value. The 1,250 dirham exemption does not cover them. - The decree behind the online-purchase rule: Decree no. 2.22.438 excludes online purchases from the import duty exemption, whatever the value of the consignment. - A gift you buy online and post to family: A Moroccan abroad who buys an item, even online, and sends it to family is not affected by the online-purchase rule. The 1,250 dirham exemption between private persons still applies. - What counts as a commercial parcel: Books and newspapers pay nothing. Parcels up to 1,250 dirhams are exempt unless commercial, for example 200 pieces of the same product. Above 1,250 dirhams you pay duties to the carrier or to customs. - Goods you carry in person: If you live and work abroad, the non-commercial items you bring with you are duty-free below 25,000 dirhams per calendar year, as long as they are not all of one type. - Personal effects sent as unaccompanied baggage: Personal effects such as jewellery, a laptop, light sports gear or toys can also arrive as unaccompanied baggage and must leave at the end of your stay. Furniture, appliances and televisions are excluded. - Medicines: Medicines for your personal use enter duty-free if you show a medical certificate or a prescription. Other medicines need an authorisation from the Moroccan medicines agency and pay duties. - Moving home for good: With a change-of-residence certificate, used furniture and personal effects enter duty-free, plus non-commercial items up to 40,000 dirhams. Goods must arrive within six months, in two shipments at most. - Car brought for a stay: A car registered abroad is admitted for 180 days per calendar year, in one stay or several, on presentation of your residence card and the vehicle's original documents. The period cannot be extended. - Car imported for good: age limit: Only vehicles less than five years old are accepted for customs clearance. Customs has an online duty simulator on its portal. - Car imported for good: 90% allowance from age 60: If you are 60 or older and have lived abroad at least 10 years, you get a 90% allowance on the vehicle's value when new, up to a maximum of 300,000 dirhams, for one vehicle in your lifetime. - Carrier: EMS Chronopost International Maroc: Express and parcel operator of the Poste Maroc and Geopost group. Customer service: +212 5 22 20 21 21. Its site has calculators for rates and delivery times. - Parcels sent from Morocco to the European Union: Since 1 July 2026, new European Union customs rules apply to consignments worth less than 150 euros that arrive from outside the Union. This concerns parcels you send from Morocco to Europe. ### Returning for good: the official steps - Before you leave: the change-of-residence certificate: Get a change-of-residence certificate from the town hall you are leaving or from the Moroccan consulate. Prepare a dated and signed inventory and proof of your residence and work abroad. - Household goods at customs: Used furniture, personal effects and one appliance of each kind enter duty-free, plus non-commercial items up to 40,000 dirhams and used work tools up to 150,000 dirhams. One move per family. - Time limit for your goods: Your goods must arrive in one shipment, or two at most, through the same customs office, within six months of the date the change-of-residence certificate was issued. - Allowance raised in 2026: The ceiling for non-commercial items on permanent return rose from 30,000 to 40,000 dirhams in 2026. Pages that still quote 30,000 dirhams are out of date. - Your vehicle: One vehicle gets an extra three-year ageing allowance on its taxable value, once in a lifetime. The certificate must be under six months old. From age 60 with ten years abroad, a 90% allowance applies instead. - Children's schooling: Foreign school certificates are made equivalent on the National Education online platform. You register, apply and track the file online. - Driving licence: Exchange your foreign licence within 12 months of settling in Morocco, in person at a NARSA centre, with the licence, ID, two photos and a medical certificate under three months old. Fee: 700 dirhams. - Your own diplomas: Degrees from public universities in France, Spain, Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom are recognised under orders published on 17 July 2025. Other diplomas go through the E-équivalence platform. - Pension and tax: Arrange payment of your pension to Morocco with your foreign pension fund. Declare it each year before 1 March. The tax on the part transferred for good in non-convertible dirhams is reduced by 80%. - Starting an activity: Once resident, you can take the auto-entrepreneur status. If you returned less than a year ago, you can still apply for MDM Invest through a bank. Regional investment centres offer a Fast Track service. # Moroccan home A Moroccan salon in a flat in Lyon or Montreal, rugs that last thirty years, zellige, lanterns, the tea tray, hammam at home, and the house back in Morocco: how to do it, with sizes, steps and the mistakes to avoid. ## The Moroccan salon Benches along the walls, firm mattresses, a low table in the middle: the sizes, the fabrics and how to fit one in a flat abroad. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/dar_salon.html The Moroccan salon is built to receive: everyone sits facing each other, and at night the benches become beds for guests. It works in a small flat as well as in a large house, if the sizes are right. ### In short - A bench (sedari) is a wooden base with a firm mattress on top and cushions against the wall. - Usual sizes: 70 cm deep for a traditional salon, 60 cm for a narrower modern one, with the seat 40 to 45 cm from the floor. - Count 60 cm of bench for each seated guest. - Most workshops build every salon to the room, so made to measure costs little more than ready-made. ### The parts and their names - Sedari: The wooden base, plain or carved, often with storage inside. Usually 25 to 30 cm high. - Mattress (ponj): Firm foam, 15 to 20 cm thick, cut to the length of each bench. Firm foam keeps its shape; soft foam sags within two years. - Back cushions: Large firm cushions against the wall, about 45 to 50 cm high. Count one for every 70 cm or so. - Bolsters and small cushions (khdadi): Armrests at the ends of each bench, and loose cushions for comfort and colour. - Low table (mida): Round or square, 35 to 45 cm high, light enough to move when the benches become beds. - Tlamet: The fitted covers of the mattresses and cushions. A second set lets you change the room in ten minutes. ### Measure the room 1. Measure each wall you will use, from corner to corner, at seat height. Note doors, windows, radiators and sockets. 2. Choose the shape: one wall, two walls in an L, or three walls in a U. Leave at least 80 cm free in front of a door. 3. In a corner, only one bench runs to the wall. The other stops one bench depth short. 4. Keep 40 to 50 cm between the bench and the edge of the table, so people can sit down and get out. 5. Give the workshop your wall lengths and the position of the corners. A good one sends a drawing before cutting. ### Fabrics - Brocade and woven jacquard, the classic look for celebrations: rich, but cool to sit on, and water marks it. - Velvet (mobra): warm and comfortable, but it shows every crumb. Choose a short, dense pile. - Cotton and linen blends: easy for daily life, washable covers, calmer colours. - Stain-resistant or outdoor fabric: worth it with young children. - Ask for zips on the covers of mattresses and cushions. Without zips, cleaning means calling the upholsterer. - Fabric is usually 140 cm wide. The workshop tells you how many metres are needed; buy 10% more for later repairs, because the same batch is rarely found again. ### In a flat abroad - Check the lift and the staircase before ordering one long bench. Bases made in sections of 1 to 2 m go up any stairs and can be rearranged when you move. - A depth of 60 cm instead of 70 saves 20 cm of floor in a room with benches on both sides. - Radiators: leave 10 cm of air in front of them, or ask for a base with an open back. - Storage inside the base takes the blankets and the second set of covers. - A bench 70 cm deep and 190 cm long sleeps an adult. - One wall of sedari with a sofa opposite works well when the room is also the family's television room. ### Buying in Morocco or where you live In Morocco, salon workshops are in every city; Salé, Fès, Meknès, Casablanca and Tétouan are known for them. Abroad, Moroccan salon makers work in most cities with a large community and build to the same sizes. - Compare the same things: the wood of the base, the density of the foam, the fabric per metre, zips, delivery and fitting. - Ask for the density of the foam. For a seat used every day, 30 kg per cubic metre or more keeps its shape. - Shipping a salon from Morocco: the base travels flat or in sections. Foam is bulky and often cheaper to buy locally. - Keep the receipt and a list of the pieces for customs. ### Mistakes to avoid - Ordering before measuring the door, the stairs and the lift. - Benches too deep for a narrow room: two rows of 70 cm leave too little floor in a room under 3 m wide. - Soft foam, because it feels good in the shop. - A table too large or too heavy to move. - A single set of covers in a pale colour, with children in the house. ## Moroccan rugs Beni Ourain, Azilal, Boucherouite, kilim: how to recognise them, check they are real, choose the size and keep them for thirty years. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/dar_rugs.html A hand-knotted wool rug from the Atlas takes weeks to make and outlives most furniture. Names are used loosely in shops, so it helps to know what you are looking at. ### In short - Turn the rug over: on a hand-knotted rug you see every knot, slightly irregular, and the pattern is as clear as on the front. - The fringe of a real rug is the end of its own threads. A fringe sewn on afterwards is a warning. - New wool rugs shed for a few months. That is normal and it stops. - Vacuum without the rotating brush, turn the rug twice a year, and never put it in a washing machine. ### The main families - Beni Ourain: Middle Atlas. Thick cream wool with dark brown or black diamonds and lines. A deep, soft pile made for cold winters. - Azilal: High Atlas. Cream ground with coloured, free-hand motifs. Thinner than a Beni Ourain; every one is different. - Boujad: From the plains around Boujad. Reds, pinks and oranges that fade softly with age. - Beni Mguild: Middle Atlas. Dense pile in deep reds, purples and blues; heavy and warm. - Mrirt: From the Khénifra area. Very dense, silky wool; among the most expensive new rugs. - Taznakht: South of the High Atlas. Saffron yellow, red and black; flat weave, embroidery and pile are often mixed in one piece. - Zanafi: Black and white flat weave with fine stripes and diamonds. Light, good for halls and kitchens. - Kilim (hanbel): Flat woven, with no pile. Light, reversible, easy to shake out; a good first rug and a good wall hanging. - Boucherouite: Made at home from strips of recycled cloth. Bright and inexpensive; it is not wool. - Rabat carpet: A city carpet, finely knotted, with a red field, a central medallion and borders: the formal carpet of old houses. ### Checking a rug before you pay 1. Look at the back. Hand knots are uneven. A machine-made back is perfectly regular, often with a stiff mesh or a glued cloth. 2. Look at where the fringe starts: it should come out of the rug itself. 3. Smell and touch. Wool smells faintly of sheep and feels slightly oily. Acrylic is shiny, light and squeaks under the fingers. 4. Ask to burn one loose fibre. Wool smells of burnt hair and goes out by itself; synthetic fibre melts into a hard bead. 5. Measure it yourself. Handmade rugs are never exactly rectangular; a difference of 3 to 5 cm from one end to the other is usual. 6. Rub a damp white cloth on a dark area. Colour on the cloth means the dye will run. 7. Ask where it was woven and whether it is new or old. An honest seller answers without hesitation. ### Which size - With a sofa and armchairs: Large enough for the front legs of every seat to rest on it: usually 200 x 300 cm in an ordinary living room. - In a Moroccan salon: Leave 20 to 30 cm of floor visible between the rug and the benches. - Under a dining table: The size of the table plus 60 cm on each side, so chairs stay on the rug when pulled out. - Bedroom: One large rug under the lower two thirds of the bed, or a runner of 80 x 200 cm on each side. - Hall: A runner that leaves 10 to 15 cm of floor on each side. ### Daily care - Vacuum once a week with suction only. A rotating brush pulls the wool out. - Turn the rug half a turn every six months, so wear and sunlight even out. - Put an anti-slip underlay beneath: it protects the knots and prevents falls. - Spills: blot at once with a white cloth, from the edge towards the centre. Do not rub. - Then use cold water with a little mild soap or white vinegar, blot again and dry flat. - Air the rug outside on a dry day, in the shade. Strong sun fades natural dyes. - A full wash every two or three years: by a rug cleaner, or outside in summer with cold water, mild soap and a soft brush in the direction of the pile, then a long rinse and several days drying flat. ### Moths and storage - Moths lay their eggs in dark, undisturbed wool: under beds and furniture. Vacuum there too, and the back of the rug twice a year. - Before storing a rug, have it cleaned. Moths go for dirt and food stains first. - Roll it, never fold it, with the pile inside, and wrap it in a cotton sheet. Plastic traps damp. - Add cedar wood or lavender and check every few months. - A small rug with moths can be sealed in a bag and left in a freezer for at least three days. Then vacuum it well. ### Mistakes to avoid - Buying by the name only. A rug in the Beni Ourain style is not a Beni Ourain. - A rug too small for the room: it makes the room look smaller. - Steam cleaners, washing machines and bleach. - Storing a rug in plastic in a cellar. - Trusting a certificate of authenticity printed by the shop. Look at the back of the rug instead. ## Zellige, bejmat and cement tiles What each one is, where it can go, how it is laid and how to keep it for decades. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/dar_tiles.html Moroccan tiles are made by hand and are never perfectly flat or identical. That is their charm, and the reason they are laid and cleaned differently from factory tiles. ### In short - Zellige is glazed terracotta cut by hand, made mostly in Fès. Small differences in colour and surface are normal. - Bejmat is a thicker, rectangular terracotta tile, often used on floors. - Cement tiles are not fired: they are porous and must be sealed before use. - Clean all three with neutral soap or Moroccan black soap. No acid, no bleach, no vinegar. ### Three materials - Zellige: Glazed terracotta, about 10 x 10 cm and 1 cm thick, with edges cut on a slant. Shiny and uneven, with tiny chips and fine cracks in the glaze. For walls, splashbacks, showers, fountains and table tops. - Bejmat: Terracotta bricks of about 5 x 15 cm and 2 cm thick, glazed or natural. For floors, steps and terraces in mild climates, laid in herringbone or in straight rows. - Cement tiles: Pressed cement with a coloured pattern layer, usually 20 x 20 cm and about 1.6 cm thick. Matt and soft underfoot. For floors and walls indoors. ### Where they work, and where they do not - Zellige on a kitchen splashback or a bathroom wall: yes. The wall behind a shower must be waterproofed first; the tiles themselves do not make it waterproof. - Zellige on a floor: only the thicker floor quality, and expect it to mark in a busy hall. - Outdoors where it freezes: avoid terracotta. Water enters the clay and frost breaks it. Ask for frost-resistant tiles. - Cement tiles in a shower or behind a hob: possible if they are sealed well and sealed again regularly, but they stain more easily than glazed tiles. - Underfloor heating: all three work. The bed must dry slowly before the heating is turned on. ### Ordering - Order 10 to 15% more than the surface. Hand-cut tiles break in transport and in cutting, and a later batch will not match. - Ask for a photo of your batch laid out in daylight. Colours vary from one firing to the next. - Zellige is sold loose by the square metre, or as panels already assembled face down. Panels are faster to lay. - Zellige weighs about 20 kg per square metre. Check the cost of transport before the price of the tile. ### Laying 1. Open all the boxes and mix the tiles before starting, so the shades are spread over the whole surface. 2. If the maker advises it, soak terracotta tiles in clean water for a few minutes so they do not drink the adhesive. 3. Zellige is laid edge to edge, with almost no joint. Do not use spacers as for factory tiles. 4. Accept the unevenness. Trying to level every tile removes what makes zellige beautiful. 5. Grout with a fine grout in a colour close to the tile, pushed into the gaps, and wipe quickly: grout sticks in the chips of the glaze. 6. Cement tiles: seal once before grouting and once after. Grout pigment stains unsealed cement for good. 7. Find a tiler who has laid them before, or give him the maker's instructions. Most problems come from laying them like ordinary tiles. ### Cleaning and care - Every week: warm water with a little neutral soap or black soap. - Never: acid descalers, vinegar, bleach or abrasive powder. They dull the glaze and eat into cement. - Limescale on zellige in a shower: wipe the wall dry after use. It is easier than removing scale. - Cement tiles: seal or wax them again once a year in busy rooms. A drop of water should stay on the surface as a bead. - A chipped tile can be cut out and replaced. Keep the spare tiles from your order. ### Mistakes to avoid - Ordering the exact surface, with no spare. - Wide joints and spacers on zellige. - Grouting cement tiles before sealing them. - Vinegar and anti-limescale sprays. - Terracotta outdoors in a climate with frost. ## Tadelakt and walls The polished lime plaster of Marrakech, what it can and cannot do, and simpler ways to get the same warmth. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/dar_walls.html Tadelakt is a lime plaster from the Marrakech region, pressed and polished with a stone, then treated with black soap. It gives soft walls without joints and with a gentle shine, in bathrooms, hammams and living rooms. ### In short - Tadelakt repels water but is not waterproof like a tile. It suits bathrooms if a specialist does it and it is looked after. - It is cleaned with diluted black soap, never with acid or abrasive products. - Fine hairline cracks are part of the material. - Lime wash and lime-based paints give a similar soft, cloudy wall for much less. ### What it is Lime from the Marrakech plateau is mixed with water and pigment, applied in thin coats, tightened with a trowel, then polished with a hard, smooth stone. Black olive soap is worked in at the end: it reacts with the lime and closes the surface. The work is slow and is done by a craftsman, the maâlem. ### Where to use it - Bathroom walls, around a basin, a bath surround: yes. - Inside a shower used every day: possible, but it needs perfect work, good ventilation and regular care with soap. Many people put zellige in the shower and tadelakt on the other walls. - Living room, bedroom, hall, a fireplace surround, niches and shelves built into the wall: ideal. - Kitchen worktops: not advised. Lemon, vinegar and knives mark it. - It needs a sound, rigid base. On plasterboard it needs a suitable primer and reinforcement: ask the craftsman. ### Looking after tadelakt - Wipe splashes, and do not let water stand in corners or on ledges. - Clean with a soft sponge and black soap diluted in warm water. Rinse and dry. - Once or twice a year, wash the surface with black soap, leave it a few minutes and polish with a soft cloth. This renews the protection. - No bleach, no limescale remover, no scouring pad, no steam cleaner. - Shampoo and hair dye stain: rinse them off at once. - A craftsman can polish a dull or stained patch again. Small repairs are possible, but the colour rarely matches exactly. ### Simpler ways to get the look - Lime wash: Lime and pigment brushed on in several thin coats. Matt, cloudy, and it lets the wall breathe. Inexpensive, and you can do it yourself on mineral walls. - Lime-based paint: Ready mixed and easier to apply than lime wash, on most primed walls. - Polished plaster or microcement: Without joints, and tougher in wet rooms. A different material with a similar smooth look. - Tadelakt-effect paint: A decorative paint. It gives the colour and some movement, not the depth or the resistance to water. ### Colours that work Traditional tadelakt colours come from earth pigments: Marrakech ochre and pink, terracotta, sand, grey, deep red. One strong wall, in a niche or behind a bench, is often enough; keep the others pale. ### Mistakes to avoid - Expecting tadelakt in a shower to need no care. - Cleaning it like tiles, with anti-limescale spray. - Hiring a general plasterer who has never done it. - Rushing the work: each coat needs its drying time. ## Colours of Morocco Six palettes taken from Moroccan cities and gardens, with their colour codes, and how to use them without turning the room into a postcard. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/dar_colours.html Each Moroccan city has its colours: the ochre of Marrakech, the blue of Chefchaouen, the green roofs of Fès, the white and blue of Essaouira. One palette, used with restraint, gives a room a Moroccan feeling without a single ornament. ### In short - Use three colours: one for about 60% of the room (the walls), one for 30% (large textiles and furniture), one for 10% (cushions, a door, a lamp). - Strong colours go where the eye should go: a niche, a door, the wall behind the salon. - Screen colours are approximate. Take the code to a paint shop and test a sample on the wall, by day and in the evening. ### Six palettes Each palette has five colours. The first is for the walls, the last ones are accents. - Marrakech: Marrakech ochre #C8794F, Terracotta #A44F36, Palm green #2F6B4F, Sand #E9D3A9, Night blue #1F2A44. Warm and enclosing. Ochre or pale pink walls, terracotta in the textiles, deep green in the plants and one painted piece of furniture. - Chefchaouen: Lime white #F7F5EF, Chefchaouen blue #4F86C6, Powder blue #A9C7E8, Indigo #27408B, Terracotta #C96A4A. Fresh and calm, good for small rooms and bathrooms. White above, blue below, as on the walls of the town. - Fès: Lime white #FAF7F0, Zellige green #0B6947, Fès cobalt #1F4FA3, Saffron #E3A72F, Kohl black #1B1B1B. Formal and bright. White walls, with green, cobalt and saffron kept for tiles, a table, cushions. - Essaouira: Lime white #FAF7F0, Shutter blue #2B6CB0, Rampart stone #CFC6B8, Sea grey #8E99A4, Thuya wood #7A4A2B. Light and airy. White walls, blue on doors and shutters, natural wood, grey linen. - Majorelle garden: Lime white #FAF7F0, Majorelle blue #6050DC, Lemon yellow #F2D03B, Cactus green #3F7D4E, Terracotta #C96A4A. Bold: for one wall, a door or a balcony. The blue needs yellow or green beside it, and plenty of white. - Sahara: Cream #F3E6CF, Dune #D9A066, Burnt orange #C4622D, Camel #A9793F, Desert night #1E2A5A. Soft and warm, for bedrooms. Sand and cream on the walls, burnt orange and camel in wool, one dark blue for depth. ### Putting colour in a room - Start from what cannot change: the floor, a sofa, a rug. Choose the palette that already contains its colour. - Paint low: a band of colour up to 100 or 120 cm with white above recalls zellige panelling and makes ceilings look higher. - Paint the inside of a niche, the sides of a window or a set of shelves in the strong colour. - Doors and radiators in the accent colour cost one small tin of paint. - Repeat each colour at least three times in the room, in different materials. - Brass, copper and dark wood count as colours. Many warm metals with ochre walls become heavy: add white. ### Light changes everything - Rooms facing north in northern Europe or Canada make blues cold and greys sad. Choose the warm palettes there. - Rooms facing south take blue and white well. - Evening light from warm bulbs deepens ochre and terracotta. - Always test: paint a large card and move it around the room for two days. ### Mistakes to avoid - Every colour at full strength on every wall. - Choosing from a phone screen. - A cold, bluish white next to warm colours: choose an off-white. - Forgetting the ceiling: pure white above ochre walls looks cut off. Add a little of the wall colour to the ceiling paint. ## Lanterns and light Pierced brass, coloured glass and candles: where to hang them, which bulbs to use, and how to make a lamp bought in Morocco safe at home. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/dar_light.html Moroccan light is low, warm and broken into patterns. A pierced lantern throws stars on the walls, and several small lights replace one bright ceiling lamp. ### In short - Use warm white bulbs, 2,200 to 2,700 K, and a dimmer where you can. - Three or more low lights in a room, not one ceiling light. - A lamp bought in Morocco is wired for 220 volts and European sockets. Have it checked, and have it rewired in Canada or the United States. - Clear bulbs give sharp patterns on the walls; frosted bulbs give a soft light and no pattern. ### The lamps - Pierced brass or copper lantern: Hanging, standing or as a wall light. The pattern of holes decides the pattern on the walls: small holes give stars, larger cut-outs give lace. - Coloured glass lantern: An iron frame with panes of coloured glass. Good with a candle or a small bulb, in corners, on balconies and stairs. - Henna lamp: Goatskin stretched on an iron frame and painted with henna patterns. A soft amber light; keep it away from damp. - Candle lanterns: For the table, the floor, a window ledge. Group them in threes of different heights. - Ceiling dome or chandelier: Large pierced pieces for high ceilings and stairwells. Check the weight and the fixing in the ceiling. ### Where and how high - Above a dining table: the bottom of the lantern 75 to 85 cm above the table. - In a passage: at least 200 cm of free height under the lantern. - In the salon: a floor lantern or a low hanging one in a corner beside the bench, not in the middle of the room. - A pair of wall lights at 160 to 170 cm, on either side of a mirror or a niche. - A heavy lantern needs a hook fixed into a joist or a proper ceiling anchor, not the plastic plug of the old ceiling light. ### Bulbs - Colour temperature: 2,700 K for living rooms, 2,200 K for the look of a candle. Above 3,000 K, brass turns grey. - Clear filament LED bulbs for a pattern on the walls. - Low power is enough: 4 to 6 watts of LED in a pierced lantern. - Check the socket. Moroccan and European lamps take E27 or E14 screw bulbs; North American sockets are E26 and E12. ### Making a lamp from Morocco safe 1. Look inside. The cable should be double insulated, or the metal body should be connected to earth. Many souk lamps have a simple two-wire cable on a metal body. 2. In Europe and the Gulf (220 to 240 volts): ask an electrician to check the socket and the cable and to earth the lamp. It is a small job. 3. In Canada and the United States (120 volts): have the lamp rewired with a local socket, cable and plug before using it. 4. In a bathroom or outdoors, use only lamps rated for damp places. Most decorative lanterns are not. 5. Keep pierced metal away from curtains. Bulbs stay cool, candles do not. ### Candles - Never leave a candle burning in an empty room or while you sleep. - Use a glass holder inside a metal lantern: the metal gets hot. - LED candles with a warm flicker are safe on stairs, in children's rooms and on shelves. ### Mistakes to avoid - One strong white bulb in a pierced lantern: glare, and no atmosphere. - Hanging a lantern of 10 kg on a hook made for 2 kg. - Using a 220 volt lamp in North America with only a plug adapter. - Cold white bulbs. ## Caring for brass, wood, leather and pottery Trays and teapots, thuya boxes, leather poufs, painted plates: how to clean them, what damages them, and how to get rid of the smell of a new pouf. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/dar_care.html Moroccan crafts are made from natural materials that react to water, sun and heating. A few habits keep them looking good for a lifetime. ### In short - Nothing on this page goes in a dishwasher. - Dry metal straight after washing. Water marks are what dull brass and silver-coloured trays. - Keep wood and leather away from radiators and direct sun. - Painted, decorative pottery is for serving and display, not for cooking. ### Brass and copper - Regular care: warm soapy water, a soft cloth, and dry at once. - To bring back the shine: rub with half a lemon dipped in fine salt, or with a paste of vinegar, salt and flour. Leave it ten minutes, rinse, dry and buff. - Lacquered brass, which stays shiny and never darkens: soapy water only. Polish and lemon remove the lacquer. - The dark tone of old brass is a patina, and many people prefer it. Decide before you polish: it takes years to come back. - Green spots on copper: lemon and salt, then rinse well. - Copper pans must be lined with tin inside to be used for food. Have them tinned again when the copper shows through. ### Teapots and trays - Most Moroccan teapots and trays are nickel silver (maillechort) or plated brass, not solid silver. - Wash by hand, dry at once, and polish now and then with a silver cloth. - Tea stains inside a teapot: fill it with hot water and a spoon of bicarbonate of soda, leave it one hour and rinse. Never scour the inside. - A teapot that goes on the flame must be made for it. Decorative teapots have soldered joints that melt: ask when you buy. - Store teapots with the lid open, so the inside dries. ### Thuya, cedar and painted wood - Thuya from Essaouira is a burl wood with a strong pattern and a warm smell. It cracks if it dries out: no radiator, no sunny window sill. - Dust with a dry cloth. Twice a year, rub in a little beeswax polish or a few drops of oil, and buff. - A white ring left by a hot glass often goes with a little oil and patience. - Cedar keeps its smell for years and keeps moths away. A light sanding inside a cedar chest revives it. - Painted wood (zouak) on doors, tables and shelves: dust only. Water lifts the paint. ### Leather poufs and bags - Poufs are sold empty so that they travel flat. Fill them with old clothes, towels or cushion filling, pressed in firmly; a good pouf takes more than you expect. - The smell of a new pouf comes from traditional tanning. Before filling it, leave it open in fresh air for several days, out of the sun, with bicarbonate of soda or coffee grounds inside. - Dyed leather can leave colour on a pale carpet or sofa, especially when damp. Test with a white cloth, and keep dark poufs off pale rugs at first. - Clean with a barely damp cloth. Feed the leather twice a year with a colourless leather cream. - Sun fades and dries leather. Rain marks it: let it dry slowly, away from heat. ### Pottery and ceramics - Blue and white from Fès, the colours of Safi, the green of Tamegroute: wash by hand, and no microwave if there is metallic paint. - The glazes of decorative pieces are not always made for food. Use them for bread, fruit and dry pastries, or as decoration. - For cooking, and for acidic food such as tomato, lemon and vinegar, use only pieces sold as safe for food and free of lead. - Unglazed terracotta absorbs: no perfumed soap, and dry it fully before putting it away. - A serving dish with a chipped glaze: keep it for decoration. ### Mistakes to avoid - The dishwasher, for any of it. - Polishing lacquered brass. - A thuya box on a shelf above a radiator. - Filling a pouf the day it arrives, smell included. - Cooking in a painted souvenir tagine. ## Hosting the Moroccan way The tea tray, the table for guests, Ramadan evenings and Eid morning: what to keep in the house and how to set it out. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/dar_hosting.html A Moroccan home is judged by how it receives. None of it needs to be expensive: a tray that is ready, something sweet in the cupboard, and room for one more person. ### In short - Keep a tea tray ready: teapot, glasses, sugar, tea, and mint in the fridge or on the balcony. - Fill tea glasses two thirds, so guests can hold them by the rim. - For a meal, one large dish in the middle and bread for everyone is the tradition, and it means less washing up. - Before guests arrive: air the room, burn a little incense, and put orange blossom water by the door. ### The tea tray - Tray (siniya): Round, flat or on small feet. 35 to 45 cm across is enough for a teapot and six glasses. - Teapot (berrad): One made to go on the flame. A teapot of about 1 litre serves six glasses. - Glasses (kissan): Small, about 12 cl. Plain for every day, decorated for guests. Buy twelve: they break. - Three boxes: For tea, sugar and mint: the old sets have all three. Two jars do the job. - Tea: Chinese gunpowder green tea, kept in a closed tin. - Sugar: A sugar loaf broken into pieces, or lumps. Make the tea less sweet and offer sugar on the side. ### Receiving guests 1. Welcome guests at the door and seat them in the best places, away from the door. 2. Offer water first, then tea with something sweet or salted: pastries, dates, nuts, or simply good bread, olive oil and honey. 3. Pour the first glass back into the pot once or twice to mix the tea, then serve from high up to make a light foam. 4. Refill a glass before it is empty. Three glasses is the custom; no one counts. 5. For a meal, bring a basin and a jug of water, or show the way to wash hands, before and after. 6. When guests leave, a few pastries wrapped to take home is a habit worth keeping. ### The table - The low round table and the benches of the salon, or your dining table: both are right. - One large dish in the centre; each person eats from the part in front of them. Put small salads around it. - Bread is cut and shared around the table before the dish arrives. - A tablecloth that can be washed hot, and a plastic sheet under it on the low table, save the rug. - Small plates and forks for those who prefer them, without comment. - Fruit in season ends the meal. Tea comes after, in the salon. ### Ramadan evenings - Set the table before sunset: dates, water, milk, harira, boiled eggs with cumin, chebakia, sellou, small breads and pancakes. - Prepare ahead and freeze: briouates, msemen, the base of the harira. The month is long. - Keep the prayer times of your city at hand: they are on the Today page. - Lanterns, a string of lights on the balcony and a calendar for the children make the month visible in a country where the street does not change. - Invite neighbours and colleagues at least once. An evening at your table explains Ramadan better than any speech. ### Eid and family days - Eid morning: best clothes, pastries on the table before the prayer, msemen or baghrir after. - Call the family in Morocco early: lines and apps are busy by late morning there. - Keep small envelopes or coins ready for the children. - For a birth, a return from pilgrimage or an engagement: tea, milk with dates and a tray of pastries are the base. Everything else is extra. ### Mistakes to avoid - Glasses filled to the top: no one can lift them. - Keeping the best tray for great occasions. Use it. - A table so decorated that there is no room for the dish. - So much food that you have no time to sit with your guests. ## Tagine, couscoussier and kitchen tools Which tagine to buy, how to season it so it does not crack, the couscoussier, and the few tools that change the cooking. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/dar_kitchenware.html Moroccan cooking needs little equipment, but each piece has its rules. Most cracked tagines were either never seasoned or put on a flame that was too high. ### In short - There are cooking tagines and serving tagines. The painted, glazed ones in souvenir shops are for serving only. - Season a new clay tagine before its first use, and always cook on low heat with a heat diffuser. - Never put a hot tagine on a cold surface, or cold water into a hot tagine. - A couscoussier steams the grain three times over the stew. No other pot gives the same couscous. ### Choosing a tagine - Unglazed clay: The traditional cooking tagine. It gives the most flavour, needs seasoning and gentle heat, and keeps the taste of what was cooked in it. - Plain glazed clay: Easier to clean; it still needs gentle heat. Check that it is sold for cooking and free of lead. - Cast iron or steel base with a clay lid: Works on every hob, induction included, and can brown the meat first. Heavier and more expensive. - Decorated serving tagine: For bringing the dish to the table. Never on the heat. - Size: 26 to 28 cm for two or three people, 30 to 32 cm for four to six, 35 cm and more for a family meal. ### Seasoning a clay tagine 1. Soak the base and the lid in cold water for at least two hours, or overnight. 2. Let them dry, then rub the inside of both with olive oil. 3. Put them in a cold oven, set it to 150 °C and leave them for two hours. 4. Turn the oven off and let the tagine cool inside, without opening the door. 5. Wash with warm water, dry, and rub with a little oil once more. ### Cooking with it - Gas: the lowest flame, with a metal heat diffuser between the flame and the clay. - Electric and ceramic hobs: a diffuser as well, and start cold. - Induction: a clay tagine does not work. Use a cast iron base, or cook in the oven. - Oven: start cold, at 160 to 180 °C. - Start with oil and onions, add the rest, and do not lift the lid for the first half hour. - If it needs liquid, add warm water, never cold. - Put the hot tagine on wood or on a folded cloth, never on stone, tiles or a wet surface. ### Washing and storing - Let it cool completely. Then warm water and a soft brush; no washing-up liquid on unglazed clay, or the next dish tastes of it. - Stuck food: fill with warm water and a spoon of bicarbonate of soda, wait, then brush. - Dry it in the air for a full day before putting it away. Clay stored damp goes mouldy. - Store it with the lid slightly open, with a piece of paper towel between the lid and the base. - Mould after a long time in the cupboard: scrub with coarse salt and vinegar, rinse, dry in a low oven and oil again. ### The other tools - Couscoussier (borma and keskas): A tall pot for the stew and a steamer that fits on top. Aluminium is light and traditional; stainless steel lasts and works on induction. Seal the joint between the two with a strip of cloth dipped in flour and water, so that the steam goes through the grain. - Gsaa: A wide, shallow dish in clay or wood, for working couscous by hand and kneading bread. A very large mixing bowl replaces it. - Brass mortar (mehraz): For garlic, saffron, spices and herbs. Dry it at once after washing. - Tanjia: The tall clay jar of Marrakech, cooked slowly in embers. At home: a low oven for five to six hours. - Pressure cooker: The everyday pot of Moroccan homes today: harira, a weekday tagine, chickpeas. ### Spices and the cupboard - Buy whole spices where you can and grind small amounts: ground spices lose their smell in about six months. - Keep them in closed jars, away from the hob and the light. - Ras el hanout is a mix, and each shop has its own. Buy little, from a shop that sells a lot. - Saffron: threads, never powder. Keep it dark and dry. - Preserved lemons and olives keep for months in their brine in the fridge. Use a clean fork. - Argan oil for eating is made from roasted kernels: it is darker, with a taste of nuts. The cosmetic oil is not roasted. Do not mix them up. ### Mistakes to avoid - First use straight on a high flame. - Cold water into a hot tagine. - Washing-up liquid on unglazed clay. - Putting it away damp, with the lid closed. - Cooking in a decorated serving tagine. ## Hammam at home Black soap, the kessa glove and ghassoul: the steps of the weekly ritual in an ordinary bathroom, and how to give the bathroom itself the feeling of a hammam. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/dar_hammam.html The hammam is heat, steam, black soap and a firm scrub. A bathroom with hot water is enough to do most of it, in about forty minutes. ### In short - Three products do the work: black soap (savon beldi), a kessa glove and ghassoul clay. - The skin must stay warm and wet for ten minutes before scrubbing, or nothing comes off. - Once a week at most. Not on sunburnt, irritated or broken skin. - Each person has their own glove. ### What you need - Black soap (savon beldi): A soft paste made from olives and olive oil. It does not foam. It softens the skin so that the glove can lift the dead skin. A jar of 200 g lasts for months. - Kessa glove: A mitt of rough fabric. A finer grain for sensitive skin and the face, a coarser one for the body. - Ghassoul: A clay from the Atlas, sold as flakes or powder. Mixed with warm water or rose water, it cleans skin and hair without soap. - Argan oil or a body oil: For afterwards, on skin that is still slightly damp. - Rose water or orange blossom water: To mix the clay and to finish. - Extras: A small stool, a bowl to pour water, a pumice stone for the feet, henna for the hair. ### The steps 1. Warm the bathroom: run hot water for a few minutes with the door closed, or take a hot bath or shower for ten minutes. 2. On wet skin, spread a thin layer of black soap over the whole body, avoiding the eyes. Leave it five to ten minutes in the warmth. 3. Rinse well with warm water. The soap must be gone before you scrub. 4. Wet the glove, wring it out, and scrub with long, firm strokes: legs, arms, back, stomach. Small grey rolls of skin appear: that is the purpose. 5. Rinse. Wash your hair now if you wish. 6. Mix two or three spoons of ghassoul with warm water into a smooth cream. Apply it to body and hair and leave it five to ten minutes, without letting it dry hard. 7. Rinse for a long time, finishing with cooler water. 8. Pat the skin dry and rub in a few drops of argan oil. Drink water or tea and rest for a while. ### Good to know - If no skin comes off, the skin was not warm and wet for long enough, or the soap was not rinsed off. - The face: black soap for two minutes at most, then a fine glove with light strokes, or no glove at all. - Children: steam and soap, a soft glove with very light strokes, and no ghassoul near the eyes. - Rinse the glove, hang it to dry, and replace it when it has gone smooth. - Ghassoul can block a drain. Use a drain strainer and let the water run. - Pregnancy, heart or blood pressure problems, skin conditions: avoid long heat and ask your doctor first. ### A bathroom with the feeling of a hammam - One wall or the splashback in zellige, or in a tile with the same shine; tadelakt or a lime-look paint on the others. - A wooden or stone stool, a copper bowl, a brass tray for the products. - Plain jars and bottles, refilled: black soap, ghassoul, oil. Take the labels off. - Striped cotton towels (fouta) dry fast and take little space. - A pierced lantern rated for bathrooms, or a candle lantern on a shelf away from the water. - A plant that likes steam, and a small bunch of eucalyptus hung near the shower. ### Mistakes to avoid - Scrubbing dry or cold skin. - Scrubbing with the soap still on. - Doing it every other day: the skin needs a week. - Sharing gloves. - Letting ghassoul dry to a crust in the hair. ## The scents of a Moroccan house Incense and oud, orange blossom water, amber, rose and fresh mint: what they are, how to use them, and how to do it safely in a flat. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/dar_scents.html Many people can name their grandmother's house by its smell. A few simple things bring that smell back: flower waters, wood, resins and mint. ### In short - Incense on charcoal smokes strongly: a small piece is enough, with a window slightly open. - Charcoal stays hot for half an hour or more. The burner sits on a heatproof surface, away from children, curtains and pets. - Orange blossom water and rose water perfume a room, the linen and the hands without any smoke. - An electric burner gives the scent with almost no smoke: better in a small flat. ### What is what - Bkhour: Chips of wood or pressed mixes soaked in perfume oils. Sweet and strong. Burnt for guests, on Fridays and for celebrations. - Oud: Agarwood. The real wood is rare and expensive and gives a deep, dry smoke. Most oud sold cheaply is perfumed wood. - Jawi: Benzoin resin, in white or dark lumps. A soft smoke that recalls vanilla. - Amber and musk blocks: Solid perfume in small cubes. No burning: rub one on the wrists, or leave a cube in a drawer, a wardrobe or a small dish. - Orange blossom water (ma zhar): Distilled from the flowers of the bitter orange tree. For pastries and coffee, and sprinkled on guests' hands from a mrach. - Rose water (ma ward): From the roses of the Dades valley and Kelaat M'Gouna. For the skin, the linen and the hammam. - Dried rose buds, lavender, verbena: In bowls, sachets and wardrobes. - Cedar and thuya wood: Their smell lasts for years and keeps moths away. ### Burning incense 1. Use a burner (mbakhra) made of clay or metal, with a layer of sand or ash in the bottom. 2. Hold a charcoal disc with tongs, light the edge, and put it in the burner when sparks have run across it. 3. Wait about five minutes, until it is covered in grey ash. 4. Put on a piece of incense the size of a lentil. Add more later instead of a lot at once. 5. Carry the burner through the rooms, or leave it in the hall with a window slightly open. 6. When you have finished, leave the charcoal in the burner until it is fully cold, at least an hour, or drown it in water. ### In a flat - Smoke detectors react to incense. Burn it away from them and air the room; do not take the detector down. - Neighbours share the stairwell and the ventilation. A small piece and an open window keep the peace. - An electric incense burner heats the wood or resin without charcoal: less smoke and a steady scent. - With asthma, babies, birds or cats in the house: prefer flower waters and wood to smoke. - Scent the linen instead: a spoon of orange blossom water or rose water in the spray bottle used for ironing, or in the last rinse. ### Every day, without smoke - A mrach of orange blossom water by the door, for guests' hands. - A bunch of fresh mint in a glass on the kitchen table. - A bowl of dried rose buds in the hall; refresh it with a few drops of rose water. - Cedar blocks in the wardrobes and with the rugs. - Orange peel and a cinnamon stick simmering in water on a winter afternoon. ### Buying and keeping - Flower waters: read the label. Real ones list distilled flower water and nothing else. Keep them in the fridge once open and use them within a few months. - Orange blossom water for cooking and the perfumed kind for the skin are not always the same product. - Incense keeps for years in a closed tin. - Travelling: flower waters count as liquids in hand luggage, and charcoal discs are generally forbidden on planes. Buy the charcoal where you live. ### Mistakes to avoid - A large lump of incense on fresh charcoal: thick smoke and a bitter smell. - Leaving a lit burner on a wooden table or a rug. - Throwing charcoal in the bin after ten minutes because it looks cold. - Buying oud at a price too good to be true and expecting oud. ## Balcony, terrace and plants Mint that survives the winter, verbena and geranium for tea, jasmine, a lemon tree in a pot, and how to make a small balcony feel like a courtyard. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/dar_plants.html The Moroccan courtyard has four things: green, water, shade and a place to sit. A balcony of two square metres can have three of them, and mint for the tea. ### In short - Mint goes in its own pot. In a shared pot it smothers everything else. - In cold climates, mint, verbena and fig trees can stay outside with protection; lemon trees, jasmine and bougainvillea come indoors before the first frost. - Herbs for tea want sun, regular water and to be cut often. - A few large pots look better and dry out more slowly than many small ones. ### Herbs for tea and cooking - Mint (na3na3): Spearmint. Sun or half shade, soil always slightly damp, its own wide pot. Cut the stems often, above a pair of leaves, to keep it bushy. The top dies in frost and comes back in spring. - Lemon verbena (louiza): A small shrub with long leaves that smell of lemon, for evening tea. Full sun. It loses its leaves in winter; protect the pot from hard frost or keep it in a cold, bright room. - Wormwood (chiba): Grey and bitter, for winter tea, one sprig at a time. Sun, little water; it survives cold. - Rose geranium (3atercha): Scented leaves for tea and pastries. Sun, little water. Indoors in winter where it freezes. - Pennyroyal (fliyo), sage (salmiya), marjoram (merdeddouch): The other tea herbs. Sun, light soil, little water. - Coriander and parsley: Sow every three weeks from spring; they run to seed fast in heat. Half shade in summer. ### Starting mint from a bunch 1. Buy a bunch of fresh Moroccan mint with firm stems. 2. Strip the lower leaves and stand the stems in a glass of water on a bright window sill. 3. Roots appear in one to two weeks. Change the water every two days. 4. When the roots are a few centimetres long, plant in a wide pot of ordinary potting soil. 5. Water often, cut often, and feed lightly in summer. 6. Every spring, tip the plant out, cut the root ball in four and replant one quarter in new soil. ### Flowers, climbers and trees in pots - Jasmine: For its smell on summer evenings. Sun, a trellis, regular water. Common white jasmine takes light frost; the more scented kinds do not, and spend the winter indoors. - Bougainvillea: It needs full sun and little water to flower. No frost at all: indoors, cool and bright, in winter. - Lemon or bitter orange tree: A large pot, citrus soil, sun, regular water and feed. Bring it into a bright, cool room when nights go under 5 °C. - Olive tree: Sun, little water, a pot with good drainage. An established tree takes some frost; protect the pot in a long freeze. - Fig tree: Fast, generous, happy in a large pot. It loses its leaves; wrap the pot in cold regions. - Geraniums: The flowers of every Moroccan window. Sun, little water, and cuttings in late summer for next year. - Pomegranate, oleander, rosemary, lavender: Sun lovers for a hot terrace. Oleander is poisonous: not with small children or pets. ### A balcony that feels like a courtyard - Floor: outdoor tiles with a cement-tile pattern, or an outdoor rug with a kilim pattern, over the concrete. - A low bench with outdoor cushions along one side, as in a salon. - Terracotta pots in two or three sizes, grouped and not lined up. One large glazed pot in green or blue. - A small tiled table for the tea tray. - Shade: a cane screen, a cotton awning or a climbing plant on wires. - Lanterns with LED candles, and one string of warm lights. - The sound of water: a small solar fountain in a bowl. - Check the weight your balcony is allowed to carry before adding large pots, wet soil and tiles, and never fix anything that can fall. ### By climate - Northern Europe and Canada: choose pots that resist frost, raise them off the ground in winter, wrap them, and bring tender plants indoors. A bright, cool stairwell or a garage window is better than a warm living room. - Mediterranean Europe: almost everything stays outside. Water is the limit in summer. - The Gulf: the season is reversed. Plant in autumn, give shade from the midday sun, and water in the evening. Mint and coriander are winter crops there. - Indoors, anywhere: a bright window, pots with drainage holes, and less water in winter. ### Mistakes to avoid - Mint sharing a pot. - A little water every day: water deeply instead, then let the top of the soil dry. - Bringing a lemon tree into a hot, dark room for the winter. - Pots without holes. - Overloading a balcony. ## A Moroccan touch in a small flat Twelve changes, from an afternoon to a weekend, most of them for less than the price of a restaurant meal, and what to do room by room. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/dar_small.html You do not need a riad. A Moroccan feeling comes from a few things done well: low seating, warm light, one pattern, something made by hand, and the smell of mint or orange blossom when the door opens. ### In short - Choose one strong element for each room: a rug, a tiled wall, a lantern or a bench. Not all four. - Handmade and imperfect next to plain and modern looks better than a room full of ornaments. - Low and warm: lower the light, lower the seating, warm the colours. ### Twelve touches - Change the bulbs of the living room to warm white and add one pierced lantern. - Put a tea tray with its teapot and glasses where it can be seen and used. - One wool rug or kilim, even a small one, by the sofa or the bed. - Three cushions in one Moroccan fabric: sabra, kilim or embroidered cotton. - A leather pouf as an extra seat and footrest. - Paint one niche, one door or a low band of wall in a colour from the palettes. - Hang one large piece on a wall: a kilim, a carved wooden panel or a brass tray. - A pot of mint on the window sill. - A bowl from Fès or Safi on the table, for fruit or bread. - A mirror with a carved wood, bone or metal frame in the hall. - A bottle of orange blossom water and a small dish of rose buds near the door. - Photographs of your family's town or house, in matching frames, hung as one group. ### Room by room - Hall: A mirror, a lantern, a small bench or a pouf for putting on shoes, a row of hooks, a runner on the floor. - Living room: One bench or a low sofa with firm cushions, a low table, a rug that reaches the seats, two or three low lights. Keep the television on a plain wall. - Kitchen: A tiled splashback or good tile stickers, a shelf with the tagine, the teapots and the spice jars in view, a kilim runner. - Bedroom: Calm colours, a wool blanket or a blanket with pompoms folded at the foot of the bed, a pair of wall lanterns, a rug on each side. - Bathroom: Striped foutas, a brass tray, refilled jars, one wall in colour. - Children's room: A pouf, a small rug they can play on, a low shelf with books about Morocco, a map with the family's town marked. - Balcony: Mint, a lantern, a low seat. ### If you rent - Nothing here needs drilling into tiles or painting if the lease forbids it: rugs, textiles, lamps on existing points, furniture and plants. - Removable tile stickers, and paint that you cover again when you leave, are usually accepted: ask first. - Use the existing ceiling point for a lantern and keep the old fitting to put back. - Benches and shelves that stand free move with you. ### Spending little - Buy textiles and small pieces on a trip to Morocco, and large furniture where you live. - Second-hand sites in Europe and Canada are full of Moroccan lamps, tables and rugs bought on holiday and never used. - One good rug is worth more than ten small objects. - Sew cushion covers from one or two metres of fabric bought in a medina. - Ask the family before buying: there is often a tray, a teapot or a blanket waiting in a cupboard in Morocco. ### Mistakes to avoid - The souvenir shop look: many small objects on every surface. - Patterns everywhere: rug, cushions, tiles and wallpaper all competing. - Dark colours on every wall of a small room. - Furniture too large and too high for the room. ## A prayer corner at home Finding the direction of the qibla from your city, and arranging a quiet, clean place for prayer, for reading and for the children. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/dar_prayer.html A prayer corner needs little: a clear piece of floor of about 70 by 120 cm, facing the right way. What matters is that it is clean, calm and always ready. ### In short - The qibla is the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca. From Europe it is towards the south-east; from Morocco, almost due east; from Canada and the United States, towards the north-east; from Dubai, Doha and Riyadh, towards the west and south-west. - Find it once with the tool on this page and a compass, then mark it discreetly. - Keep the place clean and clear. In a busy room, store the rug off the floor between prayers. ### Finding the qibla Choose your city. The tool gives the direction as a compass bearing, measured clockwise from north. - Open the compass of your phone, hold the phone flat and turn until it shows the number given. - Stand away from metal furniture, radiators, speakers and the fridge: they pull a compass off by many degrees. - Check twice, in two places in the room. - The direction from North America surprises many people: the shortest way to Mecca on the globe goes north-east, over the Atlantic. - Mark it with the edge of a rug, a small arrow inside a cupboard door, or the line of a floorboard. ### Arranging the place - A corner of the bedroom or the living room, out of the way of people passing and not facing the television. - A clean floor, a prayer rug, and a shelf or a small cupboard above floor level for the Quran and books. - A folding stand for reading, a string of prayer beads, a box or a basket for the rugs. - Soft, warm light: a wall lantern or a small lamp. - For someone who prays seated: a firm chair without arms, kept in the same place. - In a shared flat or a studio: a rug kept rolled in a basket and a mark for the direction are enough. ### With children - A small rug of their own next to yours. - A low shelf with their books, at their height. - A Ramadan calendar, and a lantern they light in the evening. - Let them help roll the rugs and choose where things go. ### Ramadan and Eid - Add a second rug for guests, and a tray with dates and water near the door. - The prayer times for your city are on the Today page. ### Mistakes to avoid - Trusting a compass next to a radiator or a metal shelf. - Guessing the direction: in most cities abroad the qibla is far from due east. - A place that has to be cleared of things before every prayer. ## Buying crafts and bringing them home Where to buy, how to check quality and price, how to pack and ship, and what customs allow in the country where you live. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/dar_buying.html The summer trip is when most Moroccan homes abroad are furnished. A little preparation avoids the three classic problems: a bad buy, a broken parcel and a surprise at customs. ### In short - Leaving Morocco, handicrafts bought for yourself can be taken out freely, whatever their value. Antiques and works of art need an authorisation. - Arriving where you live, goods above the traveller's allowance must be declared, and tax is due. - Keep every receipt, with the name of the shop, in your hand luggage. - Wood, plants, seeds and food have their own rules, stricter in Canada and the United States. ### Where to buy - Ensemble artisanal: State craft centres in the large cities, with workshops and fixed, displayed prices. The best place to learn the right price before going to the souk. - Cooperatives: Weavers', potters' and argan cooperatives sell their own work. Ask to see the workshop. - Workshops: For made to measure: a salon, a table, a lamp, a door. Agree the sizes, the wood, the finish, the price and the date in writing, with a deposit and a photo of a finished piece. - Souks and medina shops: The widest choice; prices are discussed. Shops that sell to hotels and decorators often have the best quality. - Shops and sites where you live: More expensive, but delivered and guaranteed, with nothing to carry. Compare for heavy things. ### Agreeing a price - Look in several shops before asking any price. - Ask the price, then calmly offer what you are ready to pay. Leaving politely is part of it. - Paying in dirhams, in cash, gets the best price. For a large purchase, a card or a transfer gives you a record. - For anything expensive, ask for a receipt with the description and the price. You need it for customs and for insurance. - A guide or driver who brings you to a shop is usually paid a commission, and it is in your price. Go back alone. ### Checking quality - Brass and copper: the weight, clean soldering, a base that sits flat. - Wood: the joints, drawers that slide, no filler hiding cracks; thuya boxes with lids that close tight. - Leather: the stitching, an even colour, the smell. Rub a damp white cloth to check the dye. - Pottery: tap it. A clear ring means there is no crack. Ask if it is made for food. - Lamps: look at the cable and the socket. - Rugs: turn them over and look at the knots. ### Packing and shipping - Rugs: rolled or folded with the pile inside, in a strong bag. A wool rug of 2 x 3 m weighs 15 to 25 kg: check your baggage allowance, or pay for one more bag, often cheaper than a parcel. - Pottery and lamps: in hand luggage when possible, wrapped in clothes. Otherwise in two boxes, one inside the other, with 5 cm of padding on every side. - Poufs travel empty and flat. - By post or courier from Morocco: weigh and measure first, insure the value, write an honest description and value on the customs form, and keep the tracking number. - Furniture and whole salons: grouped transport by road or by sea, through a transport company. Ask for the price to your door, the insurance, and who pays customs on arrival. - By car on the ferry: keep the receipts with the passports, and declare on arrival if you are over the allowance. - Parcels are taxed differently from luggage: the traveller's allowance does not apply to goods sent separately. ### Leaving Morocco - Handicrafts and souvenirs bought in Morocco: free to take out, with no limit of value. - Antiques, works of art and collectors' pieces: a certificate from the cultural authorities must go with them. An honest antique dealer knows the procedure. - Fossils and minerals: a few pieces, as souvenirs. - Cash: you may take out up to 2,000 dirhams in Moroccan banknotes. ### Arriving where you live - Wooden objects, baskets, dried plants and seeds: declare them in Canada and the United States, where untreated wood and plant material are inspected. Finished, varnished wood is normally accepted. - Into the European Union and the United Kingdom, meat and dairy products from Morocco are not allowed in luggage, and most plants and seeds need a plant health certificate. - Objects made from protected animals or plants, such as tortoise shell, ivory, some reptile skins and coral, are forbidden or need a permit everywhere. Do not buy them. Each traveller may bring goods for personal use up to this value without paying tax. Above it, declare the goods on arrival. - France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany: 430 euros per person arriving by air or sea, 300 euros by land. Some countries apply 150 euros under the age of 15. One object cannot be shared between two people's allowances: a rug worth more than the allowance is taxed on its whole value. - United Kingdom: 390 pounds per person. If you go over, tax and duty are due on the total value, not only on the part above the allowance. - Canada: 800 Canadian dollars after an absence of 48 hours or more, 200 dollars after 24 hours. The goods must be with you. - United States: Usually 800 US dollars per person, after at least 48 hours abroad and once in 30 days. - United Arab Emirates: Gifts up to 3,000 UAE dirhams per passenger, in non-commercial quantities. - Saudi Arabia: Personal effects and gifts up to 3,000 Saudi riyals, with receipts. - Qatar: Gifts and personal belongings up to 3,000 Qatari riyals. - Switzerland: 150 Swiss francs per person and per day, children included. Amounts read on each country's customs site in October 2026. Alcohol and tobacco have separate limits. Goods sent by post or courier do not use this allowance. ### Mistakes to avoid - Buying on the first day, in the first shop. - No receipt for a rug worth more than the allowance. - Sending a parcel marked as a gift of no value. Customs open those first. - Trusting a shop that says it ships everything with no tax, without a written price to your door. - Buying an antique without papers. ### Sources - European Union, Your Europe: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/carry/alcohol-tobacco-cash/index_en.htm - GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/bringing-goods-into-uk-personal-use/arriving-in-Great-Britain - Canada Border Services Agency: https://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/bgb-rmf-eng.html - U.S. Customs and Border Protection: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/know-before-you-go/what-expect-when-you-return - Swiss customs (BAZG): https://www.bazg.admin.ch/en/value-added-tax-vat-chf-150-tax-free-limit - Dubai Customs: https://www.dubaicustoms.gov.ae/en/OpenData/Publications/DC%20Passenger%20Guide_6th%20Edition%202024_V9(EN).pdf - ZATCA, Saudi Arabia: https://zatca.gov.sa/en/RulesRegulations/Taxes/Pages/customs-individual/Travel-pages/luggage.aspx - Lexis Middle East (Qatar customs): https://www.lexis.ae/?p=19999 - Le360, Le guide des MRE: https://fr.le360.ma/economie/le-guide-des-mre-ep17-exportation-des-marchandises-et-des-devises-ce-quil-faut-savoir_X5LSXQG5WVG4FDNBOQWPTFVEYM/ ## Your house in Morocco: closing it and opening it Two checklists, for the day you leave and the day you arrive, and what to arrange so the house stays healthy while it is empty. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/dar_house.html A house that is closed ten or eleven months a year suffers more from damp, leaks and small forgotten things than from use. An hour on the last day and an hour on the first day prevent most of it. ### In short - Water closed at the meter, gas bottles closed, fridge empty and open: the three that matter most. - Air and cotton, not plastic: covers that breathe prevent mould. - One trusted person with a key, a written list of what to check, and your number. - Bills, tax and insurance can be followed online from abroad. ### Before you leave - Close the water at the meter and open one tap to release the pressure. - Close gas bottles at the valve and note the date printed on the rubber hose. - Empty, defrost and clean the fridge and the freezer. Unplug them and leave the doors wedged open. - Unplug televisions, internet boxes, chargers and the water heater. Switch off at the fuse box what is not needed; leave the circuit of an alarm or a camera. - Empty every bin and remove all food except sealed tins and jars. - Wash and fully dry bedding, towels and covers before storing them. - Stand mattresses on their side if you can, and cover them and the salon with cotton sheets, never plastic. - Roll wool rugs with cedar or a moth repellent, and store them off the floor. - Leave wardrobe and cupboard doors slightly open, with moisture absorbers if the house is near the sea. - Cover drains and the toilet bowl with a cloth and pour a little oil into the traps: it slows evaporation and keeps insects and smells out. - Close shutters and windows, check that the drains of the roof terrace are clear of leaves, and bring in anything the wind can carry. - Photograph the meters and each room. - Leave a key, your phone number and this list with the person you trust. ### While you are away - Ask for a visit once a month and after heavy rain: open the windows for an hour, look at ceilings and walls, check the terrace drains. - Agree in advance which small repairs can be done without calling you, and up to what amount. - Pay water, electricity and internet from abroad through your bank or the suppliers' sites and apps, and ask the operator whether the internet line can be paused. - Keep the yearly property taxes and, in a shared building, the syndic fees up to date. Unpaid amounts grow with penalties. - Home insurance: tell the insurer that the house is empty most of the year. Many contracts limit cover for theft or water damage in an unoccupied house. - A simple camera or a connected alarm needs electricity and internet left on: decide before you leave. ### The day you arrive - Open every window and shutter before anything else. - Open the water at the meter slowly, then let each tap run for a few minutes. Flush the toilets. - Look for leaks under the sinks, around the water heater and at the meter. - Check the gas hose: replace it if the printed date has passed or the rubber is cracked. Test the connection with soapy water, never with a flame. - Switch the electricity back on one circuit at a time. - Clean the fridge, plug it in, and wait two or three hours before filling it. - If the water heater has been off for months, empty and refill it, and heat it fully once before use. - Shake out the bedding, the salon covers and the rugs, and air them in the sun. - Look at ceilings and walls for new damp marks, and at the roof terrace. - Read the meters and compare with your photos. ### Damp and mould - On the coast, damp is the main enemy. Moving air matters more than heat. - Lime-based paint lets walls breathe; plastic paints trap damp behind them. - Keep furniture a few centimetres away from outside walls. - Wash mould off with diluted bleach or white vinegar, wearing gloves, then find where the water comes from. - The roof terrace is where most leaks start: have its waterproofing checked every few years, before the rainy season. ### Mistakes to avoid - Leaving the fridge plugged in with food for next time. One power cut ruins it. - Plastic sheets on beds and sofas. - No one with a key. - Water left open at the meter. - Discovering three years of unpaid tax on the day you want to sell. ## Learn Darija: the main words The words of every day, for children who grow up far from Morocco and for anyone who wants to speak with the family back home. Each word is written in Latin letters, the way Moroccans text, and in Arabic letters. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/darija.html ### Hello, thank you and goodbye - Salam 3likom (السلام عليكم): Hello. Word for word: peace be upon you. - W 3likom salam (وعليكم السلام): The reply to Salam 3likom. - Sba7 lkhir (صباح الخير): Good morning. - Msa lkhir (مسا الخير): Good evening. - Labas? (لاباس؟): Are you well? Is everything all right? - Labas, l7amdoulah (لاباس، الحمد لله): I'm fine, thank God. - Kidayr? / Kidayra? (كيداير؟ / كيدايرة؟): How are you? (to a man / to a woman) - Choukran (شكرا): Thank you. - Baraka llahou fik (بارك الله فيك): Thank you. Word for word: God bless you. - Bla jmil (بلا جميل): You're welcome. Don't mention it. - 3afak (عافاك): Please. - Sme7 liya (سمح ليا): Sorry. Excuse me. - Mer7ba (مرحبا): Welcome. - Bslama (بالسلامة): Goodbye. - Tsba7 3la khir (تصبح على خير): Good night. - Mabrouk (مبروك): Congratulations. ### Questions and short answers - Chkoun? (شكون؟): Who? - Achnou? (أشنو؟): What? - Fin? (فين؟): Where? - Fou9ach? (فوقاش؟): When? - 3lach? (علاش؟): Why? - Kifach? (كيفاش؟): How? - Ch7al? (شحال؟): How much? How many? - Wach…? (واش…؟): Starts a yes-or-no question: Wach nta mzyan? Are you well? - Iyeh (إيه): Yes. - La (لا): No. - Wakha (واخا): OK. All right. - Ma fhemtch (ما فهمتش): I don't understand. - 3awed 3afak (عاود عافاك): Say it again, please. - Chnou smitek? (شنو سميتك؟): What is your name? - Smiti… (سميتي…): My name is… - Mnin nta? / Mnin nti? (منين نتا؟ / منين نتي؟): Where are you from? (to a man / to a woman) ### The family - Baba / Lwalid (بابا / الوالد): Dad. Father. - Mama / Lwalida (ماما / الوالدة): Mum. Mother. - Khouya (خويا): My brother. - Khti (ختي): My sister. - Jeddi (جدي): My grandfather. - Jeddti / Mima (جدتي / ميمة): My grandmother. Many families say Mima. - 3ammi (عمي): My uncle, father's brother. - Khali (خالي): My uncle, mother's brother. - 3ammti (عمتي): My aunt, father's sister. - Khalti (خالتي): My aunt, mother's sister. - Weld (ولد): Boy. Son. - Bent (بنت): Girl. Daughter. - Drari (الدراري): Children. Kids. - Rajel (راجل): Man. Husband. - Mra (مرا): Woman. Wife. - L3a2ila (العائلة): The family. - L3ers (العرس): The wedding. ### Numbers and money - Wa7ed (واحد): 1 - Jouj (جوج): 2 - Tlata (تلاتة): 3 - Rb3a (ربعة): 4 - Khamsa (خمسة): 5 - Setta (ستة): 6 - Seb3a (سبعة): 7 - Tmenya (تمنية): 8 - Tes3oud (تسعود): 9 - 3achra (عشرة): 10 - 7dach (حداش): 11 - Tnach (طناش): 12 - 3echrin (عشرين): 20 - Khamsin (خمسين): 50 - Miya (مية): 100 - Alf (ألف): 1000 - Derham (درهم): Dirham, the Moroccan money. - Ryal (ريال): 5 centimes. Many people still count prices in ryals: 20 ryals make 1 dirham, so 100 ryals is 5 dirhams. ### Days and time - Lyoum (اليوم): Today. - Ghedda (غدا): Tomorrow. - Lbare7 (البارح): Yesterday. - Daba (دابا): Now. It can also mean in a moment. - Men ba3d (من بعد): Later. - Dima (ديما): Always. - Sba7 (الصباح): The morning. - L3chiya (العشية): The afternoon. - Lil (الليل): The night. - Ch7al f sa3a? (شحال فالساعة؟): What time is it? - Simana (السيمانة): The week. - Chher (الشهر): The month. - L3am (العام): The year. - Letnin (التنين): Monday. - Tlat (التلات): Tuesday. - Larb3 (لاربع): Wednesday. - Lkhmis (الخميس): Thursday. - Jem3a (الجمعة): Friday. - Sebt (السبت): Saturday. - L7ed (الحد): Sunday. ### Food and drink - Lkhobz (الخبز): Bread. - Lma (الما): Water. - Atay (أتاي): Tea. In Morocco, green tea with mint. - L9ehwa (القهوة): Coffee. - L7lib (الحليب): Milk. - L7em (اللحم): Meat. - Djaj (الدجاج): Chicken. - L7out (الحوت): Fish. - Lkhodra (الخضرة): Vegetables. - Lfakya (الفاكية): Fruit. - Lbid (البيض): Eggs. - Zzit (الزيت): Oil. - Lmel7a (الملحة): Salt. - Ssokkar (السكر): Sugar. - L3sel (العسل): Honey. - Ftour (الفطور): Breakfast. In Ramadan, the meal that breaks the fast. - Lghda (الغدا): Lunch. - L3cha (العشا): Dinner. - Bnin (بنين): Tasty. Delicious. - Chba3t (شبعت): I'm full. - Ji3an (جيعان): Hungry. - 3tchan (عطشان): Thirsty. ### At home - Dar (الدار): The house. Home. - Lbit (البيت): The room. - Lkouzina (الكوزينة): The kitchen. - Bit lma (بيت الما): The toilet. - L7ammam (الحمام): The bathroom. Also the public bath. - Lbab (الباب): The door. - Sserjem (السرجم): The window. - Tabla (الطبلة): The table. - Lkorsi (الكرسي): The chair. - Lfrach (الفراش): The bed. - Tlaja (التلاجة): The fridge. - Ssarout (الساروت): The key. - L7ouma (الحومة): The neighbourhood. - Ljar (الجار): The neighbour. ### In town and on the road - Ttri9 (الطريق): The road. The way. - Nichan (نيشان): Straight ahead. - 3la limen (على ليمن): On the right. - 3la lisser (على ليسر): On the left. - 9rib (قريب): Near. - B3id (بعيد): Far. - Hna (هنا): Here. - Temma (تما): There. - Fin kayn…? (فين كاين…؟): Where is…? - L7anout (الحانوت): The small grocery shop of the neighbourhood. - Ssou9 (السوق): The market. - Lmdina (المدينة): The old town. Also the city. - Tomobil (الطوموبيل): The car. - Taxi sghir (طاكسي صغير): Small taxi, inside the city. - Taxi kbir (طاكسي كبير): Large shared taxi, between towns. - Lagar (لاڭار): The train station. - Lmatar (المطار): The airport. - Lbabour (البابور): The boat. The ferry. - W9ef hna 3afak (وقف هنا عافاك): Stop here, please. ### At the market - Ch7al hada? (شحال هادا؟): How much is this? - Ghali (غالي): Expensive. - Rkhis (رخيص): Cheap. - N9es chwiya (نقص شوية): Lower the price a little. - Bghit… (بغيت…): I want… - Ma bghitch (ما بغيتش): I don't want it. - 3tini… (عطيني…): Give me… - Nouss kilo (نص كيلو): Half a kilo. - Bezzaf (بزاف): A lot. Too much. - Chwiya (شوية): A little. - Sserf (الصرف): Change, coins. - Lflous (الفلوس): Money. ### Feelings and health - Fer7an (فرحان): Happy. - M9elle9 (مقلق): Upset. Annoyed. - 3iyan (عيان): Tired. - Mrid (مريض): Ill. - Kayderni rassi (كيضرني راسي): My head hurts. Kayderni… means … hurts. - Tbib (الطبيب): The doctor. - Sbitar (السبيطار): The hospital. - Lfarmasyan (الفرماسيان): The pharmacy. The chemist. - Khayef (خايف): Afraid. - Tw7echtek (توحشتك): I miss you. - Kanbghik (كنبغيك): I love you. - Mzyan (مزيان): Good. Fine. - Khayeb (خايب): Bad. Ugly. - Zwin (زوين): Nice. Beautiful. ### Words you say to children - Aji! (أجي!): Come! - Sir! (سير!): Go! - Koul! (كول!): Eat! - Chreb! (شرب!): Drink! - Gles! (ڭلس!): Sit down! - Noud! (نوض!): Get up! - N3es! (نعس!): Sleep! Go to bed! - Chouf! (شوف!): Look! - Sme3! (سمع!): Listen! - Hder! (هدر!): Speak! - Kteb! (كتب!): Write! - 9ra! (قرا!): Read! Study! - L3eb! (لعب!): Play! - Tsenna! (تسنى!): Wait! - Jib! (جيب!): Bring it! - 7ell! (حل!): Open! - Sedd! (سد!): Close! - Ghsel yeddik! (غسل يديك!): Wash your hands! ### Expressions you hear every day - Inchallah (إن شاء الله): If God wills. Also: I hope so. - L7amdoulah (الحمد لله): Thank God. - Bismillah (بسم الله): In the name of God. Said before eating or starting something. - Tbarkallah (تبارك الله): Wonderful! Said to praise someone or something. - Yallah! (يالاه!): Let's go! Come on! - Safi (صافي): That's enough. That's it. OK. - Machi mochkil (ماشي مشكل): No problem. - 3adi (عادي): Normal. It's fine. - Bchwiya (بشوية): Slowly. Gently. - Bzzerba! (بالزربة!): Quickly! Hurry up! - 7chouma! (حشومة!): Shame! That is not done. Parents say it a lot. - Bsse7a (بالصحة): Enjoy! Said after a meal, a haircut, a hammam or a new purchase. - Llah ychafik (الله يشافيك): Get well soon. - Llah yr7mo (الله يرحمو): May God have mercy on him. Said of someone who has died. - Mbarkin l3wacher (مباركين العواشر): Happy Eid. Said for the holy days. - Ramdan mbarek (رمضان مبارك): Happy Ramadan. ## Moroccan names for boys 321 first names given to boys in Morocco, from today's favourites to the grandparents' names, each with its Moroccan spelling, its Arabic letters and its meaning. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/names_boys.html - Abbas (عباس): Stern, frowning; also said of the lion. Al-Abbas was an uncle of the Prophet. - Abdelaati (عبد العاطي): Servant of the Giver (al-Aati). - Abdeladim (عبد العظيم): Servant of the Magnificent (al-Azim). - Abdelali (عبد العالي): Servant of the Most High (al-Aali). - Abdelaziz (عبد العزيز): Servant of the Almighty (al-Aziz). - Abdelbaki (عبد الباقي): Servant of the Everlasting (al-Baqi). - Abdelbasset (عبد الباسط): Servant of the One who gives in plenty (al-Basit). - Abdelfattah (عبد الفتاح): Servant of the Opener, who opens the way (al-Fattah). - Abdelghafour (عبد الغفور): Servant of the Forgiving (al-Ghafur). - Abdelghani (عبد الغني): Servant of the Self-Sufficient, the Rich (al-Ghani). - Abdelhadi (عبد الهادي): Servant of the Guide (al-Hadi). - Abdelhafid (عبد الحفيظ): Servant of the Preserver (al-Hafiz). - Abdelhai (عبد الحي): Servant of the Ever-Living (al-Hayy). - Abdelhak (عبد الحق): Servant of the Truth (al-Haqq). - Abdelhakim (عبد الحكيم): Servant of the Wise (al-Hakim). - Abdelhalim (عبد الحليم): Servant of the Forbearing, the Patient (al-Halim). - Abdelhamid (عبد الحميد): Servant of the Praiseworthy (al-Hamid). - Abdelilah (عبد الإله): Servant of God (al-Ilah). - Abdeljabbar (عبد الجبار): Servant of the Mighty, the Restorer (al-Jabbar). - Abdeljalil (عبد الجليل): Servant of the Majestic (al-Jalil). - Abdelkader (عبد القادر): Servant of the All-Powerful (al-Qadir). - Abdelkarim (عبد الكريم): Servant of the Generous (al-Karim). Abdelkrim el-Khattabi led the Rif resistance in the 1920s. - Abdelkebir (عبد الكبير): Servant of the Great (al-Kabir). - Abdelkhalek (عبد الخالق): Servant of the Creator (al-Khaliq). - Abdelkouddous (عبد القدوس): Servant of the Most Holy (al-Quddus). - Abdellah (عبد الله): Servant of God. It was the name of the Prophet's father. - Abdellatif (عبد اللطيف): Servant of the Gentle and Kind (al-Latif). - Abdelmajid (عبد المجيد): Servant of the Glorious (al-Majid). - Abdelmalek (عبد المالك): Servant of the Sovereign (al-Malik). Sultan Abdelmalek led Morocco at the Battle of the Three Kings in 1578. - Abdelmoughit (عبد المغيث): Servant of the Rescuer, who answers calls for help (al-Mughith). - Abdelmoula (عبد المولى): Servant of the Lord and Protector (al-Mawla). - Abdelmoumen (عبد المؤمن): Servant of the Giver of safety (al-Mu'min). Abdelmoumen was the first Almohad caliph, in the 12th century. - Abdelmounaim (عبد المنعم): Servant of the Giver of blessings (al-Mun'im). - Abdelouadoud (عبد الودود): Servant of the Loving (al-Wadud). - Abdelouahab (عبد الوهاب): Servant of the Giver of gifts (al-Wahhab). - Abdelouahed (عبد الواحد): Servant of the One (al-Wahid). - Abdenbi (عبد النبي): Servant of the Prophet. - Abdennour (عبد النور): Servant of the Light (al-Nur). - Abderrafie (عبد الرافع): Servant of the One who raises up (al-Rafi'). - Abderrahim (عبد الرحيم): Servant of the Most Merciful (al-Rahim). - Abderrahmane (عبد الرحمن): Servant of the Most Gracious (al-Rahman). - Abderraouf (عبد الرؤوف): Servant of the Most Kind (al-Ra'uf). - Abderrazak (عبد الرزاق): Servant of the Provider (al-Razzaq). - Abdeslam (عبد السلام): Servant of the Source of Peace (al-Salam). Moulay Abdeslam Ben Mchich is a revered saint of northern Morocco. - Abdessabour (عبد الصبور): Servant of the Most Patient (al-Sabur). - Abdessamad (عبد الصمد): Servant of the Eternal, on whom all depend (al-Samad). - Abdessamie (عبد السميع): Servant of the All-Hearing (al-Sami'). - Abdessattar (عبد الستار): Servant of the One who covers faults (al-Sattar). - Aboubakr (أبو بكر): Father of the young camel. Abu Bakr was the Prophet's closest companion and the first caliph. - Achraf (أشرف): Most noble, most honourable. - Adam (آدم): Name of the first man and first prophet. In Hebrew, 'adam' means 'man, human'. - Adib (أديب): Well-mannered and cultured; a man of letters. - Adil (عادل): Just, fair. - Adnane (عدنان): Often explained as 'settler'. Adnan is the forefather of the northern Arab tribes. - Afalkay (أفالكاي, ⴰⴼⴰⵍⴽⴰⵢ): Handsome. - Afaw (أفاو, ⴰⴼⴰⵡ): Light, the bright one. - Afoulay (أفولاي, ⴰⴼⵓⵍⴰⵢ): Amazigh form of Apuleius, the 2nd-century writer of the Metamorphoses. - Afra (أفرا, ⴰⴼⵔⴰ): Peace. - Agellid (أكليد, ⴰⴳⵍⵍⵉⴷ): King. - Aghbalou (أغبالو, ⴰⵖⴱⴰⵍⵓ): Spring, source of water. - Aghilas (أغيلاس, ⴰⵖⵉⵍⴰⵙ): Panther or leopard. - Ahmed (أحمد): Most praiseworthy. A name of the Prophet Mohamed given in the Quran. - Akram (أكرم): Most generous, most noble. - Aksel (أكسل, ⴰⴽⵙⵍ): Leopard or tiger. Also linked to Koceila (Aksil), a 7th-century Amazigh leader. - Alaeddine (علاء الدين): Nobility of the faith. Aladdin of the Thousand and One Nights bears this name. - Ali (علي): High, exalted. Ali was the Prophet's cousin and son-in-law, and the fourth caliph. - Allal (علال): Often explained as 'high, exalted'. Allal al-Fassi was a leader of Morocco's independence movement. - Amadour (أمادور, ⴰⵎⴰⴷⵓⵔ): Living, existing. A traditional name in central Morocco. - Amanar (أمانار, ⴰⵎⴰⵏⴰⵔ): Guide, leader; also the morning star or Orion. - Amassan (أماسان, ⴰⵎⴰⵙⵙⴰⵏ): Learned, knowledgeable. - Amastan (أماستان, ⴰⵎⵙⵜⴰⵏ): Protector, defender. - Amayas (أماياس, ⴰⵎⴰⵢⴰⵙ): Cheetah or leopard. - Amayour (أمايور, ⴰⵎⴰⵢⵢⵓⵔ): Full moon, moonlight. - Amazigh (أمازيغ, ⴰⵎⴰⵣⵉⵖ): Often explained as 'free man, noble'. It is also the name of the Amazigh people. - Amine (أمين): Trustworthy, faithful. Al-Amin was a title given to the Prophet. - Amir (أمير): Prince, commander. - Amjad (أمجد): Most glorious, most honoured. - Amllay (أملاي, ⴰⵎⵍⵍⴰⵢ): Merciful, kind. - Ammar (عمار): Builder, one who brings a place to life. Ammar ibn Yasir was a companion of the Prophet. - Amnay (أمناي, ⴰⵎⵏⴰⵢ): Horseman, rider; in poetry, the beloved. - Anamar (أنامار, ⴰⵏⴰⵎⴰⵔ): Happy. - Anarouz (أناروز, ⴰⵏⴰⵔⵓⵣ): Hope. - Anas (أنس): Friendly company, warmth. Anas ibn Malik was a companion of the Prophet. - Anir (أنير, ⴰⵏⵉⵔ): Angel. The word anir also names an antelope. - Anis (أنيس): Friendly, good company. - Anouar (أنور): Brighter, more radiant; from nour, light. - Anzar (أنزار, ⴰⵏⵥⴰⵕ): Rain. - Asafou (أسافو, ⴰⵙⴰⴼⵓ): Torch, burning ember. It was a nickname of Ibn Toumert. - Asalas (أسالاس, ⴰⵙⴰⵍⴰⵙ): Pillar of the house. - Aslal (أسلال, ⴰⵙⵍⴰⵍ): Fine honey. - Aymane (أيمن): Blessed, lucky; linked to the word for the right-hand side. - Ayoub (أيوب): Name of the prophet Job. The Quran presents him as a model of patience. - Ayour (أيور, ⴰⵢⵢⵓⵔ): Moon. - Aziz (عزيز): Dear, cherished; also strong, mighty. - Azrour (أزرور, ⴰⵣⵔⵓⵔ): Handsome; also a jewel. - Azzedine (عز الدين): Glory of the faith. - Bachir (بشير): Bringer of good news. - Badis (باديس, ⴱⴰⴷⵉⵙ): Name of medieval Amazigh kings. Often explained as 'raised to power by the clan'. - Badr (بدر): Full moon. Badr is also where the early Muslims won their first major battle, in 624. - Badreddine (بدر الدين): Full moon of the faith. - Bassam (بسام): Smiling, one who smiles often. - Bilal (بلال): Freshness, moisture. Bilal ibn Rabah was the first muezzin of Islam. - Bouchaib (بوشعيب): Father of Chouaib (Abu Shu'ayb). Moulay Bouchaib, patron saint of Azemmour, is called the 'giver of boys'. - Bouchta (بوشتى): Father of winter (Abu Shita). Moulay Bouchta al-Khammar was a 16th-century scholar honoured near Taounate. - Boujemaa (بوجمعة): Father of Friday: 'bou' (father of) and 'jemaa' (Friday, the day of communal prayer). - Boukous (بوكوس, ⴱⵓⴽⴽⵓⵙ): Amazigh form of Bocchus, an ancient king of Mauretania. - Chadi (شادي): Singer, one who chants or recites verse. - Chafik (شفيق): Compassionate, caring. - Chakib (شكيب): Often explained as 'one who gives and rewards', from shukb, a gift or reward. - Chakir (شاكر): Thankful, grateful. - Chamseddine (شمس الدين): Sun of the faith. - Chaouki (شوقي): Of longing, full of yearning. Ahmed Chawki was an Egyptian poet called the Prince of Poets. - Charafeddine (شرف الدين): Honour of the faith. - Chihab (شهاب): Shooting star, bright flame. - Chouaib (شعيب): Often explained as 'little branch' or 'little tribe', from sha'b. Name of the prophet sent to the people of Madyan. - Choukri (شكري): Of thanks, grateful. - Daoud (داود): Name of the prophet David. From Hebrew, often explained as 'beloved'. - Diaeddine (ضياء الدين): Light, radiance of the faith. - Fadel (فاضل): Virtuous, generous; a man of merit. - Fahd (فهد): Panther, cheetah; a swift wild cat. - Faiçal (فيصل): Judge who settles between right and wrong; also a sharp sword. - Fakhreddine (فخر الدين): Pride of the faith. - Faouzi (فوزي): Of success and triumph. - Fares (فارس): Horseman, knight. - Farid (فريد): Unique, matchless; also a precious gem. - Farouk (فاروق): One who tells truth from falsehood. It was a title of the caliph Omar ibn al-Khattab. - Fathallah (فتح الله): Victory or opening granted by God. - Fouad (فؤاد): The heart. - Gaya (غايا, ⴳⴰⵢⴰ): Name of Gaia, a king of ancient Numidia and father of Massinissa. Often explained as 'active'. - Ghali (غالي): Precious, dear; of great value. - Ghassane (غسان): Youth, the prime of youth. Ghassan was also an ancient Arab tribe. - Habib (حبيب): Beloved, dear. - Hachem (هاشم): Crusher, breaker (of bread). Hashim, the Prophet's great-grandfather, broke bread for travellers. - Hadi (هادي): Guide, one who leads to the right path. - Hafid (حفيظ): Guardian, keeper, protector. - Haitam (هيثم): Young eagle. - Hakim (حكيم): Wise, sage. - Hamid (حميد): Praiseworthy, praised. - Hamza (حمزة): Often explained as 'lion' or 'strong, steadfast'. Hamza was an uncle of the Prophet. - Hani (هاني): Happy, content. - Haroun (هارون): Name of the prophet Aaron, brother of Moussa. Its origin is uncertain, often explained as 'exalted'. - Hassan (حسن): Good, handsome. Hassan was the Prophet's grandson; Hassan II was king of Morocco. - Hatim (حاتم): Judge, decisive. Hatim al-Tai was an Arab poet famous for his generosity. - Hazem (حازم): Firm, resolute, prudent. - Hicham (هشام): Generous; from a root meaning to crush bread to share it. - Hilal (هلال): Crescent moon, the new moon. - Houcine (حسين): Little handsome one, diminutive of Hassan. Al-Hussein was the Prophet's grandson. - Houd (هود): Name of the prophet Houd, sent to the people of 'Ad. - Houdaifa (حذيفة): From hadhafa, a small black sheep. Houdaifa ibn al-Yaman was a companion of the Prophet. - Houssam (حسام): Sharp sword. - Houssameddine (حسام الدين): Sword of the faith. - Ibrahim (إبراهيم): Name of the prophet Abraham. Often explained as 'father of many'. - Idir (إيدير, ⵉⴷⵉⵔ): Alive. Also read as the wish 'may he live'. - Idriss (إدريس): Name of a prophet, often linked to 'dars', study. Idriss I founded the first Moroccan state in 788. - Ifren (إيفرن, ⵉⴼⵔⵏ): Chosen one, the elite. - Igider (إيكيدر, ⵉⴳⵉⴷⵔ): Eagle; in poetry, a beloved out of reach. - Ikken (إيكن, ⵉⴽⴽⵏ): Often explained as 'awake, watchful'. A traditional name in central Morocco. - Ilyas (إلياس): Name of the prophet Elijah. From Hebrew 'my God is Yahweh'. - Imad (عماد): Pillar, support. - Imadeddine (عماد الدين): Pillar of the faith. - Imal (إيمال, ⵉⵎⴰⵍ): The future. - Imrane (عمران): Arabic form of Amram. In the Quran, Imran is the father of Maryam. - Ishaq (إسحاق): Name of the prophet Isaac, son of Ibrahim. From Hebrew 'he will laugh'. - Ismail (إسماعيل): Name of the prophet Ishmael, son of Ibrahim. From Hebrew 'God hears'. - Issa (عيسى): Name of the prophet Jesus, son of Maryam. From Hebrew-Aramaic Yeshua, 'God saves'. - Issam (عصام): Safeguard, protection; from a root meaning 'to protect'. - Itri (إيتري, ⵉⵜⵔⵉ): Star. - Iyad (إياد): Strength, support. - Izem (إيزم, ⵉⵣⵎ): Lion. - Jaafar (جعفر): Stream, small river. Jaafar ibn Abi Talib was a cousin of the Prophet. - Jad (جاد): Generous, from jud, generosity; also read as 'serious, earnest'. - Jalal (جلال): Majesty, greatness. - Jalaleddine (جلال الدين): Majesty of the faith. Jalal ad-Din Rumi was a Persian poet and Sufi. - Jalil (جليل): Great, venerable, majestic. - Jamal (جمال): Beauty. - Jamaleddine (جمال الدين): Beauty of the faith. - Jaouad (جواد): Generous, open-handed. - Jilali (الجيلالي): From al-Jilani, after the Sufi master Abdelkader al-Jilani, from Gilan in Persia. - Kacem (قاسم): One who divides and shares out. Al-Qasim was a son of the Prophet. - Kamal (كمال): Perfection, completeness. - Kamaleddine (كمال الدين): Perfection of the faith. - Karim (كريم): Generous, noble. - Keffou (كفو, ⴽⴼⴼⵓ): Abundant, prosperous. A traditional name in central Morocco. - Khaireddine (خير الدين): Goodness of the faith. Khayr ad-Din Barbarossa was a 16th-century Ottoman admiral. - Khalid (خالد): Eternal, everlasting. Khalid ibn al-Walid was a general of the early Muslims. - Khalil (خليل): Close friend. Al-Khalil, the friend of God, is a title of the prophet Ibrahim. - Lahbib (الحبيب): The beloved. Moroccan form of al-Habib. - Lahcen (لحسن): Moroccan form of al-Hassan, 'the good'. Al-Hassan was the Prophet's grandson. - Laid (العيد): The feast, the festival (Eid). - Lamine (الأمين): The trustworthy. Al-Amin was a title of the Prophet Mohamed. - Larbi (العربي): The Arab. - Lhoussaine (الحسين): Moroccan form of al-Houssein, 'the little good one'. Al-Houssein was the Prophet's grandson. - Loqmane (لقمان): Name of Luqman the Wise. A sura of the Quran bears his name. - Lotfi (لطفي): Kind, gentle. From lutf, kindness. - Maati (المعطي): The giver. Al-Mu'ti, the Giver, is one of the names of God. - Maher (ماهر): Skilled, expert. - Mahfoud (محفوظ): Protected, kept safe. - Mahjoub (محجوب): Hidden, veiled, sheltered. - Mahmoud (محمود): Praised, praiseworthy. - Majid (ماجد): Glorious, noble. - Malik (مالك): Owner, master. Imam Malik founded the Maliki school followed in Morocco. - Mamoun (مأمون): Trustworthy, reliable. Al-Mamun was an Abbasid caliph. - Mansour (منصور): Victorious, granted victory. Ahmad al-Mansour was a Saadian sultan of Morocco. - Marouane (مروان): Often explained as 'flint stone', from al-marw, hard white stones that strike fire. - Massil (ماسيل, ⵎⴰⵙⵉⵍ): From the Massyli, the ancient Numidian people of King Massinissa. - Massine (ماسين, ⵎⴰⵙⵉⵏ): Short form of Massinissa, often explained as 'my lord'. - Massinissa (ماسينيسا, ⵎⴰⵙⵉⵏⵉⵙⴰ): Often explained as 'their lord'. Name of the king who united ancient Numidia. - Mbarek (مبارك): Blessed. - Mehdi (مهدي): Rightly guided. - Mekki (المكي): From Mecca. - Messaoud (مسعود): Lucky, fortunate, happy. - Mhamed (امحمد): Praised. A Moroccan form of the name Mohamed. - Miloud (ميلود): Born, newborn. Same root as Mawlid, the Prophet's birthday. - Mimoun (ميمون, ⵎⵉⵎⵓⵏ): Blessed, lucky. Amazigh form of the Arabic Maymoun. - Mohamed (محمد): Praised, praiseworthy. Name of the Prophet of Islam. - Mohamed Adam (محمد آدم): Mohamed, 'praised', and Adam, the first man and the first prophet. - Mohamed Ali (محمد علي): Mohamed, 'praised', and Ali, 'high, noble'. Ali was the Prophet's cousin and the fourth caliph. - Mohamed Amine (محمد أمين): Mohamed the trustworthy. Al-Amin was a title of the Prophet. - Mohamed Anas (محمد أنس): Mohamed, 'praised', and Anas, 'friendliness, warm company'. - Mohamed Ayoub (محمد أيوب): Mohamed, 'praised', and Ayoub, the prophet Job. - Mohamed Hamza (محمد حمزة): Mohamed, 'praised', and Hamza, the name of the Prophet's uncle. - Mohamed Mehdi (محمد المهدي): Mohamed the rightly guided. - Mohamed Rayan (محمد ريان): Mohamed, 'praised', and Rayan, 'well-watered, fresh'. - Mohamed Reda (محمد رضا): Mohamed, 'praised', and Reda, 'contentment, satisfaction'. - Mohamed Taha (محمد طه): Mohamed, 'praised', and Taha, the letters that open sura 20 of the Quran. - Mohamed Yassine (محمد ياسين): Mohamed, 'praised', and Yassine, the letters that open sura 36 of the Quran. - Mohand (محند, ⵎⵓⵃⵏⴷ): Amazigh form of Mohamed, 'praised'. - Mohcine (محسن): One who does good, a benefactor. - Mohieddine (محيي الدين): Reviver of the faith. A title of the Sufi master Ibn Arabi. - Mokhtar (المختار): Chosen, selected. - Mouad (معاذ): Refuge, protection. Mouad ibn Jabal was a learned companion of the Prophet. - Mounir (منير): Bright, shining, giving light. - Mounsif (منصف): Fair, just. - Mourad (مراد): Wish, desired goal. - Moussa (موسى): Name of the prophet Moses. Most likely from an Egyptian word meaning 'son'. - Mustapha (مصطفى): The chosen one. A title of the Prophet Mohamed. - Nabil (نبيل): Noble, generous. - Nadir (نادر): Rare, precious. - Nael (نائل): One who attains what he seeks; also a gift. - Naim (نعيم): Bliss, comfort, ease. - Najib (نجيب): Noble, of noble birth, excellent. - Najmeddine (نجم الدين): Star of the faith. - Naoufal (نوفل): Generous, giving man; the word can also mean the sea. - Nasreddine (نصر الدين): Victory of the faith. - Nasser (ناصر): Helper, supporter. - Nassim (نسيم): Gentle breeze. - Nizar (نزار): Often explained as 'little, few'. Nizar ibn Maadd is an ancestor of many Arab tribes. - Nouh (نوح): Name of the prophet Noah. In Hebrew it means 'rest'. - Nour (نور): Light. - Noureddine (نور الدين): Light of the faith. Nur ad-Din Zengi was a 12th-century ruler of Syria. - Omar (عمر): Life, long life. Omar ibn al-Khattab was the second caliph. - Othmane (عثمان): Often explained as 'young bustard', a desert bird. Othman ibn Affan was the third caliph. - Oussama (أسامة): Lion. Oussama ibn Zayd was a young companion of the Prophet. - Rabie (ربيع): Spring, the season. - Rachid (رشيد): Rightly guided, wise. - Rafik (رفيق): Companion; kind, gentle. - Rahal (رحال): Great traveller, one who travels a lot. - Rami (رامي): Archer, one who throws or shoots. - Raouf (رؤوف): Compassionate, tender. Ar-Raouf is one of the names of God. - Rayan (ريان): Well-watered, fresh. Ar-Rayyan is a gate of Paradise for those who fast. - Reda (رضا): Contentment, satisfaction. - Redouane (رضوان): Approval, contentment. In tradition Ridwan is the guardian of Paradise. - Riad (رياض): Gardens, meadows. - Saad (سعد): Good fortune, happiness. Saad ibn Abi Waqqas was a companion of the Prophet. - Saadeddine (سعد الدين): Good fortune of the faith. - Saber (صابر): Patient, enduring. - Safouane (صفوان): Smooth, hard rock. - Said (سعيد): Happy, fortunate. - Saifeddine (سيف الدين): Sword of the faith. - Salah (صلاح): Righteousness, goodness. - Salaheddine (صلاح الدين): Righteousness of the faith. Saladin was the sultan who retook Jerusalem in 1187. - Saleh (صالح): Righteous, good. Name of a prophet sent to the people of Thamud. - Salim (سليم): Safe, sound, unharmed. - Salmane (سلمان): Safe, sound. Salman al-Farisi was a Persian companion of the Prophet. - Sami (سامي): High, elevated, lofty. - Samir (سمير): Companion in evening conversation. - Seddik (الصديق): Truthful, sincere. As-Siddiq was the title of Abu Bakr, the first caliph. - Sifaw (سيفاو, ⵙⵉⴼⴰⵡ): Torch, light; often explained as 'enlightened'. - Sifax (سيفاكس, ⵙⵉⴼⴰⴽⵙ): Name of Syphax, an ancient Numidian king. Often explained as 'protected'. - Sirajeddine (سراج الدين): Lamp of the faith. - Soufiane (سفيان): Often explained as 'quick-walking'. Soufiane ath-Thawri was an early scholar. - Souhaib (صهيب): Reddish-haired. Souhaib ar-Roumi was a companion of the Prophet. - Souhail (سهيل): Canopus, a bright star of the southern sky. - Soulaimane (سليمان): Name of the prophet Solomon. From Hebrew, linked to shalom, 'peace'. - Tachfine (تاشفين, ⵜⴰⵛⴼⵉⵏ): Often explained as 'prosperous, fertile'. Father of the Almoravid ruler Youssef Ibn Tachfine. - Taha (طه): The letters Ta-Ha that open sura 20 of the Quran. - Tahar (الطاهر): Pure, clean. - Tajeddine (تاج الدين): Crown of the faith. - Takfarinas (تاكفاريناس, ⵜⴰⴽⴼⴰⵔⵉⵏⴰⵙ): Often explained as 'honour is his'. Takfarinas led an Amazigh revolt against Rome. - Takieddine (تقي الدين): Piety of the faith, the pious one of the faith. - Tamim (تميم): Strong, complete, whole. - Taoufik (توفيق): Success granted by God. - Tarik (طارق): One who comes at night; the piercing star of sura 86. Tarik ibn Ziyad crossed to Spain in 711. - Tayeb (الطيب): Good, kind, pure. - Thami (التهامي): From Tihama, the Red Sea lowland of Arabia where Mecca lies. - Usem (أوسم, ⵓⵙⵎ): Lightning. - Wadie (وديع): Gentle, calm, peaceful. - Wahid (وحيد): Unique, the only one. - Wail (وائل): One who seeks refuge. - Walid (وليد): Newborn child. - Wassim (وسيم): Good-looking, with fine features. - Winarouz (ويناروز, ⵡⵉⵏⴰⵔⵓⵣ): He who brings hope. - Winoufra (وينوفرا, ⵡⵉⵏⵓⴼⵔⴰ): He of peace. - Wintidt (وينتيدت, ⵡⵉⵏⵜⵉⴷⵜ): He of truth, truthful. - Yacoub (يعقوب): Name of the prophet Jacob. Often explained as 'holder of the heel'. - Yahya (يحيى): He lives. Name of the prophet Yahya, known in English as John. - Yasser (ياسر): Easy-going, one who makes things easy. - Yassine (ياسين): The letters Ya-Sin that open sura 36 of the Quran. - Yazid (يزيد): He increases, he grows. - Younes (يونس): Name of the prophet Jonah. In Hebrew it means 'dove'. - Youssef (يوسف): Name of the prophet Joseph. Often explained as 'God will add'. - Yuba (يوبا, ⵢⵓⴱⴰ): Name of Juba I and Juba II, ancient Amazigh kings. Often explained as 'he has judged'. - Yugurten (يوغرطة, ⵢⵓⴳⵔⵜⵏ): Often explained as 'he surpassed them'. Amazigh form of Jugurtha, a king of Numidia. - Zaid (زيد): Growth, increase. Zayd ibn Haritha is the only companion named in the Quran. - Zakaria (زكرياء): Name of the prophet Zechariah. In Hebrew it means 'God remembers'. - Zayn (زين): Beauty, grace, ornament. - Ziad (زياد): Increase, growth. - Zineddine (زين الدين): Ornament of the faith. - Ziri (زيري, ⵣⵉⵔⵉ): Moonlight. Masculine form of Tiziri. - Zoubir (زبير): Strong, firm. Az-Zoubair ibn al-Awwam was a companion of the Prophet. - Zouhair (زهير): Little flower. Zuhayr ibn Abi Sulma was a famous pre-Islamic poet. ## Moroccan names for girls 323 first names given to girls in Morocco, from today's favourites to the grandparents' names, each with its Moroccan spelling, its Arabic letters and its meaning. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/names_girls.html - Abida (عابدة): Worshipper, a devout woman. - Abir (عبير): Fragrance, a blend of perfumes. - Abla (عبلة): Full-figured, of ample build. Abla was the beloved of the poet Antara. - Achouak (أشواق): Longings, yearnings. - Adiba (أديبة): Cultured, well-mannered; also a woman of letters. - Adila (عادلة): Just, fair. - Afaf (عفاف): Modesty, virtue, self-restraint. - Afifa (عفيفة): Chaste, virtuous. - Afnane (أفنان): Branches. The Quran describes the gardens of Paradise as rich in branches. - Ahlam (أحلام): Dreams. - Aicha (عائشة): Living, alive. Aicha was a wife of the Prophet. - Aida (عايدة): Returning, one who comes back. - Alae (آلاء): Blessings, bounties. The word is repeated in Sura ar-Rahman. - Alia (عالية): High, lofty, exalted. - Amal (أمل): Hope. - Amane (أمان): Safety, security, peace of mind. - Amani (أماني): Wishes, hopes. - Amat Errahmane (أمة الرحمن): Servant of the Most Gracious (al-Rahman). - Amina (أمينة): Trustworthy, faithful. - Amira (أميرة): Princess. - Anissa (أنيسة): Friendly, pleasant company. - Ansam (أنسام): Breezes, gentle winds. - Aouatif (عواطف): Feelings, affections, tender emotions. - Arifa (عارفة): Knowing, learned. - Arij (أريج): Sweet fragrance, a lingering scent. - Arwa (أروى): Female mountain goat, ibex. Arwa bint Abd al-Muttalib was the Prophet's aunt. - Asmae (أسماء): Often explained as 'names' or 'high standing'. Asma bint Abi Bakr was a Companion of the Prophet. - Assala (أصالة): Authenticity, nobility of origin. - Assia (آسية): Often explained as 'one who comforts and heals'. Asiya is the name tradition gives to Pharaoh's wife. - Assila (أصيلة): Of noble origin; genuine, authentic. - Atifa (عاطفة): Affection, tenderness. - Atika (عاتكة): Noble, high-born; also fragrant with perfume. Atika bint Abd al-Muttalib was the Prophet's aunt. - Aya (آية): Sign, wonder; also a verse of the Quran. - Ayat (آيات): Signs, wonders; also verses of the Quran. - Azhar (أزهار): Flowers, blossoms. - Aziza (عزيزة): Dear, precious; also strong, mighty. - Azza (عزة): Might, honour, pride. - Bachira (بشيرة): Bringer of good news. - Badia (بديعة): Wonderful, original, without equal. - Badria (بدرية): Like the full moon, from badr. - Bahia (بهية): Radiant, brilliant. The Bahia Palace in Marrakech bears this name. - Bahija (بهيجة): Joyful, delightful, cheerful. - Bahria (بحرية): Of the sea. - Bakhta (بختة): Luck, good fortune, from the Persian word bakht. - Barka (بركة): Blessing. - Basima (باسمة): Smiling. - Basma (بسمة): A smile. - Batoul (بتول): Devoted to God, chaste. A title of Maryam and of Fatima. - Bayane (بيان): Clarity, eloquent speech. - Biti (بيتي, ⴱⵉⵜⵉ): A word of affection for babies in the Souss; an old name in the Atlas. - Bouchra (بشرى): Good news, glad tidings. - Boutaina (بثينة): Diminutive of bathna, 'soft, fertile land'. Buthayna was the beloved of the poet Jamil. - Btissam (ابتسام): Smiling, a smile. - Chadia (شادية): Singing; a woman who sings, from shada, 'to sing'. - Chafia (شافية): Healing, one who cures. - Chafika (شفيقة): Compassionate, tender-hearted. - Chahd (شهد): Honey, honey still in the comb. - Chahrazad (شهرزاد): Often explained as 'of noble lineage' or 'child of the city'. The storyteller of the Thousand and One Nights. - Chaimae (شيماء): Often explained as 'with a beauty mark' or 'of fine qualities'. Al-Shayma was the Prophet's foster sister. - Chakira (شاكرة): Grateful, thankful. - Chama (شامة): Beauty mark, a mole. - Chams (شمس): Sun. - Chams Eddouha (شمس الضحى): The sun of the forenoon, the bright morning sun. - Charifa (شريفة): Noble, honourable. - Chefae (شفاء): Healing, cure. Al-Shifa bint Abdullah was a Companion of the Prophet. - Chirine (شيرين): Sweet, in Persian. - Chourouk (شروق): Sunrise. - Dahbia (ذهبية): Golden. - Dalal (دلال): Pampering, playful charm. - Dalila (دليلة): Guide, one who shows the way. - Dania (دانية): Near, close; the Quran uses it of fruit hanging within reach. - Darifa (ظريفة): Witty, charming, graceful. - Dihya (ديهيا, ⴷⵉⵀⵢⴰ): Often explained as 'beloved'. Name of the Amazigh queen of the Aurès called al-Kahina. - Dikra (ذكرى): Remembrance, memory. - Dina (دينا): Often explained as 'vindicated, cleared of blame'. Dina was the daughter of Jacob. - Doha (ضحى): Forenoon, the bright mid-morning. Ad-Duha is a sura of the Quran. - Douae (دعاء): Prayer, supplication to God. - Dounia (دنيا): The world, this earthly life. - Drissia (إدريسية): Of Idriss; named after Idriss I, founder of the first Moroccan state. - Fadila (فضيلة): Virtue, moral excellence. - Fadma (فاضمة): Moroccan and Amazigh form of Fatima: one who weans, one who abstains. - Fadoua (فدوى): Self-sacrifice, devotion; from fida, 'ransom'. Fadwa Tuqan was a Palestinian poet. - Fahima (فهيمة): Understanding, quick to grasp. - Fairouz (فيروز): Turquoise, the blue-green gemstone. - Faiza (فائزة): Winner, successful. - Fakhita (فاختة): Ring dove. Fakhita was the given name of Umm Hani, the Prophet's cousin. - Farah (فرح): Joy, happiness. - Farha (فرحة): Joy, a happy moment. - Farida (فريدة): Unique, matchless; a precious pearl. - Fathia (فتحية): Of victory and opening, from fath. - Fatiha (فتيحة): Opening, ease, from fath. Al-Fatiha is the opening sura of the Quran. - Fatima (فاطمة): One who weans, one who abstains. Fatima was the Prophet's daughter. - Fatima Zahra (فاطمة الزهراء): Fatima the radiant. Fatima was the Prophet's daughter. - Fatine (فاتن): Charming, captivating. - Fatna (فاطنة): Moroccan form of Fatima: one who weans, one who abstains. - Firdaous (فردوس): Paradise. Al-Firdaws is named in the Quran as a garden of Paradise. - Fouzia (فوزية): Success, triumph. - Ghada (غادة): A young, graceful woman. - Ghalia (غالية): Precious, dear; of great value. - Ghania (غانية): A woman whose beauty needs no adornment. - Ghanima (غنيمة): Gain, prize, spoils. - Ghazala (غزالة): Gazelle. - Ghita (غيثة): Rain that brings relief; feminine of Ghayth, 'rain after drought'. - Ghizlane (غزلان): Gazelles. - Ghofrane (غفران): Forgiveness, pardon. - Habiba (حبيبة): Beloved, dear. - Hachmia (هاشمية): Hashemite: of the family of Hashim, the Prophet's great-grandfather. - Hadda (حادة): Often explained as 'keen, sharp', from the root h-d-d. The aita singer Kharboucha was also known as Hadda. - Hadia (هادية): Guide, one who leads to the right path. - Hadil (هديل): The cooing of doves. - Hafida (حفيظة): Guardian, protector; one who keeps safe. - Hafsa (حفصة): Young lion. Hafsa bint Umar was a wife of the Prophet. - Haifae (هيفاء): Slender, slim-waisted. - Hajar (هاجر): Name of Hagar, wife of Abraham and mother of Ismail. Often linked to hijra, 'emigration'. - Hakima (حكيمة): Wise. - Hala (هالة): Halo, the ring of light around the moon. - Halima (حليمة): Gentle, patient, forbearing. Halima al-Saadiya was the Prophet's wet nurse. - Hamida (حميدة): Praiseworthy, commendable. - Hanae (هناء): Bliss, happiness, well-being. - Hanane (حنان): Tenderness, affection, compassion. - Hania (هانية): Happy, at ease, content. - Hanifa (حنيفة): Upright in faith; true to the pure faith of Abraham. - Hanine (حنين): Longing, tender yearning. - Hasiba (حسيبة): Of noble descent, highly esteemed. - Hasna (حسناء): Beautiful woman. - Hawa (حواء): Eve, the first woman. Often explained as 'the living one'. - Hayat (حياة): Life. - Hiba (هبة): Gift. - Hibat Allah (هبة الله): Gift of God. - Hidaya (هداية): Guidance. - Hikma (حكمة): Wisdom. - Hind (هند): Often explained as 'a herd of a hundred camels'; also the Arabic name of India. - Hniya (هنية): Happy, at ease. - Houda (هدى): Right guidance. - Houria (حورية): Houri, a maiden of Paradise. - Ibtihal (ابتهال): Humble prayer, supplication. - Ichrak (إشراق): Radiance, the brightness of sunrise. - Ihssane (إحسان): Doing good, kindness, excellence. - Ikhlas (إخلاص): Sincerity, pure devotion. Al-Ikhlas is the title of a short sura of the Quran. - Ikram (إكرام): Honouring others, generous hospitality. - Ilham (إلهام): Inspiration, an idea that comes to the mind. - Illi (إيلي, ⵉⵍⵍⵉ): My daughter. - Imane (إيمان): Faith, belief. - Inaya (عناية): Care, attention, looking after someone. - Ines (إيناس): Friendliness, warm company, from uns. Also the Spanish name Inés, a form of Agnes. - Insaf (إنصاف): Fairness, justice. - Intissar (انتصار): Victory, triumph. - Israe (إسراء): Night journey. Al-Isra is the Prophet's night journey to Jerusalem, told in the Quran. - Itimad (اعتماد): Reliance, trust. Itimad was the wife of al-Mutamid, poet-king of Seville. - Itto (إيطو, ⵉⵟⵟⵓ): Often explained as 'big eye', and by extension 'spring of water'. - Jalila (جليلة): Great, honoured, venerable. - Jamila (جميلة): Beautiful, graceful. - Jana (جنى): Freshly picked fruit, harvest. The word appears in the Quran (55:54). - Jawhara (جوهرة): Jewel, precious gem. The word comes from Persian gohar. - Jihane (جيهان): The world, from Persian jahan. - Jinane (جنان): Gardens, also the gardens of Paradise. - Joumana (جمانة): A pearl, or a pearl-shaped silver bead. The word is often said to come from Persian. - Kamar (قمر): The moon. - Karima (كريمة): Generous, noble. - Kawkab (كوكب): Star, planet. - Kawtar (كوثر): Abundance. Al-Kawthar is a river of Paradise named in the Quran. - Keltoum (كلثوم): Full-cheeked, with a round face. Umm Kulthum was a daughter of the Prophet. - Kenza (كنزة): A treasure. Kenza al-Awrabiya was the wife of Idriss I and mother of Idriss II. - Khadija (خديجة): Born early, a premature child. Khadija was the Prophet's first wife. - Khalida (خالدة): Everlasting, enduring. - Khaoula (خولة): Often explained as 'doe, gazelle'. Khawla bint al-Azwar was an early Muslim warrior. - Khira (خيرة): Good, the best, the chosen one. - Lamiae (لمياء): With dark, deep-red lips. - Latifa (لطيفة): Gentle, kind, delicate. - Leila (ليلى): From layl, 'night'. Layla is the beloved in the Arabic love story of Majnun Layla. - Lina (لينا): Soft, tender. Lina is also a palm tree named in the Quran (59:5). - Loubna (لبنى): Storax tree, which gives a sweet-smelling resin. - Loujain (لجين): Silver (the metal). - Maha (مها): Arabian oryx, a wild antelope known in poetry for its large eyes. - Mahassine (محاسن): Good qualities, merits. - Mahbouba (محبوبة): Beloved, a loved one. - Mahjouba (محجوبة): Veiled, sheltered, kept safe. - Maissa (ميساء): Walking with a proud, swaying gait. - Majda (ماجدة): Glorious, noble. - Majdouline (ماجدولين): Arabic form of Magdalena, 'from Magdala' (Aramaic 'tower'). Also al-Manfaluti's famous novel. - Malak (ملاك): An angel. - Malika (مليكة): Queen, female sovereign. - Manal (منال): Attainment, what one obtains. - Manar (منار): Lighthouse, a guiding light. - Mansoura (منصورة): Victorious, granted victory. - Maram (مرام): Wish, aim, what one longs for. - Maroua (مروة): Shiny white stone. Al-Marwa is a hill in Mecca, part of the pilgrimage rite. - Massilia (ماسيليا, ⵎⴰⵙⵉⵍⵢⴰ): From the Massyli, an ancient Amazigh people and royal line of Numidia. - Mbarka (مباركة): Blessed, full of blessing. - Meryem (مريم): Arabic form of Miriam, Mary. Meaning uncertain, often explained as 'beloved'. - Messaouda (مسعودة): Happy, fortunate, lucky. - Mimouna (ميمونة): Fortunate, bringing good luck. Maymuna was a wife of the Prophet. - Mina (مينة): Short form of Amina, 'trustworthy, safe'. - Mira (ميرا, ⵎⵉⵔⴰ): Often explained as 'grace'. - Moufida (مفيدة): Useful, beneficial. - Mouna (منى): Wishes, hopes. - Mounia (منية): A wish, a desire. - Mounira (منيرة): Bright, shining, giving light. - Nabila (نبيلة): Noble, high-minded. - Nada (ندى): Dew; also generosity. - Nadia (نادية): Often explained as 'the one who calls' or 'fresh with dew'. - Nadira (نادرة): Rare, precious. - Nafissa (نفيسة): Precious, valuable. Nafisa al-Tahira was a renowned woman scholar in Cairo. - Naima (نعيمة): Comfort, a soft and pleasant life. - Najat (نجاة): Rescue, safety, deliverance. - Najia (ناجية): Saved, rescued, safe. - Najlae (نجلاء): With large, wide eyes. - Najma (نجمة): A star. - Najoua (نجوى): Confidential talk, a whispered secret. - Naoual (نوال): Gift, gain, what one is given. - Narjiss (نرجس): Narcissus flower. The word came to Arabic from Persian nargis. - Nassima (نسيمة): Gentle breeze. - Naziha (نزيهة): Honest, upright, of clean conduct. - Nezha (نزهة): Pleasure outing; also purity, being free of fault. - Nihal (نهال): Young tree, sapling, from Persian. In Arabic, those who drink their fill. - Nisrine (نسرين): Wild rose, eglantine. A Persian word. - Noha (نهى): Intellect, good sense. - Nouhaila (نهيلة): Often explained as 'a first sip of water', a diminutive of nahla. - Nour (نور): Light. - Nour El Houda (نور الهدى): Light of right guidance. - Noura (نورة): Light; a feminine form of Nour. - Numidia (نوميديا, ⵏⵓⵎⵉⴷⵢⴰ): Numidia, the ancient Amazigh kingdom. - Oumaima (أميمة): Little mother, a diminutive of umm, 'mother'. - Oumnia (أمنية): A wish, a hope. - Rabab (رباب): White cloud. Also the rebab, a bowed string instrument. - Rabha (ربحة): Gain, profit, a good return. - Racha (رشا): Young gazelle, fawn. - Rachida (رشيدة): Rightly guided, wise, sensible. - Radia (راضية): Content, satisfied. - Rahima (رحيمة): Merciful, compassionate. - Rahma (رحمة): Mercy, compassion. - Rajae (رجاء): Hope, expectation. - Rania (رانية): Gazing, looking intently. - Rayhana (ريحانة): Sweet basil, a fragrant plant. - Rihab (رحاب): Wide open spaces. - Rim (ريم): White gazelle. - Ritaj (رتاج): A large door, a great gate. - Rkia (رقية): Often explained as 'rising, ascent'. Ruqayya was a daughter of the Prophet. - Romaissae (رميساء): Often explained as the name of a star. Rumaysa was the mother of the Companion Anas. - Saadia (سعدية): Happy, fortunate. - Sabah (صباح): Morning, daybreak. - Safae (صفاء): Purity, clarity, serenity. - Safia (صفية): Pure, sincere; a chosen friend. Safiyya was a wife of the Prophet. - Saida (سعيدة): Happy, fortunate. - Sakina (سَكينة): Calm, tranquillity, peace of mind. The word appears in the Quran. - Salima (سليمة): Safe, sound, unharmed. - Salma (سلمى): Safe and sound, from the root of salam, 'peace'. Salma was the mother of Abd al-Muttalib. - Saloua (سلوى): Comfort, solace. Also the quail sent to the Israelites in the Quran. - Salsabil (سلسبيل): Fresh, flowing water. Salsabil is a spring of Paradise named in the Quran. - Samar (سمر): Evening conversation among friends. - Samia (سامية): Lofty, exalted, high. - Samira (سميرة): Companion in evening conversation. - Sanae (سناء): Brightness, radiance; also high rank. - Sara (سارة): Princess, noblewoman. Sara was the wife of the prophet Ibrahim. - Siham (سهام): Arrows; also shares, portions. - Silya (سيليا, ⵙⵉⵍⵢⴰ): Name of an Amazigh princess, daughter of King Nubel (4th century). - Simane (سيمان, ⵙⵉⵎⴰⵏ): Two souls, meaning the father and the mother. - Sofia (صوفيا): Wisdom, from Greek. - Souad (سعاد): Happiness, good fortune. - Souhaila (سهيلة): Feminine of Souhail, the star Canopus. - Soukaina (سُكينة): Calm, peaceful, from sukun, 'stillness'. Sukayna was a daughter of al-Husayn. - Soultana (سلطانة): Sultana, a woman who rules. - Soumia (سمية): Often explained as 'lofty' or 'a little mark'. Sumayya was the first martyr of Islam. - Soundous (سندس): Fine silk, a cloth of Paradise named in the Quran. - Tadla (تادلا, ⵜⴰⴷⵍⴰ): Bouquet, sheaf. - Tafila (تافيلا, ⵜⴰⴼⵉⵍⴰ): She who dazzles, like light shining on water. - Tafoukt (تافوكت, ⵜⴰⴼⵓⴽⵜ): Sun. - Tafrara (تافرارا, ⵜⴰⴼⵔⴰⵔⴰ): Dawn, daybreak. - Tafsut (تافسوت, ⵜⴰⴼⵙⵓⵜ): Spring, the season; also blossoming. - Tahra (طاهرة): Pure, clean. - Tajeddigt (تاجديكت, ⵜⴰⵊⴷⴷⵉⴳⵜ): Flower. - Takwa (تقوى): Piety, mindfulness of God. - Tala (تالا, ⵜⴰⵍⴰ): Spring, fountain. - Tamanart (تامانارت, ⵜⴰⵎⴰⵏⴰⵔⵜ): Star and guide. Feminine of Amanar. - Tamassint (تاماسينت, ⵜⴰⵎⴰⵙⵉⵏⵜ): Feminine of Massine; also a place name. - Tamazgha (تامازغا, ⵜⴰⵎⴰⵣⵖⴰ): North Africa, the land of the Amazigh. - Tamazight (تمازيغت, ⵜⴰⵎⴰⵣⵉⵖⵜ): The Amazigh language. - Tamilla (تاميلا, ⵜⴰⵎⵉⵍⵍⴰ): Turtle-dove. - Tamimount (تميمونت, ⵜⴰⵎⵉⵎⵓⵏⵜ): Blessed, lucky. Amazigh feminine form of Mimoun. - Tanamart (تانامارت, ⵜⴰⵏⴰⵎⴰⵔⵜ): Happy. Feminine of Anamar. - Tanina (تانينا, ⵜⴰⵏⵉⵏⴰ): A legendary bird known for its beauty. - Tanirt (تانيرت, ⵜⴰⵏⵉⵔⵜ): Often explained as 'angel'. Feminine of Anir. - Tasafout (تاسافوت, ⵜⴰⵙⴰⴼⵓⵜ): Torch. - Taskourt (تاسكورت, ⵜⴰⵙⴽⴽⵓⵔⵜ): Partridge, a symbol of beauty. - Tasnim (تسنيم): A spring of Paradise named in the Quran. - Tayri (تايري, ⵜⴰⵢⵔⵉ): Love. - Taysa (تايسا, ⵜⴰⵢⵙⴰ): Daisy. - Tazrourt (تازرورت, ⵜⴰⵣⵔⵓⵔⵜ): Good-looking; also a pendant, a symbol of beauty. - Tidet (تيدت, ⵜⵉⴷⵜ): Truth. - Tidir (تيدير, ⵜⵉⴷⵉⵔ): Alive, full of life. Feminine of Idir. - Tifa (تيفا, ⵜⵉⴼⴰ): Clarity, light. An old name of central Morocco. - Tifaout (تيفاوت, ⵜⵉⴼⴰⵡⵜ): Light, the first light of day. - Tifsa (تيفسا, ⵜⵉⴼⵙⴰ): The season when greenery is at its peak. - Tilelli (تيليلي, ⵜⵉⵍⴻⵍⵍⵉ): Freedom. - Tinhinane (تينهينان, ⵜⵉⵏⵀⵉⵏⴰⵏ): Often explained as 'she of the tents'. Name of a legendary queen of the Tuareg. - Tinoufra (تينوفرا, ⵜⵉⵏⵓⴼⵔⴰ): She of peace. - Tinsin (تينسين, ⵜⵉⵏⵙⵉⵏ): She who belongs to both parents. - Titrit (تيتريت, ⵜⵉⵜⵔⵉⵜ): Star, little star. Feminine of Itri. - Tiziri (تيزيري, ⵜⵉⵣⵉⵔⵉ): Moonlight, full moon. Feminine of Ziri. - Tlaitmas (تلايتماس, ⵜⵍⴰⵢⵜⵎⴰⵙ): She has her brothers. - Touda (تودة, ⵜⵓⴷⴰ): She is enough, meaning enough for her parents' happiness. - Toufizli (توفيزلي, ⵜⵓⴼⵉⵣⵍⵉ): More beautiful than izli, a sung poem. - Toumert (تومرت, ⵜⵓⵎⵔⵜ): Joy, happiness. - Tounarouz (توناروز, ⵜⵓⵏⴰⵔⵓⵣ): She who brings hope. - Touria (ثريا): The Pleiades, a cluster of stars. - Wafae (وفاء): Loyalty, faithfulness. - Warda (وردة): Rose, flower. - Wiam (وئام): Harmony, concord. - Widad (وداد): Love, affection. - Wijdane (وجدان): Feeling, inner emotion, conscience. - Wissal (وصال): Union, closeness, being together. - Yakout (ياقوت): Ruby, precious stone. The word came to Arabic via Persian, from Greek. - Yamna (يامنة): Blessed, bringing good fortune. - Yasmine (ياسمين): Jasmine flower. A Persian word. - Yousra (يسرى): Ease, an easy life. The word appears in the Quran (92:7). - Zahia (زاهية): Bright, radiant, colourful. - Zahra (زَهرة): Flower, blossom. Not the same word as az-Zahra, 'the radiant', in Fatima Zahra. - Zakia (زكية): Pure, virtuous; also fragrant. - Zhor (زهور): Flowers, blossoms. - Zina (زينة): Adornment, ornament. - Zineb (زينب): Often explained as a fragrant desert tree. Zaynab was a daughter of the Prophet. - Zohra (زُهرة): Brightness, radiance. Linked to az-Zuhara, the Arabic name of the planet Venus. - Zoubida (زبيدة): Little cream, the best part of something. Zubayda was the wife of Harun al-Rashid. ### Rules for a first name in Moroccan records - The civil status law of 2021 (law 36-21) sets the rules. A first name must not offend morals or public order. - It must not be a family name or a name that invites ridicule, nor the name of a town, a village or a tribe. - Two first names at most, registered together, such as Mohamed Amine or Fatima Zahra. - It comes before the family name, with no title such as Moulay, Sidi or Lalla, and no number. - The old law 37-99 required a name of "Moroccan character". The 2021 law no longer sets this condition. Amazigh names were already accepted: an Interior Ministry circular of April 2010 counts them as Moroccan names. - Since a decree of 2023, a civil status officer can no longer refuse a name outright. A doubtful name is recorded for the time being and sent to the High Commission for Civil Status, which accepts or refuses it and gives its reasons. - Declare the birth within 30 days in Morocco. Moroccans who live abroad have one year, at their consulate. # What Moroccans abroad ask most ## I cannot find a consulate appointment. What now? Since 2024 you can book at any Moroccan consulate for a passport, a CNIE or a legalisation, so look at the next nearest one. Slots open up regularly: check again over a few days. Collecting a finished document needs no appointment. ## Flights and ferries cost a fortune in summer. Is there a way around it? Not a magic one. Prices follow demand, and the question reached Parliament in 2026. What works: book months ahead, take a fixed-date ticket, travel mid-week, and compare another port or airport. ## Can I leave my car in Morocco and fly back? Only for a while. A foreign-registered car gets 180 days per calendar year. During that time you may leave it in a garage, but nobody may drive it and you must take it out yourself before the deadline. To keep a car in Morocco for good, it has to be cleared through customs. ## My father is retired. Can he bring a car in at 90% off for me? The 90% reduction is personal: age 60 or over, more than ten years abroad, one car in a lifetime. The car cannot be sold or handed over for five years and he must be present at clearance. It is his car, not a way to import one for someone else. ## A developer at a property fair wants a deposit today. Is that safe? No. Pay nothing at a fair. Get the land title number, check it yourself at the land registry, take your own notary and pay only by transfer through the notary. ## If I sell my flat in Morocco, can I take the money back? Yes, if you can prove you bought it with money from abroad, paid through a convertible dirham or foreign currency account. If you paid from an ordinary account or in cash, the proceeds may have to stay in Morocco. ## watiqa.ma is not working. How do I get a birth certificate? Ask the consulate where the birth is registered, or give a relative in Morocco a power of attorney to collect it at the commune. For a CNIE the certificate must be less than six months old. ## I divorced in Europe. Am I divorced in Morocco? Not yet. The foreign judgment needs an exequatur from a Moroccan court. A lawyer can do it with your power of attorney, without you travelling. ## Who has bought with the State housing aid, and how does it work? About one beneficiary in four lives abroad. The grant is 100,000 or 70,000 dirhams depending on the price, for a first home that becomes a main residence. You apply online and the notary handles the payment. ## We send billions home. Why do we still feel unheard? It is the most repeated comment of all: people want to count as citizens, not only as senders of money. Representation was still under debate in 2026. Meanwhile, complaints filed in writing on the national portal do get tracked. # 180-day car counter A car registered abroad may stay in Morocco 180 days per calendar year, in one stay or several. Enter your stays to see where you stand. ### Fine for overstaying - Up to 30 days: 1000 MAD (If you come forward), 2000 MAD (If the car is seized) - 31 to 60 days: 2500 MAD (If you come forward), 5000 MAD (If the car is seized) - 61 days to 6 months: 5000 MAD (If you come forward), 10000 MAD (If the car is seized) - More than 6 months: 10000 MAD (If you come forward), 20000 MAD (If the car is seized) # Before you leave - Passport valid for the whole trip, for every member of the family - CNIE valid, or the receipt if it is being renewed - Car registration document, original - Insurance that covers Morocco, or budget for border insurance - Signed power of attorney if the car is not in your name - Residence permit or proof that you live abroad - Ferry or flight ticket with a fixed date - List of gifts with rough values, under the 25,000 dirham allowance - Medicines in their boxes, with the prescription - Cash above the equivalent of 100,000 dirhams declared on arrival - Repatriation and medical assistance insurance checked - Copies of all documents on your phone # Directory Since January 2024 you can book passport, CNIE, legalisation and certificate services at any Moroccan consulate, not only the one for your area. Civil status records stay with the consulate of your district. Details taken from consulat.ma on 8 October 2026. Check before you travel: hours change on Moroccan and local holidays. ## France ### Consulate General of Morocco in Paris - Address: 12, rue de la Saïda, 75015 Paris - Phone: 08 01 84 00 02, +33 1 56 56 72 01 - Email: cgmparis.75@gmail.com - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Paris (75), Guadeloupe (971), Martinique (972), Guyane (973), La Réunion (974), Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon (975), Mayotte (976), Polynésie française (987), Nouvelle-Calédonie (988) - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_fr_paris.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Colombes - Address: 89, rue des Gros Grès, 92700 Colombes - Phone: +33 1 56 83 80 20 - Email: consu.ma.colombes@wanadoo.fr - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Hauts-de-Seine (92) - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_fr_colombes.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Villemomble - Address: 40, avenue du Raincy, 93250 Villemomble - Phone: +33 1 48 94 99 31 - Email: cgm.villemomble@gmail.com - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Seine-Saint-Denis (93), Marne (51) - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_fr_villemomble.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Orly - Address: 95-97, avenue de la Victoire, 94310 Orly - Phone: +33 1 48 53 63 85 - Email: cgm.orly@maec.gov.ma - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Val-de-Marne (94), Essonne (91), Seine-et-Marne (77) - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_fr_orly.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Pontoise - Address: 7, rue Thiers, 95300 Pontoise - Phone: +33 1 30 30 32 26 - Email: cgm.pontoise@maec.gov.ma - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Val-d’Oise (95), Yvelines (78), Oise (60), Eure (27), Seine-Maritime (76) - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_fr_pontoise.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Lyon - Address: 2-4, rue Carry, 69003 Lyon - Phone: +33 4 72 36 96 17 - Email: consulat-maroc-lyon@wanadoo.fr - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Rhône (69), Ain (01), Drôme (26), Isère (38), Loire (42), Haute-Loire (43), Puy-de-Dôme (63), Savoie (73), Haute-Savoie (74) - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_fr_lyon.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Marseille - Address: 22, allée Léon Gambetta, 13001 Marseille - Phone: 08 01 84 00 02, +33 4 91 50 02 96 - Email: cons.mars@wanadoo.fr - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Bouches-du-Rhône (13), Alpes-de-Haute-Provence (04), Hautes-Alpes (05), Alpes-Maritimes (06), Var (83), Vaucluse (84), Monaco - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_fr_marseille.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Toulouse - Address: 5, avenue Camille Pujol, 31500 Toulouse - Phone: +33 5 62 47 10 47 - Email: cgtoulouse@maec.gov.ma - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Haute-Garonne (31), Ariège (09), Aude (11), Cantal (15), Gers (32), Lot (46), Pyrénées-Atlantiques (64), Hautes-Pyrénées (65), Tarn (81), Tarn-et-Garonne (82) - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_fr_toulouse.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Montpellier - Address: 265, rue Maurice Béjart, Parc 2000, 34080 Montpellier - Phone: +33 4 67 06 88 30 - Email: cgmontpellier@maec.gov.ma - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Hérault (34), Ardèche (07), Aveyron (12), Gard (30), Lozère (48), Pyrénées-Orientales (66) - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_fr_montpellier.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Bordeaux - Address: 12, rue Mexico, 33200 Bordeaux Caudéran - Phone: +33 5 56 02 42 21 - Email: consumab2@wanadoo.fr - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Gironde (33), Charente (16), Charente-Maritime (17), Corrèze (19), Creuse (23), Dordogne (24), Landes (40), Lot-et-Garonne (47), Deux-Sèvres (79), Vienne (86), Haute-Vienne (87) - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_fr_bordeaux.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Lille - Address: 20, rue de Bourgogne, 59000 Lille - Phone: +33 3 20 54 90 28 - Email: cgm.lille@maec.gov.ma - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Nord (59), Aisne (02), Ardennes (08), Pas-de-Calais (62), Somme (80) - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_fr_lille.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Strasbourg - Address: 55, rue du Conseil des Quinze, 67000 Strasbourg - Phone: +33 3 88 35 23 09 - Email: consulatmarocstrasbourg@gmail.com - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Bas-Rhin (67), Haut-Rhin (68), Meurthe-et-Moselle (54), Meuse (55), Moselle (57), Vosges (88), Territoire de Belfort (90) - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_fr_strasbourg.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Rennes - Address: 19, boulevard de Sévigné, 35700 Rennes - Phone: +33 2 99 27 54 00 - Email: secretariat@cgm-rennes.net - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Ille-et-Vilaine (35), Calvados (14), Côtes-d’Armor (22), Finistère (29), Loire-Atlantique (44), Maine-et-Loire (49), Manche (50), Mayenne (53), Morbihan (56), Orne (61), Sarthe (72), Vendée (85) - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_fr_rennes.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Orléans - Address: 6, avenue Claude Guillemin, 45100 Orléans - Phone: +33 2 38 24 92 31 - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Loiret (45), Cher (18), Eure-et-Loir (28), Indre (36), Indre-et-Loire (37), Loir-et-Cher (41) - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_fr_orleans.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Dijon - Address: 26, rue Louis de Broglie, 21000 Dijon - Phone: +33 3 80 56 64 23 - Email: consulat-general-du-maroc@wanadoo.fr - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Côte-d’Or (21), Aube (10), Doubs (25), Jura (39), Haute-Marne (52), Nièvre (58), Haute-Saône (70), Saône-et-Loire (71), Yonne (89) - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_fr_dijon.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Bastia - Address: Route nationale 193, Casatorra, 20620 Biguglia - Phone: +33 4 95 30 10 70 - Email: consubastia@gmail.com - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Corse-du-Sud (2A), Haute-Corse (2B) - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_fr_bastia.html ## Spain ### Consulate General of Morocco in Madrid - Address: Calle Leizarán 31, 28002 Madrid - Phone: +34 815 05 71 95 - Email: consuladomarr.madrid@gmail.com - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Madrid, Castilla-La Mancha, Ciudad Real, Toledo, Salamanca, Valladolid - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_es_madrid.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Barcelona - Address: C/ Pujades 63, 08005 Barcelona - Phone: +34 815 05 71 95 - Email: consulado.secretaria@hotmail.fr - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Barcelona - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_es_barcelona.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Girona - Address: Calle La Creu 9-11, 17002 Girona - Phone: +34 815 05 71 95 - Email: secretariaconsulado@yahoo.com - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Girona - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_es_girona.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Tarragona - Address: Calle Joaquín Icart esquina Calle Leonila 1, 43007 Tarragona - Phone: +34 815 05 71 95 - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Tarragona, Lleida, Huesca, Zaragoza, Teruel - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_es_tarragona.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Valencia - Address: Calle Jorge Comín 38, 46015 Valencia - Phone: +34 815 05 71 95 - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Valencia, Alicante, Castellón - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_es_valencia.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Murcia - Address: Murcia - Phone: +34 815 05 71 95 - Email: secretariat.cgmurica@maec.gov.ma - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Murcia - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_es_murcia.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Almería - Address: Avenida del Mediterráneo esquina Sierra Alhamilla, Edificio Palmera 178, 3ª planta, 04007 Almería - Phone: +34 815 05 71 95 - Email: consmaralmeria@hotmail.com - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Almería, Granada - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_es_almeria.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Algeciras - Address: Calle Villanueva 7, Edificio Anglo-Hispano, 11207 Algeciras - Phone: +34 815 05 71 95 - Email: consuladomarruecosalgeciras@gmail.com - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Cádiz, Málaga - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_es_algeciras.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Sevilla - Address: Camino de los Descubrimientos 4, Pabellón de la Naturaleza, Isla de la Cartuja, 41092 Sevilla - Phone: +34 815 05 71 95 - Email: consuladomarruecossevilla@gmail.com - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Sevilla, Córdoba, Huelva, Jaén, Badajoz, Cáceres - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_es_sevilla.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Bilbao - Address: Avda. Don Diego López de Haro 70-72 bajo, 48011 Bilbao - Phone: +34 815 05 71 95 - Email: cg.bilbao@maec.gov.ma - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Bizkaia / Bilbao, A Coruña, Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, Castilla y León, La Rioja, Navarra - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_es_bilbao.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Palma de Mallorca - Address: C/ Anselm Turmeda 7, 07010 Palma de Mallorca - Phone: +34 815 05 71 95 - Email: consulat_maroc_palma@hotmail.fr - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Illes Balears - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_es_palma_de_mallorca.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Las Palmas - Address: C/ León y Castillo 92-94, 35004 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria - Phone: +34 815 05 71 95 - Email: consul@consuladomarruecoslp.com - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Canarias - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_es_las_palmas.html ## Italy ### Consulate General of Morocco in Milano - Address: Via Adele Martignoni 10, 20124 Milano - Phone: +39 02 66 80 69 19 - Email: consolatomaroccomilano@maec.gov.ma - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Lombardia - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_it_milano.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Torino - Address: Via Belfiore 27, 10126 Torino - Phone: +39 011 650 64 82 - Email: consmarturin@maec.gov.ma - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Piemonte, Liguria, Valle d’Aosta - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_it_torino.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Bologna - Address: Via Caduti di Amola 30, 40132 Bologna - Phone: +39 051 53 11 99 - Email: consolatobologna@maec.gov.ma - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Emilia-Romagna, Marche, Toscana - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_it_bologna.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Verona - Address: Via Torricelli 49, 37136 Verona - Phone: +39 045 862 08 58 - Email: cgmaverona@maec.gov.ma - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli-Venezia Giulia - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_it_verona.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Roma - Address: Via Franco Enriquez 44, 00139 Roma - Phone: +39 06 45 67 41 80 - Email: consolatomaroccoroma@maec.gov.ma - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Lazio, Abruzzo, Umbria, Sardegna - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_it_roma.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Napoli - Address: Via Agostino Depretis 102/114, Napoli - Phone: +39 081 1874 4283 - Email: consolatomarocconapoli@maec.gov.ma - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 15:00 - Covers: Campania, Puglia, Calabria, Basilicata, Molise - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_it_napoli.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Palermo - Address: Via Nunzio Morello 4, Palermo - Phone: +39 091 688 24 86 - Email: consolatopalermo@maec.gov.ma - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Sicilia - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_it_palermo.html ## Belgium ### Consulate General of Morocco in Bruxelles / Brussel - Address: Rue des Vétérinaires, 1070 Anderlecht - Phone: +32 2 210 90 40, +32 2 349 51 87 - Email: cons.mar.bruxelles@gmail.com - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Bruxelles / Brussel, Vlaams-Brabant, Brabant wallon - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_be_bruxelles_brussel.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Antwerpen - Address: Boomsesteenweg 75, 2610 Wilrijk - Phone: +32 3 830 57 51 - Email: cg.anvers@maec.gov.ma - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Antwerpen, Oost-Vlaanderen, West-Vlaanderen, Limburg - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_be_antwerpen.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Liège - Address: 42, boulevard de la Sauvenière, 4000 Liège - Phone: 08 007 25 93, +32 4 259 98 42 - Email: consumaliege@maec.gov.ma - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Liège, Hainaut, Namur, Luxembourg - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_be_liege.html ## Netherlands ### Consulate General of Morocco in Amsterdam - Address: Vondelstraat 65-67, 1054 GK Amsterdam - Phone: +31 20 618 17 86 - Email: info@consulaatmarokkoamsterdam.nl - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Noord-Holland, Friesland, Groningen - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_nl_amsterdam.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Rotterdam - Address: Calandstraat 11, 3016 CA Rotterdam - Phone: +31 10 436 61 77 - Email: consumar@xs4all.nl - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Zuid-Holland, Zeeland - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_nl_rotterdam.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Utrecht - Address: Kanaalweg 95 D/E, 3533 HH Utrecht - Phone: +31 30 293 02 84 - Email: Marokkaanse.consulaat.utrecht@maec.gov.ma - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Utrecht, Flevoland, Overijssel, Drenthe - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_nl_utrecht.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in ’s-Hertogenbosch - Address: Larenweg 46, 5234 KA ’s-Hertogenbosch - Phone: +31 70 227 05 93 - Email: cg.denbosch@maec.gov.ma - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Noord-Brabant, Limburg, Gelderland - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_nl_s_hertogenbosch.html ## Germany ### Consulate General of Morocco in Düsseldorf - Address: Cecilienallee 14, 40474 Düsseldorf - Phone: +49 211 65 04 51 34 - Email: cg.dusseldorf@maec.gov.ma - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Nordrhein-Westfalen - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_de_dusseldorf.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Frankfurt am Main - Address: Ostparkstraße 35, 60385 Frankfurt am Main - Phone: +49 69 94 94 59 100 - Email: cgm.frankfurt@maec.gov.ma - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 09:00 – 15:00 - Covers: Hessen, Baden-Württemberg, Bayern, Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_de_frankfurt_am_main.html ### Embassy of Morocco in Berlin, consular section - Address: Niederwallstraße 39, 10117 Berlin - Phone: +49 30 20 61 240 - Email: sc-berlin@maec.gov.ma - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Covers: Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Niedersachsen, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thüringen - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_de_berlin.html ## United Kingdom ### Consulate General of Morocco in London - Address: Diamond House, 97-99 Praed Street, Paddington, London W2 1NT - Phone: +44 20 7724 0624 - Email: Cg.london@maec.gov.ma - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_gb_london.html ## Canada ### Consulate General of Morocco in Montréal - Address: 1551, rue Ontario Est, Montréal QC H2L 1S6 - Phone: +1 514 288 8750 - Email: info@consulatdumaroc.ca - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_ca_montreal.html ### Consulate General of Morocco in Toronto - Address: 5001 Yonge Street, Suite 1515, North York ON M2N 6P6 - Phone: +1 416 223 0900 - Email: cgtoronto@maec.gov.ma - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_ca_toronto.html ## United States ### Consulate General of Morocco in New York - Address: 55 Broadway, 18th Floor, New York NY 10006 - Phone: +1 212 758 2625 - Email: sec.cny@maec.gov.ma - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_us_new_york.html ### Embassy of Morocco in Washington, consular section - Address: 1211 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 312, Washington DC 20036 - Phone: +1 202 499 1050 - Email: 2011morocco@gmail.com - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 14:00 - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_us_washington.html ## United Arab Emirates ### Consulate General of Morocco in Dubai - Address: Villa 116, Street 30, Community 334, Satwa-Jumeirah, Dubai - Phone: +971 4 349 6377 - Email: gckm@eim.ae - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 09:00 – 16:00 - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_ae_dubai.html ### Embassy of Morocco in Abu Dhabi, consular section - Address: Al Manaseer area, Mubarak Bin Mohammed Street (12), Villa 711/713, Abu Dhabi - Phone: +971 2 443 3973 - Email: sifmabo@yahoo.com - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 09:00 – 16:00 - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_ae_abu_dhabi.html ## Saudi Arabia ### Consulate General of Morocco in Jeddah - Address: 47 Jamal Eddine Al Aleef Street, Al Andalus II District, Jeddah - Phone: +966 12 663 8766 - Email: Cgma-djeddah@maec.gov.ma - Counter hours: Sun – Thu, 09:00 – 16:00 - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_sa_jeddah.html ### Embassy of Morocco in Riyadh, consular section - Address: Abdullah Ibn Hudhafa Al Sahmi Avenue, PO Box 9, Riyadh - Phone: +966 11 481 1858 - Email: info@moroccanembassy.sa - Counter hours: Sun – Thu, 09:00 – 16:00 - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_sa_riyadh.html ## Qatar ### Embassy of Morocco in Doha, consular section - Address: Diplomatic Street, Dafna, PO Box 3242, Doha - Phone: +974 4483 1884 - Email: m.embassydoha@maec.gov.ma - Counter hours: Sun – Thu, 09:00 – 16:00 - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_qa_doha.html ## Switzerland ### Embassy of Morocco in Bern, consular section - Address: Helvetiastrasse 42, 3005 Bern - Email: sifamaberne2@bluewin.ch - Counter hours: Mon – Fri, 09:00 – 16:00 - Book an appointment: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - URL: https://bablblad.com/en/consulate_ch_bern.html ## Official websites worth keeping - Consulate appointments: https://rdv.consulat.ma/ - Consular services guide, in 7 languages: https://www.consulat.ma/ - Passport pre-application and tracking: https://www.passeport.ma/ - National ID card pre-application: https://www.cnie.ma/ - Order civil status documents online: https://www.watiqa.ma/ - Customs: the section for Moroccans abroad: https://www.douane.gov.ma/web/guest/mre - Check your car's temporary admission: https://www.douane.gov.ma/at/ - Criminal record extract online: https://casierjudiciaire.justice.gov.ma/ - Apostille for Moroccan documents: https://www.apostille.ma/ - Land registry: check a property title: https://www.ancfcc.gov.ma/ - Tax office: property and income: https://www.tax.gov.ma/ - Exchange Office: currency rules: https://www.oc.gov.ma/ - Daam Sakane housing aid: https://www.daamsakane.ma/ - National complaints portal: https://www.chikaya.ma/ - Mohammed V Foundation: Operation Marhaba: https://www.fm5.ma/ - Hassan II Foundation for Moroccans abroad: https://www.fh2mre.ma/ - Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad: https://www.ccme.org.ma/ - Ministry portal for Moroccans of the world: https://marocainsdumonde.gov.ma/ - Official prayer times, Ministry of Habous: https://www.habous.gov.ma/ # Kitchen The dishes you grew up with, written so they work in a kitchen abroad. Change the number of guests and the quantities follow. ## Couscous with seven vegetables The Friday dish. Three steamings make the grain light; the broth does the rest. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/recipe_couscous.html - Preparation: 30 min - Cooking: 2 h - Serves: 8 ### Ingredients - 1 kg medium couscous - 1 kg lamb or beef, shoulder or shank, in large pieces - 2 onions, quartered - 3 ripe tomatoes, grated - 200 g chickpeas, soaked overnight - 4 carrots, halved lengthways - 3 turnips, halved - 300 g white cabbage, in one wedge - 3 courgettes, halved - 500 g pumpkin, in large chunks - bunch coriander and parsley, tied together - 1 tsp ground ginger - 1 tsp turmeric - 1 tsp black pepper - pinch saffron - 3 tbsp olive oil - 1 tbsp smen or butter, for the grain - 3 l water - salt ### Method 1. In the bottom of the couscous pot, brown the meat with the onions, oil, spices and salt for 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes, chickpeas, herb bundle and water. Bring to the boil and simmer for 45 minutes. 2. Meanwhile, put the couscous in a wide dish. Sprinkle with a glass of lightly salted water and a spoonful of oil, rub between your hands to separate the grains, and rest for 10 minutes. 3. First steaming: set the steamer on the pot and steam the couscous for 20 minutes, counted from when steam comes through the grain. 4. Tip the couscous back into the dish, break up the lumps, sprinkle with another glass of water and fluff. Add the carrots, turnips and cabbage to the broth. Steam the grain a second time for 20 minutes. 5. Fluff again with a little water. Add the courgettes and pumpkin to the broth. Steam a third time for 20 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. 6. Work the smen or butter into the hot couscous. Mound it in a large dish, make a well, put the meat in the middle and arrange the vegetables on top. Ladle over some broth and serve the rest in a bowl. ### Tip For a festive version, top with tfaya: onions cooked slowly with raisins, honey and cinnamon. ## Chicken tagine with preserved lemon and olives The tagine every Moroccan home knows. The sauce should be thick, never soupy. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/recipe_chicken_tagine.html - Preparation: 20 min - Cooking: 1 h - Serves: 5 ### Ingredients - 1.5 kg chicken, cut into pieces - 2 onions, finely chopped - 3 garlic cloves, crushed - 1 preserved lemon - 150 g green or purple olives - 1 tsp ground ginger - 1 tsp turmeric - ½ tsp black pepper - pinch saffron - 3 tbsp chopped coriander and parsley - 3 tbsp olive oil - 250 ml water - salt, sparingly: the lemon and olives are salty ### Method 1. Scoop the flesh out of the preserved lemon and chop it. Cut the rind into quarters and keep it for the end. 2. Rub the chicken with the spices, garlic, lemon flesh and half the oil. Leave for at least an hour, or overnight in the fridge. 3. In a tagine or a heavy pot, soften the onions in the rest of the oil. Add the chicken and colour it lightly for 5 minutes on each side. 4. Add the herbs and the water. Cover and cook over low heat for 45 to 50 minutes, turning the pieces once. 5. Add the olives and the lemon rind. Cook uncovered for 10 minutes more, until the sauce is thick and glossy. Serve with bread. ### Tip With a clay tagine on a gas flame, use a heat diffuser and start on low heat so the base does not crack. ## Kefta tagine with eggs Meatballs in a spiced tomato sauce, finished with eggs. Ready in under an hour. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/recipe_kefta.html - Preparation: 15 min - Cooking: 35 min - Serves: 4 ### Ingredients - 500 g minced beef or lamb - 1 small onion, grated - 2 tbsp chopped parsley and coriander, for the meat - 1 tsp paprika, for the meat - 1 tsp cumin, for the meat - 800 g ripe tomatoes, grated - 2 garlic cloves, crushed - 1 tsp paprika, for the sauce - ½ tsp cumin, for the sauce - 2 tbsp olive oil - 4 eggs - salt and black pepper - fresh coriander, to finish ### Method 1. Mix the meat with the onion, herbs, paprika, cumin, salt and pepper. With wet hands, roll into balls the size of a walnut. 2. In a tagine or a wide pan, cook the tomatoes with the garlic, oil, paprika, cumin and salt for 15 minutes, until the sauce thickens. 3. Set the meatballs in the sauce. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, turning them once. 4. Make a hollow in the sauce for each egg and break the eggs in. Cover and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until the whites are set and the yolks still soft. 5. Scatter with coriander and bring the dish to the table. Eat with bread, straight from the pan. ### Tip Do not overwork the meat: mix just until it holds, and the kefta stays tender. ## Lamb tagine with prunes and almonds Sweet and savoury, the dish of weddings and feast days. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/recipe_lamb_prunes.html - Preparation: 20 min - Cooking: 1 h 45 min - Serves: 6 ### Ingredients - 1 kg lamb shoulder, in large pieces - 2 onions, grated - 2 garlic cloves, crushed - 1 tsp ground ginger - 1 tsp turmeric - ½ tsp black pepper - 1 cinnamon stick - pinch saffron - 3 tbsp olive oil - 1 tbsp smen or butter - 500 ml water - 300 g prunes - 2 tbsp honey - 1 tsp ground cinnamon - 100 g blanched almonds, fried until golden - 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds - salt ### Method 1. In a heavy pot, turn the lamb in the oil and smen with the onions, garlic, spices, cinnamon stick and salt for 10 minutes. 2. Add the water, cover and simmer over low heat for about an hour and a half, until the meat comes away from the bone and the sauce has reduced. 3. Take two ladles of the cooking liquid into a small pan. Add the prunes, honey and ground cinnamon and simmer for 15 minutes, until syrupy. 4. Arrange the meat in a dish with its sauce, cover with the prunes and their syrup, and finish with the almonds and sesame seeds. ### Tip Dried apricots can replace half the prunes. If the prunes are very dry, soak them in warm water for 20 minutes first. ## Fish tagine with chermoula The tagine of the Atlantic coast, from Safi to Agadir. The chermoula marinade carries the dish. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/recipe_fish_tagine.html - Preparation: 20 min - Cooking: 40 min - Serves: 4 ### Ingredients - 800 g firm white fish, in thick steaks - bunch coriander, chopped - 4 garlic cloves, crushed - 1 tsp paprika - 1 tsp cumin - 2 tbsp lemon juice - 4 tbsp olive oil - 3 potatoes, in thin slices - 2 tomatoes, sliced - 1 green pepper, in strips - ½ preserved lemon, in strips - 80 g olives - 150 ml water - salt, and chilli if you like ### Method 1. Make the chermoula: mix the coriander, garlic, paprika, cumin, lemon juice, oil and salt. Coat the fish with half of it and leave for 30 minutes. 2. Layer the potatoes in the bottom of a tagine or a wide pan. Spoon over a little chermoula, then add the pepper strips. 3. Lay the fish on top. Cover with the tomato slices, the olives and the preserved lemon. 4. Stir the water into the remaining chermoula and pour it around the fish. Cover and cook over low heat for 35 to 40 minutes, until the potatoes are tender. ### Tip Sea bream, hake, conger eel or monkfish all work. Carrots can replace the potatoes: cut them thin, as they take longer. ## Tanjia marrakchia The bachelor's dish of Marrakech: meat, spices and a clay jar left for hours in the embers of the hammam. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/recipe_tanjia.html - Preparation: 10 min - Cooking: 4 h - Serves: 5 ### Ingredients - 1.5 kg beef shank or lamb, on the bone, in large pieces - 1 preserved lemon, quartered - 8 garlic cloves, whole - 2 tsp cumin - 1 tsp ras el hanout, optional - pinch saffron, a generous one - 1 tbsp smen - 3 tbsp olive oil - 150 ml water - salt ### Method 1. Put everything in the tanjia jar, or in a heavy casserole with a tight lid. Shake to mix; do not stir. 2. Seal the jar with baking paper tied with string and pierce a small hole. For a casserole, close the lid over a sheet of foil. 3. In Marrakech the jar goes to the hammam furnace for five to six hours. At home, cook it in the oven at 150 °C for four hours. 4. The meat is ready when it falls apart at a touch. Tip it into a dish with its juices and eat with bread. ### Tip No stirring and no peeking for the first three hours: the steam does the work. ## Rfissa Chicken, lentils and fenugreek over shredded msemen. The dish made for a new mother, and for anyone who needs comfort. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/recipe_rfissa.html - Preparation: 25 min - Cooking: 1 h 15 min - Serves: 6 ### Ingredients - 1.5 kg chicken, free-range if possible, in pieces - 3 onions, sliced - 100 g brown lentils - 2 tbsp fenugreek seeds, soaked for 2 hours - 1 tsp ground ginger - 1 tsp turmeric - 1 tsp black pepper - 1 tsp ras el hanout - pinch saffron - bunch coriander and parsley, tied together - 3 tbsp olive oil - 1 tbsp smen - 1.5 l water - 8 msemen, or 500 g trid - salt ### Method 1. Rub the chicken with the spices, salt and oil. In a large pot, colour it with the onions and smen for 10 minutes. 2. Add the water, lentils, drained fenugreek and herb bundle. Cover and simmer for about an hour, until the chicken is tender. There should be plenty of broth. 3. Tear the msemen into strips and warm them in a steamer over the pot for 10 minutes. 4. Spread the msemen in a large dish and moisten with a few ladles of broth. Set the chicken in the middle, cover with the onions and lentils, and serve the remaining broth on the side. ### Tip Fenugreek gives rfissa its taste. If its bitterness is new to you, start with half the amount. ## Chicken and almond pastilla Crisp pastry, spiced chicken, sweet almonds. The showpiece of the Moroccan table, originally from Fez. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/recipe_pastilla.html - Preparation: 45 min - Cooking: 1 h 30 min - Serves: 8 ### Ingredients - 1.5 kg chicken, in pieces - 3 large onions, finely chopped - bunch parsley and coriander, chopped - 1 tsp ground ginger - 1 tsp turmeric - ½ tsp black pepper - 1 cinnamon stick - pinch saffron - 100 g butter, half for cooking and half melted for the pastry - 300 ml water - 6 eggs, beaten - 250 g blanched almonds - 80 g icing sugar, plus more to dust - 2 tsp ground cinnamon, plus more to dust - 1 tbsp orange blossom water - 12 sheets of warqa, brick or filo pastry - 1 egg yolk, to seal and glaze - salt ### Method 1. Cook the chicken with the onions, herbs, ginger, turmeric, pepper, cinnamon stick, saffron, salt, half the butter and the water for 45 to 50 minutes. Lift out the chicken and shred the meat. 2. Reduce the sauce until thick. Pour in the beaten eggs and stir over low heat until softly scrambled and almost dry. Leave to cool. 3. Fry or roast the almonds until golden. Crush them coarsely with the icing sugar, ground cinnamon and orange blossom water. 4. Butter a round tin about 30 cm wide. Line it with overlapping pastry sheets, letting them hang over the edge, and brush each with melted butter. 5. Fill in three layers: the egg and onion mixture, the chicken, then the almonds. Fold the pastry over the filling, cover with two more buttered sheets and tuck them under. Brush with butter and egg yolk. 6. Bake at 180 °C for 30 to 35 minutes, until deep golden. Dust with icing sugar and draw lines of cinnamon across the top. ### Tip It can be assembled the day before and kept in the fridge, or frozen unbaked. Bake it just before serving. ## Harira The soup that breaks the fast. Tomato, pulses and herbs, thickened at the end until velvety. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/recipe_harira.html - Preparation: 20 min - Cooking: 1 h 30 min - Serves: 8 ### Ingredients - 250 g lamb or beef, in small cubes - 150 g chickpeas, soaked overnight - 100 g lentils - 1 onion, grated - 2 celery stalks with their leaves, chopped - bunch coriander, chopped - bunch parsley, chopped - 1 kg ripe tomatoes, blended - 2 tbsp tomato paste - 1 tsp ground ginger - 1 tsp turmeric - 1 tsp black pepper - 1 tbsp smen or butter - 50 g fine vermicelli or rice - 60 g flour, whisked smooth with a large glass of water - 2.5 l water - salt - lemon wedges and dates, to serve ### Method 1. In a large pot, put the meat, onion, celery, half the herbs, the spices, smen, chickpeas and about two thirds of the water. Bring to the boil and simmer for 45 minutes. 2. Add the lentils, tomatoes, tomato paste, salt and the rest of the water. Simmer for 30 minutes. 3. Add the vermicelli. Pour in the flour mixture in a thin stream, stirring all the time so no lumps form. 4. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring often, until the soup is smooth and velvety. Add the remaining herbs. 5. Serve very hot with lemon wedges, dates and, in Ramadan, chebakia. ### Tip A pressure cooker cuts the first step to 25 minutes. Harira is even better the next day: thin it with a little water when reheating. ## Bissara Thick broad bean soup, the winter breakfast of the north. Olive oil and cumin on top are not optional. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/recipe_bissara.html - Preparation: 10 min - Cooking: 1 h - Serves: 5 ### Ingredients - 500 g dried split broad beans, soaked overnight - 4 garlic cloves - 1.5 l water - 1 tsp cumin, plus more to serve - 1 tsp paprika, plus more to serve - 4 tbsp olive oil, plus more to serve - salt, and chilli if you like ### Method 1. Drain the beans and put them in a pot with the garlic and the water. Bring to the boil and skim off the foam. 2. Simmer, partly covered, for 45 to 60 minutes, until the beans collapse. 3. Blend until smooth. Add the salt, cumin, paprika and oil. Loosen with hot water if it is too thick. 4. Serve very hot in bowls, with a thread of olive oil, a pinch of cumin and paprika, and warm bread. ### Tip Half split peas, half broad beans gives the version loved in Chefchaouen and Tetouan. ## Zaalouk Smoky aubergine and tomato salad. Served warm or cold, scooped up with bread. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/recipe_zaalouk.html - Preparation: 15 min - Cooking: 35 min - Serves: 4 ### Ingredients - 2 large aubergines - 4 ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped - 3 garlic cloves, crushed - 1 tsp paprika - 1 tsp cumin - 3 tbsp olive oil, plus more to finish - 2 tbsp chopped coriander and parsley - 1 tbsp lemon juice - salt, and chilli if you like ### Method 1. Char the aubergines over a flame or under the grill, turning them, until the skin is black and the flesh soft. Peel and mash roughly. 2. In a pan, cook the tomatoes with the garlic, oil, paprika, cumin and salt for 15 minutes, until thick. 3. Add the aubergine and the herbs. Cook for 10 minutes more, stirring and mashing, until the liquid has gone. 4. Stir in the lemon juice, taste, and finish with a thread of olive oil. ### Tip No flame? Peel the aubergines in stripes, cube them and steam for 15 minutes before adding them to the tomatoes. ## Khobz, everyday bread Round, flat and dense enough to scoop a tagine. Two loaves, one hour of rising. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/recipe_khobz.html - Preparation: 20 min - Cooking: 25 min - Makes: 2 ### Ingredients - 500 g flour, white or half white and half wholemeal - 2 tsp salt - 2 tsp dried yeast - 1 tsp sugar - 310 ml warm water - 1 tbsp oil - fine semolina, for dusting ### Method 1. Stir the yeast and sugar into a little of the warm water and wait 5 minutes for it to foam. 2. Mix the flour and salt, add the yeast, the oil and the rest of the water little by little. Knead for 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. 3. Divide into two balls and rest for 10 minutes. Flatten each into a disc 2 cm thick on a cloth dusted with semolina. 4. Cover and leave to rise for about an hour, until a finger pressed in leaves a dent that springs back slowly. 5. Prick with a fork and bake at 220 °C for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden and hollow-sounding underneath. ### Tip A spoonful of aniseed or sesame seeds in the dough gives the taste of the neighbourhood oven. ## Msemen Square, flaky, folded flatbreads for breakfast and tea time. The folding is easier than it looks. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/recipe_msemen.html - Preparation: 40 min - Cooking: 30 min - Makes: 12 ### Ingredients - 300 g plain flour - 200 g fine semolina - 1 tsp salt - 1 tsp sugar - 290 ml warm water - 100 ml neutral oil, for shaping - 80 g soft butter, for folding - 50 g fine semolina, for folding ### Method 1. Mix the flour, semolina, salt and sugar. Add the water and knead for 10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and stretchy. 2. Oil your hands and the worktop. Divide the dough into balls the size of an egg, coat them in oil and rest for 15 minutes. 3. Flatten a ball with oiled fingers, stretching from the centre outwards, until it is thin enough to see through. 4. Dot with butter and sprinkle with semolina. Fold one third over the middle, then the other, then again the other way, to make a square. 5. Rest the squares for 10 minutes, then flatten each gently to about 15 cm. 6. Cook in a hot pan for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until golden with brown spots. Serve hot with honey and butter. ### Tip They freeze well once cooked. Reheat in a dry pan, never in the microwave. ## Baghrir Thousand-hole pancakes, cooked on one side only and soaked in honey butter. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/recipe_baghrir.html - Preparation: 10 min - Cooking: 30 min - Makes: 15 ### Ingredients - 250 g fine semolina - 130 g plain flour - 1 tsp salt - 1 tbsp sugar - 2 tsp dried yeast - 2 tsp baking powder - 600 ml lukewarm water - 100 g butter, for the syrup - 100 g honey, for the syrup ### Method 1. Blend all the batter ingredients for 2 minutes, until smooth and as thin as pouring cream. 2. Cover and rest for 30 to 45 minutes, until bubbles cover the surface. 3. Heat a non-stick pan over medium-low heat and wipe it with a little oil. Pour in a small ladle of batter without spreading it. 4. Cook on one side only, for about 2 minutes, until the top is full of holes and no longer wet. Do not turn it. 5. Lay the pancakes on a cloth without stacking them while hot. Melt the butter with the honey and pour it over just before serving. ### Tip If no holes appear, the batter is too thick or the pan too hot. Add a spoonful of water and lower the heat. ## Harcha Semolina griddle cakes, crumbly outside and tender inside. Ready in 25 minutes. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/recipe_harcha.html - Preparation: 10 min - Cooking: 15 min - Makes: 8 ### Ingredients - 350 g fine semolina, plus more for dusting - 50 g sugar - ½ tsp salt - 2 tsp baking powder - 130 g butter, melted - 170 ml milk ### Method 1. Mix the semolina, sugar, salt and baking powder. Rub in the melted butter with your fingertips until the mixture looks like wet sand. 2. Add the milk and bring together into a soft, moist dough. Do not knead. Rest for 5 minutes. 3. Pat the dough out 1 cm thick on a surface dusted with semolina and cut out rounds. 4. Cook in a pan over low heat for 5 to 7 minutes on each side, until golden. Serve warm with fresh cheese, jben, and honey. ### Tip Low heat is the secret. On high heat the outside burns before the middle is cooked. ## Mint tea Atay. Not a drink but a welcome. The first glass is set aside, the leaves are rinsed, and the pour is high. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/recipe_atay.html - Preparation: 5 min - Cooking: 5 min - Serves: 5 ### Ingredients - 1 tbsp gunpowder green tea - bunch fresh spearmint, a large one - 3 tbsp sugar, or to taste - 1 l boiling water ### Method 1. Rinse the teapot with boiling water. Put in the tea and half a glass of boiling water, swirl, and pour this first glass out to keep: it holds the spirit of the tea. 2. Add another half glass of boiling water, swirl and throw it away. This rinses off the bitterness. 3. Pour the first glass back in. Add the sugar and fill the pot with boiling water. Heat over a low flame until it just begins to simmer. 4. Take off the heat and push in the mint. Do not boil the mint. 5. Mix by pouring a glass and returning it to the pot three times. Never use a spoon. Pour from high up to make the foam. ### Tip In winter, add a sprig of wormwood, chiba. In the south, the tea is stronger, sweeter and served in three rounds. ## Coconut ghriba Cracked, chewy coconut biscuits for Eid and for the tea tray. One bowl, no mixer. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/recipe_ghriba.html - Preparation: 20 min - Cooking: 15 min - Makes: 30 ### Ingredients - 250 g desiccated coconut - 100 g fine semolina - 130 g sugar - 3 eggs - 70 ml neutral oil - 2 tsp baking powder - 1 lemon, zest only - 1 tbsp orange blossom water - icing sugar, for rolling ### Method 1. Whisk the eggs with the sugar until pale. Add the oil, lemon zest and orange blossom water. 2. Stir in the coconut, semolina and baking powder. Rest for 15 minutes so the mixture firms up. 3. Roll into balls the size of a walnut, coat generously in icing sugar and set on a lined tray, pressing each one down a little. 4. Bake at 170 °C for 12 to 15 minutes. They should crack on top and stay pale, barely golden underneath. ### Tip They harden as they cool. Take them out while still soft and keep them in a tin. ## Sellou Toasted flour, almonds and sesame. The Ramadan and new-mother energy food, also called sfouf. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/recipe_sellou.html - Preparation: 30 min - Cooking: 45 min - Serves: 20 ### Ingredients - 500 g plain flour - 250 g almonds, with skins - 250 g sesame seeds - 150 g icing sugar - 1 tbsp ground aniseed - 1 tbsp ground cinnamon - pinch gum arabic, crushed, optional - 200 g butter, melted and clear - 2 tbsp honey - pinch salt ### Method 1. Toast the flour in the oven at 170 °C for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until evenly golden brown. Cool and sift. 2. Toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan until golden. Grind half of them. 3. Roast or fry the almonds until golden and grind them, not too finely. 4. Mix the flour, almonds, all the sesame, sugar, aniseed, cinnamon, gum arabic and salt. 5. Work in the melted butter and honey with your hands, until the mixture holds when pressed. Shape into a mound on a dish and decorate with whole almonds. ### Tip The flour must be properly browned: pale flour tastes raw. Sellou keeps for weeks in a closed tin. ## The Moroccan pantry abroad What to look for, and what to use when you cannot find it. - Smen: Aged salted butter with a strong smell. Ghee or clarified butter gives the richness without the tang. - Preserved lemons: Easy to make: quarter lemons almost through, pack them with coarse salt in a jar, cover with lemon juice and wait four weeks. - Ras el hanout: Each spice seller has a blend. A home version: cumin, coriander, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, cardamom and nutmeg. - Warqa: The pastry of pastilla and briouates. Brick sheets are closest. Filo works when brushed well with butter. - Lben: Fermented milk served with couscous. Kefir or buttermilk comes close. - Couscous: Buy medium grain and steam it. The instant kind soaked in hot water never gets as light. - Gunpowder green tea: Sold in Asian and North African shops in small boxes. Tea bags of green tea do not give the same result. - Fine semolina: For msemen, baghrir and harcha. In Italy it is semola rimacinata. Coarse semolina will not work for baghrir. - Beldi chicken: A free-range bird with firm flesh. Choose free-range or organic and add 15 to 20 minutes of cooking. - Amlou: Roasted almonds ground with argan oil and honey. Without argan oil, a mild nut oil gives a good spread, though not the same taste. # Where to go Ideas for this summer and for every other season: beaches, mountains, desert and cities, all across the country. ## Chefchaouen and Akchour The blue town of the Rif, with waterfalls an hour away. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/place_chefchaouen.html - Best months: March, April, May, June, September, October, November - How long: 2 days - GPS: 35.17, -5.27 ### What to do - Walk the blue medina early, before the day trippers arrive - Climb to the Spanish Mosque for the sunset over the roofs - Hike to the Akchour waterfalls and God's Bridge in Talassemtane National Park - Taste the local goat cheese and a bowl of bissara ### Tip Weekends and August are crowded. Come midweek, and bring a jumper: evenings are cool even in summer. ## Tangier and Asilah Two seas, a kasbah above the Strait, and a white town of murals down the coast. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/place_tangier.html - Best months: April, May, June, July, August, September, October - How long: 2-3 days - GPS: 35.78, -5.81 ### What to do - Kasbah, Petit Socco and a mint tea at Café Hafa, facing Spain - Cap Spartel, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean, and the Caves of Hercules - A day in Asilah: white ramparts, painted walls and a long beach - The new marina and corniche at sunset ### Tip The Al Boraq high-speed train links Tangier to Rabat and Casablanca in about two hours. ## Tetouan and the Mediterranean coast An Andalusian medina and a string of calm beaches. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/place_tetouan.html - Best months: June, July, August, September - How long: 3-5 days - GPS: 35.57, -5.37 ### What to do - The white medina of Tetouan, a World Heritage site - Beaches at Martil, M'diq, Cabo Negro and Marina Smir - The coast road east to Oued Laou, between cliffs and coves - Grilled sardines at the port of M'diq ### Tip This is the busiest coast in the country in August. Book well ahead or come in June or September. ## Al Hoceima Turquoise coves at the foot of the Rif. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/place_alhoceima.html - Best months: June, July, August, September - How long: 3-4 days - GPS: 35.25, -3.93 ### What to do - Quemado beach in town, then the coves of Cala Iris and Bades - Al Hoceima National Park: cliffs, ospreys and walking paths - Fresh fish grilled at the port - The mountain road through the Rif, one of the most beautiful in the north ### Tip The sea is clearest in the morning, before the afternoon wind. ## Saidia and the Oriental Fourteen kilometres of sand, and green gorges behind Berkane. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/place_saidia.html - Best months: June, July, August, September - How long: 3-5 days - GPS: 35.09, -2.23 ### What to do - The long beach and marina of Saidia - The Zegzel gorge and the Camel Cave near Berkane - Birdwatching at the mouth of the Moulouya - The Beni Snassen hills and the village of Tafoughalt ### Tip A favourite of families from Oujda, Nador and abroad. It is lively in August and quiet the rest of the year. ## Fez The oldest of the imperial cities, and a medina you can get lost in for days. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/place_fes.html - Best months: March, April, May, September, October, November - How long: 2-3 days - GPS: 34.06, -4.98 ### What to do - Bab Boujloud, the Bou Inania madrasa and the lanes down to al-Qarawiyyin - The Chouara tannery seen from the terraces - The Marinid tombs at sunset, above the whole medina - The potters and zellige cutters of Ain Nokbi ### Tip Take an official guide on the first day. After that, getting lost is part of the visit. ## Meknes, Volubilis and Moulay Idriss Moulay Ismail's capital, a Roman city and a holy town, all within 30 kilometres. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/place_meknes.html - Best months: March, April, May, June, September, October, November - How long: 1-2 days - GPS: 33.89, -5.55 ### What to do - Bab Mansour and the granaries of Heri es-Souani - The Roman mosaics of Volubilis, in the open air - The white town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun on its two hills - Olive oil from the mills around Meknes ### Tip Visit Volubilis early or late in the day: there is almost no shade. ## Ifrane and the cedar forest Sloping roofs, clean air and Barbary macaques among giant cedars. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/place_ifrane.html - Best months: January, February, June, July, August, September - How long: 2 days - GPS: 33.53, -5.11 ### What to do - The town of Ifrane and its stone lion - The cedar forest near Azrou, where macaques come close - The lakes of Dayet Aoua and the springs of Ain Vittel - Snow and sledging at Michlifen in a good winter ### Tip One hour from Fez and Meknes: the natural escape when the plains are too hot. ## Rabat A calm capital by the ocean, with gardens, museums and a kasbah in blue and white. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/place_rabat.html - Best months: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November - How long: 2 days - GPS: 34.02, -6.84 ### What to do - The Kasbah of the Udayas and its Andalusian garden - The Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V - The Chellah and the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern Art - The zoo for children, and the beaches of Temara and Skhirat ### Tip The tram and the riverfront make Rabat easy to visit on foot with children. ## Casablanca The economic capital: a mosque on the ocean, Art Deco streets and the corniche. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/place_casablanca.html - Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December - How long: 1-2 days - GPS: 33.57, -7.59 ### What to do - A guided visit of the Hassan II Mosque - The Habous quarter and its pastry shops - The Art Deco buildings of the city centre - Seafood at the central market, then the Ain Diab corniche ### Tip Most visitors only pass through. One full day is enough to see why people love it. ## El Jadida and Oualidia A Portuguese fortress on the ocean and a lagoon where children can swim safely. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/place_oualidia.html - Best months: May, June, July, August, September, October - How long: 2-3 days - GPS: 32.73, -9.03 ### What to do - The Portuguese city of Mazagan and its underground cistern - The Oualidia lagoon: calm water, boats and oysters - The beach of Sidi Bouzid - Flamingos and waders on the salt pans in spring and autumn ### Tip The lagoon is shallow and sheltered: one of the safest places on the Atlantic for young swimmers. ## Essaouira Ramparts, blue boats and a wind that keeps the summer cool. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/place_essaouira.html - Best months: April, May, June, July, August, September, October - How long: 2-3 days - GPS: 31.51, -9.77 ### What to do - The ramparts and the Skala, with cannons facing the sea - Grilled fish at the port, chosen from the day's catch - Thuya wood workshops under the walls - Windsurfing and kitesurfing, or a ride on the beach at Sidi Kaouki ### Tip When Marrakech is at 45 °C, Essaouira is at 24. The Gnaoua festival fills the town in June. ## Marrakech The red city: palaces, gardens, souks, and a square that wakes at dusk. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/place_marrakech.html - Best months: October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May - How long: 3 days - GPS: 31.63, -8 ### What to do - Jemaa el-Fna as night falls, and the Koutoubia beside it - The Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and the Ben Youssef madrasa - The Majorelle Garden early in the morning - A day out: the Ourika valley, the Agafay plateau or the Ouzoud falls ### Tip Avoid July and August unless you love the heat. Spring and autumn are perfect. ## Imlil, Toubkal and the Ourika The High Atlas at the gates of Marrakech: walnut valleys and the roof of North Africa. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/place_toubkal.html - Best months: April, May, June, September, October - How long: 2-3 days - GPS: 31.14, -7.92 ### What to do - Easy walks between the villages around Imlil - The ascent of Toubkal over two days - The waterfalls of Setti Fatma in the Ourika valley - Oukaimeden: skiing in winter, rock carvings in summer ### Tip A licensed mountain guide is compulsory for Toubkal. Book one in Imlil. ## Ouzoud and Bin el Ouidane The highest waterfalls in the country and a turquoise mountain lake. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/place_ouzoud.html - Best months: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October - How long: 1-2 days - GPS: 32.01, -6.72 ### What to do - The Ouzoud falls from above, then down the steps to the boats - The macaques that live around the falls - Swimming and kayaking on Bin el Ouidane lake - Further on, the Ait Bouguemez valley and the dinosaur tracks of the M'Goun geopark ### Tip Arrive before 10 in the morning to have the falls almost to yourself. ## Agadir and Taghazout Sun all year, a wide bay, and surf villages just to the north. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/place_agadir.html - Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December - How long: 4-7 days - GPS: 30.42, -9.6 ### What to do - The bay of Agadir and the cable car up to the Kasbah - Surf lessons at Taghazout and Tamraght - The rock pools of Paradise Valley - Crocoparc for children, and Souss-Massa National Park for birds ### Tip The easiest first trip with young children: flat, sunny and with everything close by. ## Tafraoute and the Anti-Atlas Pink granite, palm gorges and almond trees in blossom. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/place_tafraoute.html - Best months: October, November, December, January, February, March, April - How long: 2-3 days - GPS: 29.72, -8.97 ### What to do - The Ameln valley and its villages under the cliff - The painted rocks and the granite chaos around the town - The palm gorge of Ait Mansour - The silver souk of Tiznit on the way ### Tip Almond trees flower in February. The light on the pink rock at the end of the day is worth the trip alone. ## Ouarzazate, Dades and Todra Kasbahs, film sets and two great gorges on the road of a thousand kasbahs. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/place_ouarzazate.html - Best months: March, April, May, September, October, November - How long: 3-4 days - GPS: 30.92, -6.89 ### What to do - The ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, a World Heritage site - The palm grove of Skoura and the Amridil kasbah - The Valley of Roses at Kelaat M'Gouna, in bloom in May - The Dades gorge and the high walls of the Todra gorge ### Tip The Tizi n'Tichka pass from Marrakech is beautiful and slow. Count four hours, not three. ## Merzouga and Erg Chebbi Orange dunes as high as a tower block, and the silence of a night in the desert. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/place_merzouga.html - Best months: October, November, December, January, February, March, April - How long: 2 days - GPS: 31.1, -4.01 ### What to do - Sunset and sunrise from the top of the dunes - A night in a camp, reached by camel or 4x4 - Gnawa music in the village of Khamlia - The souk of Rissani and the fossils of Erfoud ### Tip It is a long drive: about nine hours from Marrakech. Break the journey at Dades, or fly to Errachidia. ## The Draa valley and Erg Chigaga A river of palms, then the wildest dunes in the country. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/place_zagora.html - Best months: October, November, December, January, February, March, April - How long: 2-3 days - GPS: 29.83, -5.72 ### What to do - The palm groves and kasbahs between Agdz and Zagora - The old library and the green pottery of Tamegroute - Erg Chigaga by 4x4 from M'hamid: no road, no crowd - The famous sign in Zagora: Timbuktu, 52 days by camel ### Tip Chigaga is far wilder than Merzouga and needs a local driver. Do not attempt it alone. ## Mirleft, Legzira and Sidi Ifni Red cliffs, a stone arch over the beach and a quiet Art Deco town. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/place_sidiifni.html - Best months: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November - How long: 2-3 days - GPS: 29.38, -10.17 ### What to do - The arch of Legzira beach at low tide - The coves of Mirleft, one for each day - The Spanish Art Deco streets of Sidi Ifni - The Saturday camel market at Guelmim ### Tip Check the tide times before walking to the arch: at high tide the way is cut off. ## Tarfaya and Laayoune Where the desert meets the ocean, on the old airmail route. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/place_laayoune.html - Best months: October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May - How long: 2-3 days - GPS: 27.15, -13.2 ### What to do - The Naila lagoon in Khenifiss National Park, with flamingos and dunes - The Saint-Exupery museum in Tarfaya, where the writer ran the airfield - Laayoune, its squares and the dunes at the edge of town - The beach of Foum el Oued ### Tip Distances are long and services far apart. Fill the tank whenever you can. ## Dakhla A lagoon between the Sahara and the Atlantic, with wind nearly every day of the year. URL: https://bablblad.com/en/place_dakhla.html - Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December - How long: 4-7 days - GPS: 23.7, -15.94 ### What to do - Kitesurfing on the lagoon, for beginners and experts - The White Dune and Dragon Island at low tide - Oysters straight from the farms on the lagoon - Flamingos, and the natural pools of Imlili in the desert ### Tip Fly from Casablanca or Agadir: by road it is more than 1,100 kilometres south of Agadir. ## Ready-made routes ### A week in the North (7 days) Two seas, the Rif and the blue town. - Days 1 and 2: Tangier, with a day in Asilah - Day 3: Tetouan and its medina - Days 4 and 5: Chefchaouen and the Akchour falls - Days 6 and 7: the coast road to Al Hoceima and its coves ### The imperial cities (8 days) Four capitals and a thousand years of history, mostly by train. - Days 1 and 2: Rabat - Day 3: Meknes, Volubilis and Moulay Idriss - Days 4 and 5: Fez - Day 6: Ifrane and the cedar forest - Days 7 and 8: Marrakech, by train or by plane from Fez ### The great South loop (8 days) Over the Atlas to the kasbahs, the gorges and the dunes. - Day 1: Marrakech to Ait Ben Haddou over the Tizi n'Tichka - Day 2: Ouarzazate and Skoura - Days 3 and 4: the Dades and Todra gorges - Days 5 and 6: Merzouga and a night in the dunes - Day 7: across to the Draa valley and Zagora - Day 8: back to Marrakech ### The Atlantic road (10 days) The ocean on your right the whole way, from Casablanca to Sidi Ifni. - Day 1: Casablanca to El Jadida - Days 2 and 3: Oualidia and its lagoon - Days 4 and 5: Essaouira, by way of Safi - Days 6 and 7: Taghazout and Agadir - Days 8 to 10: Tiznit, Mirleft, Legzira and Sidi Ifni ### An easy week with young children (7 days) One base, short drives, sand and animals. - Stay in Agadir or Taghazout for the whole week - Beach mornings, pool or siesta in the afternoon - Half days at Crocoparc and at Paradise Valley - A day at Souss-Massa National Park to look for birds and gazelles - One longer outing to Essaouira or to Taroudant and its walls # Morocco ## Morocco in numbers - 710850 square kilometres - 36.8 million inhabitants - 12 regions - 3500 kilometres of coast - 4167 metres at the summit of Toubkal - 9 World Heritage sites ## 57 things to know about Morocco - The University of al-Qarawiyyin in Fez was founded in 859 by a woman, Fatima al-Fihri. UNESCO and Guinness World Records recognise it as the oldest university in the world still operating. - Mount Toubkal, at 4,167 metres, is the highest peak in North Africa. - In 1777 Morocco became the first country to recognise the United States. The friendship treaty of 1786 is the longest unbroken treaty in American history. - The American Legation in Tangier is the only US National Historic Landmark outside the United States. - Fossils found at Jebel Irhoud, west of Marrakech, are about 300,000 years old. They are the oldest known remains of our species. - Shell beads found in Bizmoune Cave near Essaouira are about 142,000 years old, the oldest jewellery discovered so far. - The minaret of the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca rises 210 metres, and part of the mosque is built over the Atlantic. - Fes el-Bali, the old medina of Fez, is one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world. - The argan tree grows wild almost nowhere but south-western Morocco. Its forest is a UNESCO biosphere reserve. - Morocco holds about 70% of the world's known phosphate reserves. - In 2022 the Atlas Lions became the first African team, and the first Arab team, to reach a World Cup semi-final. - Morocco will host the 2030 World Cup together with Spain and Portugal. - Al Boraq, opened in 2018 between Tangier and Casablanca, is Africa's first high-speed train. It runs at up to 320 km/h. - Tanger Med is the largest container port in Africa and in the Mediterranean. - Noor Ouarzazate is one of the largest solar power complexes in the world. - Ibn Battuta, born in Tangier in 1304, travelled about 120,000 kilometres in thirty years, from West Africa to China. - The Koutoubia in Marrakech, the Hassan Tower in Rabat and the Giralda in Seville are sister minarets, all built by the Almohads in the 12th century. - The film Casablanca, released in 1942, was shot entirely in Hollywood. Not one scene was filmed in Morocco. - Ait Ben Haddou and the studios of Ouarzazate appear in Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator and Game of Thrones. - Ifrane recorded the lowest temperature ever measured in Africa: minus 23.9 °C, on 11 February 1935. - The Barbary macaque of the Middle Atlas is the only macaque that lives outside Asia. - Oukaimeden, above Marrakech, is one of the highest ski resorts in Africa, with a lift to about 3,200 metres. - Morocco is the only African country with a coast on both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean: about 3,500 kilometres in all. - At the Strait of Gibraltar, Morocco and Spain are only 14 kilometres apart. - Tamazight has been an official language, alongside Arabic, since the 2011 Constitution. It is written in the Tifinagh script. - Yennayer, the Amazigh New Year, has been a paid public holiday since 2024. - Couscous joined UNESCO's list of intangible heritage in 2020, in a file shared by Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Mauritania. - UNESCO inscribed Gnawa music in 2019 and tbourida, the cavalry charge with gunpowder, in 2021. - The word Morocco comes from Marrakech. In Persian and Urdu, the whole country is still called Marrakech. - In Arabic the country is al-Maghrib: the place where the sun sets. - The red flag with its green five-pointed star dates from 1915. - The Chouara tannery in Fez has been treating hides in its stone vats since the Middle Ages. - Morocco is the world's leading exporter of canned sardines. - Most Moroccan saffron comes from Taliouine in the Anti-Atlas. The flowers are picked by hand at dawn in late autumn. - Every May, Kelaat M'Gouna celebrates the rose harvest in the Valley of Roses. - Mint tea became the national drink in the 19th century, when Chinese green tea arrived through British merchants. - The Marathon des Sables crosses about 250 kilometres of the Moroccan Sahara in six stages. - The dunes of Erg Chebbi, near Merzouga, rise to about 150 metres. - The Ouzoud falls drop about 110 metres. They are the highest in the country. - Chefchaouen was founded in 1471. - From 1923 to 1956 Tangier was an international zone, run jointly by several foreign powers. - The Idrisid dynasty founded the first Moroccan state in 788. Fez, its capital, was founded a year later. - The Alaouite dynasty has reigned since the 17th century. Morocco is one of the oldest monarchies in the world. - Morocco has nine UNESCO World Heritage sites, from the medina of Fez to Rabat, the modern capital. - The Dakhla lagoon is one of the world's best-known kitesurfing spots, with wind about 300 days a year. - The 2024 census counted 36.8 million inhabitants. - Morocco has 12 regions, from Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima in the north to Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab in the south. - Zellige is made by chiselling glazed tiles by hand into small shapes, then assembling them face down like a puzzle. - A tagine is both the dish and the clay pot it cooks in. The cone sends the steam back down onto the food. - Jemaa el-Fna helped inspire UNESCO's idea of intangible heritage. The square was among the first masterpieces proclaimed, in 2001. - Volubilis, near Meknes, was a Roman city. Its mosaics are still in place, in the open air. - The Mawazine festival in Rabat is one of the best-attended music festivals in the world. - The Green March of 6 November 1975 brought together 350,000 unarmed marchers. - The dirham takes its name from the Greek drachma. - Essaouira used to be called Mogador. Its grid of streets was drawn in the 1760s for Sultan Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah. - The Hassan Tower in Rabat was meant to be the tallest minaret in the world. Work stopped in 1199, at 44 metres. - The letter yaz of the Tifinagh alphabet stands at the centre of the Amazigh flag. It is read as a symbol of the free person. ## Morocco in dates - 788: Idris I founds the first Moroccan state. Fez follows in 789. - 859: Fatima al-Fihri founds al-Qarawiyyin in Fez. - 1070: The Almoravids found Marrakech. - 1147: The Almohads take Marrakech and go on to build the Koutoubia, the Hassan Tower and the Giralda. - 1269: The Marinids take power and make Fez a capital of learning. - 1578: The Battle of the Three Kings at Oued al-Makhazin ends Portuguese ambitions in Morocco. - 1672: Moulay Ismail begins a reign of 55 years and makes Meknes his capital. - 1777: Morocco is the first country to recognise the United States. - 1912: The Treaty of Fez establishes the French protectorate, with a Spanish zone in the north and south. - 1944: The Independence Manifesto is presented on 11 January. - 1953: Sultan Mohammed V is sent into exile on 20 August. The Revolution of the King and the People begins. - 1956: Morocco regains its independence. - 1975: The Green March, on 6 November. - 1999: King Mohammed VI accedes to the throne on 30 July. - 2011: A new Constitution makes Tamazight an official language. - 2022: The Atlas Lions reach the World Cup semi-final in Qatar. - 2030: Morocco hosts the World Cup with Spain and Portugal. ## World Heritage sites - Medina of Fez (1981) - Medina of Marrakech (1985) - Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou (1987) - Historic city of Meknes (1996) - Archaeological site of Volubilis (1997) - Medina of Tetouan (1997) - Medina of Essaouira (2001) - Portuguese city of Mazagan, El Jadida (2004) - Rabat, modern capital and historic city (2012) ## Living heritage recognised by UNESCO - The square of Jemaa el-Fna (2008) - The Moussem of Tan-Tan (2008) - The cherry festival of Sefrou (2012) - Argan: know-how and practices (2014) - Taskiwin, the martial dance of the western High Atlas (2017) - Gnawa (2019) - Couscous (2020) - Tbourida (2021) - Malhoun, sung poetry (2023) ## Crafts - Zellige: Glazed tiles cut by hand into stars and polygons, then set into geometric mosaics. Fez and Tetouan are its capitals. - Tadelakt: Lime plaster polished with a river stone and black soap until it is smooth and waterproof. Born in Marrakech. - Pottery: Blue and white in Fez, colourful in Safi, green in Tamegroute. - Carpets: Each region has its language: the white wool of the Beni Ourain, the saffron and red of Taznakht, the recycled rags of boucherouite. - Leather: Tanned in Fez and Marrakech as it was centuries ago, then cut into babouches, bags and poufs. - Thuya wood: The scented burl of the thuya, inlaid with lemon wood and mother-of-pearl in the workshops of Essaouira. - Silver jewellery: The fibulas, bracelets and enamels of Tiznit and the Anti-Atlas. - Caftan and embroidery: The caftan of Fez, the embroidery of Rabat and Tetouan, and the sfifa and aakad made by hand. ## Music - Andalusi music: The classical repertoire brought from al-Andalus, played in Fez, Tetouan and Rabat. - Malhoun: Long poems in Darija, sung by the craftsmen of Meknes, Fez and Marrakech. - Gnawa: The trance music of the guembri and the metal qraqeb, at home in Essaouira and Marrakech. - Chaabi: The popular music of weddings and celebrations, everywhere in the country. - Aita: The cry of the Atlantic plains, carried by the voices of the chikhates. - Ahidous and ahwach: The great collective dances and chants of the Middle Atlas, the High Atlas and the Souss. - Reggada: The warrior dance of the Oriental, with its stamping feet and reed flutes. - Hassani music: The sung poetry of the Sahara, with the tidinit lute and the ardin harp. ## Sayings and everyday words in Darija - اللي بغا العسل يصبر لقريص النحل (Lli bgha l3sel isber l9ris n7el): Whoever wants honey must put up with the bee stings. - دير الخير وانساه (Dir lkhir w nsah): Do good, then forget you did it. - الصبر مفتاح الفرج (Sber mefta7 lfarej): Patience is the key to relief. - قطرة قطرة كيحمل الواد (9etra 9etra kay7mel lwad): Drop by drop, the river fills. - اللي فات مات (Lli fat mat): What is past is gone. - يد وحدة ما كتصفقش (Yed we7da ma katseffe9ch): One hand cannot clap. Nothing big gets done alone. - الجار قبل الدار (Ljar 9bel ddar): Choose the neighbour before the house. - بالمهل كيتكال بودنجال (Belmhel kaytkal boudenjal): Slowly, slowly, the aubergine gets eaten. Take your time and it gets done. - كل تأخيرة فيها خيرة (Koul ta2khira fiha khira): Every delay carries some good. - المزوق من برا آش خبارك من الداخل (Lmzewwe9 men berra, ach khbarek men ldakhel): Pretty on the outside; what about the inside? Do not judge by looks. - اللي حفر شي حفرة كيطيح فيها (Lli 7fer chi 7efra kayti7 fiha): Whoever digs a pit for others falls into it. - عاش من شافك (3ach men chafek): Long time no see! Word for word: long life to the one who sees you. - بالصحة والراحة (Bse77a w ra7a): To your health and comfort. Said after a meal, a haircut, a hammam or a new purchase. - الله يعطيك الصحة (Llah y3tik se77a): Thank you, well done. Word for word: may God give you health. - تبارك الله عليك (Tbarkellah 3lik): Bravo, well done. Word for word: God's blessing on you. - الله يرحم الوالدين (Llah yr7em lwalidin): Thank you from the heart. Word for word: God have mercy on your parents. - شوية بشوية (Chwiya b chwiya): Little by little. - ما كاين مشكل (Makayn mouchkil): No problem. - واخا (Wakha): OK, all right. - بزاف (Bezzaf): A lot, very much. - دابا (Daba): Now. In Morocco it can also mean in a moment. - لاباس؟ كلشي بخير؟ (Labas? Koulchi bikhir?): How are you? Is everything well? - توحشتك (Twe77echtek): I miss you. - طريق السلامة (Tri9 slama): Have a safe trip. - الله يسهل (Llah ysehel): May God make it easy. Said before any plan, journey or exam. - مرحبا بيك (Mer7ba bik): You are welcome here. - قطران بلادي ولا عسل البلدان (9etran bladi wla 3sel lbouldan): The tar of my country is better than the honey of other lands. - اللي تلف يشد الأرض (Lli tlef ychedd lard): When you are lost, hold on to the ground. Go back to what you know. - على سلامتك (3la slamtek): Welcome back, glad you arrived safely. - خوك خوك لا يغرك صاحبك (Khouk khouk, la yghrek sa7bek): Your brother stays your brother. Family comes first. - الله يخلف (Llah ykhlef): May God repay you. Said to thank a host after a meal. ## Public holidays Offices, banks and consulates close on these days. Religious holidays move every year. - New Year's Day: 1 January - Independence Manifesto Day: 11 January - Yennayer, Amazigh New Year: 14 January - Labour Day: 1 May - Throne Day: 30 July - Oued Ed-Dahab Day: 14 August - Revolution of the King and the People: 20 August - Youth Day: 21 August - Unity Day: 31 October - Green March Day: 6 November - Independence Day: 18 November - Islamic New Year: The date changes every year - Mawlid, the Prophet's birthday: The date changes every year - Eid al-Fitr: The date changes every year - Eid al-Adha: The date changes every year ## Emergency numbers in Morocco - Police, in town: 19 - Police, from a mobile: 190 - Royal Gendarmerie, outside towns: 177 - Fire brigade and ambulance: 15 - Fire brigade and ambulance, from a mobile: 150 - Medical emergency service, SAMU: 141 ## Good to know before you land - Clock: since 20 September 2026 Morocco is on GMT all year. The clock no longer changes for Ramadan. - Speed limits: 60 km/h in town, 100 on main roads, 120 on motorways. Radar checks are frequent. - Motorway tolls can be paid by cash, card or with a Jawaz tag. - Electricity is 220 volts with European round-pin plugs. - Three mobile operators sell prepaid SIM cards on presentation of an ID: Maroc Telecom, Orange and inwi. - Drones are held at customs unless you have an authorisation.