Foreign exchange guide to Morocco and the Moroccan dirham
What's in this Morocco currency guide?
The official currency of Morocco (country code: MA) is the Moroccan dirham, with symbol د.م. and currency code MAD.
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The Moroccan dirham (MAD) is the official currency of Morocco, a country located in North Africa. Here are a few things to know about the Moroccan dirham:
The Moroccan dirham is issued in both paper and coin form. The paper currency comes in denominations of 20, 50, 100, and 200 dirhams, while the coinage comes in denominations of 1, 2, 5, and 10 dirhams.
The design of the Moroccan dirham features various cultural and historical symbols of Morocco. The front of the banknotes typically features a portrait of a historical figure or a depiction of a cultural or natural feature of Morocco. The back of the banknotes typically features a depiction of a historical monument or a traditional Moroccan design. The coinage also features cultural and historical symbols, such as the national motto and the coat of arms of Morocco.
As mentioned above, the Moroccan dirham is a closed currency. Which means that you may find it difficult (or be permitted) to purchase the currency (MAD) before departure and will need to buy it upon arrival in .
For these types of destinations, using a pre-paid travel card is a good solution. As no travel cards support loading closed currencies like the MAD you will incur currency conversion or foreign transaction fees if you use a travel money card in .
However, using a pre-paid travel card is still a good idea as you can avoid ATM fees and also you can avoid using (and losing!) your main bank or debit/credit card.
Morocco is a gateway to Africa, and a country of dizzying diversity. Here you'll find epic mountain ranges, ancient cities, sweeping deserts – and warm hospitality. From Saharan dunes to the peaks of the High Atlas, Morocco could have been tailor-made for travellers. With a rich history, landscape, and culture, Morocco is one of my favorite spots on Earth. With choices ranging between the red Atlas Mountains to the explosion of colors in the endless markets scattered around the ancient medinas, this place has a unique beauty all its own. Go in spring when lots of Morocco is lush and green. Don't underestimate the extremes of summer and winter, they can be brutal. Ramadan is an interesting time to travel, but be aware that many restaurants and cafes will be shut during the day.
The Dirham is officially designated as a closed currency meaning it is normally only available within Morocco, however, Dirhams can sometimes be found being sold and bought in travel agencies and at major airports in several countries.
The import and export of the currency is tolerated up to a limit of 2000 MAD. Currency purchased in excess of this limit during a visit to Morocco should be converted back before departing. Travellers should be advised to keep the receipts of currency exchange, as these will be required for the conversion of Dirham back to foreign currency prior to departure and before you go through passport control. You can change as many Dirhams as you have left.
At Marrakech airport the exchange rate is very similar to that in the town centre, so there is not much loss in waiting to the last minute to change your remaining Dirhams. At Casablanca airport, the exchange rate applied by the companies working out of the luggage belt area is way more favourable than the one applied in the luggage belts area.
Euros and US dollars are often accepted in Morocco however make sure you are always aware what the dirhams exchange rate is. You may be able to bargain a cheaper price for purchases using a foreign currency. Although the Euro, US Dollar and, to a lesser extent, Sterling are accepted in certain tourist areas, the the Moroccan currency (the Moroccan Dirham) is required for everyday use. Dirham is normally purchased within Morocco, and can be obtained from bureau de change in airports, major banks and hotels, or from cash machines, which are widely available in major towns and cities and will take most UK credit and debit cards. Some bureau de change outside of Morocco also now offer Dirham, but they tend to offer poor rates of exchange.
Using a debit card at an ATM is often the easiest and cheapest method. In the country side and smaller towns cash points are rare and cards are often not accepted.
Yes, especially in the bigger cities banks and ATMs are easy to find. The the more rural areas this is not the case so be sure to have some currency with you before heading cross county. This may also be convenient in cities for purchase in small shops and stalls.
Also important, before setting out on your Moroccan travels make sure you inform your bank that you will be using your Visa debit card in unfamiliar locations such as Morocco, in case their Fraud watch department flags up a panic situation and places a stop on your card, you can either write to your bank or send an email.
Getting around Morocco is pretty straightforward – transport networks between towns are good, and even off the beaten track there’s often something going your way. Royal Air Maroc offers internal flights, the rail network is excellent in linking the major cities (with a high-speedTGV line between Tangier and Casablanca currently under construction), and large bus companies such as CTM are comfortable and efficient. Local networks are cheaper and more cheerful and do the job.
When travelling on public transport, it’s considered both selfish and bad manners to eat while those around you go without. Always buy a little extra to offer to your neighbours. If you offer food, etiquette dictates that your fellow passengers should decline it. It should be offered a second time, a little more persuasively, but again it will be turned down. On a third, more insistent offer, your neighbours are free to accept the gift if they wish to. If you are offered food, but you don’t want it, it’s good manners to accept a small piece anyway, and to pat your stomach contentedly to indicate that you are full. In return for participating in this ritual, you should be accorded great respect, offered protection and cared for like a friend.
Petit and Grand taxis are a great way to get around, but be prepared to wait, grand taxis won't leave until all six cramped places are full. Agree the taxi fare before entering a petit taxi. You can normally get anywhere in Marrakech for under 50 dh.
The cheapest and most efficient way to travel around the country, buses are generally safe, although drivers sometimes leave a little to be desired.
Stay in a riad, they are a traditional Moroccan house built around an internal garden. Treat bargaining in souks as a friendly game. It’s an intrinsic part of the culture and is always expected of you, so just ignore the first price a merchant puts forward. Visit Saadian tombs but decline the offer of a tour guide, they are worth seeing but aren't that big. Be sure to watch the main square come alive from a rooftop restaurant.
While most visitors head for Marrakech don't miss Fez. For visitors, the medina of Fès el-Bali (Old Fez) is the city’s great draw. It’s an astounding view of the old world, filled with narrow lanes and covered bazaars fit to bursting with aromatic food stands, craft workshops, mosques and an endless parade of people. Old and new collide, the man driving the donkeys and mules that remain the main form of transport is likely to be chatting on his mobile phone, while the ancient skyline is punctuated equally with satellite dishes and minarets.
The below interactive chart displays the USD/MAD change and UP📈 DOWN📉 trends over the past 1 Year.
The domestic currency in Morocco is the Moroccan dirham.
The three letter currency code for the Moroccan dirham is MAD — symbol is د.م..
It is the domestic currency in   Morocco and Western Sahara.
Yes the Moroccan dirham is a closed currency. Which means that you may find it difficult to purchase the currency (MAD) before departure and will probably need to buy it upon arrival. If you do manage to buy some of the currency or have some left over from a previous trip, make sure you are aware if you are allowed to bring this closed currency into the country.
For more information and a full list of closed currencies please refer to our guide: What is a closed currency?
Here are some popular conversion amounts for USD to MAD (US dollar to Moroccan dirham)*.
USD | MAD |
---|---|
$ 101.90 | د.م. 1,000 |
$ 509.50 | د.م. 5,000 |
$ 2,038 | د.م. 20,000 |
$ 10,190 | د.م. 100,000 |
More amounts
*Converted at the current USDMAD interbank exchange rate. Calculate actual payout amounts for Send Money and Travel Money exchange rates.
To get a good (and fair) exchange rate when sending money to Morocco you need to find and compare exchange rates for International Money Transfers (IMTs).
The available FX rates for sending money abroad can be very different to the mid-market (wholesale) rate which you see reported online and in the News.
You should especially compare your own bank's exchange rates to those available from Money Transfer specialists to see how much you can save - we make that calculation easy in the below table.
When sending money to Morocco it’s important to compare your bank’s rates & fees with those we have negotiated with our partner money transfer providers. To get a better deal you should follow these 4 simple steps :
Use the above calculator to compare the exchange rates of FX specialist providers rates versus your bank's standard rates you can hopefully save around 5% and maybe more - end result is more Moroccan dirham deposited into the recipient bank account and less margins and fees kept by the banks!
Managing your money effectively while living and working abroad can be challenging, but there are several steps you can take to ensure that your finances are in order.
By following these tips and managing your money effectively, you can reduce financial stress and enjoy your experience living or doing business in Morocco.
In recent years Marrakech has seen a number of high-profile property scams - typically sales by those who didn't actually own the land.
The government is working to bring property registration in line with the French model of title deeds issued via land registry, overseen by notaries. The vast majority of new homes in and around Marrakech are sold in this way.
Real estate agents advise that customers should avoid buying property using the older system based on local Islamic law.
Buyers should avoid buying a property until the title deed has been obtained. Typically the buyer will deposit ten percent of the purchase price with the Notary. When the requisition is obtained, typically 4 to 6 weeks later, the buyer will pay the rest of the purchase price.
Here we list some key points for expats and businesses to consider when managing financial dealings in Morocco:
Understand Moroccan dirham currency exchange rates: Exchange rates can have a big impact on your finances, so it is important to keep an eye on the MAD exchange rate and consider using a currency exchange service or a credit card that does not charge foreign transaction fees to get the best exchange rate.
Use a local Moroccan dirham bank account: A local MAD bank account can make it easier for you to manage your finances and pay bills while you are in Morocco. It may also be more convenient to use a local MAD bank account to make purchases and withdraw cash.
Research local laws and regulations: It is important to understand the local laws and regulations that apply to financial transactions in Morocco. This can help you avoid legal issues and ensure that you are complying with local requirements.
Consider the tax implications: It is important to understand the tax implications of living or doing business in Morocco. This can help you plan your finances and ensure that you are paying the correct amount of tax.
Seek financial advice: If you are unsure of how to manage your finances in Morocco, it is a good idea to seek the advice of a financial professional who is familiar with the local financial system. This can help you make informed decisions and avoid financial pitfalls.