Morocco Visa and Entry Requirements: Everything You Need to Know

Most Western travellers don’t need a visa to visit Morocco. Citizens of the UK, EU, US, Canada, Australia, and dozens of other countries receive a 90-day entry permit automatically upon arrival. However, there are important details to understand about passport validity, customs, overstaying, and recent policy changes.

Visa-Free Entry: Who’s Covered

Morocco grants visa-free entry for 90 days to citizens of:

Europe: UK, all EU member states (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Netherlands, etc.), Switzerland, Norway, Iceland.

Americas: USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina.

Asia-Pacific: Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia.

Plus: Many others including Israel (since 2020 normalisation), Turkey, and others—over 70 countries in total.

If your country is not listed, check the Moroccan embassy website for your nationality, or assume you may need a visa and contact the embassy in advance.

Passport Requirements

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure date. This is a standard international requirement, not Morocco-specific. A passport valid only three months from now will be denied entry.

Passport damage: Any significant damage (torn pages, water damage, worn holograms) may result in denial. Have a clean passport if possible.

Blank pages: You need at least 2–3 blank pages for entry and exit stamps, plus potential extensions. It’s not strictly enforced, but it helps.

Arrival and Customs

You’ll arrive at Agadir Al Massira Airport (AGA), 40km south of Taghazout, or occasionally Marrakech (much further north). Most long-haul flights from Europe or North America connect through major European hubs to Agadir.

At passport control, expect:

Standard entry questions: Purpose of visit (“tourism”), accommodation details (name and address of your hotel/riad—have a booking confirmation ready), outward travel date, and proof of funds (cash, card, accommodation booking). Officers are generally straightforward and not aggressive toward tourists.

90-day entry stamp: On approval, you’ll receive a clean entry stamp in your passport granting 90 days of stay. The date is calculated from your entry date. If you enter on March 1, your 90 days expire May 30.

Accommodation proof: While not always asked, carrying a hotel booking confirmation (even a hostel booking for your first night) is wise. It’s free to book and then cancel on Booking.com if needed.

Proof of onward travel: Some officers ask to see a return flight booking. This is not always checked, but if asked, a booking screenshot on your phone is sufficient.

Currency declaration: Morocco technically requires declaration of cash above 100,000 MAD (about £8,000) but this is rarely enforced at casual traveller levels.

Customs also screen luggage. Hard drugs, weapons, and excessive alcohol (more than a few bottles) may attract interest. Recreational items (wetsuits, camping gear) are fine. Cannabis (kif) is present in Morocco and technically illegal—possession is a legal risk regardless of cultural attitudes. Do not test this.

The 90-Day Limit and Overstaying

Your 90-day allowance is not negotiable. Exceeding it results in:

Fines at departure: €50–200 depending on how far you’ve overstayed (they calculate from your stamp date). You’ll pay this at the airport on departure.

Future entry bans: Overstaying by weeks or months can result in entry bans of months or years. It’s not worth the risk.

No grace period: The 90 days is hard. If you exit on day 91, you’re already over. Plan to leave before day 90 strictly.

Extending Your Stay

Theoretically, you can apply for an extension at a local police station or immigration office. In practice, this is bureaucratic and uncertain—success is inconsistent. Waiting times are often weeks. For most travellers, leaving Morocco (flying to Canary Islands, mainland Spain, or a nearby country for a week) and re-entering is easier than attempting an extension.

Re-entering Morocco: You can technically leave and immediately re-enter to “reset” your 90 days, but Moroccan officers may notice repeated entries and deny re-entry. If you plan to stay 5+ months, it’s better to investigate long-term residency visas (not covered here) rather than trying the reset approach. For stays under 6 months, plan to leave on day 89 instead.

Health Requirements

Vaccinations: No vaccinations are mandatory for entry into Morocco. Hepatitis A and Tetanus are recommended (not required). Malaria is not present on the Atlantic coast, so prophylaxis is unnecessary.

COVID-19: Morocco dropped most COVID restrictions in 2023. No vaccines or negative tests are required. Standard entry protocols apply.

Travel insurance: While not a legal requirement, comprehensive travel insurance is essential, especially if you surf or climb. Standard policies often exclude water sports, so seek a specialist provider or an add-on.

Moroccan Dirham: Cannot Leave with It

Morocco’s currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD, symbol د.م.). It cannot be legally exported or exchanged outside Morocco. You must spend, use, or exchange all your remaining MAD before departure (which is easy at the airport). ATMs at Agadir airport give out MAD, but airport exchange rates are poor. Withdraw MAD in Taghazout at better rates.

Recent Policy Changes: Israel and Normalisation

In December 2020, Morocco normalised relations with Israel as part of the US-brokered Abraham Accords. This means:

Israeli passport holders can now enter: Visa-free for 90 days, same as Western nationals. This was not possible before 2020. Israeli citizens are treated as regular tourists.

No passport marking conflicts: You can have both Israeli and Moroccan stamps in the same passport without legal issue in Morocco (unlike some regional countries where this matters).

For other nationalities: No change. The normalisation doesn’t affect UK, EU, US, Canadian, or Australian entry.

Common Nationalities: Entry at a Glance

Nationality	Visa Required?	Stay Duration	Notes
UK	No	90 days	Passport valid 6+ months
France/Germany/Spain	No	90 days	EU passport valid 6+ months
USA	No	90 days	Passport valid 6+ months
Canada	No	90 days	Passport valid 6+ months
Australia	No	90 days	Passport valid 6+ months
Israel	No	90 days	As of 2020 normalisation
China	Yes	Variable	Requires Moroccan visa in advance
Russia	Yes	Variable	Requires Moroccan visa in advance
India	Varies	90 days	Check current policy; some exemptions apply

Practical Steps for Arrival

Before departure: Confirm your passport has 6+ months validity. Check your nationality’s status (above).
Book accommodation: Even just a night at a hostel or riad near Agadir airport. Cancellable booking on Booking.com is fine—you need a confirmation to show immigration.
Flight arrival: You’ll land at Agadir Al Massira Airport (AGA). Passport control is straightforward; queues move steadily.
Collect luggage, clear customs: No special requirements for surfers or tourists. Hard luggage can be X-rayed; soft bags are opened if needed.
Get a SIM card: Optional before airport (lines are slow), but better once in town. See internet and SIM guide.
Transport to Taghazout: Buses (Supratours), shared taxis, or rental car. See transport guide.

FAQ

I’m from [country not listed]. Can I visit?

Check the Moroccan embassy website for your country. Most nations have visa-free agreements with Morocco, but some require advance visas. It’s worth confirming 4 weeks before travel.

What if my passport expires in less than 6 months?

You’ll be denied entry. Renew your passport before travelling. It’s non-negotiable.

Can I extend my 90 days?

Theoretically yes; practically, the process is bureaucratic and uncertain. For most travellers, leaving Morocco for a week (Canary Islands, Spain) is easier. Re-entering resets your 90 days, though repeated entries might raise questions.

What happens if I overstay by a day?

You’ll pay a fine at departure (€50–200 depending on overage). It’s not worth it. Plan to leave on day 89.

Do I need travel insurance?

Not legally, but strongly recommended. If you surf, seek a policy with water sports cover. Standard travel insurance excludes surfing and water sports.

Is it safe to exchange money at the airport?

Airport exchange rates are poor (about 10% worse than town rates). Better to use airport ATMs (rates are fair) or exchange in Taghazout. That said, small airport exchanges (€50–100) are safer than carrying lots of cash.

What if I lose my passport while in Morocco?

Contact your embassy or consulate in Rabat or Casablanca immediately. They’ll issue an emergency travel document. Keep a photo of your passport’s ID page stored digitally (email, cloud) for this reason.

Last updated: April 2026

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