Morocco the most important things you need to know
Advice for people travelling to Morocco
This blog expands the introduction of Camping Morocco 2025 digital and printed edition by Vicarious Books Media.
UK and EU Passport and Visa Requirements For Morocco
Passports must have at least 3 months remaining but you will have needed 6 months to enter the EU from the UK. Damaged passports may be refused. Morocco grants 90 days to tourists from UK and EU at point of entry at no cost. Your passport will be stamped with a unique number. This must be done in person, so everyone needs to queue on the ferry.
The number printed in your passport acts as your official identity, this is yours for life and links to the police database. Campsites often require this number and may also be checked at police or military check points. Non-EU citizens should confirm visa requirements in advance.
Travel Insurance for Morocco
GHIC and EHIC card is not valid in Morocco. Travel insurance that covers medical and other emergencies should be considered essential. The travel insurance market is competitive, so an inexpensive policy with an acceptable level of cover can easily be purchased. Check the territorial limits as some policies include Morocco in their definition of Europe, and a 'Europe' policy is likely to be cheaper than one covering 'Africa' or a 'Worldwide' policy.
Vaccinations For Visiting Morocco
No injections are required prior to visiting Morocco, but it is worth considering having the following: Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Typhoid Fever, Diphtheria, Polio, Rabies and Tuberculosis. The editors have inspected thousands of toilet emptying points and recommend that you be inoculated against diseases that are carried in human waste.
Rabies inoculations are not required before you visit Morocco. However if you get bitten or scratched by an animal, regardless of a rabies vaccine, you should immediately wash the wound with soap and get to a hospital quickly to start treatment which involves 4 injections.
If you are taking a vehicle to Morocco read our blog about vehicle importation and driving.
Is Morocco Safe?
Once you get over any initial nerves you will soon feel comfortable in Morocco. Petty crime is not a significant problem, in fact you often see shopkeepers protecting their stock with nothing more than a sheet of cloth whilst they go off for lunch! Of course, you should take the normal precautions, keeping valuables out of sight and locking them away in a safe when leaving the vehicle. Wearing a money belt under clothing is always advisable when you're out and about but especially so when you're in the souks. A fake 'muggers wallet' is another safety tool worth having wherever you travel. A muggers wallet contains expired cards and a small amount of cash that you can hand over should the need arise. At Vicarious Books office we receive more reports of handbags being stolen than any other crime. Just don't keep valuables in handbags, they are like wrapped Christmas presents to thieves.
Children begging is a common problem. They appear from nowhere! The boys tend to be persistent and some will stand in the road playing chicken, throwing stones or obstructing the road with stones. Keep doors locked. Do not stop, beep horn if necessary. Donate to the local school or village elder, not to the children directly.
Select places to park with care, a small payment to a 'guardian' for a parking place is obviously preferable to a scruffy looking back street but there is no guarantee that the same guardian will still be there on your return. When guardians offer to look after your vehicle appropriate 'donations' are:
- 1 or 2Dh 10 minutes or less
- 5 Dh up to 2 hours
- 10 Dh all day
Religion In Morocco
Morocco is a Muslim country. Modesty in clothing and affection will be expected, especially in remote areas. Pork and alcohol are available, but not widely, and are expensive. Ramadan is an annual month long fast and Muslims are only supposed to eat between dusk and dawn. During Ramadan, especially outside of tourist areas, shops and restaurants may close during the day. Publicly eating and drinking during the day, especially near Mosques, will be frowned upon. People observing Ramadan will abstain from food and drink between dawn and dusk. The local mosque may announce the start and end of the daily fast. Expect many people to be very hungry and tired during this period, driving standards may deteriorate. In addition, clocks are turned back an hour during Ramadan. The start of Ramadan is the: 18th February 2026 and the 8th of February 2027.
Language In Morocco
Arabic is the national language of Morocco, but the local language of Berber is sometimes heard. Being an ex French colony many Moroccans speak French as a third language, the greatest number of tourists visiting Morocco are French nationals however children are now learning English in school. Moroccans are great linguists and it is not uncommon in tourist areas to come across people that speak many languages even Japanese! If 'vous parlez un peu Français' you should start any conversation with a Moroccan in French, if they speak English they will often reply back to you in English.
Emergency Numbers In Morocco
The emergency phone number for Police is 190 and for Ambulance/Fire is 150. The Gendarmerie is 177. The response may be patchy and in some cases it may be more effective to seek assistance from someone familiar with local arrangements.
Money & Currency In Morocco
The national currency is the Moroccan Dirham (dh); this is not generally traded outside of the country so you may not be able to obtain any until you arrive.
There are four notes of equal size: 200Dh is blue, 100Dh is brown, 50Dh is green, and the 20DH is purple. Coins are 10Dh, which is brass with a silver insert, 5Dh is smaller and silver with a brass insert, the 2Dh, 1Dh, 1/2Dh coins are all silver metal and step down in size inline with value. The smallest denomination coins are 20-santimats and 10-santimats, these are called 'centimes' when speaking French, and are a brassy colour metal, and step down in size inline with value.
Goods are often sold for odd prices, such as Muesli 21.15Dh or Cornflakes 9.99Dh. However there are no 5-santimat or even 1-santimat coins and amounts are usually rounded up.
Exchange rates can be checked here http://themoneyconverter.com Money can be exchanged when buying ferry tickets from Carlos, and in Ceuta. Bureaux de Changes offices at ferry ports aren't open 24hrs.
Most towns have branches of the main Moroccan or French banks and these often have ATMs outside where cash can be withdrawn using UK bank cards. Using ATMs during bank opening hours is a good idea just in case you need help. Not all ATMs accept both Visa and Mastercard. Cashwithdrawl limit is 2000dh per transaction. In 2024 Al Barid bank was the only ATM that did not charge for cash withdrawals, and they are often found at Post Maroc. Check whether your bank charges for cash withdrawals overseas, if it does open an account that does not charge. Euros are accepted at some businesses in tourist areas and at some campsites.
Credit and Debit cards are not widely accepted for payment, except in main supermarkets and at larger tourist shops. Few fuel stations accept cards and seeing a Visa sign on display does not guarantee card acceptance. Large fuel stations operated by the major brands are increasingly accepting cards.
Eating Out & Shopping In Morocco
Visit our blog here for more details on eating out & shopping in Morocco.