Good to know
Good to Know
- Morocco is predominantly cash-based—carry dirhams at all times despite ATM availability
- ATMs may run out of cash during peak tourist seasons; withdraw early in the day if possible
- Moroccan dirham is a closed currency; you cannot obtain it outside Morocco, so plan withdrawals carefully
- Card payment may be refused or delayed in establishments even with visible Visa/Mastercard logos due to connectivity issues or merchant preference
- All major Moroccan bank ATMs are free on the Moroccan side for foreign cardholders; fees come from your home bank, minimized by using Wise or Revolut
- Small change is essential—vendors in markets and taxis struggle to break large notes
- Service charges are sometimes included in restaurant bills; always check before adding tip
- In tourist areas like Marrakech, tipping expectations are higher than elsewhere in Morocco due to international tourism volume
Taxis
Petit Taxi
- Amount
- Round up fare by 5-10 MAD
- Notes
- Verify meter is running; not customary to tip percentage
Airport Transfer (One Way)
- Amount
- 20-50 MAD per person; 100 MAD per booking party
Local Transfer (One Way)
- Amount
- 10-20 MAD per person; 50 MAD per booking party
Restaurants
Small Cafe or Local Eatery
- Amount
- 5-10% of bill or 5-10 MAD per person (optional)
- Notes
- Few dirhams or rounding up acceptable
Mid-range Restaurant
- Amount
- 5-10% of bill if service was good
- Notes
- Check if service charge already included
Upscale Restaurant
- Amount
- 10-15% of bill
- Notes
- Check bill for included service charge before adding extra
Other Services
Food Vendor or Juice Stall
- Amount
- 1-2 MAD per person (optional)
Photography of Vendor/artisan
- Amount
- 5-10 MAD (always ask first)
Parking Attendant
- Amount
- 2-5 MAD
Hotels And Riads
Housekeeping
- Amount
- 10-20 MAD per night
Porter
- Amount
- 10-20 MAD per bag
Staff tip (2-3 night stay)
- Amount
- 100-200 MAD total upon departure
Guides And Drivers
City Tour Guide
- Amount
- 5-10% of tour cost
Driver (Daily)
- Amount
- 100 MAD per day
Tour Guide (Daily)
- Amount
- 150-200 MAD per day
Multi-day Tour
- Amount
- 100-200 MAD per day for main guide; smaller amounts for drivers, cooks, assistants
Popular Banks
Attijariwafa
- English Support
- Limited; French-primary
- Expat Friendliness
- Good; widespread branch network, popular choice among expats
BMCE
- English Support
- Moderate
- Expat Friendliness
- Good; some English-speaking staff in major cities
Société Générale
- English Support
- Good
- Expat Friendliness
- Excellent; international bank with expat-focused services
Banque Populaire
- English Support
- Limited
- Expat Friendliness
- Standard
Crédit Agricole
- English Support
- Moderate
- Expat Friendliness
- Moderate; international bank
Account Types For Expats
Convertible (Foreign Currency) Account
- Fees
- Often higher fees and unfavorable exchange rates compared to resident accounts
- Features
- Deposit foreign currency, automatic conversion to dirhams; can withdraw dirhams in Morocco or transfer currency abroad
- Eligibility
- Non-residents; easiest to open without residence permit
- Restrictions
- Cannot deposit cash dirhams locally; cannot receive deposits from Moroccan bank accounts
Dirham Account (Resident)
- Features
- Full access to local banking services, better exchange rates
- Eligibility
- Requires legal residence (carte de séjour)
- Restrictions
- Not available without residency documentation
- Minimum Balance
- Typically ~500 MAD ($50 USD); varies by bank and triggers fees if breached
MRE Account (Moroccans Living Abroad)
- Features
- Special packages, sometimes no maintenance fees, encourages foreign currency deposits
- Eligibility
- Foreigners with non-Moroccan passports often qualify
- Restrictions
- May have higher requirements or limited services
ATM Info
- Availability
- Extensive ATM network in Marrakech; machines available 24/7 near medinas, shopping malls, train stations, and bank branches
- ATM Locations
- Jemaa el-Fnaa square area, Avenue Mohammed V, major shopping centers
- Accepted Cards
- Visa and Mastercard most widely accepted; Maestro and Discover less common
- Best Practices
- Use bank-attached ATMs; withdraw earlier in the day to avoid cash depletion; notify your bank before travel; enable international transactions; request small denomination notes to minimize change-making issues
Fees
- Home Bank Fee
- Home bank typically charges foreign transaction fee (1-3% of converted amount plus 3-5 USD equivalent flat fee)
- Moroccan Bank Fee
- Most major banks (Attijariwafa, BMCE, Banque Populaire, CIH) charge no local fee to foreign cardholders; independent ATM operators may charge 25-60 MAD per transaction
Banks
- Attijariwafa Bank
- BMCE Bank
- Banque Populaire
- CIH Bank
Withdrawal Limits
- Higher Limit
- BMCI ATMs allow up to 4000 MAD per transaction (some up to 8000 MAD)
- Standard Limit
- 2000 MAD per transaction at most ATMs
Currency
Always use Moroccan Dirhams (MAD); avoid foreign coins
Cultural Notes
Tipping is customary but not legally mandatory; not leaving a tip is not offensive but appreciated when service is good; many Moroccans tip quietly and less generously than Western visitors; hand tips directly to staff; always use local currency to avoid forcing recipients into unfavorable exchange
Cash Essential
- Recommendation
- Morocco remains a predominantly cash economy; carry sufficient dirhams for daily expenses
- Primary Currency
- Moroccan Dirham (MAD)
- Daily Budget Cash
- MAD 300
- Notes
- Cash is essential in markets, taxis, and small establishments; card acceptance not guaranteed even where logos displayed
Card Acceptance
- Visa Mastercard
- Widely accepted at hotels, restaurants, and shops in tourist areas; Visa and Mastercard are most reliable
- American Express
- Rarely accepted; only at high-end establishments
Where Cards Work
- 4-5 star hotels and mid-range riads
- Upscale restaurants in Ville Nouvelle
- Modern shopping centers and supermarkets
- Tourist attractions and organized tour operators
- Airport shops
Where Cash Required
- Traditional souks and medina shops
- Taxis (petit and grand)
- Street food stalls and small cafes
- Hammams
- Markets and local vendors
- Tips to guides and hotel staff
Fees
- Card Issuance
- One-time fee applies; some accounts waive
- Online Banking
- Available at major banks; some charge monthly (typically included with certain packages)
- Account Maintenance
- Varies by bank and account type; can range from 50-500 MAD per month for business accounts
- ATM Withdrawal Own Bank
- Free at own bank's ATM
- International Transfers
- High fees and unfavorable exchange rates; many expats use Wise or other transfer services for better rates
- ATM Withdrawal Other Bank
- ~5-6% fee or flat charge
Process
- Step 1
- Visit bank branch in person; most banks do not offer online account opening for foreigners
- Step 2
- Complete detailed application form and provide documents
- Step 3
- Meet with branch manager; sign contract (personal signature required)
- Step 4
- Receive debit card within ~10 working days
- Timeline
- Same afternoon for large international banks (Société Générale, BMCE, BNP Paribas); up to 1 week for local banks
- Notes
- Process can be slow; expect multiple visits. Banking regulations require physical signatures on key documents.
Foreigners can open bank accounts in Morocco. Process requires in-person visit and can take 1-3 weeks. Language barrier (French/Arabic) is primary challenge for English speakers.
Insider Tips
Insider Tips
- Get local phone number first (required for SMS verification)
- Ask about expat-friendly account packages with reduced fees
- Use multi-currency transfer cards (Wise, Revolut) during transition period
- Bring all documents in multiple copies and request bank's full checklist in advance
- Allow extra time for administrative processes
- Building relationship with local branch smooths future transactions
Online Banking
Digital banking lags Western standards; maintain both in-branch and app habits. Most major banks have apps, some in English.
Language Barrier
French essential; most transactions in French and Arabic. Limited English spoken. Translator recommended for complex matters.
Currency Controls
Exchange controls limit foreign currency conversion amounts; plan needs in advance. Keep documentation of legitimate currency exchange needs.
Documentation Required
Documentation Required
- Valid passport (copy often notarized)
- Proof of residence in Morocco (rental agreement or utility bill showing address)
- Proof of employment or income (optional but sometimes required)
- Certificate of domicile (attestation from landlord) may be requested
- Residence permit (carte de séjour) for resident accounts
International Transfers
- Method 2 Wise
- Lower fees, better rates, limited availability in Morocco; check current services
- Method 3 Cash
- Bring up to US$10,000 per person, exchange at airport; simplest for initial setup
- Method 1 Swift
- 2-5 days, higher fees, through bank
Minimum Documentation Tip
Some banks allow non-residents to open convertible accounts with just passport; check with each bank, as policies vary.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.wise.com
- 2.explore.atmfeesaver.com
- 3.moroccantraveltrips.com
- 4.mintteatours.com
- 5.xe.com
- 6.tasteofmaroc.com
- 7.roamingcamelsmorocco.com
- 8.backpackmoments.com
- 9.wise.com
- 10.travelguide-marrakech.com
- 11.moroccojourneying.com
- 12.hayyamorocco.com
- 13.visit-marrakech-medina.com
- 14.medigence.com
- 15.bestcosmetichospitals.com
- 16.nomedic.co
- 17.moroccoclinics.com
- 18.clinique-plaza-marrakech.com
- 19.hopitalamericaininternational.com
- 20.darzaman.co.uk
- 21.themarrakesher.com
- 22.expatfocus.com
- 23.syndicat-pharmaciens-marrakech.com
- 24.expat.com
- 25.ma.green-acres.com
- 26.hac.ma
- 27.bewilderedinmorocco.com
- 28.wise.com
- 29.wheretoemigrate.io
- 30.crossroadsculturalexchange.com
- 31.wise.com
More About Marrakech
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.