Morocco
Rabat, Africa
Living in Morocco: the short version
Morocco is close to Europe, inexpensive and culturally rich, with year-round sun on the Atlantic coast. Many nationalities can stay 90 days visa-free; living there longer requires a residence card (carte de séjour), usually based on work, retirement income or family.
Best for: Retirees with foreign income, French and Arabic speakers, and people seeking a low-cost base near Europe.
Why people move here
- Very low cost of living
- Short flights to Europe
- Mild coastal climate and rich culture
What to watch out for
- High youth unemployment and low local salaries
- Bureaucracy runs mostly in French and Arabic
- Conservative social norms outside big cities
How to move to Morocco: main visa and residency routes
Summaries only — requirements and income thresholds change. Always check the official sources below.
- Residence card for employment
- Requires a work contract approved by the Ministry of Labour, usually after ANAPEC confirms no local candidate is available.
- Residence card for retirees and people of independent means
- For people with a regular foreign pension or income transferred to a Moroccan bank account.
- Residence card for business owners
- For founders or investors in a Moroccan company.
- Family residence
- For spouses and children of Moroccan citizens and residents.
Healthcare for newcomers
Private clinics in Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakech offer good care at low cost, while public hospitals are stretched. Expats should hold private or international health insurance.
Cost of Living
Cost of living index: 25 (NYC = 100)
Rent (1BR)
$350
Rent (3BR)
$650
Groceries
$150
Transport
$25
Utilities
$60
Internet
$25
Dining Out
$50
Tax System
Corporate Tax
20%
VAT / Sales Tax
20%
Social Security
6.7%
Capital Gains
20%
Income Tax Brackets
| Income Range (USD) | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 - $4,200 | 0% |
| $4,201 - $6,300 | 10% |
| $6,301 - $8,400 | 20% |
| $8,401 - $10,500 | 30% |
| $10,501 - $19,000 | 34% |
| $19,001 - Above | 37% |
Culture
Morocco blends Arab, Amazigh (Berber), African and European influences, from the medinas of Fez and Marrakech to Atlantic surf towns and the Sahara. Family, faith and hospitality are central, and mint tea is offered to every guest.
Traditions
- Ramadan and Eid celebrations
- Mint tea ceremony
- Hammam (public bath) visits
- Gnaoua music festival in Essaouira
Cultural Values
- Hospitality
- Family
- Faith
- Respect for elders
Common Greeting: Salam alaikum! / Labas?
Cultural Tips
- • Haggling is expected in souks; start at around a third to half of the first price
- • Dress modestly, especially outside tourist areas and in rural regions
- • During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight
- • Non-Muslims generally cannot enter mosques, except Casablanca’s Hassan II Mosque
🍽 Food & Cuisine
Moroccan cuisine is one of the world’s great cooking traditions, balancing sweet and savoury with cumin, saffron, cinnamon, preserved lemons and olives.
Tagine
Slow-cooked stew in a conical clay pot, such as chicken with preserved lemon and olives
Couscous
Steamed semolina with vegetables and meat, traditionally served on Fridays
Pastilla
Flaky pastry pie of pigeon or chicken with almonds, cinnamon and sugar
Harira
Tomato, lentil and chickpea soup that breaks the fast during Ramadan
Sources and methodology
Figures on this page are estimates in US dollars, compiled from the international datasets below and converted at recent exchange rates. The cost of living index uses New York City as 100. Guidance was last reviewed on . Found something out of date? Tell us.
Official Morocco sources
Data sources
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries — individual income tax
- Numbeo — cost of living (crowdsourced prices)
- World Bank Open Data — economic and population indicators
- OECD Tax Database — tax rates and social contributions
- ILOSTAT — employment and unemployment
- UNDP Human Development Reports — health and education
- UN World Population Prospects — population
Quality of Life
Job Market
Average Annual Salary
$6,000
Job Difficulty
Difficult
Unemployment Rate
13.3%
Work Permit Required
Yes
Top Industries
Languages
Official Languages
Other Languages Spoken