Administrative formalities for moving to Morocco

Moving to Morocco – retiring in the sun, teleworking, new job or change of life – requires settling several administrative formalities. Visa, residence card, consular registration, bank account, insurance… Here is a practical guide to organize your procedures.

1. Visa and residence card: the basics

French and European Union nationals can enter Morocco without visa for a stay of up to 90 days. Beyond that, you must obtain a residence permit (resident title).

To do this, you must first request a long stay visa (type D) adapted to your situation: visitor/retiree, work, studies or family. The request is made to the Moroccan consulate in your country of residence before departure.

2. Documents for the residence permit

The typical file includes:

• Valid passport (with margin of 6 to 12 months)
• Long-stay visa (type D) valid
• Official forms (white and yellow, available on site)
• Identity photos (2.5 × 2.5 cm format)
• Proof of residence : rental contract, title deed or accommodation certificate
• Proof of income : pay slips, employment contract, bank statements or pension certificate
• Criminal record extract (French for the first request, Moroccan for renewal)
• Medical certificate and vaccination record
• Health insurance covering Morocco
• Tax stamp (around 100 MAD)

Additional documents may be requested depending on your status (employment contract, company statutes, registration certificate, etc.).

3. Validity and renewal

There first residence card is generally valid 1 year, renewable. After several renewals, the duration can increase to 2 or 3 years, then up to 10 years depending on your profile. Consider submitting your renewal request approximately 2 months before expiration.

4. Consular registration

If you are French, register in the register of French people established outside France via the consulate on which you depend (Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, Fez, Tangier, Agadir, etc.).

This approach facilitates:

• Renewing your identity papers
• Exercising your rights (voting, consular protection)
• Receiving alerts in the event of a crisis or major event

Registration can be done online on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then validated at the consulate.

5. Open a bank account

A Moroccan bank account is useful for: receiving a pension, paying rent, paying your local bills, or proving income for the residence permit.

Banks generally ask for: passport, proof of address, and sometimes a certificate of income or a first transfer. Establishments such as BMCE, Attijariwafa, Banque Populaire or French subsidiaries (Société Générale Maroc, etc.) welcome foreign residents.

6. Health insurance

A health insurance covering Morocco is essential, and often required for the residence permit. You can :

• Keep a French mutual with international coverage
• Take out expatriation insurance
• Join local insurance

Check that hospital care, repatriation and civil liability are included.

7. Taxation and retirement

As an expatriate, your taxation depends on your place of tax residence. A double taxation agreement binds France and Morocco. If you are a Moroccan tax resident, you are taxed in Morocco on your worldwide income. Remember to inquire with a tax advisor or the consulate.

For French retirement: inform the Caisse des Français de l'Étranger (CFE) of your new address to continue to contribute or receive your rights.

8. Driving license

The French (or European) driving license is recognized in Morocco for a tourist stay. For an extended stay, depending on the agreements in force, you can drive with your French license for a certain period of time, then possibly exchange or pass the Moroccan license. Ask the prefecture or consulate for more information.

9. Steps to anticipate

Summary of steps to plan:

1. Obtain a long-stay visa (before departure)
2. Find accommodation and sign a lease (or have an accommodation certificate)
3. Submit the residence permit application within 90 days
4. Register at the consulate
5. Open a bank account
6. Take out health insurance