Villa Alhucemas

Passport validity requirements

To enter Morocco, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the date you arrive.

Make sure your passport is not damaged. The Moroccan authorities have denied entry to some travellers with damaged passports. Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.  

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Lost or stolen passports

If your passport is lost or stolen, you will need to apply for an emergency travel document from the British embassy. You will also need to show a police report to be able to leave the country. The police will issue a written report, this can be a “déclaration de perte” for a lost passport or a “déclaration de vol” for a stolen passport. Stolen or lost passports must be reported in the city where the theft or loss occurred.

Border officials should stamp your passport when you enter Morocco. Some travellers have had difficulties leaving Morocco because their passport did not have an entry stamp.

Sending passports by post

It is illegal to send passports by post to or through Morocco. The authorities will confiscate British passports sent to or through Morocco by post or courier.

Carrying unaccompanied passports

Carrying another person’s passport may attract scrutiny from Police, Immigration, Customs, or Border Officials. Travellers are strongly advised not to carry a passport belonging to an individual who is not accompanying them unless there is a clear and legitimate reason for doing so.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements  

You can visit Morocco without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism.

To stay longer than 90 days, you must request an extension at a Moroccan police station.

If you’re going to Morocco for reasons other than tourism, check visa requirements with the Moroccan Consulate General in the UK.

Arriving by private boat

If you arrive by private boat, you must enter at a recognised port of entry. It is illegal to enter through other ports.

Vaccine requirements

To enter Morocco, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a polio vaccine if you’re coming from a polio-affected country.

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Morocco guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Morocco. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking money into or out of Morocco

The Moroccan dirham is a closed ‘non-convertible’ currency. This means it cannot be easily exchanged outside Morocco for other currencies .

You must declare foreign currency worth 100,000 Moroccan dirham or more (equal to around £8,000) when you enter or leave the country.

Passing fraudulent banknotes carries significant prison sentences. Defacing Moroccan banknotes is also illegal and punishable by imprisonment.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Morocco. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking money into or out of Morocco

The Moroccan dirham is a closed ‘non-convertible’ currency. This means it cannot be easily exchanged outside Morocco for other currencies .

You must declare foreign currency worth 100,000 Moroccan dirham or more (equal to around £8,000) when you enter or leave the country.

Passing fraudulent banknotes carries significant prison sentences. Defacing Moroccan banknotes is also illegal and punishable by imprisonment.

Emergency services in Morocco

Ambulance: 150

Fire: 150

Police: 190

Gendarmerie (military police): 177

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO provides guidance on how to help yourself stay safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers, funeral directors and translators and interpreters in Morocco
• dealing with a death in Morocco
• being arrested in Morocco
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you are affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X
• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Morocco on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

• travel advice on X
• travel advice on Facebook
• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences

Morocco’s laws and customs are very different to those in the UK and reflect the fact that Morocco is an Islamic country. Always respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions. Make sure your actions do not offend, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you plan to visit religious areas.

Ramadan

Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. The dates vary by year and country, next starting in February 2027. During this time, eating or drinking, swearing, smoking or chewing gum in public in the daytime may cause offence.

Get more advice when you arrive from your tour guide, hotel or business contacts, where applicable. You should also: 

• check opening hours of shops and restaurants
• be aware that hotels and restaurants serving food or drink in fasting hours may separate you from Muslim guests, for example with screens
• follow local dress codes – clothing that does not meet local dress codes may cause more offence at this time
• be aware that fasting can cause tiredness, particularly during the later afternoon and early evening

• be patient and show tolerance

• be aware that driving may be erratic, particularly when people are trying to get home at dusk.

Laws against religious conversion

It is illegal to attempt to convert a Muslim to another faith and to distribute evangelical literature (such as Arabic-language bibles). Attempting to convert a Muslim to another faith can result in fines or up to 3 years’ imprisonment.

Public criticism of Islam, including in speeches, print or online media, can result in heavy fines and up 2 years’ imprisonment.

Sexual relations outside of marriage

Sexual activity between unmarried people and adultery are illegal for Moroccan nationals – this includes sharing a hotel room, particularly with foreign nationals.

The law regarding unmarried people sharing a hotel room does not generally apply to visiting foreign nationals, particularly in popular tourist areas.

Avoid showing affection in public, particularly near religious sites as well as in tourist areas.

Using dating applications in Morocco may break laws relating to sexual relations outside of marriage. Be aware of the legal and personal safety risks when using these applications.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex sexual relations are illegal in Morocco. Showing affection in public can lead to prosecution. Meeting people through online applications, can carry legal, personal safety and privacy risks.

See more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Alcohol laws

Alcohol is available in licensed venues. However, drinking alcohol in the street and anywhere other than a licensed restaurant or bar is illegal and can lead to arrest. Travellers should respect local laws and customs at all times.

Illegal drugs

Morocco has a zero-tolerance approach towards drugs. Possessing, using or trafficking illegal drugs, including cannabis, are serious offences and carry severe penalties.

You should expect a long jail sentence and heavy fines for these actions, including when transiting through the country. Airports in Morocco are equipped with technology and security for detecting items prohibited by customs controls, including for the baggage or transiting passengers. Do not accept items from strangers or leave your bags attended.

Women travellers

Women may receive unwanted attention in Morocco, especially when travelling alone. Consider wearing loose-fitting clothing which cover the arms, legs and chest. See advice for woman travellers abroad.

Photography and Filming

It is illegal to take photographs near sensitive political or military sites. Always ask permission before taking pictures of people, especially children.

Pornography

It is illegal to possess pornographic material. This includes printed and digital material, and any type of material contrary to Moroccan laws related to morality and public order.

Flying drones

If you plan to bring a drone to Morocco, you must get permission from the Directorate General for Civil Aviation (in French) to fly a drone. If you do not, you risk fines and confiscation of your equipment.