Morocco's currency is the Moroccan dirham (MAD, often written DH). One feature changes everything for travellers: it is a closed currency. Your bank at home will not have it, or barely. You get your dirhams once you arrive. Here is how, at the best cost.
A closed currency: what it means
According to the UK government's travel advice, the dirham is a "non-convertible" currency: it cannot easily be exchanged outside Morocco. Two customs rules follow:
- Foreign currency (euros, pounds, dollars…) must be declared on entry and exit once it is worth 100,000 dirhams or more (around £8,000, says the FCDO).
- Dirham notes can only be brought in or out in small amounts. The tolerated amount is set by Morocco's Office des Changes: check it on its site before you travel, and change your last dirhams before you go through customs on departure.
Defacing a Moroccan banknote is also illegal: do not write on one or tear it.
Where to get dirhams
- At an ATM. Often the simplest option: cash machines are plentiful in cities and at airports. Your bank may charge a fee per withdrawal and on the exchange; check your account terms before you go.
- At an exchange office. You will find them at airports, stations and in tourist districts, as well as in banks. Compare the rate shown before changing a large sum, and keep your receipts: you may be asked for them to change dirhams back when you leave.
- At your hotel. Handy in a pinch, rarely the best rate.
One tip that applies everywhere: when an ATM or card terminal offers to charge you "in your home currency", choose dirhams instead. The conversion offered on the spot is usually worse than your bank's.
Card or cash?
Hotels, larger restaurants, supermarkets and fuel stations often take cards. In the souks, small cafés, taxis and many shops, cash is king. Always keep small notes (20 and 50 DH) and coins for tips, taxis and small purchases. To pay when signal is weak, see cashless in Morocco: paying without signal.
Prices in "rials": do not panic
In markets, some sellers still count in rials or centimes, old units: 1 dirham is 20 rials. A price of "200" may therefore mean 10 dirhams. If in doubt, ask for the price in dirhams.
Your phone, your best exchange tool
A banking app, a currency calculator and the map to the nearest ATM: with internet from the moment you land, you can compare rates and track spending as you go. Your bank may also text you a code to approve a payment: with a data eSIM, your usual SIM stays active to receive it; see receiving bank SMS codes in Morocco.
Our plans run from 1 day (€6) to 30 days (€79): see the Morocco eSIM plans, and check your phone's compatibility. To estimate the trip budget, read a 7-day budget for Morocco.