Middle East and North Africa

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

• There is a general threat from terrorism in Morocco. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. You should have confidence in your individual security arrangements and maintain a high level of vigilance. See Safety and Security - Terrorism.
  

• There have been demonstrations in a number of major cities across the country and incidences of looting and vandalism in Tangier, Marrakech and other locations. You should follow news reports and be alert to developments that might trigger public disturbances. Any increase in tension might affect Travel Advice.
  
  

• Travellers should take sensible precautions for their personal safety and avoid public gatherings and demonstrations.
  
  

• In April and May 2010, a number of foreigners, including British nationals, were expelled from Morocco for alleged proselytising. You should be aware of religious sensitivities in Morocco. See Local laws and customs.
  

• Morocco has a poor road safety record. See Road Travel.
  
  
• If you are travelling to Western Sahara, please see the separate Travel Advice covering this disputed territory.
  
  
• If you are considering rally racing in North or West Africa you should read the travel advice for all relevant countries and our Rally racing page.
  
  
• 362,000 UK tourists visited Morocco in 2009 (Source: Moroccan Ministry of Tourism). Most visits are trouble free. See General - Consular Assistance Statistics. There are occasional incidents involving theft at knifepoint in the major cities. Violent crime, though not a major problem in Morocco, is growing.
  
  
• You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See General - Insurance.

Safety and Security - Terrorism
There is a general threat from terrorism in Morocco. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. You should have confidence in your individual security arrangements and maintain a high level of vigilance. See our Terrorism Abroad page.

Significant events include:

• On 28 April 2011, 17 people were killed and 25 injured in a large explosion in Marrakech at the Argana Restaurant in Jema el Fna Square. Moroccan authorities continue to investigate and have made a number of arrests.
• In May 2003, 45 people were killed in a series of terrorist attacks in Casablanca. These attacks were against relatively soft targets, including hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners or those with Jewish links. The Moroccan authorities arrested and imprisoned a number of those considered to be responsible for the attacks; there is a high threat of further attacks.
  

You should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners. You should also be aware that there is a threat of kidnapping in the immediate and wider regions and particular care should be taken in remote regions and border areas. See our Sahel page for further information about the regional threat. If you are considering rally racing in North or West Africa you should read the travel advice for all relevant countries and our Rally racing page.

Safety and Security - Political Situation

There have been reports of demonstrations in a number of locations across Morocco, some of which have led to incidents of vandalism and looting in Tangier, Marrakech and other locations.  You should avoid political gatherings and demonstrations, and respect any advice or instruction from local security authorities.

Morocco Country Profile

Safety and Security - Crime
Violent crime is not a major problem in Morocco, but it is growing. There are occasional incidents involving theft at knifepoint in the major cities and along beaches. Since March 2008 a number of Europeans, including British citizens, have been attacked and robbed at knifepoint, mainly late at night, near the centre of Tangier in the area from Blvd Pasteur/Mohammed V leading down to the beach, and in and around the Kasbah/Medina. You are advised to avoid those areas late at night and not to carry valuables with you at any time in those parts of town. A British tourist was injured in an apparent knife attack at a hotel in Marrakech on 9 May 2007. There has also been an increase in reports of other violent attacks, including some shootings, and of car jacking in Casablanca. Whilst driving, you should avoid stopping at the side of the road and drive defensively, with vehicle doors locked and windows closed at all times. Do not attempt to escape from hijackers or resist their demands.

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and bag snatching, continues to increase. Crime and aggressive begging near ATM machines are increasing. Credit card fraud and scams such as substituting inferior goods for those that were actually purchased are common. Intimidation is sometimes used to force customers to purchase goods. You should remain vigilant and alert to potential confidence tricks.

You should avoid run down areas and badly lit streets in areas such as the medina. If offered the services of a guide, you should ensure that the guide is authorised by or operating with the agreement of the local tourist authorities, and displays an official badge. Harassment of tourists by men posing as official tourist guides is common. There have also been reports of tourists being harassed on Moroccan trains.

See our Victims of Crime Abroad page.

Travellers to Morocco should be aware of the impact that the situation in Iraq, as well as the violence between Israelis and Palestinians, has had across the Arab world and the risk of public disturbance in response. You should follow news reports and be alert to developments in the Middle East that might trigger public disturbances. In addition, demonstrations against rising food and fuel prices across the region have on occasion turned violent. You should take sensible precautions for your personal safety and avoid public gatherings and demonstrations. Any increase in regional tension might affect Travel Advice.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Road Travel
Morocco has a poor road safety record.  According to the Moroccan Ministry of Equipment and Transport, road accidents claimed the lives of 3,946 people in 2009 and 103,180 wounded.

Accidents are especially frequent on busy major routes but also on narrower secondary roads. All drivers should take extra care when overtaking, particularly where there are no hard shoulders. You are advised to leave plenty of time to reach your destination and to stay well within speed limits.

If you are involved in a road accident resulting in a fatality and the Moroccan authorities consider you responsible, you may be detained pending a trial hearing.

If you are involved in a minor accident, you should complete a 'Constat Amiable' form, to be signed by both parties. The blank forms are available upon arrival at the Tangier port from the insurance company booths, or can be purchased from tobacconists in all cities.

See our Driving Abroad page.

Local laws reflect the fact that Morocco is an Islamic country. You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend other cultures or religious beliefs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas.

Women, especially when travelling alone, will attract attention. To minimise hassle, you should dress inconspicuously and avoid wearing clothes that could be regarded as provocative (e.g. short skirts and low-necked strappy tops), except on the beach.

Homosexuality is a criminal offence in Morocco. Sexual relations outside marriage are also punishable by law.

British nationals travelling to Morocco with a view to marrying a Moroccan should, before they travel, check what  documentation they will need to provide. Advice can be found on the British Embassy’s website (www.ukinmorocco.fco.gov.uk).

The penalties for possession of even small amounts of drugs are severe: up to 10 years’ imprisonment, with no remission for good behaviour, heavy fines and confiscation of your vehicle/vessel. If you travel through the Rif Mountains, a major cannabis growing area, you may be harassed by drug dealers.

It is against the law to carry bibles in Arabic, to attempt to distribute any non-Muslim/evangelical literature or be involved in any such activity. 

See our Your trip page.

Entry Requirements - Visas
British nationals do not require entry visas to Morocco for the purpose of tourism, for visits of up to three months. 

Entry Requirements - Passport Validity
You must hold a valid passport to enter Morocco. Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of entry into Morocco. When entering the country, particularly during the busy summer months, you should ensure that your passports are stamped. You will then be able to stay in Morocco for up to three months. Some tourists have experienced difficulties leaving the country because their passports bear no entry stamp.

Entry Requirements - Medication
We are not aware of anyone experiencing problems bringing prescription medication into Morocco.  Moroccan Customs do not have a list of prohibited products, but they do advise anyone travelling with prescription medication to ensure that they have a copy of the doctor’s prescription with them and that the quantity of medication carried is within the limits of the prescription.

Entry Requirements - Travelling to Western Sahara
If you intend to travel to the disputed territories to the South of Morocco, you should consult our separate Travel Advice for Western Sahara.

Entry Requirements - Border Closure
You should also be aware that the border between Algeria and Morocco is closed, and no attempt should be made to cross it at any point.

Entry Requirements - Travelling by Private Boat
When arriving by private boat, you must enter the country by a recognised port of entry. Entry through other ports will be considered illegal.

In the 2010 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 25,000 adults aged 15 or over in Morocco were living with HIV; the prevalence percentage was estimated at around 0.1% of the adult population compared to the prevalence percentage in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Morocco and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Heath Network and Centre (NaTHNaC).

Henna tattoos are commonplace in Morocco. You should be aware that some henna tattoos contain the chemical para-phenylenediamine (PPD) which can cause a painful allergic reaction including swelling and an itchy rash in some people.

See our Travel Health page and the UK Department of Health website at: www.dh.gov.uk.

Morocco is in an earthquake zone and earthquakes, usually minor ones, occur occasionally. But a strong earthquake hit northern Morocco around the port town of Al Hoceima on 24 February 2004, killing more than 600 people. You should familiarise yourself with general safety procedures in the event of an earthquake and take note of any earthquake-related instructions, e.g. in hotel rooms.

General - Insurance
You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. 

When insuring your vehicle, it is advisable to choose a company with a local representative. See our Travel Insurance page.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas see our When Things Go Wrong page.

General - LOCATE Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.

General - Money
You should bring sufficient funds for the visit in cash or credit cards. There is no limit on the amount you can import. Most major credit cards are accepted in the larger urban centres throughout Morocco. It is not possible to change Scottish bank notes and it‘s very difficult to change travellers’ cheques in Morocco. The Moroccan Dirham is non-convertible and its export is prohibited. ATMs are widely available in cities and most main towns. If you enter Morocco with a vehicle, the registration number will be entered in the immigration computer. If you are not in possession of the same vehicle when leaving Morocco, you will be refused exit and detained.

General - Consular Assistance Statistics
313,377 UK tourists visited Morocco between January and November 2010 (Source: Moroccan Ministry of Tourism). Most visits are trouble free. 102 British nationals required consular assistance in Morocco in the period 01 April 2010 – 31 March 2011 for the following types of incident: 18 deaths; 35 hospitalisations; and 19 arrests, for a variety of offences.

General - Contact Details for the British Consulate-General, Consulates and Honorary Consuls

British Honorary Consulate - TANGIERS
Trafalgar House, 9 Rue Amerique du Sud, Tangiers 90000 - BP. 1203, Morocco
Tel: 00 212 539 93 69 39/40, Fax: 00 212 539 93 69 14
Email: rabat.consular@fco.gov.uk

British Honorary Consulate - AGADIR
The English Pub, Boulevard 20 Août, Agadir
Tel: 00 212 528 84 12 19
Fax:  00 212 528 84 12 57
Email: rabat.consular@fco.gov.uk

British Honorary Consulate - MARRAKECH
The British Honorary Consulate in Marrakech is closed until further notice due to staff shortages. Please contact the Consular Section at the British Embassy in Rabat if you require assistance.
Email: rabat.consular@fco.gov.uk

If you are a British National and have a genuine emergency outside normal office hours, please call the Embassy switchboard on +212 (0) 537 63 33 33 where you can obtain details of our Global Response Centre who may be able to assist you. Please note that only emergency calls can be handled out of office hours. Visa enquiries can only be dealt with during office hours.