The currency in Morocco is the Dirham. To exchange money, travelers can visit exchange offices and banks where they can exchange their currency.
Any trip requires some preparation before departure, and Morocco is no exception to the rule. It is always worth learning as much as possible about your destination, especially if you are visiting for the first time. Here is some information about the local currency in Morocco, which you will undoubtedly need for the proper organization of your trip.
What is the local currency in Morocco?
The official currency of Morocco is the Dirham (MAD). At present, one Euro is equivalent to 10.679 dirhams. Specifying that the dirham rate has been remarkably stable for several years is essential.
Switch
It is straightforward to change money in Morocco. Very touristy, the country provides visitors with exchange offices at ports and airports, in most banks, and sometimes even in hotels and many tourist places, even if the rates are only sometimes the most interesting. Vending machines are also present almost everywhere.
Pay
The official currency of Morocco is undoubtedly the Dirham. However, in tourist places (and souks), it is quite possible to pay for various things and services in euros. Hence the interest in always planning a little in cash for your trip.
In terms of means of payment, bank cards are widespread in towns and tourist areas. We can favor it for the most considerable sums or extensive tourist services. But, as always, beware of repeated “com” if you use this one too much.
Otherwise, cash for the rest of everyday life is the same, even if it is in your interest to provide your cash stock in local currency or euros and small denominations.
Lastly, it is theoretically forbidden to leave the country with dirhams. Therefore, it is mandatory to change your remaining money before leaving the country.
Other Money in Morocco
Prices might be given in a currency other than the Dirham in different parts of the country, especially in markets and smaller towns or when talking to older people. The Protectorate Era has a lot to do with this. In some parts of Morocco, the names of the old French and Spanish currencies are still used. The money itself doesn’t exist anymore, but people still look at the Moroccan currency and count it as one of the former currencies. People in Europe, especially older ones, may still think of the old money even though they use the Euro.
You might be given a price in francs in small shops or markets all over Morocco. This can be confusing because some Moroccans may use franc to mean the same thing as a dirham when they speak French, even though the franc is usually used to mean 1/100 of a dirham (so 10 dirhams would be 1,000 francs). This is a rare way to say it, but some people in Morocco still say it.
You might also hear the word “real” (ree-all). And to make things even more confusing, even though it is the same word, the amount it means varies from place to place. Around Tetouan and the villages near it, a “real” is 1/10 of a “dirham.” On the other hand, in the Middle Atlas, a real is worth 1/20 of a dirham.
In touristy big cities like Marrakesh, you may be given prices in your currency at home, whether it’s AUD, CAD, EUR, GBP, USD, or something else.
Money in Morocco: A Quick Guide
The most common paper bills are 100dh and 200dh, worth 10s and 20s.
Around Morocco, people use the names of other currencies but don’t use them. The franc and the real are these.
One Franc equals 1/100 of a dirham, so 1,000 Francs are worth 10 dirhams.
One Middle Atlas Real is worth 1/20 of a dirham, so 200 Middle Atlas Reals are worth 10 dirhams.
One Tetoauni Real is equal to half of a dirham. Ten Tetoauni Reals are equal to ten dirhams.
In Morocco, it goes without saying that it can be hard to understand the money if you don’t speak the language. Most Moroccans are very honest and will charge you the right amount for goods and services, except for a few shady shopkeepers. They commonly round the centimes up or down to the nearest Dirham, so be ready for that.
What payment methods are available in Morocco?
If you haven’t been able to change your euros into dirhams, don’t worry! Most tourist sites accept euros, as well as payment by credit card. The most widely accepted card across the country is Visa. Avoid withdrawing small amounts from ATMs, which charge large commissions.
You are perfectly informed about the means of payment in Morocco! Remember that you are not supposed to take dirhams out of the country, so remember to change them before you return.