Morocco Visa RequirementsFor United Kingdom passport holders
UK citizens can enter Morocco visa-free for up to 90 days. No visa application is required before travel. Simply arrive with a valid UK passport and you are free to explore everything from the imperial cities of Marrakech and Fes to the dunes of the Sahara Desert.
Great news! United Kingdom passport holders can enter Morocco without a visa for tourism or business purposes. You can stay up to 90 days.
No visa application is required. UK citizens simply present their valid UK passport at the border or airport. Immigration officers may ask to see a return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation (at minimum your first night's hotel booking, though a full itinerary helps), and evidence of sufficient funds for the duration of your stay. There is no stamp quota or pre-registration requirement. The process is straightforward and typically takes only a few minutes at the immigration desk.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
Valid UK passport
Your UK passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended date of entry into Morocco. Ensure you have at least one blank page for the entry stamp.
Return or onward ticket
Proof of your intention to leave Morocco, such as a return flight booking or an onward ticket to another country. Immigration officers may ask to see this at the border.
Proof of accommodation
A hotel booking confirmation or riad reservation for at least your first night in Morocco. Officers may ask for a full itinerary. A printout or digital copy on your phone is sufficient.
Proof of sufficient funds
Evidence that you can financially support yourself during your stay. This can include a recent bank statement, credit card, or cash. There is no fixed official threshold but having the equivalent of roughly 50 GBP per day is a reasonable guideline.
Current Travel Situation
United Kingdom to Morocco: What You Need to Know
Morocco grants UK citizens visa-free entry for up to 90 days, and this arrangement was maintained following Brexit; the agreement is bilateral and independent of EU membership. Morocco is one of the most accessible destinations from the UK, combining extraordinary diversity: the medieval medinas of Fes and Marrakech, the blue-washed streets of Chefchaouen, the Atlantic beach towns of Agadir and Essaouira, the High Atlas Mountains, and the Sahara Desert around Merzouga and Zagora. The 90-day allowance is per entry and Morocco does not operate a formal Schengen-style tracker, though border officers retain discretion.
How to Get There
Flights from the UK to Morocco take approximately 3.5 to 4 hours from London. There are extensive direct routes:
From London Heathrow (LHR): British Airways and Royal Air Maroc serve Casablanca (CMN) and Marrakech (RAK).
From London Gatwick (LGW): easyJet and TUI serve Marrakech (RAK), Agadir (AGA), and Fes (FEZ).
From London Stansted (STN): Ryanair has an extensive Morocco network covering Casablanca (CMN), Marrakech (RAK), Agadir (AGA), Fes (FEZ), and Nador (NDR).
From Manchester (MAN): Jet2, TUI, easyJet, and Ryanair serve Marrakech, Agadir, and Fes.
From Bristol (BRS) and Edinburgh (EDI): Seasonal and year-round easyJet and Ryanair routes to Marrakech and Agadir.
An alternative overland-and-sea route is possible: fly or travel to southern Spain, then take a ferry from Algeciras or Tarifa to Tangier (crossing time around 35 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on the service). This is a popular option for travellers combining Spain and Morocco.
Money & Banking
Morocco's currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD), and it is a restricted, non-convertible currency. You will not find MAD at UK banks or exchange bureaux before travel, and you should not attempt to import or export it in significant quantities.
On arrival: Exchange currency at the airport (Casablanca Mohammed V, Marrakech Menara, or others) or withdraw from ATMs. Attijariwafa Bank and Banque Populaire ATMs are widely available in cities and tourist areas. UK Visa and Mastercard debit and credit cards work well at ATMs in cities.
Cash is essential in medinas, souqs, and rural areas. Many small guesthouses (riads), street food stalls, market traders, and taxis operate cash-only. Even where cards are nominally accepted, having dirhams avoids inflated prices and failed terminals.
Some riads and larger restaurants in tourist areas accept card payments, but always confirm in advance.
Watch out for Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC): If an ATM or terminal offers to charge you in GBP, decline and choose MAD, the DCC rate is almost always unfavourable.
Practical Tips
Morocco rewards travellers who come prepared:
Bargaining in souqs: Haggling is expected and is part of the culture in markets. Approach negotiations with good humour and patience. Starting at roughly half the asking price and meeting somewhere in the middle is common. Firmness delivered with a smile works well.
Dress modestly: Especially in medinas, mosques (non-Muslims are not permitted inside most mosques), and rural areas. Both men and women should cover shoulders and knees. This is both respectful and reduces unwanted attention.
Women travelling: Solo or group female travellers may experience verbal harassment, particularly in busy medinas. Dressing modestly, walking with purpose, and ignoring unsolicited guides helps. Marrakech's Jemaa el-Fna square is lively but can be overwhelming.
Fes medina navigation: The Fes el-Bali medina is one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world and genuinely labyrinthine. A licensed guide for at least the first half-day is strongly recommended.
Ramadan: If visiting during Ramadan, be respectful. Many restaurants close during daylight hours; eating, drinking, and smoking in public is discouraged. The evenings come alive after Iftar.
Moroccan mint tea: Accepting tea when offered by a shopkeeper or host is a gesture of hospitality. You are not obliged to buy anything.
Food and water safety: Stick to cooked food from busy stalls and reputable restaurants. Drink bottled or filtered water and avoid ice in drinks outside established restaurants.
Atlas Mountains: The High Atlas, including Toubkal (the highest peak in North Africa), is easily accessible from Marrakech and well worth adding to an itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do UK citizens need a visa for Morocco?
No. UK citizens do not need a visa to visit Morocco. Entry is visa-free and this applies to holders of a valid British Citizen passport. The arrangement is bilateral and was maintained after Brexit, so EU membership is not relevant. You simply arrive with your passport and pass through immigration.
How long can UK citizens stay in Morocco?
UK citizens can stay in Morocco for up to 90 days per entry without a visa. The 90 days begins on the date of arrival as stamped in your passport. If you wish to stay longer, you would need to apply for a residence permit from within Morocco or depart and re-enter, though back-to-back entries are at the discretion of border officers.
Can I get Moroccan Dirhams before I travel?
No. The Moroccan Dirham (MAD) is a restricted, non-convertible currency and is not available at UK banks or currency exchange services before you travel. You should plan to exchange money or withdraw dirhams on arrival at a Moroccan airport ATM or bank. Attijariwafa Bank and Banque Populaire ATMs are widely available and accept UK cards.
Do UK bank cards work in Morocco?
Yes, in most cities and tourist areas. UK Visa and Mastercard debit and credit cards are accepted at ATMs in Marrakech, Casablanca, Fes, Agadir, and other urban centres. However, cash in dirhams is essential for medinas, souqs, smaller riads, local taxis, and rural areas. Always carry a supply of cash. If an ATM offers to charge you in GBP (Dynamic Currency Conversion), choose MAD instead for a better rate.
Are there direct flights from the UK to Morocco?
Yes, there are extensive direct routes. From London, British Airways and Royal Air Maroc fly to Casablanca and Marrakech from Heathrow. Ryanair and easyJet operate wide Morocco networks from Stansted, Gatwick, and regional airports including Manchester, Bristol, and Edinburgh, serving Casablanca (CMN), Marrakech (RAK), Agadir (AGA), Fes (FEZ), and Nador (NDR). Jet2 and TUI also offer flights from Manchester and other regional airports. Flight time from London is approximately 3.5 to 4 hours.
What is the best time to visit Morocco?
The best times to visit Morocco are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), when temperatures are pleasant across the country. Summers (June to August) are extremely hot, particularly in Marrakech and the desert, with temperatures regularly exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. Winter (December to February) is mild on the coast and in Marrakech but cold in the mountains and the Sahara at night. The Atlas Mountains receive snow in winter, which can be dramatic if you are trekking or visiting Chefchaouen.