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Please be advised that the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Travel Advice is now available at Ireland.ie/travel. Travel Advice on this webpage is no longer being updated. To ensure you receive the latest Travel Advice for Morocco, please see Ireland.ie.

Morocco

If you’re travelling to Morocco, our travel advice and updates give you practical tips and useful information.

Security Status

  • Normal precautions
  • High degree of caution
  • Avoid non-essential travel
  • Do not travel
  • Overview
  • Safety and Security
  • Local Laws and Customs
  • Additional Information
  • Embassy Contact

Overview

Overview

Security Status

High Degree of Caution

Latest Travel Alert

On 8 September 2023, a devastating earthquake of 6.8 magnitude struck Morocco, 75km south west of the city of Marrakesh in the Atlas mountains.  

The tourism infrastructure in the city of Marrakesh, where the majority of tourists to the area travel to, is operating as normal.

The humanitarian response to the earthquake is being coordinated by the Moroccan authorities, therefore travelling to undertake any humanitarian assistance work, or visiting affected areas as a tourist, is strongly discouraged.

Irish citizens affected by the earthquake can contact the Embassy in Rabat at +212 666 933 599, by email at Rabatembassyexternalmail@dfa.ie or the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin at +353 1 408 2000.

General Travel Advice

Passport Card not accepted for travel to Morocco: A passport card is not accepted as it is only valid for travel within the EU, EEA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway), Switzerland and the UK. If you seek to enter Morocco on a passport card, you may be detained airside in the airport for several days until the next direct flight back to Ireland.

Irish citizens do not require a visa to enter Morocco.

A valid passport is required for travel to Morocco. Irish passports should have a minimum validity of 6 months at least from date of entry into Morocco.

For more information on visa and passport, please see the Additional Information tab

Visitors to Morocco are advised to follow the guidance of national and local authorities and stay fully informed of what's going on by monitoring local news and social media.

Irish citizens planning travel to Morocco are advised to remain vigilant and exercise caution during their stay. While Morocco is not immune to the global risk of indiscriminate terror attacks, the most recent Global Terrorism Index report indicates a lowered risk of terrorism in the country. However, citizens are advised to avoid large public gatherings and avoid any political protests, while also taking precautions to ensure their personal safety.

Should you require assistance, you may contact the Irish Embassy in Rabat by email on RabatEmbassyExternalMail@dfa.ie.

Citizens can also follow the Embassy on Twitter@irlembrabat  to ensure access to relevant updates and alerts.

Intending travellers to Morocco should ensure that they check carefully the websites of the Moroccan Ministry of Health and the official website of the Moroccan National Tourism Office prior to their planned departure date.

Emergency Assistance

The best help is often close at hand so if you have problems, try talking to your local contacts, tour operator representative or hotel management.

You can contact the emergency services in Morocco by the following emergency numbers:

  • Police: 12/112
  • Fire brigade: 15
  • Ambulance: 150

Our tips for Safe Travels:

  • Get comprehensive travel insurance that covers all your planned activities.
  • Register your details with us so that we can contact you quickly if there’s an unforeseen crisis like a natural disaster or a family emergency.
  • Follow us on twitter @dfatravelwise for the latest travel updates.
  • Read our ‘Know Before You Go’ guide.

Safety and Security

Safety and security

Social unrest

Regional developments have the potential to trigger popular unrest in Morocco. Always keep yourself informed of what’s going on around you by monitoring local media and staying in contact with your hotel or tour organiser. And avoid demonstrations and public gatherings, which can sometimes turn confrontational.

Terrorism

There is a high risk of terrorism in Morocco which may target places popular with tourists such as hotels, bars and beaches. You should be extremely vigilant during your stay.

Crime

Most visitors find Morocco relatively trouble free. However, you should take the usual, sensible precautions:

  • Don’t carry your credit card, travel tickets and money together - leave spare cash and valuables in a safe place.
  • Don’t carry your passport unless absolutely necessary and leave a copy of your passport (and travel and insurance documents) with family or friends at home.
  • Avoid showing large sums of money in public and don’t use ATMs after dark, especially if you’re alone. Check no one has followed you after conducting your business.
  • Avoid dark and unlit streets and stairways, and arrange to be picked up or dropped off as close to your hotel or apartment entrance as possible.
  • Keep a close eye on your personal belongings and hold on to them in public places such as internet cafés,train and bus stations.

Reporting crime

If you’re a victim of a crime while in Morocco, report it to the local police immediately. And you can contact us at the  Irish Embassy in Rabat if you need help.

Driving

If you’re planning to drive in Morocco, you should be extremely careful. Morocco has a poor road safety record, and you should stay well within speed limits. If you want to drive:

  • Bring your full Irish driver’s licence and your international driving permit and make sure you have adequate and appropriate insurance
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is against the law and you risk being detained, fined or banned from driving if caught
  • Keep your vehicle doors locked and your bags kept out of sight to prevent opportunistic bag-snatching if you’re stopped at traffic lights

Hiring a vehicle

If you’re hiring a vehicle, we advise you not to hand over your passport as a form of security. If you’re allowing your passport to be photocopied, keep it in your sight at all times.

Check that you have adequate insurance and read the small print of the vehicle hire contract (particularly any waiver that will come into effect if the vehicle is damaged).

Swimming

If you’re visiting Agadir’s resorts, be aware of the often dangerous rip currents in the sea off the main resort.

Local Laws and Customs

Local laws and customs

Remember, the local laws apply to you as a visitor and it is your responsibility to follow them. Be sensitive to local customs, traditions and practices as your behaviour may be seen as improper, hostile or may even be illegal.

Muslim culture

Morocco is a Muslim country. You should respect local customs and sensitivities at all times, especially during the holy month of Ramadan. During Ramadan, Muslims, who make up the majority of Morocco’s population, are not permitted to eat, drink or smoke during daylight hours. To avoid offence, you should not eat, drink or smoke in public during this time.

Women, especially when travelling alone, attract attention. You’re advised to dress modestly and avoid wearing clothes that could be seen as provocative, except on the beach.

Illegal drugs

Illegal drug use (no matter what the drug) carries stiff penalties, including fines and long prison terms.

LGBT

Homosexuality is considered a criminal offence in Morocco.

Sexual behaviour

Sexual relations outside marriage are also punishable by law. Discretion and caution are advised at all times.

Additional Information

Additional Information

Health

Travel Insurance

We can’t pay for emergency medical repatriation, repatriation of remains, or for expenses as a result of a personal emergency while you are abroad. If you buy an appropriate travel insurance policy, these costs will be covered, provided you haven’t broken the terms and conditions.

Buying comprehensive travel insurance can save you and your family a lot of money if something goes wrong. It will also ensure that you get the medical attention you need, when you need it. Hospital bills can quickly run into thousands of euro, and a medical evacuation back to Ireland can cost thousands more.

Not all policies are the same, and the cheapest one might be cheap for a reason. Make sure your policy covers all the activities you plan to do on your trip. Insurance Ireland recommend that you purchase a policy that provides a minimum medical cover of €1 million.

Emergency expenses

Your policy should cover:
• All medical care abroad, including evacuation by air ambulance, or other emergency procedures, and any other costs associated with an unexpected longer stay.
• Your entire trip, from departure to return. Consider an annual multi-trip policy if you’re making more than one trip in the year.
• 24-hour emergency service and assistance.
• Personal liability cover (in case you’re sued for causing injury or damaging property).
• Lost and stolen possessions.
• Cancellation and curtailment.
• Any extra activities you intend to do that are excluded from standard policies (e.g. water sport activities such as jet skiing or other extreme sports).

Exclusions: You should know most insurance policies will not cover drink or drug-related incidents.

Entry requirements (visa/passport)

Irish passport holders don’t need entry visas for tourist visits to Morocco. We recommend that your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from date of entry into Morocco.

It’s advisable to take a number of photocopies of your passport with you. During your stay you should carry a photocopy of your passport at all times.

Getting Married in Morocco

Irish citizens who wish to marry in Morocco must obtain a police clearance certificate from An Garda Siochána. This must be obtained in advance of travelling to Morocco. For further information, please see www.garda.ie Irish citizens may also wish to note that non-Muslim man who wishes to marry a Muslim woman should anticipate one to three months to complete the process, including the time needed to convert to Islam. In general, the process is less complicated for a Muslim man who wishes to marry a non-Muslim woman.

Embassy contact

Embassy Contact

Please note that if you require assistance in the case of emergency while the Embassy is closed, contact the duty number, +212666 933 599, and leave a message on the Duty Officer voice mailbox. This mailbox will be monitored regularly.

Alternatively, you can call the Duty Officer at the Department of Foreign Affairs at 00353 1 408 2000.

Embassy of Ireland
Centre Mahaj Ryad, Batiment 8, 5eme Etage
Rabat
Morocco

Tel: +212 (0)53 013 4082

Monday to Friday 09:00-18:00

Contact us

Honorary Consulate Contact

Mohammed Chafik Mahfoud Filali
Honorary Consul of Ireland
Hotel Kenzi Europa
Boulevard du 20 Aoút
BP. 808,
Agadir
Morocco

Tel: + 212 5 2882 1212
Fax: + 212 5 2882 3435

Email: Email us

Honorary Consulate Contact

Ghali Bennanni
Honorary Consul of Ireland
57, Bd Abdelmoumen
Rue Salim Cherkkaoui,
Résidence Al Hadi B20,
5ème étage
Casablanca
Morocco

Tel: + 212 5 2227 2721
Fax: + 212 5 2220 4265

Email: Email us