Morocco (MA)
Morocco is a gateway between Europe and Africa — a kingdom of extraordinary diversity combining ancient imperial cities (Marrakech, Fez, Meknes, Rabat), dramatic Atlas Mountain ranges, Sahara Desert dunes, Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, and a growing cosmopolitan expat scene.
Consumer Rights
Right of withdrawal, contracts and debt collection in Morocco.
Moroccan consumer protection is governed primarily by Law 31-08 (Code de la Consommation), enacted in 2011. This law provides a framework for consumer rights including: right to information before purchase, prohibition of unfair commercial practices and aggressive marketing, withdrawal rights for distance and doorstep sales, and guarantee provisions for goods. Enforcement is handled by the Direction de la Protection du Consommateur (DPCI) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Consumer associations (associations des consommateurs) are active and recognised. In practice, enforcement is weaker than in EU countries — consumers must be proactive in asserting rights.
Right of withdrawal (Widerrufsrecht)
Law 31-08 Article 28–36: consumers have a 7-day cooling-off period (délai de rétractation) for contracts concluded at a distance (vente à distance — internet, phone, mail order) and for contracts concluded away from business premises (vente à domicile — doorstep sales). The 7-day period begins: on the date of delivery for goods purchases, or the date of contract conclusion for services. Exercise of withdrawal: written notice (lettre recommandée or email) to the seller stating intention to withdraw — no reason required. Refund: seller must refund within 15 days of receiving the withdrawal notice. Note: the 7-day period is shorter than the EU's 14-day minimum — be aware of this difference from European norms.
Contract cancellation
Contracts may be cancelled for: mutual agreement (résiliation amiable), material breach by the other party (résolution judiciaire), force majeure (cas de force majeure), and specific consumer law grounds (withdrawal right, false advertising, non-conformity). Subscription cancellations (telecom, utilities): governed by specific sector regulations. Maroc Telecom, Orange, and Inwi mobile contracts: typically 12-month minimum commitment with penalty for early cancellation; month-to-month available at higher price. Internet contracts: typically 24-month minimum (FTTH fibre) — read carefully before signing. Cancellation during notice period: contact operator in writing (email with read receipt or recommandé letter).
Some Moroccan contracts include automatic renewal (tacite reconduction) clauses — particularly gym memberships, insurance, and some telecom contracts. Law 31-08 requires sellers to notify consumers before automatic renewal. In practice, notification is inconsistent. Consumer best practice: diarise contract end dates and review renewal terms actively. Insurance policies: typically auto-renew annually — notice of cancellation must be given before the renewal date (typically 1–3 months prior as stated in policy). Gym memberships: check your contract for auto-renewal terms.
Debt collection — response deadlines
Informal reminders: Creditors typically send informal payment reminders (rappels) by post, SMS, or email. In Morocco, a lettre de mise en demeure (formal demand letter, usually sent recommandé) is the standard formal first step before legal action. Response to a mise en demeure: pay or respond in writing within the stated deadline (typically 8–15 days). Ignoring a mise en demeure does not have automatic legal consequences immediately, but establishes the date from which interest begins running and sets the stage for court proceedings.
Court order: For undisputed debts: creditor can apply for an injonction de payer (payment order) from the Tribunal de Première Instance without a full hearing — faster procedure. If the debtor does not contest within 15 days, the order becomes enforceable. Enforcement: bailiff (huissier de justice) can seize assets, bank accounts, or salary (saisie-arrêt sur salaire — limited to 1/3 of net salary). For disputed debts: full civil court process required.
Response deadline: 15 days from receipt of injonction de payer to file opposition (contestation). For standard civil claims: respond within the deadline stated in the court summons (convocation). Missing court summons deadlines in Morocco can result in default judgement (jugement par défaut).
Consumer protection authority
Direction de la Protection du Consommateur (DPCI) — Ministère du Commerce, de l'Industrie et du Tourisme. Website: mcinet.gov.ma. Handles consumer complaints against businesses for: unfair practices, false advertising, non-conformity of goods, and violations of Law 31-08. Also: Conseil Economique, Social et Environnemental (CESE) for policy input. Consumer associations: UNICONSO (Union Nationale des Consommateurs du Maroc), AMDEC (Association Marocaine pour la Défense et l'Education du Consommateur).
File complaints with DPCI via: (1) Email at consommateur@mcinet.gov.ma, (2) Phone at 0801000017 (consumer helpline — free), (3) In-person at DPCI offices in Rabat. Also: file complaint with relevant sector regulator — ANRT (telecommunications: anrt.ma), Bank Al-Maghrib (banking: bkam.ma), ACAPS (insurance: acaps.ma), ONCF/Ministry of Transport (rail). For police-reportable offences (fraud, counterfeit goods): file a plainte at the nearest commissariat (police station) — obtain an attestation de dépôt de plainte for your records.