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.
Leaving Morocco
How to properly exit — protecting your finances, rights and records.
📅 General Timeline
3 months before departure: Begin rental notice, notify bank, start closing business registrations if applicable. 2 months before: Obtain CNSS Relevé de Carrière, request tax clearance from DGI, obtain ONSSA health certificate for pets (if applicable), begin packing and arranging shipping. 1 month before: Finalise utility closures, close bank accounts or arrange transfers, deregister from CNSS/DGI (if self-employed), notify children's schools. 2 weeks before: Final bill payments, Titre Foncier matters if selling property, collect final deposits. 1 week before: Final packing, notify bawab, submit préfecture notification of departure. At departure: Carry maximum 1,000 MAD in cash (export limit); all larger amounts via bank transfer only. Notify home country embassy of departure from Morocco.
Deregistration
Morocco has no formal mandatory address deregistration. However, notify the following: (1) Your local préfecture or arrondissement that you are no longer resident — technically required for Carte de Séjour cancellation but rarely strictly enforced. (2) Your employer (submit formal resignation per your contract notice period). (3) Your bank — notify of departure and close or downgrade accounts as needed. (4) CNSS — if self-employed or Auto-Entrepreneur, formally close your registration with CNSS and DGI. (5) Utility companies (LYDEC, REDAL, ONEE) — close your accounts and recover deposits. (6) Your home country embassy/consulate — deregister from their records if you registered upon arrival.
Tax clearance
Obtain a clearance attestation (attestation de régularité fiscale) from your local Centre des Impôts before leaving if you have been self-employed, run a business, or own property. For salaried employees with no other income: usually straightforward — request final tax certificate from DGI. If you are subject to annual IR declaration: file final year return before leaving (or authorise an expert-comptable to file on your behalf). Property owners: you are not required to sell before leaving, but rental income from Moroccan property will continue to be taxable in Morocco even as a non-resident. CGT (capital gains tax on property sale): 20% flat rate on profit (with various deductions for long-term ownership).
Pension portability
CNSS (Caisse Nationale de Sécurité Sociale): Morocco has bilateral social security agreements with France, Spain, Belgium, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Senegal, and a small number of other countries. If your home country has a totalization agreement with Morocco, your CNSS contribution days may count toward your home country pension or vice versa. Request a Relevé de Carrière (career statement) from CNSS showing your total contribution days before leaving — cnss.ma portal or in-person at CNSS office. If you have contributed for 3,240+ days (≈13 years), you are entitled to a future CNSS pension payable abroad — even after leaving Morocco. Request the export procedure from CNSS international department. CIMR (supplementary pension): CIMR allows transfer of accumulated rights — contact CIMR for portability options (cimr.ma).
Health insurance
CNSS AMO (mandatory health insurance) coverage ends on your last day of employment or upon deregistration. Obtain a "certificat d'adhésion CNSS" documenting your period of coverage — may be needed for continuity of coverage in your next country. Private international health insurance: check your policy terms — most international policies are portable when you change country of residence. Cancel or suspend your Moroccan private policy upon departure. Prescription medications: obtain sufficient supply before departure, especially for medications available OTC in Morocco but prescription-only in your next country.
Bank account
CDC Account (Compte en Dirhams Convertibles): designed for non-residents and can technically be maintained after leaving Morocco, especially if you have ongoing property income or investments. Standard MAD accounts: transfer balance to foreign account before closing (using your CDC account as intermediary). Note: MAD export restriction (1,000 MAD per trip) means you cannot carry dirhams out of Morocco — all funds must be repatriated via bank transfer. Al Barid Bank accounts: straightforward to close in-person. Keep a Moroccan bank account active if you own property in Morocco — rental income and property tax payments require it.
Utilities
Cancel all utility contracts at least 1 month before departure: LYDEC/REDAL/ONEE electricity and water (visit office with ID, Carte de Séjour, and final meter reading — recover deposit if any), internet (Maroc Telecom/Orange/Inwi — typically 30-day notice in contract terms), mobile phone (settle final bills; port your number if you wish to keep it). Gas cylinder (butane): return any rented equipment. Leave your address with the bawab (building caretaker) for any remaining bills.
Rental contract
Give written notice per your contract terms — typically 1–3 months for most Moroccan rental contracts. Get the notice in writing (recommandé post or email with read receipt). Conduct a joint inspection (état des lieux de sortie) of the property with the landlord and get a signed document. Request return of security deposit (caution) in writing. Under Moroccan law (Code des Obligations et des Contrats), the landlord must return the deposit within reasonable time — there is no statutory 30-day deadline as in some countries. Disputes: civil tribunal if landlord refuses deposit return without cause. Document everything with photos upon departure.
Leaving the Country
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