Morocco: Banks offering foreigner mortgages

Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Morocco Property Pack

Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Morocco Property Pack

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SANDS OF WEALTH

A team specialized in real estate investing in MENA countries (Morocco, UAE, Oman, etc.)

We are a team of financial experts, legal professionals, developers, and local real estate specialists dedicated to helping people like you avoid mistakes when investing in real estate in a foreign place, particularly in Morocco. If you'd like to learn more about us, you can check our presentation page.

How this content was created 🔎📝

At Sands of Wealth, we explore the Moroccan real estate market every day. Our team doesn't just analyze data from a distance—we're actively engaging with local realtors, investors, and property managers in cities like Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakech. This hands-on approach allows us to gain a deep understanding of the market from the inside out.

These observations are originally based on what we've learned through these conversations and our observations. But it was not enough. To back them up, we also needed to rely on trusted resources

We prioritize accuracy and authority. Trends lacking solid data or expert validation were excluded.

Trustworthiness is central to our work. Every source and citation is clearly listed, ensuring transparency. A writing AI-powered tool was used solely to refine readability and engagement.

To make the information accessible, our team designed custom infographics that clarify key points. We hope you will like them! All illustrations and media were created in-house and added manually.

Which Moroccan banks currently lend to foreigners for property purchases?

Four major Moroccan banks actively provide mortgages to foreign buyers as of September 2025.

Attijariwafa Bank leads the market with dedicated international services and has specific loan officers who speak French and English. BMCE Bank (now part of Bank of Africa) offers comprehensive mortgage products for Moroccans living abroad and other foreign nationals. CIH Bank provides competitive rates for non-residents, particularly those with European income sources. Crédit du Maroc rounds out the main options with flexible terms for international buyers.

These four institutions have established processes specifically designed for foreign property purchases. They understand the unique documentation requirements and income verification needs of international buyers. Unlike smaller regional banks, these major lenders have the infrastructure to handle foreign currency income verification and international wire transfers.

It's something we develop in our Morocco property pack.

Each bank has slightly different criteria, but all four routinely approve loans for foreign buyers who meet their income and down payment requirements.

What minimum deposit or down payment do they usually ask for?

Foreign buyers must provide a minimum down payment of 20% to 35% of the property value, depending on their residency status and the specific bank.

Non-resident foreigners typically face the highest requirements at 30-35% down payment. Resident foreigners with valid residency permits can often secure mortgages with 20-25% down payments. European buyers with strong credit histories and stable euro-denominated income may qualify for the lower end of this range.

The exact percentage depends on several factors including your income level, credit history, and the type of property you're purchasing. New construction projects in major cities like Casablanca or Rabat often require lower down payments than older properties or those in smaller towns.

Banks also consider the loan amount when setting down payment requirements. Larger loans above 800,000 MAD typically require higher down payments, sometimes reaching 40% for non-residents.

What are the typical interest rates and loan durations offered to non-residents?

As of September 2025, interest rates for foreign buyers range from 4% to 6% for fixed-rate mortgages, with variable rates starting around 3.75%.

Fixed-rate mortgages provide payment certainty but come at slightly higher rates, typically 4.5-6% depending on the loan term and your financial profile. Variable rates start lower at 3.75-5% but can fluctuate with Morocco's central bank rate changes. Most foreign buyers prefer fixed rates for budget planning purposes.

Loan durations for non-residents typically max out at 20 years, though some banks offer up to 25 years for resident foreigners. The longer the term, the slightly higher the interest rate becomes. Most foreign buyers choose 15-20 year terms to balance monthly payments with total interest costs.

European buyers often receive more favorable rates due to currency stability and perceived lower risk. Buyers from countries with weaker currencies may face slightly higher rates or additional requirements.

Do banks require proof of income in Morocco or will foreign income be accepted?

Moroccan banks readily accept foreign income documentation and do not require buyers to have local Moroccan income sources.

Banks actually prefer foreign income in stable currencies like euros, US dollars, or British pounds. Employment contracts, recent pay slips, and bank statements from your home country serve as primary income verification. Self-employed buyers need to provide business registration documents, profit and loss statements, and tax returns from their home country.

The debt-to-income ratio requirement remains consistent regardless of income source - your monthly income must be at least 3-4 times the proposed mortgage payment. Banks verify foreign income through their international correspondent banking relationships.

Some banks offer foreign currency loans, allowing you to borrow in euros or dollars if your income comes in those currencies. This eliminates exchange rate risk for your monthly payments.

Which documents do foreigners need to provide to apply successfully?

Foreign mortgage applicants need a comprehensive document package that proves identity, income stability, and financial capacity.

Document Category	Required Documents	Additional Notes
Identity & Legal	Valid passport, proof of address	Passport must have 6+ months validity
Residency Status	Moroccan residency permit (if applicable)	Improves loan terms significantly
Income Verification	Employment contract, recent pay slips	Last 3-6 months required
Financial Records	Bank statements (home country + Morocco)	6 months of statements minimum
Tax Documentation	Tax returns or business P&L statements	Required for self-employed applicants
Property Documentation	Property purchase agreement	Must include full property details
Banking Relationship	Moroccan bank account opening	Required before loan approval

Is it easier to get approval as a resident foreigner compared to a non-resident?

Resident foreigners enjoy significantly better mortgage terms and approval rates compared to non-residents.

Residents with valid residency permits can access the same loan products as Moroccan citizens in many cases. They qualify for lower down payments (20-25% instead of 30-35%), better interest rates, and longer loan terms up to 25 years. Banks view residents as lower risk because they have established ties to Morocco.

Non-residents face stricter scrutiny including higher income requirements, larger down payments, and more extensive documentation. However, approval is still very achievable for buyers with stable foreign income and clean credit histories.

The residency advantage becomes most apparent in loan amount limits. Residents can often borrow significantly more than the typical 1 million MAD cap that applies to many non-resident applications.

What is the maximum loan-to-value ratio a foreign buyer can expect?

Foreign buyers can typically finance 65% to 80% of the property value, depending on their residency status and financial profile.

Non-residents usually max out at 70% LTV, meaning they need at least 30% down payment. Resident foreigners can often achieve 75-80% LTV, similar to local buyers. European buyers with strong credit profiles sometimes qualify for the higher end of these ranges.

The specific LTV depends on property type, location, and your income level. New apartments in major cities like Casablanca often qualify for higher LTV ratios than older properties or those in smaller towns. Properties valued over 2 million MAD may face lower LTV limits regardless of buyer status.

It's something we develop in our Morocco property pack.

Are there any banks that specialize in working with European or other foreign clients?

BMCE Bank (Bank of Africa) and Attijariwafa Bank have the most developed international client services for foreign property buyers.

BMCE Bank operates dedicated "Moroccans of the World" divisions that serve both diaspora Moroccans and other foreign nationals. They have loan officers who speak fluent French and English, making the application process smoother for European buyers. Attijariwafa Bank has similar international banking divisions with specialized knowledge of European banking systems and income verification processes.

These banks understand European employment contracts, social security systems, and business structures. They can process applications more efficiently because they're familiar with foreign documentation standards. Both institutions have partnerships with European banks that facilitate income verification and international transfers.

CIH Bank and Crédit du Maroc also serve foreign clients but with less specialized international infrastructure.

Do banks in Morocco prefer loans for certain types of property, like new builds or city apartments?

Moroccan banks strongly prefer financing urban properties, new construction projects, and apartments in major cities over rural or older properties.

New builds in cities like Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakech receive the most favorable treatment because they have clear legal titles and higher resale liquidity. Banks view these properties as lower risk and often offer better interest rates and higher LTV ratios for new construction purchases.

City apartments, especially in established neighborhoods, also receive preferential treatment. Banks understand urban property values better and can more easily assess market conditions for foreclosure purposes if needed.

Rural properties, older buildings requiring renovation, or properties without clear title documentation face significant challenges. Some banks refuse to finance agricultural land purchases by foreigners entirely due to legal restrictions.

We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Morocco versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you're planning to invest there.

Are there restrictions on the maximum loan size for foreigners compared to locals?

Most Moroccan banks cap foreign buyer loans around 1 million MAD (approximately $100,000 USD), while local buyers can access significantly higher loan amounts.

This restriction primarily affects non-resident foreigners rather than resident permit holders. The cap varies by bank and your financial profile - buyers with exceptional income documentation sometimes exceed this limit. However, most foreign buyers find this amount sufficient for quality properties in major Moroccan cities.

Banks impose these limits to manage their foreign exchange exposure and regulatory compliance requirements. Properties above this price range typically require larger cash purchases or creative financing structures.

For higher-value purchases, some buyers combine multiple smaller loans or work with specialized private lenders who serve the luxury property market.

How long does the mortgage approval process usually take from application to disbursement?

The complete mortgage process for foreign buyers takes 4-8 weeks from initial application to fund disbursement.

Initial approval decisions typically come within 2-3 weeks after submitting complete documentation. However, foreign applications often require additional verification steps that can extend the timeline. Income verification from foreign sources, property appraisals, and legal title checks each add processing time.

Banks recommend opening a Moroccan bank account 2-4 weeks before applying for the mortgage to streamline the process. Having an established banking relationship significantly speeds up approval decisions.

It's something we develop in our Morocco property pack.

Rush processing is sometimes available for an additional fee, potentially reducing the timeline to 3-4 weeks for straightforward applications.

Which extra fees and taxes should foreigners expect on top of the mortgage itself?

Foreign buyers should budget an additional 6-8% of the property purchase price for various fees and taxes beyond the mortgage amount.

Mortgage arrangement fees typically cost 1-2% of the loan amount and cover bank processing and underwriting costs. Notary and legal fees add another 1-2% for property transfer documentation and legal verification. Registration and land registry fees each cost approximately 1% of the property value.

Property transfer taxes represent the largest additional cost at 3-4% of the transaction value. These taxes apply to all property purchases in Morocco regardless of buyer nationality. Property insurance becomes mandatory with mortgage financing and typically costs 0.2-0.5% annually of the property value.

Currency conversion costs can add 0.5-1% if you're transferring funds from foreign accounts. Some banks offer preferential exchange rates for mortgage-related transfers, so it's worth negotiating this aspect during loan discussions.

Conclusion

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Readers are advised to consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. We do not assume any liability for actions taken based on the information provided.

Sources

1. Sands of Wealth - Moving to Morocco Property Guide
2. Properties Morocco - Real Estate Mortgage Guide
3. Sands of Wealth - Buying Land in Morocco
4. Armonia Solutions - Mortgage Rates in Morocco
5. Veles Club - Morocco Property Investment
6. Kensington Morocco - Property Buying Guide
7. Orchid Island - Foreigners Buying Property Guide
8. Armonia Solutions - Real Estate Financing Guide