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
Retiring in Morocco has become increasingly popular among foreigners looking for an affordable, sunny destination with rich culture and a low cost of living.
This guide covers everything you need to know about retirement budgets in Morocco in 2026, from minimum survival costs to luxury living, including current housing prices and real monthly expenses.
We constantly update this blog post to reflect the latest data on rents, property prices, and cost of living in Morocco.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Morocco.
How much money do I need to retire in Morocco right now?
What's the absolute minimum monthly budget to survive in Morocco?
The absolute minimum monthly budget to survive in Morocco in 2026 is around 9,200 MAD, which equals approximately $1,000 or €850, assuming you rent a simple apartment outside the main city centers and keep discretionary spending very low.
At this minimum budget level in Morocco, you can cover basic rent for a modest one-bedroom apartment (around 3,300 MAD in outer neighborhoods), utilities, groceries if you cook at home, public transportation, basic phone and internet, and a small healthcare buffer for emergencies.
Living on this minimum budget in Morocco means making significant trade-offs: you will likely live in older buildings without modern amenities, eat out rarely if ever, skip any domestic travel or hobbies, and rely heavily on public healthcare rather than private clinics, which can be limiting in smaller cities.
What lifestyle do I get with $2,000/month in Morocco in 2026?
As of early 2026, a monthly budget of $2,000 (approximately 18,300 MAD or €1,700) in Morocco gives you a comfortable middle-class lifestyle where daily expenses feel manageable and you can enjoy some extras without constantly watching every dirham.
With $2,000 per month in Morocco, you can afford a nice one-bedroom apartment in desirable neighborhoods like Gauthier or Maârif in Casablanca, Agdal or Hassan in Rabat, or Guéliz in Marrakech, with rents typically ranging from 5,500 to 8,000 MAD ($600 to $870 or €510 to €740) depending on the exact location.
At this budget level in Morocco, you can eat out several times a week at local and mid-range restaurants, enjoy regular café visits, join a gym, take occasional weekend trips to coastal towns like Essaouira or the Atlas Mountains, and maintain an active social life.
The main limitation at $2,000 per month in Morocco is that owning a car becomes tight after covering rent, food, healthcare, and other essentials, so you will likely rely on taxis and public transport rather than having your own vehicle.
What lifestyle do I get with $3,000/month in Morocco in 2026?
As of early 2026, a monthly budget of $3,000 (approximately 27,500 MAD or €2,550) in Morocco provides a genuinely comfortable lifestyle where you no longer need to compromise on housing quality, healthcare, or regular leisure activities.
With $3,000 per month in Morocco, you can afford a spacious two-bedroom apartment in prime locations like Souissi or Hay Riad in Rabat, Anfa in Casablanca, or Hivernage in Marrakech, with rents typically ranging from 8,000 to 12,000 MAD ($870 to $1,300 or €740 to €1,110) for well-maintained buildings with amenities like elevators, parking, and security.
At this budget level in Morocco, you can dine at upscale restaurants regularly, take weekend trips to different Moroccan cities using the Al Boraq high-speed train between Tangier and Casablanca, enjoy cultural activities like music festivals in Fes or Gnaoua Festival in Essaouira, and afford solid private health insurance.
The key upgrade from $2,000 to $3,000 per month in Morocco is the freedom to hire domestic help one or two times per week for cleaning, which is common and affordable, and the ability to handle unexpected expenses like medical bills or home repairs without financial stress.
What lifestyle do I get with $5,000/month in Morocco in 2026?
As of early 2026, a monthly budget of $5,000 (approximately 45,900 MAD or €4,250) in Morocco provides high comfort with premium housing, while $10,000 per month (approximately 91,700 MAD or €8,500) opens the door to genuine luxury living with few financial constraints.
At $5,000 per month in Morocco, you can rent a large apartment or small villa in the most desirable areas like Route de l'Ourika near Marrakech or Malabata in Tangier, with rents ranging from 15,000 to 25,000 MAD ($1,640 to $2,730 or €1,400 to €2,320), while at $10,000 per month you can afford prime riads in the Marrakech medina or luxury seafront properties in Agadir's Secteur Touristique.
At the $5,000 to $10,000 per month range in Morocco, you gain access to premium golf club memberships at courses like Royal Golf Marrakech, regular spa treatments at five-star hotels, fine dining at restaurants like La Mamounia, private drivers when needed, and frequent international travel from well-connected airports in Casablanca and Marrakech.
How much for a "comfortable" retirement in Morocco in 2026?
As of early 2026, the estimated monthly budget for a comfortable retirement in Morocco is approximately 22,900 MAD, which equals around $2,500 or €2,130, allowing you to live well without constantly worrying about expenses.
To stay safe, you should add a buffer of at least 25% to your comfortable budget in Morocco, which means setting aside an extra 5,700 MAD ($620 or €530) per month, bringing your total planning budget to around $3,100 per month to absorb rent increases, healthcare surprises, currency fluctuations, and occasional travel back to your home country.
A comfortable retirement budget in Morocco covers several categories that a basic budget cannot, including solid private health insurance (around 1,500 to 3,000 MAD monthly), regular domestic help, dining out multiple times per week, gym membership, occasional intercity travel, and a small cushion for entertainment and hobbies.
How much for a "luxury" retirement in Morocco in 2026?
As of early 2026, the estimated monthly budget for a luxury retirement in Morocco is approximately 59,600 MAD, which equals around $6,500 or €5,530, giving you access to premium everything without financial constraints.
A luxury retirement in Morocco includes renting a high-end villa or riad (25,000 to 40,000 MAD monthly, or $2,700 to $4,360 or €2,300 to €3,720), employing full-time household staff, maintaining premium international health insurance (5,000+ MAD monthly), dining at top restaurants like Dar Yacout in Marrakech, and traveling frequently both within Morocco and internationally.
The neighborhoods most popular among retirees seeking a luxury lifestyle in Morocco include Souissi and Hay Riad in Rabat, Anfa Supérieur in Casablanca, the Palmeraie and Hivernage areas in Marrakech, and the Malabata coastline in Tangier, all offering security, modern infrastructure, and proximity to high-end amenities.
The main advantage of a luxury budget beyond comfort in Morocco is the ability to access world-class healthcare at private clinics with English-speaking doctors, maintain multiple residences if desired, and enjoy complete flexibility to travel or host family without any financial planning stress.
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Morocco. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
What are the real monthly expenses for retirees in Morocco in 2026?
What is a realistic monthly budget breakdown by category in Morocco?
A realistic monthly budget breakdown for a comfortable retiree in Morocco in 2026 (around $2,500 or €2,130 total) typically allocates approximately $820 to $1,150 (€700 to €980) for rent, $380 to $600 (€325 to €510) for food and groceries, $100 to $175 (€85 to €150) for utilities, $165 to $380 (€140 to €325) for healthcare, and the remainder for transport, leisure, and miscellaneous expenses.
Housing costs in Morocco typically consume between 30% and 45% of a retiree's total monthly budget, with the exact percentage depending heavily on whether you choose a city center location or a more affordable neighborhood outside the main commercial districts.
Food and groceries in Morocco usually account for 15% to 25% of the total monthly budget, representing approximately 3,500 to 5,500 MAD ($380 to $600 or €325 to €510), with the range depending on how often you eat out versus cooking at home.
The budget category that varies most depending on personal lifestyle choices in Morocco is leisure and entertainment, which can range from nearly zero for homebodies to 3,000+ MAD ($325 or €275) monthly for those who frequently dine out, travel, and pursue hobbies like golf or spa visits.
What fees surprise foreigners most after moving to Morocco?
The top three hidden or overlooked fees that foreigners typically underestimate in Morocco are residency administration costs (translations, document legalization, photos, and repeated trips to government offices), the near-necessity of private healthcare despite the existence of public coverage, and housing friction costs like agency fees, security deposits, and furnishing expenses when first setting up.
When first arriving in Morocco, foreigners should budget for one-time setup and administrative fees totaling approximately 5,000 to 15,000 MAD ($550 to $1,640 or €465 to €1,400), covering residency permit application (100 MAD per year of validity), document translations and legalization (500 to 2,000 MAD), housing deposits (typically two to three months rent), and initial furnishing if renting unfurnished.
What's the average rent for a 1-bedroom or a 2-bedroom in Morocco in 2026?
As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in major Moroccan cities is approximately 4,500 MAD ($490 or €420), while a two-bedroom apartment averages around 6,500 MAD ($710 or €605), though prices vary significantly between city centers and outer neighborhoods.
For a one-bedroom apartment in Morocco, the realistic rent range spans from approximately 3,300 MAD ($360 or €305) in budget neighborhoods like Ain Sebaâ in Casablanca or Talborjt in Agadir, up to 7,000 MAD ($765 or €650) or more in upscale areas like Agdal in Rabat or Guéliz in Marrakech.
For a two-bedroom apartment in Morocco, rents range from approximately 4,500 MAD ($490 or €420) in more affordable areas to 10,000 MAD ($1,090 or €930) or higher in premium neighborhoods like Anfa in Casablanca, Souissi in Rabat, or Hivernage in Marrakech.
The neighborhoods offering the best value for retirees seeking affordable rent in Morocco include Hay Mohammadi and Sidi Maarouf in Casablanca, Hay Nahda in Rabat, Daoudiate in Marrakech, and Founti in Agadir, all providing decent housing at lower prices while remaining reasonably accessible to city amenities.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the latest rent data in Morocco.
What do utilities cost monthly in Morocco in 2026?
As of early 2026, the estimated total monthly utilities cost for a typical one-bedroom or two-bedroom retiree apartment in Morocco ranges from 900 to 1,600 MAD ($100 to $175 or €85 to €150), depending on air conditioning or heating usage, building insulation, and the specific city.
The typical monthly cost breakdown in Morocco includes electricity at 400 to 800 MAD ($45 to $90 or €38 to €75), water at 100 to 200 MAD ($10 to $20 or €9 to €17), and gas (if used for cooking or heating) at 100 to 300 MAD ($10 to $35 or €9 to €30), with electricity being the largest variable depending on your cooling and heating needs.
Internet and mobile phone service in Morocco typically costs around 300 to 500 MAD ($35 to $55 or €30 to €47) per month combined, with fiber internet packages from providers like Maroc Telecom, Orange, and Inwi starting around 200 MAD and mobile plans with generous data around 100 to 200 MAD.
What's the monthly food and transportation budget for one person in Morocco in 2026?
As of early 2026, the estimated combined monthly food and transportation budget for one person in Morocco ranges from 3,600 to 7,000 MAD ($395 to $765 or €335 to €650), with food accounting for the larger share and transportation costs varying widely based on whether you use public transit or taxis.
A realistic monthly grocery budget for a single retiree cooking at home in Morocco ranges from 2,000 to 3,500 MAD ($220 to $380 or €185 to €325), covering fresh produce from local souks, meat, dairy, bread, and pantry staples, with local markets offering significantly better prices than supermarkets for fruits and vegetables.
If you dine out regularly in Morocco, expect to add 1,500 to 3,000 MAD ($165 to $325 or €140 to €275) monthly to your food budget, since a meal at a local restaurant costs around 40 to 80 MAD while mid-range restaurants charge 100 to 200 MAD per person, making eating out affordable but adding up quickly if done daily.
Monthly transportation costs in Morocco range from 600 to 1,500 MAD ($65 to $165 or €55 to €140) if you rely on public transit, trams, and occasional taxis, compared to 3,000+ MAD ($325 or €275) per month if you own a car when factoring in fuel, insurance, maintenance, and parking.
Get fresh and reliable information about the market in Morocco
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Can I retire in Morocco if I want to buy property in 2026?
What's the average home price in Morocco in 2026?
As of early 2026, the estimated average home price for an 80-square-meter apartment in major Moroccan cities ranges from approximately 635,000 MAD ($69,000 or €59,000) in Agadir to around 1,000,000 MAD ($109,000 or €93,000) in Casablanca, with significant variation based on neighborhood and property condition.
The realistic price range in Morocco spans from approximately 500,000 MAD ($55,000 or €47,000) for older apartments in less central neighborhoods like Sidi Maarouf in Casablanca or Hay Nahda in Rabat, up to 2,000,000+ MAD ($220,000+ or €187,000+) for premium properties in prime locations like Anfa Supérieur, Souissi, or renovated riads in Marrakech medina.
For retirees in Morocco, mid-range apartments in established neighborhoods typically offer the best value because they balance reasonable prices with good infrastructure, security, and proximity to amenities, while traditional riads require significant maintenance budgets and villas demand higher ongoing costs for gardens and larger spaces.
Please note that you will find all the information you need in our pack about properties in Morocco.
What down payment do foreigners usually need in Morocco in 2026?
As of early 2026, the typical down payment percentage that foreigners need to buy property in Morocco is approximately 30%, meaning for a 1,000,000 MAD property ($109,000 or €93,000), you should plan to have at least 300,000 MAD ($33,000 or €28,000) in cash plus closing costs.
Foreigners in Morocco generally face the same down payment requirements as locals when buying property, though in practice banks like CIH Bank explicitly market financing of up to 70% for foreign non-residents, which effectively confirms that most foreign buyers should expect to provide at least 30% down rather than the lower deposits sometimes available to Moroccan citizens with established banking histories.
We have a document entirely dedicated to the mortgage process in our pack about properties in Morocco.
You can also read our latest update about mortgage and interest rates in Morocco.
What's the all-in monthly cost to own in Morocco in 2026?
As of early 2026, the estimated all-in monthly cost to own a typical 1,000,000 MAD apartment in Morocco (with a mortgage) ranges from approximately 5,500 to 7,000 MAD ($600 to $765 or €510 to €650) before utilities and lifestyle expenses.
This all-in monthly ownership figure in Morocco includes your mortgage payment (approximately 4,600 to 5,000 MAD for a 700,000 MAD loan at around 5% interest over 20 years), building charges or syndic fees (400 to 1,200 MAD), home insurance (100 to 300 MAD), and a small maintenance reserve (200 to 500 MAD).
The typical monthly property tax in Morocco (taxe d'habitation and taxe de services communaux) and HOA or syndic maintenance fee together usually range from 500 to 1,500 MAD ($55 to $165 or €47 to €140), depending on the property's value, location, and the building's shared services like elevators, security, or pools.
The hidden ownership cost that catches new buyers off guard in Morocco is the substantial one-time closing cost of approximately 6% to 8% of the purchase price, covering registration duties, notary fees, and conservation taxes, which means budgeting an additional 60,000 to 80,000 MAD ($6,500 to $8,700 or €5,600 to €7,400) on top of your down payment for a 1,000,000 MAD property.
By the way, we also have a blog article detailing the property taxes and fees in Morocco.
Is buying cheaper than renting in Morocco in 2026?
As of early 2026, the monthly cost comparison in Morocco shows that owning with a mortgage (5,500 to 7,000 MAD or $600 to $765 or €510 to €650 monthly for a typical property) is often similar to or slightly higher than renting an equivalent apartment (5,000 to 7,000 MAD or $545 to $765 or €465 to €650), meaning the financial advantage of buying only emerges over time through equity building.
The typical break-even point where buying becomes financially advantageous over renting in Morocco is around 5 to 7 years, assuming moderate property appreciation, stable exchange rates, and accounting for the substantial upfront closing costs of 6% to 8% that need to be amortized over your ownership period.
The key factors making buying more attractive than renting for retirees in Morocco include the ability to customize and renovate your home to your preferences, protection against future rent increases in popular expat areas like Marrakech where demand is rising, and the psychological benefit of stability, while renting remains more attractive if you are uncertain about staying long-term, want flexibility to explore different cities, or prefer not to deal with Morocco's sometimes complex property bureaucracy.
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.
What visas, taxes, and healthcare costs should I plan for in Morocco in 2026?
What retirement visa options exist in Morocco in 2026?
As of early 2026, the main option for foreign retirees in Morocco is to enter visa-free (for nationals of about 70 countries including the US, Canada, and most EU countries) for up to 90 days, then apply for a residence permit (carte de séjour) at the local police prefecture, with the annual permit fee being just 100 MAD ($11 or €9) per year of validity.
The key financial requirements to qualify for a retiree residence permit in Morocco include demonstrating sufficient income or savings (typically shown through bank statements proving around $500+ monthly income or equivalent deposits), providing proof of accommodation (rental contract or property deed), and having health insurance coverage.
The typical annual visa renewal cost in Morocco remains very low at 100 MAD per year of validity ($11 or €9), though the real cost comes from administrative hassle including document preparation, translations, legalization fees, and time spent at government offices, which can add up to 500 to 2,000 MAD ($55 to $220 or €47 to €185) annually in indirect costs.
The most common visa mistake foreign retirees make in Morocco is overstaying the initial 90-day tourist period without applying for residency, or arriving without a proper long-stay visa when required, which can complicate the residence permit application and potentially require leaving the country to start the process correctly.
Do I pay tax on foreign income in Morocco in 2026?
As of early 2026, the tax obligation on foreign income for retirees in Morocco depends entirely on your tax residency status: if you become a Moroccan tax resident (by having your habitual residence in Morocco or spending more than 183 days per year there), you are subject to income tax on your worldwide income, while non-residents are taxed only on Moroccan-source income.
Foreign pensions and retirement income transferred to Morocco by tax residents can benefit from substantial deductions, including a 70% deduction on pension income up to 168,000 MAD annually and a 40% deduction on amounts above that threshold, plus an additional 80% reduction in the final tax due if the pension is permanently transferred to Morocco in non-convertible dirhams.
Morocco has tax treaties with many countries including the United States, France, Spain, Germany, the UK, Canada, and others, which can affect how foreign income is taxed by potentially preventing double taxation through tax credits or exemptions, though the specific treatment depends on your country of origin and the type of income.
The single most important tax rule foreign retirees should understand before moving to Morocco is that becoming a tax resident triggers worldwide income taxation, so if you have significant investment income, rental income, or other foreign-source earnings beyond pensions, you should consult with a tax professional in both Morocco and your home country to understand the full implications before establishing residency.
What health insurance do retirees need in Morocco in 2026?
As of early 2026, most foreign retirees in Morocco need private health insurance that covers both routine care and hospitalization at private clinics, with monthly costs typically ranging from 1,200 to 3,500 MAD ($130 to $380 or €110 to €325) depending on age, coverage level, and pre-existing conditions.
Foreigners can technically access Morocco's public healthcare system if they become residents and are employed or meet certain criteria, but in practice the quality gap between public and private healthcare is significant, so most expats budget for private care regardless of public eligibility, particularly for anything beyond basic consultations.
A realistic total annual healthcare budget for a retiree in Morocco, including insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs for consultations, medications, dental, and vision care, ranges from approximately 20,000 to 50,000 MAD ($2,200 to $5,500 or €1,870 to €4,680) depending on your health status, age, and chosen coverage level, with older retirees or those with chronic conditions at the higher end.
Buying real estate in Morocco can be risky
An increasing number of foreign investors are showing interest. However, 90% of them will make mistakes. Avoid the pitfalls with our comprehensive guide.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Morocco, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can … and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source Name | Why It's Authoritative | How We Used It |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Al-Maghrib (BAM) | Morocco's central bank publishing official exchange rates. | We used it to convert all MAD figures to USD and EUR consistently. We referenced the January 2026 rate of approximately 1 USD = 9.17 MAD throughout the article. |
| Numbeo Morocco | Transparent crowd-sourced cost-of-living database with sample sizes and update dates. | We used it to establish baseline costs for rent, utilities, food, and transport. We cross-checked Numbeo data against local sources to ensure accuracy. |
| Agenz | Major Moroccan property price benchmark using real transaction data. | We used it for price-per-square-meter estimates in major cities. We referenced neighborhood-specific data to provide realistic location examples. |
| Moroccan Tax Authority (DGI) | Official government source for tax rules and rates. | We used it to explain income tax obligations for residents and non-residents. We based tax residency rules and pension deduction information on their guidance. |
| PwC Morocco Tax Summaries | Professional tax advisory firm with detailed country guides. | We used it to verify worldwide income taxation rules for residents. We referenced their pension taxation information for accuracy. |
| CIH Bank | Major Moroccan bank with published foreign buyer financing terms. | We used it to establish the 30% down payment standard for foreigners. We referenced their 70% financing limit as a reliable benchmark. |
| Crédit du Maroc | Mainstream Moroccan bank explaining closing cost components. | We used it to break down what notary fees actually include. We based our 6-8% closing cost estimate on their detailed explanations. |
| ACAPS | Official insurance and social protection regulator in Morocco. | We used it to explain the AMO public healthcare framework. We referenced it to justify why most foreigners still need private coverage. |
| Moroccan Foreign Ministry | Official government source for visa and entry requirements. | We used it as the baseline for tourist entry rules and visa-exempt countries. We recommended it as the starting point for residency planning. |
| U.S. Embassy Morocco | Official embassy guidance on residency procedures for Americans. | We used it to describe the residence permit application process. We based document requirement lists on their official guidance. |
| Global Property Guide | Established property research publisher with documented methodology. | We used it as an independent cross-check on property prices. We compared their data against Agenz to validate our estimates. |
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Morocco compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
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