ATMs in Morocco: Credit cards and fees

Morocco is a hugely varied country, appealing to those looking for sun, sea and sand - as well as the more adventurous looking to explore the legendary Marrakech medina, or get up into the majestic Atlas mountains. Along with holidaymakers, Morocco is also popular among digital nomads, surf fans, and anyone looking to live and work in a varied, exotic and friendly place.

Whatever your reason for going, you’re going to need some cash to make the most of Morocco. ATMs are a handy way to withdraw local currency while you’re in Morocco, as long as you avoid common pitfalls and unnecessary fees. Here’s all you need to know about ATMs in Morocco.

Where do I find ATMs in Morocco?

You’ll find ATMs in the towns and cities in Morocco, but when off the beaten track, this will be far harder. Small merchants are unlikely to accept cards, and expats living in Morocco warn newcomers that ATMs are sometimes out of cash if it’s been a busy period for the bank. Carry some currency on you to cover emergencies.

If you’re in one of the towns or cities you’ll find a bank pretty easily in the commercial centre - otherwise, find a convenient ATM by using one of the following ATM locators:

• Attijariwafa Bank ATM Locator
• BMCE Bank ATM Locator
• Société Générale Maroc
• BMCI ATM Locator
• CIH ATM Locator

Will my credit or debit card work in Morocco?

You can use credit and debit card in in towns and tourist areas in Morocco. Visa and Mastercard are most widely accepted. If you usually use an Amex card, you’ll need to take an alternative card or carry enough cash for your trip, as you may not be able to find an ATM to withdraw cash easily. Discover, on the other hand, is widely accepted at both merchants and ATMs.

Wherever you are, check out the nearest ATM on the same network as your card, with one of the following locators:

• Maestro ATM locator
• Mastercard and Cirrus ATM locator
• Visa, Plus, and Plus Alliance ATM locator
• Discover ATM locator
• American Express ATM locator

Moroccan ATM PINs

To use an ATM in Morocco, you’ll generally need a 4 digit PIN code. That means that cards with chip and pin technology from Europe, the UK or Australia, for example, are widely accepted. However, if your primary card is an American magnetic stripe card, and it doesn’t usually require a PIN, you’ll need to get a PIN issued by your bank before you travel.

Moroccan ATM max cash withdrawal limits

If your home bank has a daily cash withdrawal limit then that’ll dictate what you can withdraw from ATMs in Morocco.

In general, ATMs in Morocco will be set to a maximum withdrawal of something like MAD2,000 or just a shade over USD200. If you need more than that then you might have to make several transactions, and even choose different ATMs as banks might not allow multiple transactions with the same card in case of fraud.

Give your bank a heads up before you travel to Morocco

Paying for your holiday with a bank card abroad is convenient and easy - unless your home bank’s fraud department limits or blocks your card. They might do that if they identify a change in your spending pattern, just in case your card is lost or stolen. They do this for your protection, but it can be extremely frustrating.

The easiest way to avoid issues is to let your bank know your plans in advance. Just call into your local branch or find the online form which is usually available by logging into your online banking.

What are the fees at Moroccan ATMs?

Some bank ATMs in Morocco charge a fee per withdrawal, but the exact cost can depend on where your card was issued, and through which bank.

Exchange rate fees at ATMs in Morocco (DCC)

Dynamic currency conversion (DCC) is a common, costly, and entirely avoidable problem for travellers. This is where you’re asked if you want to pay for your transaction in your home currency as opposed to the local currency, dirhams. Stores, restaurants and ATMs will offer this and present it as a service - you can see the cost in your home currency so you don’t need to worry about figuring out the exchange rates.

Unfortunately, it’s not so simple. DCC transactions don’t generally use the real, mid-market rate - the one you’d find if you googled it. If you pay in your home currency, the foreign bank or ATM provider decide the exchange rate for you. They want to make a profit, so they can mark up the rate and pocket the difference. Pay in the local currency instead, and you’ll almost always get a fairer rate on the exchange.

Your home bank’s fees

Bank fees for overseas ATM withdrawals are fairly common, but the exact amount is different for every account. Check out the details before you travel to avoid nasty surprises. You can find everything you need in your terms and conditions document, which is usually available online.

Moroccan banks’ fees

As well as anything you have to pay your own bank, you might also be charged by the local bank or provider, when you use ATMs in Morocco. Despite this, if you get a decent exchange rate - by avoiding DCC - ATMs are still often an economical choice.

Can I get free cash withdrawals in Morocco?

It’s unlikely you’ll get free cash withdrawals in Morocco if you hold a bank account in a currency other than dirhams. The chances are you’ll be charged by either your home bank or the ATM for the currency conversion.

Are there any tips to avoiding ATM fees in Morocco?

Reduce ATM fees in Morocco with a few simple tricks. Here are some ideas to start you off.

Check if your bank is a part of a fee-free (or reduced fee) network

If you bank with a global brand, you might find that your home bank works in partnership with an institution in Morocco to offer free or cheap international cash withdrawals to their customers overseas. Some of the banks in Morocco are also subsidiaries of French institutions, so if you hold a French account it’s definitely worth asking them about partners in Morocco before you go.

Choose your card wisely

If you have several bank accounts, check the terms and conditions of all of them. It’s not the most gripping read, but it could save you money, as each bank has its own charging structure for international cash withdrawals. Some are much cheaper than others, so by doing a bit of homework, you can use the one which has the fairest fees. Leaving you with more cash in your pocket to enjoy your trip.

Foreign currency credit card cash advances are usually an expensive choice, and best avoided.

Avoid ATMs around the airport or hotels

Don’t assume all the fees are the same. Often the worst deals on ATMs are to be found in places with a captive audience - tourist locations, pubs, and nightclubs are notoriously bad. Stick to an ATM in or near a bank branch, ideally within working hours so you have a contact available in case there’s a problem.

Always choose to pay in the local currency

Remember DCC which we discussed above? If you’re offered the opportunity to pay in your home currency, just say no. Choosing the local currency is almost always cheaper because it avoids the high fees and poor exchange rates added thanks to DCC.

Check out Wise for a cheap alternative

If you’re looking for a better way to get cash for your trip for Morocco, try Wise. You’ll get your cash converted using the real, mid-market exchange rate, with just a transparent fixed fee, which is set out upfront.

If you or a friend have a bank account in Morocco, just transfer money between accounts ahead of time, and you can withdraw dirhams as and when you need to, from ATMs during your stay. You don’t have to carry around too much cash, and there are no exchange rate rip-offs to worry about.

For many travellers, ATMs are a convenient way to get the cash you need for a visit to Morocco. As long as you can avoid DCC, the exchange rate used should be relatively fair, although you should also check out the fees charged both by your bank and the ATM provider to make sure you’re not getting ripped off. Alternatively, use Wise, to send money to a local account, and avoid the charges associated with overseas withdrawals at ATMs altogether.

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