Buying property in Morocco as a foreigner: Complete UK guide (2026)

Moving to Morocco from the UK? Perhaps you’re dreaming of a sun-soaked retirement in Rabat or are starting a new job in Casablanca. You might even fancy buying a holiday home in Agadir or Marrakech.

Whatever your plans, we’re here to help. Read on for a comprehensive guide to buying property in Morocco as a foreigner.

This includes the latest property prices and tips on where to find your dream home, along with info on mortgages, fees and taxes, and how the buying process works. We’ll also look at the pitfalls to avoid.

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Can UK foreigners buy property in Morocco?

Yes, foreigners can buy property in Morocco, as long as it isn’t on land designated for agricultural use.¹

You don’t need to be a Moroccan citizen or even a resident - this means you can buy a holiday home in the country while still living in the UK.

However, you might need to provide proof of a valid residency permit if you’re applying for a mortgage in Morocco.

Can you buy property in Morocco and get residency?

You won’t automatically get permanent residency through buying property in Morocco.

However, owning a property there could be an advantage if you do come to apply for residency, as it proves ties to the country. You’ll be asked to provide proof of property ownership alongside other documents when submitting your application.

What’s the real estate market like in Morocco?

The Morocco property market is sluggish at the moment, with property prices stagnant, demand low and the number of sales falling.

Across the country, house prices rose by just 0.15% in the year to Q1 2025, after rising just 1.65% in the last quarter of 2024. Sales transactions dropped by 14.5% in Q1 2025 compared to the year before.²

As a buyer, this could mean an opportunity to secure a property at a good price - but it may not represent a good return on investment over time unless the housing market picks up.

If you’re buying a property to rent out, it’s useful to know that rental yields in Morocco are moderately good at an average of 6.72% (as of Q2 2025).²

Is property a good investment in Morocco?

Weighing up whether Morocco is a good place to buy property abroad? Here are some pros and cons to consider.

Pros:

• Minimal restrictions on foreigners buying property or land
• Good rental potential - with moderately good rental yields in many locations
• The cost of living in Morocco is affordable - and house prices are much lower than the UK, so your money goes further.

Cons:

• No direct route to residency through the purchase of property
• Morocco’s property market is sluggish at the moment, which could mean lower long-term appreciation and ROI for investors
• Risk of scams and fraud, along with an unfamiliar property purchase process
• Mortgage conditions may be stricter and harder to meet for foreign applicants, and you may need a larger deposit.

How much are the property prices?

So, how much is property in Morocco? This is an essential thing to know as you set your budget and start your search.

On average, Moroccan property prices are a whopping 73% and 78% lower than in the UK, depending on whether you buy inside or outside of a city centre.³

If you're wondering where to buy a home in Morocco, here are the average property prices per square metre across major cities:⁴

However, it very much depends on exactly what and where you buy, along with other factors.

And, if you’re arranging your property purchase from the UK, you’ll need a safe, reliable and preferably low-cost way to send over fees, deposits and other payments.

The Wise account could be a great solution, with transparent, low fees, and multiple layers of security, so you can safely transfer large amounts both in the UK and overseas. On a £50,000 transfer, you could save up to £1,000 with Wise vs your bank.

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Where is the cheapest place to buy property in Morocco?

Of the major cities in Morocco, Fes is considered one of the most affordable for property prices. Other budget-friendly options include Agadir and the coastal town of Essaouira.

Generally speaking, you’re likely to find cheaper property if you look outside of city centres and popular urban areas. Smaller towns and villages, as well as rural areas, tend to have much lower property prices.

Best places to buy property in Morocco

The best place to buy property in Morocco all depends on why you’re buying.

If you’re looking to live in Morocco as an expat, a major city like Marrakech, Rabat or Casablanca will offer all you could want in terms of lifestyle, culture, job opportunities, amenities and connections to other major cities across North Africa and Europe.

For rental potential, holiday hotspots like Essaouira and Agadir are worth checking out, and the latter is also popular with expats looking to retire abroad.

How to search for a property in Morocco

If you’re new to the Moroccan property market, it could be worth using a specialist real estate agent to help you find the right property.

They’ll have knowledge of the local market, as well as speaking the language and being able to guide you through the buying process. This service is likely to come with a fee, however.

You can also start the search online yourself, using one of these Moroccan property websites and portals:

• Mubawab.ma
• Agenz.ma
• Sarouty.ma
• SeLoger.com

What to check before you buy

Here’s a quick list of important things to check before you buy property in Morocco:

• That the property isn’t on land designated for agricultural use
• It’s crucial to verify the legal and registry status of the property before entering into any legal agreement - your solicitor will need to carry out a detailed registry check
• If you’re buying land - that it has clear boundaries, proper registration and the right to build. Planning restrictions can affect your construction or renovation plans.

You may also want to have a building survey carried out. While not mandatory, this could help to flag up any structural or other issues which could be expensive to fix.

How to buy property in Morocco as a foreigner - a step-by-step guide

Now, let’s run through the steps involved in buying property in Morocco as a foreigner:

1. Get your finances in order

Before you do anything, it’s crucial to get your finances in order. You need to set your budget, get a mortgage offer in place and define exactly what you’re looking for.

You may also want to open a Moroccan bank account, as this can make transactions easier (especially in relation to mortgages).

2. Find a property and arrange viewings

Now it’s time to start searching for your dream home. You can use online property portals and/or local estate agents to find properties.

If you’ve found somewhere you like, arrange a viewing as soon as you can, and start researching the area in the meantime.

3. Appoint a notary/solicitor

All property purchases in Morocco must be carried out with the assistance of a notary, taking responsibility for finalising and transferring the deed. As you start your property search, it’s recommended to appoint a notary as early as possible.

You may also want to appoint a property lawyer to act in your interests throughout the purchase process. They will check over and translate all documents and contracts, as well as carrying out due diligence on the transaction.

To find local notaries and solicitors, a good place to start is this list of English-speaking property solicitors on the UK Government website.

4. Get a survey

At this stage (and especially if you have concerns about the property) you might want to book a building survey. This involves hiring a surveyor to check the property for structural or other issues.

If the survey flags anything up, you may be able to negotiate on price.

5. Make an offer

Once you’ve found your dream home, you’ll need to make a competitive offer. This will be made and accepted (hopefully) verbally at first, then made legally binding with a contract. This is known as a Purchase Agreement (Acte d'Achat). Your notary will assist with this.

Before you sign anything, have your solicitor check the title deeds for the property and carry out all due diligence checks, as well as waiting for the results of your building survey.

You should also let your mortgage provider know that your offer has been accepted, so that you can complete any final paperwork.

6. Pay the deposit

At the same time as signing the preliminary contract, you’ll also need to arrange a transfer to pay the deposit. This is usually around 10% of the total sales price.⁵

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7. Work towards completion

Now it’s time for your notary to complete the necessary legal paperwork to complete the purchase. This involves:

• Completing all legal work and due diligence checks, including doing a Property Title Search (Recherche de Titre Foncier) to verify the property's ownership status and flag up any potential legal issues
• Ensuring all taxes and fees are paid
• Finalising and transferring the title deeds for the property
• Registering the purchase with the land registry, with the new title deed registered in your name.

Once all of this work is complete, you’ll sign the final documents, transfer the remaining balance and get the keys to your new Moroccan home.

How long does it take to buy a property?

Buying property in Morocco isn’t quick, unfortunately. It can take around 3.5 to 7 months from having your verbal offer accepted to completion.⁶

Fees and costs of buying property in Morocco

Here are the main fees and taxes for buying property in Morocco, which you’ll need to factor into your budget:⁶

Taxes and fees for owning property

Once you’ve bought your Moroccan property and paid all those initial costs, you’ll also have some ongoing fees and taxes to cover as a property owner.

The main one is annual property tax, which is around 0.05% to 0.25% - the exact amount depends on the municipality and the cadastral value of the property.⁷

If you rent out the property, you may also pay tax of 10% as a landlord.⁷

Loans and mortgages for non-residents

Banks in Morocco do offer mortgages to foreigners, but it’s likely that you’ll be asked to show your residence permit as part of your application.

The application process may be a little more difficult than for locals and residents, as you’ll need to meet strict eligibility criteria and provide lots of documentation (especially in relation to proof of income).

You may also only get a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio of around 50% to 70% as a foreign buyer, so you’ll need a larger deposit.¹

It’s a good idea to start shopping around for mortgages before starting your property search in earnest. It’s recommended to use a specialist broker, who can help you find the right mortgage for your circumstances.

Risks and pitfalls of buying property in Morocco

One of the main things to watch out for when buying property abroad are scams.

To avoid these, it’s strongly recommended to work with qualified and credible professionals such as real estate agents and solicitors.

Ideally, you should also check for membership of a professional body when working with any property experts, brokers or agents - and make sure they’re not linked to the seller or estate agent.

Estate agents don’t need to be licensed in Morocco, so you may want to ask around for a personal recommendation to find a good one.

Other important things to remember include the following:

• Be cautious and do your homework before sending money or a deposit.
• Hire your own solicitor and do as much due diligence as possible - including ensuring that the seller has the legal right to sell the property.
• It’s crucial to check that the property has a clean title and is registered, otherwise you could face issues when you come to get a mortgage or sell the property later.
• Visit the property in person (don’t rely on online listings alone)
• Get a building inspection/survey carried out if you have any concerns about the property.

Moving into your Morocco property

Before you can get the keys to your new home, you’ll have a final few tasks to check off your list.

Insurance

It’s strongly recommended to take out a buildings insurance policy starting from your completion date. In fact, you might find it's a mandatory condition of your mortgage offer.

Setting up utilities

If you know when your completion date will be, it makes sense to get some essentials set up in advance of moving in.

A prime example is utilities, such as heating, power and water. Get these sorted as early as you can, and the moving process should be a little smoother.

Energy efficiency renovations

If you’ve bought an older Moroccan property, you might want to make some energy efficiency improvements to it. For example, improving the insulation, upgrading the windows or installing a modern, more efficient air conditioning system.

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Key takeaways

• UK citizens can freely buy residential and commercial property in Morocco, though land designated for agricultural use remains strictly off-limits to foreigners.
• Property prices in Morocco are approximately 73% to 78% lower than in the UK, with affordable options found in cities like Fes, Agadir, and Essaouira.
• As of early 2025, the market has seen stagnant prices and a 14.5% drop in sales, offering potential for negotiation but lower immediate returns on investment.
• All transactions must be facilitated by a notary, involve a 10% deposit, and can take between 3.5 to 7 months to reach completion.
• Buyers should budget around 6% to 11% extra of the purchase price to cover registration taxes (4%), notary fees (1–1.5%), and various registry duties.

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Sources used:

1. Global Property Guide - How to Buy Real Estate In Morocco as a Foreigner
2. Global Property Guide - Morocco Residential Real Estate Market Analysis 2025
3. Numbeo - Cost of Living Comparison Between United Kingdom and Morocco
4. Numbeo - Prices by City
5. Orchid Island - Buying Property in Morocco as a European Investor: 2025 Guide
6. Celestia Invest - Step-by-Step Property Purchase Process in Morocco
7. Sands of Wealth - Hidden costs when buying property in Morocco

Sources last checked on date: 24-Jan-2026