Cash or card in Morocco: Which is the best way to pay?

Are you thinking about a trip to Morocco? If the answer is yes, you’re likely already working on your itinerary and travel budget. Regardless of how much you plan to spend, it’s crucial to understand how financial habits in Morocco differ from those in the UK.

Moroccans heavily rely on cash for everyday payments, but the future will likely be more digital. Since it can be challenging to determine what to rely on during your trip, we’re here to help. We’ll dive into the details to answer the question - is it better to use cash or card in Morocco?

We’ll also show you a cost-effective way to manage your spending in Morocco. For any international purchases, whether online or in person, you can rely on the Wise card. You can even withdraw cash like a local for low fees* at the mid-market exchange rate.

How cash-centric is Morocco?¹

Cash remains the most popular payment option in Morocco, even though other methods are increasingly being adopted. While cash use is prevalent, Morocco has a relatively high rate of debit and credit card ownership compared to other North African countries.

According to the latest statistics, cash is used for over 70% of transactions at POS. Although this is a very high percentage, it has decreased in the past few years.²

Moroccans are also warming up to digital payments. Cash will likely remain the primary payment method for a while, but there are a variety of options available.

Cash etiquette in Morocco³

Tipping isn’t mandatory in Morocco, but it’s very common and therefore expected. It’s standard practice to at least round up the bill or leave some extra dirhams.

There’s no set amount for tipping, but it’s common to leave up to 15% of the bill if you’re at a cafe or restaurant. Tips are commonly given to waiters, taxi drivers and other service staff. Keep in mind that a service charge is sometimes included in high-end restaurants, so your tip amount may vary.

Although tipping is a nice way to let your server know you’re satisfied with the overall experience, it could sometimes be offensive. For example, if the tip amount is too small or if it’s obvious that you’re trying to get rid of spare change, this might come off as insulting.

These are the general rules, but the tip amount always depends on the specific circumstances.

Cash or card in Morocco - the comparison

We’ve listed some situations where you’ll be paying for things in Morocco. Here’s whether you’ll be able to pay by card, in cash or both:

Paying for…	Card	Cash
Taxis⁴	No	Yes
Convenience stores⁵	Usually, in larger stores	Yes
Public transport⁴	Only when buying a ticket online	Yes
Restaurants⁵	Usually, in bigger cities	Yes
Desert tours⁶	Usually	Yes

Using your card in Morocco at an ATM⁷

At the moment, there are over 8,000 ATMs in Morocco.⁸ You’ll be able to find them in main streets, bazaars, bars, town squares and, of course, banks.

The withdrawal limit at Moroccan ATMs can vary, but it’s usually 2,000 dirhams per transaction. However, make sure you check the exact amount with the bank operating the ATM you're using.

Will my UK debit card work in Morocco?

Yes, you should be able to use your UK debit card in Morocco. However, some places might not accept cards at all and additional fees may apply for using your card abroad.

Can I use my UK credit card in Morocco?

Yes, you can use your UK-issued credit card in Morocco, as long as you go to a place that accepts cards.

Reasons to use cash in Morocco

Cash is undoubtedly the most popular payment method in Morocco, so you’ll blend in with the locals by using it. If you have dirhams on hand, you can pay anywhere without any issues. Also, it’s often the only option in small shops and restaurants, as well as on public transport.

Besides this, cash is a better choice because you might miss out on certain authentic experiences if you don’t carry it. For instance, without cash, you won’t be able to buy anything from street vendors or bargain at the bazaars. Also, if you plan on leaving tips, it’s good to keep some dirhams on you.

Reasons to use credit or debit cards in Morocco

Since cards aren’t used as much in Morocco, the main reasons to use them during your trip would be safety. Since carrying larger amounts of cash when travelling can be risky, it’s good to have cards on you as well. It’s also more convenient in many ways, including not having to deal with leftover dirhams.

Are contactless card payments common in Morocco?⁵

Although cards aren’t popular in Morocco, this is starting to change. In fact, contactless payments are on the rise, especially in urban areas. The contactless limit in Morocco is 600 dirhams, after which you’ll need to enter your PIN.⁹

Your Wise card can also be used for contactless payments in Morocco. If you don’t want to carry cards with you, you can get the Wise virtual card with the same features.

Check out the latest GBP to MAD conversion rates below:

Other payment methods in Morocco

Besides traditional credit and debit cards, other payment methods are also available in Morocco.

Mobile payment¹⁰

Some of the most popular digital wallet apps such as Apple Pay and Google Wallet can also be used in Morocco. PayPal is also available, but only for transactions in Moroccan dirhams. If you plan on using any of these apps during your trip, make sure you update them before you leave to avoid any issues.

There are some local wallet options as well, such as Jibi and Filahi Pay. Another local payment app is MarocPay, with more than 8 million users.

For an additional layer of security, you could add your Wise virtual card to your wallet. It has all the benefits of a regular Wise card, but it exists in your phone only. You can freeze your Wise virtual card after every transaction, so top-notch security is guaranteed.

Buy now pay later options (BNPL)¹⁰

BNPL services are becoming popular in Morocco. Over 70% of locals are familiar with them, while around 40% use them.

A popular Moroccan company offering BNPL is Chari. Chari actually offers instalment options to shop owners and allows them to then do the same for their buyers.

What is the best way to pay in Morocco: cash or card?

If you had to choose between using cash or card in Morocco, cash would be the right option. Even though Morocco is slowly moving towards a more digital future, cash is king at the moment. It’s reliable and accepted everywhere, sometimes even as the only option. You could also bring your cards with you as a fallback option or make sure your digital wallet apps are up-to-date.

However, since you don’t really need to pick only one, the best solution for spending in Morocco is combining cash and cards. Cards can be a convenient option if you’re visiting big cities, while cash could be your primary everyday payment and tipping method.

Spend like a local in Morocco with the Wise card

Want to spend like a local in Morocco without worrying about exchange rates and hidden fees? The Wise card might be just the option you were looking for.

You can use your Wise card for international payments, from your accommodation costs to daily expenses. It automatically converts your pounds at the mid-market exchange rate with only a small, transparent currency conversion fee*.

You can also use it to easily withdraw cash from the ATMs in Morocco. Each month, you can make 2 withdrawals of up to 200 GBP for free. After that, there is a charge of 0.5 GBP per withdrawal. There’s also a 1.75% fee on any amount you withdraw above 200 GBP.

Spend like a local with Wise

Cash or card in Morocco - FAQs

Here are some of the most frequent questions about using cash or cards in Morocco:

Is Morocco cashless?

No, cash is a very popular payment method in Morocco.

Can I use contactless in Morocco?

Yes, you’ll likely be able to tap and pay in bigger Moroccan cities.

Are ATMs free in Morocco?

In general, ATMs in Morocco charge fees, but you might be able to find one that allows free withdrawal.

Can I pay for public transport with a card in Morocco?⁴

You can only use your card when buying a transport ticket online, but you have to use cash in person.

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Sources used:

1. Statista - payment methods in Morocco
2. Statista - cash use in Morocco
3. Intrepid Travel - tipping in Morocco
4. Morocco’s Travel - getting around Morocco
5. Gboo Morocco Tours - using credit cards in Morocco
6. Morocco Desert Trips - desert tours in Morocco
7. Western Union - currency in Morocco
8. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis - ATMs in Morocco
9. Visa Middle East - contactless limit in Morocco
10. NORBr - digital payment methods in Morocco

Sources last checked on date: 21-Oct-2024