Published: November 08, 2024
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Morocco Travel Advisory and Morocco Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Rabat: Km 5.7, Avenue Mohamed VI, Souissi, Rabat 10170. Tel: +212-537-63-7200, After-hours Emergency: +212-661-13-1939. Hours: 0800-1700 M-F.
U.S. Consulate Casablanca: 8, Boulevard Moulay Youssef, Casablanca. Tel: +212-522-642-099, After-hours Emergency: +212-661-13-1939.
OSAC Country Chapter(s)
Due to Casablanca’s status as the commercial center of Morocco and the volume of U.S. organizations situated there, the OSAC Country Chapter resides in Casablanca. The second-largest city in North Africa, Casablanca is a regional hub for exports and is also home to the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM).
Contact OSAC’s Middle East & North Africa team with any questions.
Morocco Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Morocco at Level 2, indicating travelers should exercise increased caution due to terrorism.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Casablanca as being a HIGH-threat location and Rabat as being a MEDIUM-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Morocco.
Morocco is a popular destination for outdoor activities. Anyone traveling into remote areas in Morocco should use a licensed and accredited guide and be prepared to check in and out of remote checkpoints by presenting their passport. Moroccan authorities may restrict access to certain areas, only camp within designated camping areas. While the Royal Gendarmerie is capable of responding to backcountry emergencies, travelers should ensure that they are well-prepared and appropriately provisioned prior to departing for remote areas, and that someone not on the trip has a copy of their proposed travel itinerary.
Media reporting and anecdotal observations indicate that the frequency and intensity of crime in Morocco’s major cities is similar to other large cities in North Africa. Morocco’s Directorate of National Security (DGSN) reported a 10% decrease in overall crime in 2023. Violent crime indications witnessed a decline in different serious offenses, with a 25% decrease in murders, assaults, and deadly injuries. In addition to the cities rated above, Marrakech experiences high crime rates. The DGSN annual report points to intensified efforts in collaboration with all its units to fight against all forms of crimes, including drug trafficking, terrorism, and sexual assaults.
The most common crimes in Morocco are petty crimes, such as pickpocketing, theft from unoccupied vehicles, robberies, purse snatching, and burglaries. Criminals focus on high-traffic and high-density areas such as tourist sites, markets, medinas, and festivals in major cities. Criminals tend to fixate on people who appear unfamiliar with their surroundings, dress in obviously foreign clothing, or otherwise draw attention to themselves. Due to the low availability of firearms in Morocco, when violent crimes occur, they tend to involve edged weapons such as knives (and occasionally swords). Larceny and residential burglaries are common in low-income neighborhoods, and occasionally occur in more affluent neighborhoods.
Pedestrians walking alone in isolated areas, or late at night, are at greater risk for becoming a target. Gratuitous displays of wealth may attract unwanted attention and increase the risk of becoming a target. Dress in a conservative manner, do not display a large amount of currency, protect smart phones from being easily snatched, carry wallets in front pockets, ensure you carry purses/backpacks securely, and do not wear elaborate jewelry/watches. Guard possessions carefully on public transportation. Leaving any item of value unattended in a public place or in a vehicle in plain sight can make that item the target of petty theft. Have a friend or colleague watch the surrounding area as you focus on completing your transaction at an ATM.
Visitors, especially females, should make a concerted effort to travel in pairs and avoid walking alone at night. Travel in pairs/groups, drink in moderation, maintain control over drinks, and never accept drinks from strangers. Avoid being out alone and during late-night or early morning hours. At night, avoid areas that are poorly lighted or secluded.
Most residences in Morocco are designed to prevent unauthorized entry. This generally means security grilles protecting accessible windows and glass doors; exterior doors have a minimum of two deadlocks. Single-family homes usually feature walls that discourage intruders from entering the premises. Apartment dwellers are more at risk from intruders gaining access via adjacent balconies or structures.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Morocco.
The kidnapping threat in Morocco has historically been low. Incidents of reported kidnappings in the media in 2023 generally related to family disputes or drug trafficking retaliations.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Casablanca and Rabat as being MEDIUM-threat locations for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Morocco, indicating that terrorist attacks have occurred and/or specific threats against civilians, groups, or other targets may exist.
The Government of Morocco employs a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy that includes vigilant security measures, regional and international cooperation, and counter-radicalization policies. However, terrorist attacks occurred in Morocco in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2018, and 2022. In the January 2022 attack, the suspect with “possible terrorist motives” killed a French woman in Tiznit and wounded a Belgian woman with a knife in Agadir.
More than 1,600 Moroccan nationals have traveled to conflict zones to fight alongside extremist groups. Many of these individuals may try to return to Morocco, especially as successful anti-ISIS efforts in Syria, Iraq, and Libya progress. Moroccan security services are aware of the potential danger these individuals may pose and have gone to great lengths to intercept them at international border crossings.
Moroccan security services are generally proactive and effective in identifying and neutralizing terrorists and terror cells, disrupting several terror plots over the last several months. In 2023, DGSN referred 29 individuals to the relevant prosecutor’s office for their alleged involvement in terror crimes. Since 2002, Moroccan security forces have reportedly neutralized 2,000 terror cells and 3,500 suspects connected to terrorism, many of which expressed allegiance to or sympathy with ISIS. Arrests often include individuals spreading extremist ideologies and propaganda.
Credible information indicates terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Morocco. The potential for terrorist violence against U.S. interests and citizens exists. Moroccan authorities have taken robust actions to guard against terrorist attacks and continue to disrupt groups seeking to attack U.S. or Western-affiliated and Moroccan government targets. Law enforcement has arrested numerous individuals associated with international terrorist groups. With indications that such groups still seek to carry out attacks in Morocco, U.S. citizens should be keenly aware of their surroundings and adhere to prudent security practices such as avoiding predictable travel patterns and maintaining a low profile.
Establishments that are identifiable with the United States are potential targets for attacks. These may include facilities where U.S. citizens and other foreigners congregate, including clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, hotels, movie theaters, U.S. brand establishments, and other public areas. Such targets may also include establishments where activities that may offend religious sensitivities occur, such as casinos or places that sell or where patrons consume alcoholic beverages.
Establishments that could be perceived as catering to U.S. or Western visitors or those owned by Western companies could be potential targets for terrorism. Visitors should remain particularly alert and informed during periods of heightened tension in the country and the region.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Casablanca and Rabat as being MEDIUM-threat locations for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Morocco. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
Since November 2020, the disputed territory of Western Sahara has seen a return of low-intensity armed conflict between Moroccan government forces and the Polisario Front, which continues to seek independence for the territory. There have been instances in which authorities have expelled or denied entry of foreign citizens who are suspected of being participants in political protests or of supporting NGOs critical of Moroccan policies into Western Sahara.
Protests & Demonstrations
Demonstrations occur every few weeks in Morocco and typically focus on internal political, economic, or social issues. In 2023, nationwide protests occurred over poor economic conditions and rising fuel and food costs due to inflation and economic effects from the conflict in Ukraine. Additionally, there were some protests calling for greater political freedom and the release of political prisoners. While numerous protests take place in Morocco annually, protests generally remain peaceful, though many may be emotionally charged.
The Israel-Hamas conflict remains a significant trigger for demonstrations in Morocco. Protests against Morocco’s normalization of diplomatic relations with Israel have occurred since November 2021. Demonstrations take place with some regularity in the capital and several other cities in support of the Palestinian cause and against Morocco’s ties with Israel. In 2023, a suspect was arrested in Morocco for the 2021 bombing of an Israeli Health Ministry office in Nazareth.
Soccer matches attract large crowds to public stadiums, particularly when well-known teams from larger cities are playing. Moroccan authorities will often augment police presence in areas surrounding large stadiums due to the proclivity of crowds to turn violent and vandalize property during and following large soccer matches.
Moroccan law requires that all demonstrations obtain a government permit, but spontaneous unauthorized demonstrations, which have greater potential for violence, can occur. Different unions or groups may organize strikes to protest or strike in response to an emerging issue or government policy.
Avoid demonstrations if possible. If caught in a demonstration, remain calm and move away immediately when provided the opportunity.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
Regional and global events have the potential to inflame public opinion and incite large demonstrations. Even though most Moroccans view the United States and its citizens favorably, travelers should remain aware and informed of regional issues that could resonate in Morocco and create an anti-U.S. response.
Law Enforcement
The emergency line in Morocco is 190 from a mobile phone and 91 from a landline.
Law enforcement officials are well trained, with many attending international training programs. However, the police are generally understaffed, and in some cases underequipped. The Moroccan police force is based on the French police system, with the Sûreté Nationale (DGSN) enforcing laws in the urban areas and the Royal Gendarmerie in the rural areas. The General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGST), also a national security agency, generally oversees matters involving terrorism. These different agencies can and do cooperate on investigative matters; criminal cases can transfer from one investigative agency to another depending on the victim, locale, and public visibility of the incident under investigation.
Police Response
Police generally respond effectively to a report of a foreign victim of crime. There have been limited instances where interactions with the police, particularly in smaller cities and rural areas, have not been positive for foreigners. Victims are often present during interrogations of suspects, which can create an uncomfortable situation for a victim.
Some U.S. citizens report that police procedures appear to be less sensitive and responsive to a victim’s concerns compared to procedures in the United States, particularly in cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, or when the victim and the perpetrator are both foreigners. Few victim-assistance resources or shelters for victims of domestic violence exist in major urban areas, and they are generally unavailable in rural areas. Investigations of sexual assault crimes often proceed without female police officers present, and police typically ask about the victim’s sexual history and previous relationships. The quality of interpreting from Arabic to English can vary and has caused problems for some U.S. citizen victims.
Police often arrest perpetrators if crimes are reported in a timely manner. The police rely primarily on confessions versus forensic evidence to determine culpability, although this is changing given Morocco’s recent judicial and police reform programs, which the U.S. government support. All police officers speak French or Arabic; English translation may not be readily available.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Morocco, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Morocco.
The law provides criminal penalties for corruption by officials, but the government generally did not implement the law effectively. There were recurring reports of government corruption.
Observers generally considered corruption a persistent problem, with insufficient governmental checks and balances to reduce its occurrence and local media reported that corruption continued to hamper the country’s development.
Cybersecurity
ATMs are generally safe when users take normal precautions. There have been several recent reported cases of debit/credit card fraud. In all cases, the victims reported money withdrawn from their accounts after using their cards at ATMs, or their credit cards being billed for unaccounted charges after using them at local establishments.
Import/Export Restrictions
Moroccan customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Morocco of items such as firearms, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) or drones, religious materials, antiquities, business equipment, and large quantities of currency.
While it is legal to use a satellite phone in Morocco, it is necessary to obtain a permit from the National Agency of Telecommunications Regulation (ANRT) prior to arrival. Otherwise, it will likely be confiscated.
An intellectual property rights (IPR) law, passed in 2014, streamlines the patent application process and consolidates IPR enforcement by improving procedures for the destruction of counterfeit goods, enlarging the scope of border investigations, and providing complainants enhanced judicial remedies through civil and criminal courts to defend their rights. Morocco introduced the “Our Safety” label to certify importers and distributors of non-counterfeit auto parts in the Moroccan market. Morocco is also a signatory to the multi-national Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA).
Morocco’s capacity to detect and address internet based IPR violations remains inadequate in some respects. Counterfeiting of consumer goods is still common, and U.S firms allege that the use of pirated software is widespread. Common counterfeit goods available in Morocco include apparel, appliances, food, software, computer hardware, and auto parts arriving mainly from Asia, through the Tangier-Med and Casablanca seaports as well as the southern border with Mauritania. The U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement ensures Morocco’s IPR legal framework is one of the strongest in the region, but companies must work closely with Morocco’s IPR enforcement authority to ensure effective and efficient implementation of the law.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
