After rent car here is a detailed overview of the payment methods commonly used in Morocco, ranging from traditional cash to modern digital options.
- Cash (Espèces – نقود)
Cash is still the undisputed king of daily transactions in Morocco, especially outside of major city centers and in traditional markets (souks).
Currency: The Moroccan Dirham (MAD or DH). It is a closed currency, meaning you cannot legally buy or export it outside of Morocco. You must exchange your money upon arrival.
Where it’s used: Almost everywhere. It’s essential for:
Small shops (épiceries), street food vendors, and markets (souks).
Taxis (both petit and grand), especially in smaller cities.
Tipping (pourboires).
Rural areas and small towns where electronic payments are less accepted.
To rent car in Morocco, advice: Always carry a variety of smaller bills (20, 50, 100 DH) as vendors and taxi drivers often cannot change large 200 or 500 DH notes for small purchases.
- Debit and Credit Cards (Cartes Bancaires – البطاقات البنكية)
Card payments are widely accepted in urban centers, modern retail spaces, and tourist areas.
Common Cards: Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted. American Express is accepted only in some high-end hotels and restaurants.
Where they’re used:
Supermarkets (Marjane, Carrefour, Acima)
Shopping malls and brand-name stores.
Most hotels, mid-range to high-end restaurants, and cafes in cities.
Car rental companies and travel agencies.
Important: You will often be asked for “Paiement en dirhams?” (Payment in dirhams?). Always choose to pay in the local currency (MAD) to avoid dynamic currency conversion (DCC), which offers poor exchange rates.
- Mobile Payment and Digital Wallets
This sector is growing rapidly, driven by Morocco’s leading telecom operators and banks.
Juice by Maroc Telecom: The most popular mobile wallet. Allows users to pay for goods, transfer money, and top up phone credit using their phone.
WiCash by Inwi: Another major telecom operator’s payment solution, similar to Juice.
L’App by CIH Bank: A very popular bank-based app that allows for easy money transfers and payments.
Flooz by Orange Money: Orange telecom’s equivalent mobile money service.
Usage: These are commonly used for peer-to-peer transfers, paying bills (electricity, water, phone), and are increasingly accepted in retail stores, supermarkets, and taxis.
- Bank Transfers (Virements Bancaires – التحويلات البنكية)
Primarily used for larger transactions, such as:
Paying rent or utility bills online via bank apps.
Business-to-business (B2B) payments.
Receiving salaries.
- Checks (Chèques – الشيكات)
While their use is declining in favor of bank transfers, checks are still used for:
Some larger, formal transactions.
Certain government payments or formalities.
Older generations and businesses may still prefer them for security and traceability.
- Contactless Payments (Paiement sans contact – الدفع بدون تلامس)
Contactless payments are becoming increasingly common in major cities.
Availability: You will find contactless terminals in most supermarkets, fast-food chains, and modern stores in cities like Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakech.
Limits: There is usually a transaction limit for contactless payments (e.g., 300 DH) for security, above which you need to enter your PIN.
Summary for Travelers and Foreigners:
Always carry cash. You will need it for markets, small purchases, and transportation.
Use your credit/debit card in established hotels, restaurants, and stores. Inform your bank of your travel plans beforehand.
Before rent car you need to change your money at official exchange bureaus (Exchange money), (bureaux de change) or banks. They display the official rate. Avoid exchanging on the street.
ATMs (Distributeurs Automatiques de Billets – DAB) are widely available in cities and towns for withdrawing cash. They offer the best official exchange rate.
While mobile wallets like Juice are incredibly popular for locals, as a short-term visitor you are less likely to need to set one up.
The payment landscape in Morocco is a mix of traditional and modern, so being prepared to use both cash and card will ensure a smooth experience.