Quick answer: the Morocco currency is the Moroccan dirham, ISO code MAD, written locally as DH, Dhs or د.م. One dirham splits into 100 centimes. Bank Al-Maghrib, the central bank, issues it. In September 2026, 1 euro buys roughly 10.9-11.0 dirhams, 1 US dollar about 9.48, and 1 pound sterling about 12.8. The dirham is a closed currency, so you cannot buy it properly before you fly, and you may only carry 2,000 dirhams out of the country.
That is the short version. The useful version runs longer, because Morocco currency habits surprise almost every first-time visitor. Half the country still quotes prices in rials, a unit that lost official status decades ago. Cash machines charge a flat fee that punishes small, frequent withdrawals.
This guide covers what the dirham is worth today, which notes and coins you will actually handle, where to change money without losing value, how much cash to carry, and what is changing in 2026. Every figure comes from real receipts collected on our Morocco tours, not from guesswork.
Morocco Currency in 30 Seconds
- Name: Moroccan dirham (درهم مغربي), code MAD.
- Subdivision: 100 centimes (santimat).
- Issuer: Bank Al-Maghrib; minted at Dar As-Sikkah, Rabat.
- Banknotes: 20, 50, 100 and 200 dirhams.
- Coins: 10, 20 and 50 centimes; ½, 1, 2, 5 and 10 dirhams.
- Rate on 14 September 2026: 1 USD ≈ 9.48 MAD; 1 EUR ≈ 11 MAD; 1 GBP ≈ 12.8 MAD.
- Export limit: 2,000 dirhams in notes per person.
- Daily cash to carry: 300-500 MAD per person on tour.
What Is the Currency of Morocco?
The answer in one sentence
The currency of Morocco is the Moroccan dirham. It is the only legal tender anywhere in the kingdom, from Tangier to Dakhla, and no region officially uses anything else. Euros circulate informally in some tourist businesses, but they are never obligatory and rarely advantageous.
The code and the symbols you will see
Airports and exchange desks display the international code MAD. Local price tags, on the other hand, show DH, Dhs or د.م. A menu reading “45 DH” and one reading “45.00 MAD” mean the same thing.
Centimes, the unit nobody says out loud
Each dirham divides into 100 centimes, called santimat in Moroccan Arabic. In practice they barely feature in speech, because prices round to whole or half dirhams. Keep the small coins anyway: bread, public toilets and parking attendants all need them. Travellers who arrive without coins spend their first morning hunting for change, which is an avoidable start to any Morocco currency experience.
Who issues the Morocco currency
Bank Al-Maghrib, founded in 1959, is the central bank. It prints notes and strikes coins at its own mint, Dar As-Sikkah, in Rabat. Production is therefore entirely domestic.
What the Morocco Currency Is Worth Today
Dirham to dollar and pound in September 2026
On 14 September 2026 one US dollar bought 9.475 dirhams. Bank Al-Maghrib’s official banknote table of 1 September quoted sterling between 11.926 and 13.86, the Swiss franc between 10.881 and 12.645, and the Canadian dollar between 6.3528 and 7.383. That spread is the widest a bureau may legally apply.
Dirham to euro
The euro traded around 10.95 dirhams in mid-September 2026. The central bank’s note table ran from 10.2194 on the buy side to 11.8766 on the sell side, which puts the midpoint near 11.05.
Quick conversion table
| Dirhams (MAD) | US dollars | Pounds | Euros |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 DH | $1.06 | £0.78 | €0.91 |
| 20 DH | $2.11 | £1.56 | €1.83 |
| 50 DH | $5.28 | £3.91 | €4.57 |
| 100 DH | $10.55 | £7.81 | €9.13 |
| 200 DH | $21.11 | £15.63 | €18.26 |
| 500 DH | $52.77 | £39.06 | €45.66 |
| 1,000 DH | $105.54 | £78.13 | €91.32 |
The mental shortcut that works in the souk
Divide by ten for dollars and by thirteen for pounds. An 80-dirham tagine costs about eight dollars or six pounds. A 2,200-dirham rug costs roughly 230 dollars. That rough maths settles a negotiation in three seconds.
Why the rate barely moves
The dirham does not float freely. Bank Al-Maghrib holds it inside a ±5 % band against a basket weighted 60 % euro and 40 % US dollar. As a result, the Morocco currency is among the steadiest in Africa, with annual swings against the euro rarely above 3 %.
What that means for your budget
It means you can budget a trip to Morocco months ahead without nasty surprises. Plan at 11 dirhams to the euro or 9.5 to the dollar and your margin of error stays tiny.
Moroccan Banknotes: The Four You Will Handle
The 20-dirham note
This is the smallest note in circulation and the handiest. Violet dominates, and it measures less than the others, because Moroccan notes grow with their value. Twenty dirhams covers a short taxi or two coffees.
The 50-dirham note
Green, and the perfect all-rounder. It buys a simple lunch, a museum ticket or a decent tip for a local guide. Most small traders can break it, which is rarely true of the larger notes.
The 100-dirham note and the 2023 series
Here is the recent change. On 24 November 2023 Bank Al-Maghrib released a new 100-dirham note devoted to the Moroccan Sahara. The front carries the royal portrait, Moroccan doorway motifs and the arcades of the Hassan II Mosque. The back shows the Mechouar square in Laayoune, the Tiznit-Dakhla expressway and the Moussem of Tan-Tan.
Security features on the newest note
It carries a three-window security thread with a dynamic colour-shift effect, optically variable ink on the denomination, plus ultraviolet, infrared and magnetic properties. It is by far the best-protected note the country has issued.
The 200-dirham note
Blue, largest and the one cash machines love to dispense. That is the problem: almost nobody has change for it. Break it early at a supermarket, a petrol station or your riad reception. Handing a 200 to a taxi driver for a 15-dirham fare is the fastest way to start an argument you cannot win.
Do older notes still work?
Yes. Earlier series circulate alongside the new one and shops take them without hesitation. You may well receive an old-design 100 and a 2023 one on the same afternoon, and both are worth exactly the same.
Damaged notes
A trader may refuse a torn or tape-repaired note even though it keeps its legal value. Check what you are handed on the spot, and swap anything battered at a bank branch.
Moroccan Coins and Their Value
What circulates
You will find 10, 20 and 50 centimes, plus ½, 1, 2, 5 and 10 dirhams. The 10 and 20 centime pieces are light aluminium, while the 5 and 10 dirham coins are bimetallic and noticeably heavy. Values appear in both Western and Arabic numerals.
The 2023 coin series and its six themes
Alongside the new note, the central bank issued a full coin series with one theme per denomination: agriculture on the 10 centimes, sustainable development on the 20, cultural diversity on the 50, national sovereignty on the 1 dirham, Saharan development on the 5 and major infrastructure on the 10.
Which coins you genuinely need
The 1, 2, 5 and 10 dirham pieces cover 95 % of daily life. They pay the parking guardian, the public toilet, the bread stall, a mint tea and a short city taxi. Centime coins now only round off greengrocer bills.
Where to get small change
Big supermarkets (Marjane, Carrefour, Acima) and petrol stations always hand back coins. A souk stall in the Marrakech medina, by contrast, will often say it has none. Fill your pocket at the start of each day.
Commemorative pieces
Bank Al-Maghrib strikes silver and gold commemoratives for anniversaries. They are not everyday money, so look for them in numismatic shops in Rabat or Casablanca rather than in the souk.
The Dirham Does Not Leave the Country
Why it is a closed currency
The dirham is not freely convertible on world markets. No bank in London, New York or Toronto will sell you a useful quantity, and the few bureaux that stock it quote a terrible rate. The rule is therefore simple: do not buy Morocco currency before you travel.
The 2,000-dirham limit
The Office des Changes bans importing and exporting dirhams as a general rule. Travellers get one exception: you may carry out up to 2,000 dirhams in banknotes, intended to cover expenses on your return. Above that, customs can seize the money.
What to do with leftover dirhams
Spend them before you reach the airport on argan oil, spices, ceramics or a final dinner. If a large sum remains, change it at a bank counter in the terminal before security. Keep your exchange receipts, because some desks ask for them on the reverse transaction.
Declaring foreign currency
You may bring in as much foreign cash as you like, but anything above the equivalent of 100,000 dirhams must be declared at customs. The declaration is free and it protects you when you leave. For an ordinary holiday, that threshold sits far away.
Where to Change Money in Morocco
At the airport
Marrakech, Casablanca, Fez and Tangier all have bank counters in arrivals. Rates run one or two per cent behind the city centre, so change only 100 to 200 dollars there, enough for the transfer, water and a first dinner.
At banks
Attijariwafa Bank, Banque Populaire, BMCE Bank of Africa, CIH Bank and Société Générale all sell Morocco currency at most branches. Normal hours run from 8.30 to 15.30, Monday to Friday. During Ramadan, however, many offices close at midday.
At licensed bureaux de change
These are your best option downtown. They are signposted “Bureau de change” and display the day’s rate on a board. By law they cannot charge commission, so the posted rate is the rate you get. Compare two or three: in Marrakech the gap between the medina and Gueliz can reach 15 centimes per euro.
At hotels and riads
Many riads change small amounts as a courtesy, typically three to five per cent behind the market. Treat it as a late-night safety net rather than your main method.
Never on the street
Someone will always offer a “better rate” down a side alley. Refuse. It is illegal, the tricks are old, and you get no receipt and no recourse.
How much to change on day one
For two people, 150 to 200 euros or dollars comfortably covers the first 48 hours. Adjust from there, and remember that the south has far fewer machines, so leave the city with a full wallet. Changing the Morocco currency in stages also protects you: you never carry your whole budget at once.
Exchange options compared
| Where | Rate | Fee | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| City bureau de change | Best | 0 % | Your main exchange |
| Bank branch | Good | 0 % | Larger sums, with receipt |
| Airport counter | 1-2 % worse | 0 % | First few hours |
| Cash machine | Good | 20-40 DH | Topping up on the road |
| Hotel or riad | 3-5 % worse | Varies | Night-time emergencies |
| Street trader | A trap | — | Never |
Cash Machines and ATMs in Morocco
What they charge
Moroccan banks add their own fee of 20 to 40 dirhams per withdrawal on a foreign card, on top of whatever your home bank charges. Because it is a flat fee, four withdrawals of 400 dirhams cost four times as much as one of 1,600.
Withdrawal limits
The usual maximum runs from 2,000 to 4,000 dirhams per transaction, depending on the bank and the machine. Central Marrakech machines sometimes allow more, while village ones allow considerably less. For a large sum, run two transactions or go inside the branch.
Which banks have the widest network
Attijariwafa Bank and Banque Populaire cover the most ground, including small towns in the Atlas and the Draa valley. BMCE, CIH and Bank of Africa serve the cities well. In the desert, though, coverage thins fast: Rissani and Erfoud have machines, a Merzouga camp does not.
Always decline dynamic currency conversion
When the screen asks whether you want to be charged in your home currency or in dirhams, choose dirhams every time. Accepting the conversion hands the machine your exchange rate, usually four to seven per cent worse. This is the single most expensive mistake travellers make with Morocco currency.
Cash before the desert
Before heading to Merzouga, Zagora, the Rif or the high valleys, withdraw what you will need. Remote machines often run dry at weekends and on public holidays. Our itineraries, such as the 7-day private tour from Marrakech to the Sahara, build in stops at towns with banks for exactly this reason.
Tell your bank first
Some card issuers block the first Moroccan transaction as a precaution. A quick note in your banking app avoids the problem. Carry two cards from different banks and store them separately.
Use machines inside branches
Where possible, use a machine in a bank lobby during working hours. If it swallows your card you get it back immediately, whereas a street machine at eleven at night means waiting until morning.
Paying by Card in Morocco
Where cards work
Visa and Mastercard are accepted in hotels, mid-range and upper riads, supermarkets, branded petrol stations, formal restaurants, agencies and established craft shops. Contactless is now normal in Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech and Tangier.
Where they do not
In the souks, at street food stalls, in taxis, in neighbourhood hammams, at rural cooperatives and across most of the countryside. Cash rules there. Split your money accordingly: card for the big items, dirhams for daily life.
American Express and the rest
American Express acceptance is very limited, effectively restricted to international hotels. Diners Club is worse. If that is your only card, add a Visa or Mastercard before you fly.
Travel cards and neobanks
Revolut, Wise, Monzo and similar cards work well and apply near-interbank rates. The Moroccan machine fee still applies, though, because it belongs to the local bank rather than yours. Check your provider’s monthly free-withdrawal allowance too.
Mobile payments
Moroccans increasingly use local digital wallets, but these require a national bank account. Your practical combination therefore remains an international card plus cash, alongside a local SIM card in Morocco for data.
How Much Money to Take to Morocco
Backpacker budget
Between 400 and 650 dirhams per person per day, roughly 42 to 68 dollars. That covers a simple riad room, neighbourhood meals, shared transport and the odd entrance fee, especially if you mix cities with the Atlas Mountains.
Mid-range
Between 1,000 and 1,650 dirhams per person per day, around 105 to 175 dollars. Think characterful riads, rooftop dinners, private transfers and a night in the Sahara Desert. Most of our travellers sit here.
Luxury
From 2,750 dirhams per person per day, about 290 dollars upwards. Landmark hotels, luxury camps in Erg Chebbi, a permanent private driver and exclusive experiences. Our Morocco Highlights Tour covers this bracket in detail.
Daily cash on a private tour
With a private circuit already paid for, your cash needs drop sharply. Budget 300 to 500 dirhams per person per day for free meals, tips, shopping and small extras. Travelling independently, raise that to 700 or 900.
Splitting cash and card
Sixty per cent cash and forty per cent card works well overall. In the north and the big cities you can flip that ratio; in the south, the desert and the mountains, push cash to eighty per cent. Our guide to Marrakech holidays breaks the numbers down city by city.
Emergency reserve
Hide 100 dollars or 100 pounds in small notes in your luggage. It is your plan B if a card disappears or a machine runs dry on a Sunday in Ouarzazate. On longer routes such as our 2 weeks in Morocco itinerary it earns its place.
Real Prices in Dirhams (2026)
Food and drink
These are the numbers you will actually see on the menu. For what to order, read our guides to cuisine in Morocco and to restaurants in Marrakech.
| Item | Price in dirhams | Approx. |
|---|---|---|
| Mint tea in a local café | 10-15 DH | $1.30 |
| Orange juice on Jemaa el-Fna | 10-15 DH | $1.30 |
| Street msemen or sandwich | 15-25 DH | $2.10 |
| Tagine in a local restaurant | 50-80 DH | $6.90 |
| Dinner on a tourist terrace | 150-250 DH | $21 |
| 1.5 l bottled water | 6-10 DH | $0.85 |
Transport
A metered petit taxi costs 10 to 30 dirhams across town. Second class on the Casablanca-Marrakech train runs about 140 dirhams, and the Al Boraq high-speed service from Tangier to Casablanca costs 149 dirhams booked ahead. A shared grand taxi between nearby towns costs 40 to 70 per seat.
Accommodation
A double room in a simple riad runs 350 to 600 dirhams a night. Mid-range sits at 700 to 1,400. A landmark riad in the Marrakech medina starts near 2,500. A desert camp night with dinner and breakfast costs 600 to 1,200 per person.
Shopping in the souk
Honest leather babouches cost 150 to 350 dirhams. A kilo of mixed spices, around 80. A small Amazigh rug, 1,200 to 3,000. Cooperative argan cosmetic oil, 120 to 250 dirhams per 100 ml.
Sights and activities
Most monuments charge 60 to 100 dirhams. A public hammam costs 15 to 25; a tourist one with massage, 350 to 700. A sunset camel ride runs 150 to 300. Compare our day trips from Marrakech for guided options.
What a week costs
Two people travelling mid-range spend roughly 12,000 to 16,000 dirhams on the ground for seven days, excluding flights to Morocco. That covers accommodation, transport, meals and a couple of guided activities.
Rials, Centimes and the Other Counting System
One dirham equals twenty rials
This is the detail that throws almost every visitor. Much of the country still counts in rials, a unit with no official status for decades. The conversion is fixed: 20 rials make 1 dirham, so 200 rials are 10 dirhams.
How to spot a rial price
If a seller asks “three hundred” for a bunch of mint, he is not asking 300 dirhams. He means 300 rials, which is 15 dirhams. The clue is the sheer disproportion; when a number sounds absurd for the product, it is almost always rials.
The question that settles it
Simply say “bedderhem?”, meaning “in dirhams?”. The seller answers instantly and without offence, because the same confusion catches Moroccans from other regions.
Centimes in the big cities
In Casablanca and Rabat people often count in centimes: “five thousand” means 5,000 centimes, that is 50 dirhams. Three systems therefore coexist in one country, though your ear adapts within two days.
The Spanish north
In Tangier, Tetouan and the former Spanish zone, older traders still mention francs and pesetas. It is a historical trace rather than a live unit. For that atmosphere, read our guide to Asilah.
Conversion cheat sheet
| They say | Rials | Dirhams | US dollars |
|---|---|---|---|
| “One hundred” | 100 | 5 DH | $0.53 |
| “Two hundred” | 200 | 10 DH | $1.06 |
| “One thousand” | 1,000 | 50 DH | $5.28 |
| “Two thousand” | 2,000 | 100 DH | $10.55 |
| “Ten thousand” | 10,000 | 500 DH | $52.77 |
Tipping in Morocco: How Much and to Whom
Driver-guide on a tour
Between 100 and 150 dirhams per day for the group. This is the person who drives, translates, negotiates and fixes problems, so he heads the list. By custom you hand it over at the end of the circuit.
Local city guide
Between 50 and 100 dirhams for a half day. Licensed guides already have their fee built into the tour price, so the tip stays entirely voluntary.
Restaurants and cafés
Five to ten per cent where there is table service. In a neighbourhood café, leaving the coins from your change is plenty. Many tourist restaurants already add service, so check the bill first.
Hotels, riads and camps
Twenty to fifty dirhams per service or per night, depending on the category. Desert camps usually run on small teams, where one combined tip at the end works better than several separate ones.
Parking attendants, porters and toilets
Two to ten dirhams. The informal guardian watching your car expects five; the public toilet, two. Keep loose coins for these constantly.
What is not a tip
If someone guides you unasked and then demands payment, that is not a tip but an unsolicited service. A firm, friendly “no thank you” is enough. Our guide on whether Morocco is safe covers these situations in depth.
Morocco Currency by Region and Route
Marrakech
Cash machines stand on almost every corner in Gueliz and around Jemaa el-Fna, and cards work in most riads and restaurants. The medina, however, runs on notes and coins. Carry 400 to 600 dirhams a day here and keep 20s for taxis.
Fes
The old medina has few machines inside the walls, so withdraw in Ville Nouvelle before you go in. Tanneries, craft workshops and small guesthouses expect cash. Our tours from Fes start from the same practical assumption.
The Sahara and Merzouga
This is where planning matters most. Erfoud and Rissani have banks; the dunes do not. Bring 1,000 to 1,500 dirhams per person for two desert days, covering tips, camel handlers, drinks and craft purchases. A Merzouga camel trek involves several small cash moments.
Chefchaouen and the north
The blue town has machines on Plaza Mohammed V but they empty quickly at weekends. Prices sit slightly below Marrakech levels, and haggling is gentler. Read our guide to Chefchaouen before you go.
Casablanca and Rabat
These are the most card-friendly cities in the country. Contactless works in cafés, tram tickets are machine-bought and banks sit on every boulevard. You can comfortably run at forty per cent cash here.
The Atlantic coast
Essaouira, Agadir and Taghazout handle cards well in restaurants, less so at the fish grills and in the medina stalls. Surf schools and cooperatives usually want dirhams in hand.
Money Checklist Before You Fly
- Do not buy dirhams at home; the Morocco currency is closed and rates abroad are poor.
- Tell both your banks you are travelling, and pack two cards from different issuers.
- Bring 100 to 200 euros, dollars or pounds in clean, small notes for the first day.
- Change your main sum at a licensed bureau downtown, never in the street.
- Always decline the machine’s offer to charge you in your home currency.
- Break 200-dirham notes early, and hoard 20s and coins for taxis and tips.
- Withdraw before heading into the desert, the Rif or the high valleys.
- Keep every exchange receipt until you have left the country.
- Spend down to 2,000 dirhams before your flight home.
- Pack a money belt or inner pocket for market days.
Common Morocco Currency Mistakes and Scams
| Situation | What happens | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Dynamic currency conversion | You are billed at home currency, 4-7 % worse | Always choose dirhams |
| “No change, sorry” | Your 200 note gets rounded in their favour | Break large notes in supermarkets |
| Price quoted in euros | The rate applied is about €1 = 10 DH | Ask for the price in dirhams |
| Street exchange | Notes missing, no receipt | Use licensed bureaux only |
| Rial and dirham mix-up | You pay twenty times the real price | Ask “bedderhem?” |
| Extra “commission” at a bureau | Illegal charge with no paperwork | Demand the receipt or walk out |
The golden rule
Count your money in front of whoever hands it over, slowly and without stepping aside. Nobody takes offence, because Moroccans do exactly the same. That single habit solves most Morocco currency problems before they start.
Morocco Currency in 2026: What Is Changing
Towards a more flexible dirham
Bank Al-Maghrib governor Abdellatif Jouahri has said the country intends to take a further step in exchange-rate reform during 2026. The current ±5 % band dates from 2020. The central bank calls itself technically ready, although it rules out a full float in the near term.
Interest rates and inflation
On 23 June 2026 Bank Al-Maghrib held its policy rate at 2.25 % and forecast growth of 5.6 % for the year. That monetary stability explains why the Morocco currency behaves so predictably against the euro and the dollar.
The remittances that underpin the dirham
Between January and April 2026, Moroccans living abroad sent home 39.97 billion dirhams, almost 10 % more than a year earlier. That figure beat tourism receipts for the same period, which reached 34.55 billion, up 27 %. Remittances equal roughly 7.8 % of GDP.
Tourism as a source of hard currency
Morocco welcomed 9.4 million visitors in the first half of 2026, six per cent more than in 2025. That steady inflow of euros and dollars strengthens reserves and, in turn, the stability of the Morocco currency. If you are planning, check the best time to visit Morocco.
The e-dirham and cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrencies have been banned since November 2017, but the framework is about to change. Bank Al-Maghrib published a draft law on 8 May 2026 and opened a public consultation running to 30 September. The e-dirham, a digital version of the Morocco currency, enters pilot testing in 2027 at 1:1 parity with physical notes.
The clock change of 20 September 2026
Morocco returns permanently to GMT overnight on 19-20 September 2026. In practice darkness falls an hour earlier, so banks and exchange offices now close when the light has almost gone. Handle money errands in the morning and check what time it is in Morocco now before you set out.
A Short History of the Morocco Currency
Where the word comes from
“Dirham” descends from the Greek drachma by way of Arabic and circulated across the Islamic world for centuries. The name of the Morocco currency was therefore revived rather than invented.
The Hassani rial and the franc
Before the protectorate the country used the Hassani rial, struck under Sultan Hassan I. During the French protectorate (1912-1956) the Moroccan franc took over, while the Spanish peseta circulated in the north. Today’s counting habits descend directly from that history.
1960: the modern dirham
After independence the kingdom reclaimed monetary sovereignty and replaced the franc with the dirham in 1960. Bank Al-Maghrib, created a year earlier, took over issuance. Since then the Morocco currency has changed neither its name nor its structure.
Dar As-Sikkah
The national mint prints and strikes in Rabat using its own technology, and the entire 2023 series was produced there. It also supplies security documents to several African states, which makes Morocco one of the few countries on the continent that manufactures its own money end to end.
Frequently Asked Questions About Morocco Currency
What is the currency in Morocco?
The Moroccan dirham (MAD), divided into 100 centimes and issued by Bank Al-Maghrib. It is the country’s only legal tender.
How much is 100 dirhams in dollars?
About $10.55 at the September 2026 rate of 9.475 dirhams to the dollar. In sterling that is roughly £7.80, and in euros about €9.13.
Can I buy Morocco currency before I travel?
Barely, and you should not want to. The dirham is a closed currency and rates abroad are poor. Change money once you land.
Can I pay in euros or dollars in Morocco?
Some tourist businesses accept them at roughly €1 = 10 DH, which loses you about eight per cent per transaction. Pay in dirhams instead.
How many dirhams can I take out of Morocco?
Up to 2,000 dirhams in banknotes per person, according to the Office des Changes. Exporting more of the Morocco currency is prohibited.
What is the exchange rate today?
Around 9.48 dirhams to the US dollar and 10.95 to the euro on 14 September 2026. Bank Al-Maghrib’s banknote band ran from 10.22 to 11.88 per euro at the start of the month.
Which Moroccan coins exist and what are they worth?
Coins of 10, 20 and 50 centimes plus ½, 1, 2, 5 and 10 dirhams circulate. The 1, 5 and 10 dirham pieces do nearly all the daily work.
How much does an ATM withdrawal cost?
Between 20 and 40 dirhams in local commission per transaction, plus your own bank’s charge. Withdraw large amounts infrequently.
Are cards accepted everywhere?
No. They work in hotels, supermarkets, petrol stations and formal restaurants. Souks, taxis, street food and rural areas need cash.
How much cash should I bring for a week?
Roughly 3,000 to 6,000 dirhams per person at mid-range level, depending on how much your tour already includes. On a private circuit, 300 to 500 dirhams a day is enough.
What are the rials people quote in the souk?
A traditional unit with no official standing: 20 rials equal 1 dirham. Whenever a number sounds wildly out of proportion, ask whether it is in dirhams.
Is Morocco expensive for British or American visitors?
Clearly cheaper. A full meal costs about a third of a UK price and transport under half. High-end accommodation, by contrast, approaches European levels.
Plan Your Trip with the Money Side Sorted
Understanding the Morocco currency is the difference between an easy holiday and a run of small frustrations. You now know how much to change, where to do it and what to refuse. We handle everything else: routes, drivers, riads and desert camps, so that the only money decision left on the road is how generous to be with the tips.
Browse our tours from Marrakech, tours from Fes, tours from Casablanca and tours from Tangier, or compare private and group tours. You can also read about us, follow the blog, or reach us through the contact page for a quote priced in both dirhams and your own currency.