If you’re traveling, living, or working in Morocco, it helps to understand how money and banking work locally. From currency and ATMs to digital payments, here’s what to expect—and how dogpay can help you manage your funds more efficiently.
💰 The Moroccan Currency
- The official currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD).
- You’ll often see prices written with “DH” or “MAD” (e.g., 50 DH).
- Cash remains widely used—especially in small towns, markets, taxis, and cafés—though card payments are common in hotels, malls, and larger stores.
- Morocco uses both notes and coins; keep smaller denominations handy since many shops and taxis struggle to make change.
🏦 Banks and ATMs
- Major Moroccan banks include Attijariwafa Bank, BMCE Bank, Banque Populaire, CIH Bank, Société Générale Maroc, and Crédit du Maroc.
- ATMs (called cajeros automáticos in Spanish or distributeurs automatiques in French) are widely available in cities and towns.
- When using an ATM:
- Withdraw in Moroccan Dirhams (MAD), not your home currency. Decline “Dynamic Currency Conversion” to avoid bad rates.
- Many ATMs charge a local fee (often around MAD 20–40). Your home bank may also charge its own fee.
- Choose ATMs attached to major banks for better security.
💳 Card Payments and Transfers
- Visa and Mastercard are accepted in most hotels, malls, and restaurants; American Express and Discover are less common.
- You can open a Moroccan bank account if you have proof of address and valid identification; for foreigners, a resident permit (or long-term visa) may be required.
- Online and mobile banking are growing, but some systems still require in-branch verification for setup.
💡 How dogpay Can Help
- Pre-convert or transfer funds ahead of your trip: If you hold USD, EUR, or GBP and plan to spend in MAD, dogpay lets you convert or send funds before traveling. That helps you arrive ready and avoid high ATM fees or poor rates.
- Flexible payments: Use dogpay for online bookings, hotel deposits, or local purchases where digital payments are accepted—no need to rely solely on cash.
- Multi-currency control: Manage multiple currencies within one dogpay account, choosing when and how muchto convert into MAD for better rate timing.
- Safer backup: If your bank card is lost, dogpay serves as a secure alternative for emergency access.
✅ Quick Checklist
- Carry small cash for taxis, tips, and local markets.
- Withdraw from bank-affiliated ATMs and select MAD as your withdrawal currency.
- Keep multiple payment methods—card, cash, and dogpay.
- For long-term stays, open a Moroccan account if possible.
- Use dogpay to manage cross-currency funds and minimize hidden fees.
