How to Stay in Morocco Long-Term

Last Updated on 25th July 2025 by Jessie

Planning to stay in Morocco long-term? This guide breaks down your options – visas, extensions, and real-world tips for making it work as a nomad or expat.

Is the 90-day window just not long enough? Are you desperately trying to figure out how to stay in Morocco long-term? I’ve got you. 

You wouldn’t be the first to take a holiday to Morocco and feel a magnetic pull connecting you to this desert land. A deep nostalgia for a time and place you’ve not yet lived. An inexplicable sense of comfort in a space so foreign. Or maybe you just want to capitalise on the whole of the winter surf season. Either way, here are some helpful tips for those wanting to stay in Morocco long-term. 

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Two Ways to Stay In Morocco Long-Term

Note that this information applies to foreigners who can visit Morocco for 90 days without a visa. To check if you belong to a visa-exempt country, or to see information on obtaining a tourist visa, read this full guide to visas for Morocco.

1. Apply for a Residence Permit

The official way to stay in Morocco long-term is to apply for a Carte de Sejour (Residence Card). This allows you to legally live and work in Morocco.

If you are in a city, you can visit the Préfecture de Police or Commissariat Central (Central Police Station) to apply for a Residence Permit. If you are in one of the surf villages or other rural areas, you must visit the local Gendarmerie.

The process of applying for a Moroccan Residence Permit is known for being a bit of a faff. You will need copies of your birth certificate, police record checks, medical certificates and recent bank statements. Expect a lot of back-and-forth trips to the police station over an extended period.

The specific requirements, fees, and eligibility criteria vary depending on the type of Residence Card you are applying for. Certain categories may require documentation ,such as proof of business ownership, marriage to a Moroccan citizen, property ownership, retirement status, or an employment contract.

The initial Residence Card is typically issued for a one-year period. After this, you will need to reapply to extend it, with subsequent cards valid for three years, then five years, and eventually ten years, and so on.

2. Leave the Country and Return

The second – and most popular – option for staying long-term in Morocco is to leave the country briefly and return. Moroccan customs require a stamp of departure when your 90-day window is up. However, there is no waiting period required before you can return again.

The three most common options for obtaining a stamp of departure are as follows:

Catch a Ferry to Spain

This is mostly applicable to those in the north of Morocco. Two ferry companies, FRS Service and Inter Shipping Service, operate multiple daily crossings between Tangier and Tarifa. The journey duration ranges from one to two hours, depending on the chosen operator.

You can also take a ferry to France or Italy, though these routes require significantly more travel time.

Cross the Border to Ceuta or Melilla

In the north of Morocco, there are two Spanish cities: Ceuta and Melilla. Travellers entering these regions will have their passports stamped as entering Spanish territory. The Ceuta border crossing is the most popular choice for those looking to renew their Moroccan visas.

Local buses operated by CTM and Supratours run daily from Tangier to Tetouan, with a stop in F’nideq, Morocco’s border town. Tickets can be purchased online. From F’nideq, shared taxis are available to take you to the border, located 4 km away.

You can cross the border on foot or drive through with your own vehicle.

If crossing on foot, you can take a taxi from the border to Ceuta’s city centre for around €8. Alternatively, buses depart every 20 minutes from the border crossing, with tickets costing €1.

Be aware that many migrants and refugees attempt to cross the borders of Ceuta and Melilla illegally. This has resulted in a significant police presence in the surrounding areas.

Take a Cheap Flight

Many expats opt to fly home or take a short vacation every 3 months. If you plan in advance and pack light, you can find super cheap flights to Europe. The Canary Islands, mainland Spain and Portugal are some of the cheaper destinations. See Booking.com to explore your options.

Tips for Staying in Morocco Long-Term

Learning the local language 

Even if you’re just visiting Morocco, I recommend learning a few basic words and phrases in Darija. But if you’re staying long-term in Morocco, I think it’s mandatory. For the privilege of being able to stay in this country, it’s the least you could do to make the effort. 

It will also make your daily interactions at the mini market, the souk, or in taxis far smoother. Many Moroccans are fluent in French too. So if you’ve got a little French up your sleeve, that helps loads.

Check out my Moroccan Darija language guide for a few basic words and phrases.

Health Care for Staying Long-Term in Morocco

If you’re staying in Morocco long-term, you should absolutely get travel insurance with decent health coverage.

Morocco has both a public and private health care system. Every individual (including foreigners) can access basic public health services for free. However, these clinics tend to be overcrowded, and perhaps not to the standard of care you are used to in your home country.

I have used various private health providers in Morocco, including a GP, pathology clinic and hospital. All of the practitioners were super professional, thorough and reliable. But as private health providers, the costs added up quickly. You don’t want to be budgeting on your health, so it’s vital you have travel insurance to cover any mishaps.

If you’re looking for quality travel insurance for your time in Morocco, I highly recommend SafetyWing. They are relatively affordable, offer robust coverage for medical and other travel expenses, and can be purchased mid-trip which is ideal. Especially if your decision to stay long-term in Morocco has arisen on a whim.

SafetyWing was created for digital nomads, by digital nomads. So they’re uniquely equipped to understand the particular needs of remote workers overseas. Such as having indeterminate travel plans, or needing continued health care during a brief stint back in your home country.

Buying a Car in Morocco as a Foreigner 

As a foreigner, you must have a Carte de Sejour to buy a car in Morocco. You must also hold an international driver’s license. This is pertinent because Moroccan police can be particularly heavy-handed with their traffic infringements.

Now, this is not professional advice, but I do know of a few foreigners without a Carte de Sejour who have purchased a car and registered it in the name of a Moroccan friend. 

Note that these tend to be second-hand cars that cost no more than €1500, and they rely on trusted friends of whom they have solid relationships with. Again, proceed with caution, but it is a possible workaround. 

Finding a Long-Term Rental in Morocco

As a foreigner, you can sign a formal lease and legally rent a property long-term in Morocco. You don’t need a Carte de Sejour. 

Whilst there are Moroccan real estate websites listing properties for rent, I have found that it is far more effective to search on Facebook, through word of mouth, or with a local agent. 

See my full guide to finding a long-term rental in Morocco.

More tips:

• Why Morocco is a Dream Digital Nomad Destination
• Best Digital Nomad Destinations in Morocco
• Best SIM Card for Morocco
• Best VPN for Morocco
• Taghazout Travel Guide

For more Maroc info and a little less of my own opinions, I’ve created a travel wisdom-sharing hub over on Facebook. Join the group here.