Morocco is a vibrant and beautiful North African country that many British ex-pats call home. While Morocco continues to attract more than its fair share of Brits looking for a fresh start in the sun, inflation has left the British Pound/Moroccan Dirham exchange rate in disarray, leading to unseen financial difficulties for ex-pats based in the country. Whether you’re looking to up sticks and move or you’re a current ex-pat hoping to extend your stay, look at this quick guide to living the ‘digital nomad’ lifestyle in Morocco in the current financial climate:
How many ex-pats reside in Morocco and what are the best cities to live in?
There are approximately 50,000 foreigners currently residing in Morocco, including a large percentage of French citizens and British nationals. Morocco is a multi-cultural country that embodies the North African melting pot, so Brits should feel welcome as soon as they touch down. While the subject of the most ex-pat-friendly cities is ripe for debate, the best cities to live in in the country generally include ex-pat hotspots such as Tangier, Marrakesh, Fes and the famous Casablanca.
Why is Morocco advantageous for ex-pat professionals who are willing to work online?
Morocco is home to an array of buzzing, international cities with a rapidly developing tech infrastructure. Free and fast Wi-Fi is easy to come by in the major cities and you’ll find a variety of cafes, bars and restaurants that are more than happy to accommodate remote workers. Depending on where you choose to stay in the country, you should be able to find plenty of cost-effective options when it comes to finding places to work online.
5 tips to help with the move to Morocco
If you’re thinking of making the move to embrace the digital nomad lifestyle in Morocco, take these 5 essential tips on board to help you on the way:
Get to grips with visa requirements – While no visa is required for UK nationals who wish to visit the country for 90 days or less, you’ll need to secure permanent residency if you’re planning to make Morocco your new home. You should apply for a Residence Card with Moroccan Immigration services sooner rather than later, as processing times can be slow.
Make working arrangements – In the same way that you’ll need to obtain paperwork to live in Morocco, you’ll also need to secure a work permit from the National Agency for the Promotion of Employment and Skills, known as ANAPEC. Ensure that you’ve got a solid employment contract in place and that your employer is happy for you to make the move if you’ll be working remotely.
Budget for the move – Once you’ve got the basic paperwork out of the way, it’s time to do some financial planning. Make a thorough assessment of your income, outgoings, and savings to create a sensible budget for the venture. You may need to borrow money to fund your move, although it’s important to remember that you’ll need less money for everyday purchases and living costs when living in Morocco. Food, bills, and rent are generally cheaper than in the UK.
Research Moroccan culture – Once things are falling into place, it’s time to do your research! Always get to grips with the culture and customs of any country before making it your home. Moroccans are warm and friendly people – just make sure that you observe and respect religious customs during your stay.
Learn the language – As a multicultural society, Morocco is home to a wide variety of languages. The two official languages of the country are Standard Arabic and Standard Moroccan Berber, although the Moroccan Arabic language Darija is usually spoken from day to day; many residents in Morocco also speak French and Spanish. To help with the move, we recommend brushing up on the dominant language of your chosen region.
