Foreign Ownership in Morocco: The Complete Guide

What non-residents may buy, how the notarial process works, and the four checks that prevent every common dispute.

Foreign nationals may freely acquire urban real estate in Morocco. The single meaningful restriction concerns agricultural land, which requires either a change of vocation or acquisition through an appropriately structured company.

The transaction is executed before a notary. A preliminary contract fixes price and conditions, a deposit is placed in the notary's escrow account, and the definitive deed is signed once the title search, urbanism certificate and tax clearances are complete.

Four checks resolve almost every dispute we have ever been asked to unwind: confirm the property is registered with the Conservation Foncière, obtain a fresh certificate of ownership, verify there is no inscription of mortgage or litigation, and confirm the built surface matches the permit.

Repatriation of sale proceeds is protected where the original purchase was declared to the Office des Changes and funded in convertible currency. Keep every bank advice note from the first transfer onward.