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Hi,

You can open a bank account in Morocco being a tourist (not yet a resident) easily, however this account (named: account in convertible dirhams) can only receive transfers of foreign currency and operates in dirhams.
for the first deposit you have to show to the bank the evidence of having withdrawn this money from your bank abroad and that you have declared it at the moroccan customs.

costs relating to operating a bank account depend on each bank as everywhere. try to avoid BMCI BNP Paribas as their policy regarding foreigners has becomed too handicaping.

Good luck and welcome

If you're not a resident you can open an account only with your currency from your home country (bring it with you as you can't buy foreign currency without a Moroccan passport!!), or zero balance.  You cannot make deposits with cash until you have your residency but you can receive wire transfers & electronic deposits.  After you obtain residency you will need to open a new account!!

Bureaucracy is crazy here!!   I have an account with USAA (military) from USA & my money is direct deposited there, then I withdraw it at an ATM here, if you're not with a military bank this can become quite expensive!!

Thanks for your reply....ahhh so I have to bring my own currency in to open an account.....is there anything else I would need....documents etc? I will not be working in Morocco....it would be an early retirement.

Hi there

You have to think about bringing a criminal record with you if you plan to ask for residence card.
And do not forget to declare your money at the moroccan customs.

best regards

Ok thanks.....so I will need to have a police check....can I do this in my Country and bring it with me?
So I need to declare all my Sterling cash at customs....do I have to pay tax on this?
Thanks for your help.

For the first time you have to do it in your country, the following years you will do it here in Morocco,  in Rabat .
I don't think you have to pay tax on that, but I hope someone else confirm that for you.

regards

So do I need to have a police check every year? Surely not....

I'm sorry but you will, every year when you will renew your resident card !!!
But from Rabat not you country since second year up.

Thanks for your help.

Hope this will not change your mind.
It's maybe the only disadvantage of living here

Ha ha,,,,no it will not change my mind, I am not a criminal....ha ha.

google pretty kamel criminal check

Yes you can open convertible MAD account but I will advise you not to open, you can carry international debit visa/master card and withdrawn money from ATM. You can use your bank account online from Morocco to send money thru western union and other services. check which one easier. According to my experience specially small cities like Kenitra have very bad experience with CIH Bank. Charges monthly, yearly ATM and etc but services are "zero" I love banking system Saudi Arabia, USA, UAE, Oman, India, England, Europe.