← Part of the Morocco money guide
Moroccochecked Jul 2026Do I need cash in Morocco, or can I use cards?
Short answer: mostly cash. Cards work at hotels and upscale spots, but the souks, taxis and small vendors run on cash. And the dirham is a closed currency, so plan to get it on arrival. Here is how to handle it.
At a glance
Currency
Moroccan dirham (MAD)
Note
A closed currency, get it on arrival
Cards
Hotels and upscale spots
Cash for
Souks, taxis, small vendors
Mostly cash. Morocco takes cards at hotels, upscale restaurants and some shops, but souks (markets), taxis, small vendors, street food and tips (baksheesh) run on cash. The currency is the dirham, which is a closed currency: you cannot easily get it abroad, so withdraw dirham from an ATM on arrival, and do not over-withdraw, since it is hard to change back. Choose dirham, not dollars or euros, on any card or ATM.
Cash-reliant, and a closed currency
Morocco takes cards at hotels, upscale restaurants and some larger shops, but souks (markets), taxis, small vendors, street food and tips (baksheesh) are largely cash, so carry dirham.
One thing to plan for: the dirham is a closed currency, meaning you cannot easily buy it abroad. Withdraw dirham from an ATM on arrival (there are ATMs at the airport), and do not over-withdraw, since changing leftover dirham back can be a hassle.
Choose dirham, not dollars or euros
When a card terminal or ATM asks whether to charge in dollars, euros or dirham, always choose dirham. Foreign currency triggers dynamic currency conversion at a rate about 3 to 8% worse than your own bank's. Decline it every time.
For cash, use ATMs at major banks (such as Attijariwafa or BMCE), common in cities and at the airport. Some charge a fee per withdrawal, so take out a sensible amount. Use a debit card to avoid cash-advance fees.
Souks, haggling, and small notes
Keep plenty of small dirham notes for the souks, taxis and the constant baksheesh. Haggling in markets is expected, and paying cash gives you room to negotiate. For taxis, insist on the meter (the compteur) and have small notes ready.
For tipping norms, see tipping in Morocco, and for the wider picture, the Morocco money guide.
Common questions
Quick answers.
Do I need cash in Morocco?
Yes, mostly. Cards work at hotels and upscale spots, but souks, taxis, small vendors, street food and tips run on cash. Carry dirham, and keep small notes for the constant baksheesh.
Can I get Moroccan dirham before I travel?
Not easily: the dirham is a closed currency, so it is hard to buy abroad. Withdraw dirham from an ATM on arrival (there are ATMs at the airport), and do not over-withdraw, since changing it back is a hassle.
Should I pay in dirham or dollars in Morocco?
Always dirham. If a card machine or ATM offers dollars or euros, decline: that dynamic currency conversion adds roughly 3 to 8%, and your own bank's rate is better.
Do I haggle with cash in Morocco?
Yes. Haggling in the souks is expected, and paying cash gives you room to negotiate. Keep small dirham notes ready, and for taxis, insist on the meter.
More on Morocco
The little money things nobody warns you about.
- Tipping in MoroccoMorocco runs on baksheesh: small tips for service, woven into daily life. About 10% at restaurants, plus small amounts for the many people who help you. Here is what you actually owe.
- Taxis in Morocco, and the app that actually worksMorocco runs on two kinds of taxi and a set of ride apps that sit in a legal gray area, which is not what most visitors expect. Here is how the petit and grand taxis work, how to handle the meter, and which app to actually install.
- Common money scams in Morocco, and what they cost youMorocco is a spectacular trip, and the medina hustle you have heard about is almost entirely about money, not danger: pressure, misdirection and manufactured goodwill aimed at your wallet. Once you know the pattern you see it coming, and a calm, firm no defuses nearly all of it.
Sources, and how this was checked
Last checkedJul 2026
- Bank Al-Maghribofficial exchange rate information
- US State DepartmentMorocco country information
Our own readMorocco runs largely on cash, and the dirham is a closed currency you get on arrival, so over-withdrawing is a hassle. The dirham rate moves, and the firm rule is to decline foreign-currency conversion. Checked July 2026.