🇲🇦 Morocco
Is Morocco Safe for Travel?
Morocco is a North African kingdom with Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, the Atlas Mountains and the edge of the Sahara. Most visits to its main tourist cities, coast and mountains are trouble-free, and no government advises against travel to the mainland as a whole. The UK issues no warning for the country. The US State Department, Canada, Australia and New Zealand all ask you to take extra care overall because of terrorism, and Japan keeps its advice at its lowest tier for the whole country.
The places governments do single out are Western Sahara and the Algerian border. Berm Buffer Zone and Areas East and South of the Berm is a military zone with uncleared landmines, and the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan all tell you to stay away. Germany strongly advises against travel to Western Sahara and to the immediate Algerian Border Zone, and Canada advises against non-essential travel to the rest of Western Sahara and the Berm (Sand Wall). The border with Algeria is closed.
What most visitors run into is smaller: pickpockets and bag snatchers in the medinas and on beaches, bogus guides and scams. The biggest danger to life is the road. Morocco recorded 4,577 road deaths in 2025, up more than a quarter on the year before. Protests can start at short notice: a youth-led wave in autumn 2025 turned deadly, and national elections are due on 23 September 2026. Nature adds to it. The 2023 earthquake killed almost 3,000 people, floods forced more than 140,000 people from their homes in the north in February 2026, and summer brings wildfires and heatwaves.
Morocco's laws differ from what many visitors expect. Same-sex sexual activity is illegal, sex outside marriage is illegal for Moroccans, and cannabis carries heavy penalties. The sections below cover each of these.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Stay away from the Berm. The UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan all warn against Berm Buffer Zone and Areas East and South of the Berm because of landmines and the risk of armed conflict. If you travel elsewhere in Western Sahara and the Berm (Sand Wall), Germany says never to leave the main road between Laayoune, Dakhla and the Mauritanian border.
- Do not try to cross into Algeria. The land border has been closed since 1994 and FCDO says crossing without authorisation is illegal. Canada advises against all travel within 20 km of it (Algerian Border Zone). If you are on a boat or jet ski, stay in Moroccan waters.
- Expect a terrorism threat, mostly in places foreigners gather. FCDO lists transport hubs, tourist locations, government buildings and crowded places. There may be security guards at hotels and tourist sites. Stay aware of your surroundings and follow local advice.
- Guard your belongings in medinas and on beaches. Thieves on motorbikes snatch jewellery, bags and phones, and knives have been used in robberies. Do not resist a robber, keep valuables out of sight and cover the keypad at ATMs.
- Use only official guides. People posing as guides harass tourists, and New Zealand says some tourists have been taken to shops and pressured into buying. In a medina, use a guide with an official badge and local authority permission.
- Drive with great care, or use a licensed taxi. Road deaths rose sharply in 2025. Avoid driving at night, watch for animals and unlit vehicles, and agree the fare or check the meter in a petit taxi. Many ride-hailing cars are unlicensed and may not be insured.
- Avoid protests, especially around the 23 September 2026 elections. Even peaceful gatherings can turn violent, and clashes have injured and killed people since autumn 2025.
- Know the law before you go. Same-sex sexual acts, drinking alcohol in the street, trying to convert a Muslim, possessing cannabis or pornography, flying a drone without a permit and photographing military sites can all bring arrest. Sex outside marriage is illegal for Moroccans, and hotels may ask couples for a marriage certificate.
- Only drink in licensed venues. FCDO and New Zealand report deaths and blindness from alcohol tainted with methanol, which you cannot detect by taste or smell.
- Plan for heat, floods and fire. Summer heatwaves reached 47°C in July 2026, winter rain causes flash floods, and wildfires burn in the north in summer. Earthquakes can happen at any time.
- Stay away from stray dogs. Rabies is present and Germany reports deaths after dog bites.
- Take insurance with air evacuation. Private clinics in the big cities are good, but public care outside them is limited and hospitals may want payment up front.
Personal Security & Public Safety
Crime, unrest, and the public-order risks that shape day-to-day safety.
Traveler Situations & Contexts
How risk shifts for solo travelers, nighttime transit, LGBTIQ+ travelers, and public transport.
Solo travel
Solo travel is normal and most people have no trouble, but be more careful outside the main tourist routes. FCDO says to avoid quiet areas after dark, and Singapore says the same. Canada and New Zealand warn not to hike alone in remote mountain regions because of a kidnapping threat there. Germany says to avoid travelling alone and off the roads, to go on treks and desert tours in a group with a registered local guide, and not to visit the Rif Mountains alone, where cannabis is grown and dealers may harass visitors.
Solo women
Women alone often get unwanted attention in the street. FCDO suggests loose clothing covering the arms, legs and chest. Canada says women and girls in swimwear on public beaches in big cities can be harassed, so use tourist beaches instead. Germany tells solo women to stay reserved and keep a healthy mistrust. None of the sources I reviewed describes a pattern of sexual assault against visitors, but verbal harassment is widely reported. Be careful with late-night petit taxis, as FCDO advises, and end the journey and move to a well-lit area if you feel uncomfortable.
At night
New Zealand advises against travel after dark and to isolated areas. FCDO says to avoid quiet areas after dark and not to carry large amounts of money or valuables. Canada and Germany advise against driving at night because of poor lighting, animals and unlit vehicles on the roads.
Taxis and getting around
- Agree the fare in advance or check the meter in petit taxis. Drivers may pick up other passengers along the way.
- Many ride-hailing cars are unregulated and unlicensed, and the drivers may not be registered or insured. Police may tell you to get out of an unlicensed taxi.
- FCDO reports frequent quad-bike accidents involving British visitors, so wear a helmet and check that your insurance covers it. Book hot-air balloons only with licensed operators, and hire a professional guide for the Atlas Mountains.
LGBTIQ+ travellers
Same-sex sexual acts are illegal under Article 489 of the Penal Code, which punishes "lewd or unnatural acts" with 6 months to 3 years in prison and a fine, and Germany says foreigners can be prosecuted too. FCDO says showing affection in public can lead to prosecution and that meeting people through dating apps carries legal, safety and privacy risks. Enforcement is real: ILGA records 212 registered cases and 287 trials in 2021, and a 2023 raid on a party near Casablanca led to 80 to 100 arrests. Its research also finds transgender and non-binary people are more likely to be arrested under the public decency law. Morocco has no procedure to change your legal gender.
The picture differs by traveller. A discreet visitor at a tourist hotel or resort is at much lower risk than a Moroccan resident or someone who is visibly gender non-conforming. Germany's advice is to stay reserved in public and avoid signs of affection. Do not rely on a private setting for protection, since the 2023 arrests followed neighbours' complaints.
Couples and romance
Sex outside marriage is illegal for Moroccans. FCDO says the rule about unmarried couples sharing a hotel room does not generally apply to foreign visitors in popular tourist areas, but Germany says hotels commonly ask couples for a marriage certificate and may insist on separate rooms. FCDO warns of marriage fraud and extortion linked to online relationships, and Canada also urges caution if you travel for a relationship that began online.
Ratings for these appear once you pick a situational context in the sidebar.
Environmental & Natural Hazards
Weather extremes, seismic activity, and natural disaster exposure.
Earthquakes
Morocco lies in an active seismic zone. FCDO says the last major earthquake, in September 2023, killed almost 3,000 people, and New Zealand puts its magnitude at 6.8. Small quakes happen from time to time. Learn the instructions in your hotel room and, if the ground shakes, stay away from walls, windows and signs.
Floods and snow
The rainy season runs roughly from November to March. Flash floods can hit the mountains and areas near rivers, and Germany says heavy snow and floods can disrupt traffic in the High Atlas. In February 2026, more than 140,000 people were forced from their homes across northern provinces, and the town of Ksar El Kebir in Larache province was submerged in floodwater. Do not walk or drive through flood water.
Wildfires
FCDO warns of wildfires in the summer. Two fires burned a combined 545 hectares in Sefrou and Chefchaouen provinces between 31 July and 11 August 2026, including part of the Talassemtane National Park, though nearby villages were not at risk. Follow local instructions, extinguish cigarettes completely and do not light barbecues.
Heat
July 2026 brought a heatwave lasting more than nine days, up to 13°C above the July norm, with 47°C at Smara and 43 to 45°C in Marrakech, Taroudant, Guelmim and Benguerir. Orange weather alerts for heat and storms continued into September. Plan outdoor activity for early morning and drink plenty of water.
At the beach and on activities
Many beaches have limited or no lifeguard cover. FCDO warns of strong currents and unexpected waves, and Canada says swimming at some Atlantic beaches is dangerous, and that public beaches in big cities are often polluted. Swim only at designated beaches. Providers of water sports, quad biking and boat tours may not meet UK safety standards, so check your insurance covers them.
Named Regional Exceptions
Specific geographic areas where risks significantly deviate from the national baseline (3 active).
The Algerian Border Zone is the area next to the closed border between Morocco and Algeria. The land border has been closed since 1994 and the authorities patrol and closely monitor it, and FCDO says the sea border is closed too.
What governments say
- Canada advises against all travel within 20 km of the border because of the increased military presence, the unstable security situation and the difficulty of finding the exact border line.
- Germany strongly advises against travel to the immediate border region, says you risk arrest, and says not to leave the main roads towards Algeria. Tourist routes are the exception.
- FCDO and New Zealand do not advise against travel there, but both say not to attempt to cross.
In practice
- Desert tours to the dunes at Merzouga (Erg Chebbi) and near Zagora (Erg Chegaga and Erg Lihoudi) go ahead with local operators, and Germany says they are best done in a group. Check the current security situation with your operator before you go.
- If you are on a boat or jet ski, know where the border is, stay within Moroccan waters and carry enough fuel to return. FCDO says people entering Algerian waters are likely to be intercepted and investigated.
Berm Buffer Zone and Areas East and South of the Berm covers the Berm itself, a strip on its Moroccan side, and all territory to the east and south of it that the Polisario Front controls or that lies along the borders with Algeria and Mauritania. Every government that names it says to stay away.
Why it is so dangerous
- Landmines and unexploded ordnance. Canada says people die from unexploded ordnance in this zone every year, and New Zealand says landmines are reported to be shifting away from the border because sand dunes move.
- Shelling and rocket fire. Japan says Morocco and the Polisario Front have exchanged fire since November 2020 and civilians have been caught in it. FCDO says cross-border rocket fire cannot be ruled out.
- Kidnapping and gun crime. Japan says foreigners have been kidnapped east of the wall and that gun crime has occurred.
- No help. Germany calls the Berm a restricted area, and Canada says its consular support in the territory is extremely limited.
How wide is the buffer?
FCDO says 40 km north and west of the Berm and includes the city of Es Semara (Smara). Canada, Australia and New Zealand say 30 km. Japan tells its citizens to evacuate everything east of the wall. If your route brings you anywhere near, use the wider distance.
Western Sahara and the Berm (Sand Wall) is a disputed territory. Morocco administers most of it, west of a militarised sand wall called the Berm, and the Polisario Front controls the land to the east. The UN has kept a peacekeeping mission there since 1991. FCDO says a ceasefire between Morocco and the Polisario broke down in 2020, with skirmishes since, sometimes causing civilian casualties. The UK embassy in Rabat handles consular help for British visitors.
Governments split more here than anywhere else in the country.
What each government says
- Canada advises against non-essential travel to Western Sahara because of terrorism and unexploded landmines, and says its help there would be extremely limited.
- Germany strongly advises against travel to the whole territory. Its embassy cannot give consular help, you must get any permits from Moroccan authorities before you go, and landmines and unexploded munitions threaten anyone off paved roads and near the Mauritanian border.
- Japan advises against travel west of the Berm outside restricted areas, but keeps its lowest tier for the cities of Laayoune, Smara, Boujdour, Boukraa and Dakhla and the main roads that link them.
- The UK advises against all travel only to the strip near the Berm and everything east and south of it (see Berm Buffer Zone and Areas East and South of the Berm). It also says terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Western Sahara.
- New Zealand and Australia ask for the same care as for the rest of Morocco outside the Berm zone.
If you go anyway
- Stay in the main cities and on the main road between Laayoune, Dakhla and the Mauritanian border.
- Japan warns that the road runs through desert and wasteland where it is hard to get help if you break down, so carry reliable ways to call for help.
- Expect very hot weather: Smara reached 47°C in July 2026.
- Do not go near the Berm or off the roads. Landmines are the main danger.
Health & Diseases in Morocco
Strict tripartite separation: endemic disease threats, recommended travel vaccines, and legally mandatory entry certificates.
What Morocco does not have
Morocco has no malaria: WHO certified the country malaria-free in 2010. Canada says there is no risk of yellow fever. I found no source reporting dengue, chikungunya or Zika in Morocco, but no source confirms they are absent either, so take basic mosquito precautions.
Food and water
Hepatitis A and typhoid are the main food and water diseases, and stomach bugs are common. Germany also names hepatitis E and shigellosis. Wash your hands, eat food that is freshly cooked and served hot, and drink bottled or treated water. FCDO also warns that alcohol can be tainted with methanol.
Insects and animals
- Sand flies spread leishmaniasis at dusk and night, mainly in rural areas. CDC, Canada and Germany all name it, and Canada calls the risk low for most travellers. There is no vaccine.
- West Nile virus. Germany says a few cases have been reported.
- Rabies. FCDO says packs of stray dogs can be aggressive, and Germany reports several deaths from rabies after dog bites. Do not touch stray animals and get care at once after a bite or scratch. CDC says rabies vaccine for bites is typically available in most of the country, while Germany says vaccine and immunoglobulin may be scarce, so ask your insurer about evacuation if you are bitten far from a city.
Measles and West Nile
Morocco had a large measles outbreak from late 2023. WHO reports more than 25,000 suspected cases, 13,706 confirmed and 184 deaths up to 13 April 2025, with cases falling from January 2025, and it says measles remains endemic. ECDC's January 2026 report says 39 of 62 measles cases acquired abroad by people in the Netherlands in 2025 were linked to travel to Morocco. Make sure you are fully vaccinated. Germany also says a few cases of West Nile fever have been reported.
What Germany's travel-vaccine committee says
The German STIKO and DTG travel-vaccination tables (Epidemiologisches Bulletin 27/2026, 2 July 2026) list a moderate rabies risk in dogs and no known or reported malaria risk. That matches WHO's malaria-free certification.
Other health points
- Hepatitis B is common in the population, and TravelHealthPro notes a tuberculosis rate above 40 cases per 100,000 people at least once in the last five years. Avoid contact with blood and use condoms.
- Altitude sickness can affect you above about 2,500 m, for example in the High Atlas.
- Air pollution in the large cities and strong sun can cause problems, and swimming in dams, rivers and fresh water carries risks.
- Private clinics in Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Tangier and Fez are good. FCDO says public facilities provide limited care, and hospitals may insist on payment before admission.
- Bring enough of your regular medicine: FCDO says some travellers have struggled to find theirs.
Entry requirements
No vaccine is required to enter Morocco, and no yellow fever certificate is needed. FCDO says you need proof of polio vaccination if you arrive from a polio-affected country, and Germany says you may be asked for it if you arrive from a country with local polio transmission.
Recommended for most travellers
Germany's STIKO and DTG country table for Morocco lists hepatitis A for all travellers and hepatitis B, rabies and typhoid by individual risk.
- Hepatitis A. CDC, TravelHealthPro and Germany all recommend it for unvaccinated travellers.
- Typhoid. CDC and TravelHealthPro recommend it for most travellers. Germany and Canada say to decide by individual risk. It matters most if you plan to eat street food, stay long or travel outside the big cities.
- Routine vaccines and measles. Make sure your routine vaccines are up to date, especially measles, mumps and rubella. CDC and TravelHealthPro say infants aged 6 to 11 months can have an early dose.
Depends on your trip
- Hepatitis B. CDC recommends it for unvaccinated travellers under 60. TravelHealthPro says it could be considered for everyone and is recommended if you may have unprotected sex, need medical or dental care, or stay long. Germany says to decide individually.
- Rabies. Consider it if you will stay a month or more, cycle or run, work with animals, travel with children or go to places where treatment would be hard to reach. See the health section for the disagreement over how easily treatment is available.
Not needed
Yellow fever vaccine is neither required nor recommended.
Endemic Disease Risks
Vector-borne and water-borne pathogens present in territory.
Recommended Vaccinations
Advised medical prophylaxis for general travelers.
Worth considering, depending on your trip.
Mandatory Entry Regulations
Legally enforced entry documentation required at border control.
Government Advisory Comparison
How the major government advisories compare, and where they genuinely disagree rather than just draw the boundary differently.
Where governments agree
- Terrorism is the main national concern. The US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand all give Morocco their second-lowest tier of four for terrorism. FCDO, Germany and Japan also say attacks cannot be ruled out. Petty crime and road accidents feature in nearly every advisory.
- The Berm zone is off limits. The UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand all advise against all travel there, and Japan tells its citizens to evacuate the area east of the wall.
What each government says
- US State Department: second of four tiers for terrorism, reissued 20 April 2025, no region named.
- UK FCDO: no warning for Morocco. Its separate Western Sahara guide (updated 1 September 2026) advises against all travel within 40 km of the Berm and everything east and south of it.
- Germany: describes the political situation as stable and calm, and strongly advises against Western Sahara and the immediate Algerian border region.
- Canada: high degree of caution overall, avoid all travel near the Berm and within 20 km of Algeria, avoid non-essential travel to Western Sahara.
- Australia: high degree of caution overall and do not travel within 30 km of the Berm or east and south of it (read from search excerpts of its page).
- New Zealand: increased caution overall and do not travel within 30 km of the Berm or east and south of it.
- Japan: lowest tier nationwide. For Western Sahara it says evacuate east of the wall, advises against travel west of it, and keeps its lowest tier for the main cities and the roads linking them.
- Hong Kong: no current alert (only a stale, hidden 2021 entry).
- Singapore: practical guidance only, no rating.
Points of disagreement
- Western Sahara as a whole. Canada, Germany and Japan advise against or discourage travel to it, while the UK, Australia and New Zealand only rate the Berm zone. Japan gives its lowest tier to Smara, but FCDO advises against all travel to Es Semara.
- How far the buffer reaches. FCDO says 40 km, three others say 30 km.
- The Algerian border. Only Canada and Germany advise against travel to the border region. FCDO and New Zealand only say not to cross.
- Kidnapping. Canada and New Zealand warn of a threat in remote and border regions, and Japan lists kidnapping incidents. The UK, US and Germany do not single Morocco out for it.
- Protests. New Zealand says protesters were killed and FCDO says unauthorised protests have led to clashes, while Germany calls the situation stable and calm. No advisory I read mentions the 23 September 2026 elections.
- LGBTIQ+ travellers. FCDO, Germany and New Zealand say same-sex relations are illegal. The US advisory does not mention it.
Common Safety Questions
Is Morocco safe to visit in 2026?
Morocco holds an overall risk rating of "Moderate" based on synthesized sovereign government advisories. Note that peak risk reaches "High" in specific domains such as Road safety.
Is Morocco safe for LGBTIQ+ travelers?
LGBTIQ+ safety in Morocco is assessed at high risk, based on the country's legal treatment, social attitudes, and documented safety incidents affecting LGBTIQ+ people. Risk can vary between groups and regions; see the Traveler Situations section for detail.
What vaccines do I need for Morocco?
Required to enter: Poliomyelitis. Proof of polio vaccination is required if you arrive from a polio-affected country (WHO polio statement of August 2026, as listed by the STIKO-DTG tables). Arrivals from countries without polio transmission, including directly from Germany, need none. Recommended: Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Worth considering depending on your trip: Hepatitis B and Rabies.
Sources
Official advisories and health surveillance bodies consulted for this brief.
- MFA travel advisories Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore (11% bias contribution)
- SafeTravel New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (12% bias contribution)
- Smartraveller Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2% bias contribution)
- Government of Canada Travel Advice and Advisories Global Affairs Canada (14% bias contribution)
- Auswärtiges Amt Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise Auswärtiges Amt (German Federal Foreign Office) (20% bias contribution)
- UK FCDO travel advice Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (18% bias contribution)
- Outbound Travel Alert Security Bureau, Government of the Hong Kong SAR (1% bias contribution)
- MOFA Overseas Safety Website Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (8% bias contribution)
- CDC Travelers' Health U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- TravelHealthPro National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC)
- STIKO Ständige Impfkommission (STIKO) am Robert Koch-Institut
- WHO International travel and health World Health Organization
- ECDC communicable disease threats European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
- U.S. State Department travel advisories U.S. Department of State (1% bias contribution)
Additional sources
News, research and NGO reporting used to fill gaps the official sources leave. Each item is credited to the organisation that published it.
- Morocco World News 3% bias contribution
- CIVICUS Monitor CIVICUS (1% bias contribution)
- Hespress English Hespress (6% bias contribution)
- Africanews 3% bias contribution
Last reviewed: Sep 23, 2026
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