Do British citizens need a visa for Morocco?
No. Holders of a full British citizen passport can visit Morocco without a visa for up to 90 days as tourists. Make sure your passport:
- is valid for the length of your stay, which is what the FCDO requires — six months' validity is a safe extra margin some airlines recommend;
- has a blank page for the entry stamp.
Other British nationality passports (BNO, overseas territories) can have different rules: check with the Moroccan Embassy in London or the FCDO page before booking. More: visa and entry requirements.
Direct flights from the UK
Direct flights take about 3 h 30 from London and around 4 hours from northern England and Scotland. Routes vary by season, but airlines including British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2, TUI and Royal Air Maroc fly from:
- London (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton) to Marrakech, Agadir, Fez, Tangier, Essaouira and Casablanca;
- Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh and other regional airports to Marrakech and Agadir, with more choice in winter.
Tip: low-cost carriers make open-jaw trips easy — fly into Marrakech and home from Fez or Tangier. See our 10-day itinerary.
Time difference
Morocco uses GMT+1 for most of the year, which means the same time as the UK in summer (BST) and one hour ahead in winter. During Ramadan Morocco returns to GMT (around February–March in 2027), so it matches UK winter time.
Money: pounds and dirhams
- Exchange rate: about £1 = 13 dirhams (MAD) in October 2026; 100 MAD is roughly £7.70.
- The dirham is a closed currency, so you generally cannot buy it in the UK. Withdraw cash from ATMs on arrival, or exchange pounds at a bank or bureau in Morocco — bring Bank of England notes, as Scottish and Northern Irish notes are often refused.
- Travel-friendly debit cards (many app-based banks among them) often have low or no foreign fees — check yours before you go. Always pay in dirhams, not pounds, when a terminal asks.
- Tipping is similar to the UK: about 10% in restaurants, small change for porters and attendants.
More: money, payments and tipping.
Plugs and phones
- Plugs: European type C/E two-pin sockets at 220–230 V — the same voltage as the UK, so you only need a UK-to-EU adapter.
- Roaming: EU roaming deals do not cover Morocco. Many UK networks charge daily roaming fees or per-MB rates there; a Moroccan SIM or an eSIM is usually far cheaper. See SIM cards and eSIMs.
Insurance and health
The GHIC and EHIC are not valid in Morocco, so travel insurance with medical cover and repatriation is essential. No vaccinations are required; the NHS Fit for Travel and TravelHealthPro sites list recommended ones (hepatitis A and typhoid for most travellers). See health and travel insurance.
Safety and FCDO advice
Read the FCDO travel advice for Morocco before you go and sign up for email alerts. Morocco is generally safe; the common annoyances are touts, unofficial guides and overcharging. The British Embassy is in Rabat. In an emergency in Morocco call 19 (police) or 15 (ambulance). Our safety and etiquette guide has practical tips.
Driving
A UK photocard driving licence is generally accepted by rental companies; some also ask for an International Driving Permit, available from PayPoint shops in the UK. Unlike at home, Moroccans drive on the right. See getting around Morocco.
Bringing things home
Coming back to Great Britain, the allowances for goods from outside the UK apply (including limits on alcohol and tobacco and a personal goods allowance). Rugs, ceramics, lanterns and argan oil are popular; keep receipts and ask sellers who ship to the UK for written terms.
When to go from the UK
- Winter sun (November–March): Agadir and Marrakech are warm and sunny — around 20 °C / 68 °F by day — a popular escape from British winters. Desert nights are cold.
- Spring and autumn: the best time for a full tour with the desert and the imperial cities.
- School summer holidays: very hot inland; the Atlantic coast (Essaouira, Agadir) and the High Atlas are more comfortable.
See weather by month.
Short breaks that work from the UK
- A long weekend: 48 hours in Marrakech, easy with morning departures from London.
- One week: Marrakech, the Sahara and Essaouira.
- Two weeks: Tangier to the Atlantic coast.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Morocco from the UK?
No. British citizens can stay up to 90 days as tourists without a visa. Your passport should be valid for the whole stay, ideally with six months left.
How long is the flight from London to Marrakech?
About three and a half hours direct. Direct flights also run from Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh and other UK airports, especially in winter.
Is there a time difference between the UK and Morocco?
Morocco is on GMT+1: the same time as the UK in summer and one hour ahead in winter. During Ramadan it returns to GMT.
Does my GHIC work in Morocco?
No. The GHIC and EHIC are not valid in Morocco, so take out travel insurance with medical and repatriation cover.
Do I need a plug adapter in Morocco?
Yes, a UK-to-European two-pin adapter. The voltage (220–230 V) is the same as in the UK.
This guide was last reviewed in October 2026. Entry rules, opening hours, transport timetables and prices change; check official sources shortly before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.