Can you still live in Morocco with less than €1,000 per month in 2025? This is probably the most common question I get from people dreaming of making the move to this beautiful North African country. The truth is, your budget for living in Morocco 2025 depends entirely on your lifestyle choices, family situation, and where you choose to call home.
After living here since 2014 and moving four times across different regions, I've learned that Morocco can be incredibly affordable or surprisingly expensive – it all comes down to the choices you make. Let me share everything I've discovered about the real costs of living in Morocco, from my tiny village house that cost 700 dirhams per month to the realities of modern expat life.
Housing Costs: Your Biggest Monthly Expense
When planning your budget for living in Morocco 2025, housing will likely be your largest expense. The rental market here varies dramatically, with prices ranging from 700 dirhams in rural villages to over 20,000 dirhams monthly for luxury properties.
My Personal Housing Journey
Let me share my own experience with Moroccan rentals. My first home was in the small village of Tam Nugalt, between Ouarzazate and Zagora. This simple earth house cost me just 700 dirhams per month – about €70! Then I moved to the Lalla Takerkoust valley, 44 kilometers from Marrakech, where I paid 800 dirhams monthly for another rustic but charming home.
My third move brought me to a brand-new apartment in the same village with stunning mountain views for 1,500 dirhams monthly. Currently, I'm sharing a large house with a garden for 3,000 dirhams, split between two people, so 1,500 dirhams each.
Current Rental Prices by Property Type
City Center Apartments: Expect to pay between 5,000-12,000 dirhams monthly, depending on size and amenities.
Tourist Area Apartments: These start at 6,000 dirhams and can reach 15,000 dirhams or more for premium locations.
Suburban Properties: More affordable at 1,500-3,000 dirhams, depending on proximity to services and property condition.
Villas with Pools: In cities like Marrakech, these typically start at 10,000 dirhams monthly, though they're becoming increasingly rare and expensive.
Rural Houses: Simple countryside homes range from 1,000-5,000 dirhams, varying by region, size, and equipment.
Practical Rental Tips
Everything is negotiable in Morocco, so don't be afraid to bargain. I always recommend having a Moroccan friend help with negotiations – it makes a huge difference. You'll also need to budget for additional costs like security deposits, advance rent payments, and potential agency fees.
The rental process is refreshingly simple: just bring your passport, sign a lease contract with your landlord, and legalize it at the local authorities. Most lease terms are 6-12 months, giving you time to settle and decide if the location works for you.
Utility Bills and Monthly Charges
Understanding utility costs is crucial for your budget for living in Morocco 2025. In my current home, electricity runs about 150 dirhams monthly, though this varies by season and usage.
Electricity: Budget 100-500 dirhams monthly depending on home size, occupancy, and consumption habits.
Water: Very affordable at typically under 100 dirhams monthly.
Gas: Essential for cooking and hot water, a gas bottle refill currently costs 51 dirhams. However, government subsidies are gradually decreasing, with prices expected to rise to 70 dirhams by 2026.
Average Monthly Utilities:
- City living: 400-600 dirhams
- Small towns: 200-300 dirhams
- Rural areas: Usually less expensive
Remember that most Moroccan homes lack central heating, so winter heating costs and summer air conditioning can significantly impact your electricity bill.
Food and Grocery Budget
Your food budget varies dramatically based on eating habits and shopping choices. For a single person, expect to spend 500-1,500 dirhams weekly, while families with children might need 3,000-5,000 dirhams monthly, especially if maintaining European eating habits.
Shopping Smart: Local vs. International
I buy all my fresh produce, meat, and eggs directly from my village, which keeps costs reasonable. Here are some current local prices:
- Ground beef: 120 dirhams per kg
- Turkey fillet: 60-70 dirhams per kg
- Bananas: 13-15 dirhams per kg
- Strawberries: 12 dirhams per container
- Eggs (30 pieces): 40-45 dirhams
Shopping at local souks, village butchers, and small grocery stores (hanouts) keeps your budget manageable. However, if you frequent large chains like Marjane or Carrefour and buy many imported products, expect higher costs.
I make a weekly trip to Marrakech for items unavailable in my village, typically spending 400-600 dirhams. The key is comparing prices across different venues – sometimes the souk is cheapest, sometimes the supermarket offers better deals.
Dining Out: Restaurant Culture
Morocco's restaurant scene caters to every budget and taste. From street food to luxury dining, you'll find incredible variety.
Popular Snacks: 20-100 dirhams for a mealMid-range Restaurants: 100-200 dirhams per person (meal, drink, dessert)Upscale Dining: 300+ dirhams per person
My local café serves excellent espresso for 11-12 dirhams, always accompanied by a small water bottle. Frequent dining out can quickly inflate your monthly budget, so balance is key.
Transportation Options and Costs
Since 2014, I've managed without owning a car, relying on public transport and occasional rentals. This approach helps control costs while staying active – I cycle for local trips and take collective taxis for longer journeys.
Car Ownership vs. Alternatives
Buying a Car: Requires a residence card or Moroccan national ID card. Foreigners with Moroccan companies can purchase vehicles under the business name.
Monthly Car Rental: 5,000-10,000 dirhams depending on vehicle typeDaily Rental: Approximately 250 dirhamsVehicle Import: Limited to 6 months yearly; customs procedures are expensive
Public Transportation
Collective Taxis: My 35km journey from Lalla Takerkoust to Marrakech costs just 12 dirhams each way.Buses: Economical but sometimes slow and inconvenientSmall Taxis: Metered or fixed-rate depending on regionTram: Available in Casablanca and RabatApps: InDrive (similar to Uber) operates nationwide
Monthly Transport Budget:
- Small cities: 400-1,000 dirhams
- Large cities like Casablanca: Up to 3,000 dirhams
Healthcare and Insurance Costs
Healthcare planning is essential for your budget for living in Morocco 2025. With frequent road accidents, I strongly recommend comprehensive health insurance.
Insurance Options Before Residency
CFE (Caisse des Français à l'Étranger): Starting at €72 monthly, available for Europeans maintaining French connections.
International Insurance:
- Individual: €1,000-5,000 annually
- Families: €3,000-10,000+ annually
Post-Residency Healthcare
With a residence card, you can join CNSS (Morocco's social security) with 70% reimbursement rates, often employer-covered for employees. Local Moroccan insurance offers more affordable alternatives to international coverage.
Medical Costs:
- General practitioner: 100-300 dirhams
- Specialists/dentists: 200-500 dirhams
- Medications: Generally affordable
Retired French and Belgian citizens can benefit from free CNSS affiliation, maintaining dual coverage.
Education Costs for Families
Families must budget significantly for education, with international schools being the preferred choice for expat families.
Childcare Options
Private Nurseries: 1,500-3,000 dirhams monthly, often featuring international pedagogies like Montessori.Nannies: 2,500-5,000 dirhams monthly depending on experience and services.
School Options
International Schools (French AEFE/MLF affiliated): Approximately 50,000 dirhams annually per child, with sibling discounts available.
Private Moroccan Schools: 20,000-30,000 dirhams annually, often bilingual or English-language programs.
CNED (Distance Learning): 8,000-10,000 dirhams annually for French curriculum from kindergarten through high school.
CNED Structures: Physical schools following CNED curriculum, 2,000-4,000 dirhams monthly.
Entertainment and Lifestyle
Morocco offers diverse entertainment options fitting various budgets.
Cinema: 50-100 dirhams per ticketTheater/Shows: From 150 dirhams, international events up to 500+ dirhamsFamily Activities: 100-300 dirhams per personGym Memberships: 150-1,000 dirhams monthly depending on facility qualitySpa/Hammam: 300-1,000 dirhams per session
Internet and Phone Services
Recent 2025 updates have modified internet pricing:
Maroc Telecom Fiber Options:
- 100MB: 400 dirhams monthly
- 200MB: 500 dirhams monthly
- 1GB: 1,000 dirhams monthly
Orange Fiber Packages:
- 20MB: 249 dirhams monthly
- 100MB: 349 dirhams monthly
- 500MB: 749 dirhams monthly
Mobile Plans: My Maroc Telecom plan costs 249 dirhams monthly for 45GB data and 5 hours of calls.
Remember to budget for router purchase and installation fees.
Additional Monthly Expenses
Don't forget these potential costs:
- Home insurance
- Housekeeping: 1,500-3,000 dirhams monthly
- Gardening services
- Seasonal purchases (winter clothing, appliances)
- Travel costs for family visits
- Emergency fund for unexpected expenses
The Real Budget for Living in Morocco 2025
So, what's the realistic budget for living in Morocco 2025? For expats maintaining European lifestyles, expect €1,000-3,000 monthly, potentially more for families with children.
However, living on less than €1,000 monthly is absolutely possible – I'm proof of that! For years, I've stayed under this threshold by choosing rural living, avoiding car ownership, cooking at home, and making conscious spending choices.
Your budget ultimately depends on:
- Location choice (tourist cities vs. rural areas)
- Housing preferences
- Transportation needs
- Dining habits
- Family size
- Lifestyle expectations
Morocco can accommodate almost any budget, from those seeking luxury experiences to travelers embracing simple, authentic living.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Choose affordable rural housing, use public transport, shop locally, and cook at home. Many expats, including myself, live comfortably within this budget.
City center apartments range from 5,000-12,000 dirhams monthly, while suburban options cost 1,500-3,000 dirhams. Tourist areas command premium prices.
International insurance ranges from €1,000-5,000 annually for individuals. Once you're a resident, CNSS provides affordable local coverage with 70% reimbursement.
French international schools cost approximately 50,000 dirhams annually per child. Private Moroccan schools offer more affordable alternatives at 20,000-30,000 dirhams yearly.
Expect 200-600 dirhams monthly depending on location and usage. Electricity is the main variable, while water remains very affordable under 100 dirhams monthly.