Morocco Currency Guide: The Moroccan Dirham & Money Tips

What Currency Is Used in Morocco?

The official currency of Morocco is the Moroccan dirham. The international ISO currency code is MAD.

Inside Morocco, however, you will often see prices written with DH, dh or simply a number when the currency is obvious from context. A café menu might say 20 DH while a booking or bank statement may use MAD 20.

What Is the Morocco Currency Symbol?

There is no single symbol used everywhere in the way that “$” is associated with the US dollar or “€” with the euro. Travelers will most often encounter DH or dh in everyday prices and MAD in banking, card statements, exchange services and international financial systems.

If you see “100 DH” on a price, it means 100 Moroccan dirhams.

Moroccan Dirham Notes and Coins

The Moroccan National Tourist Office lists commonly used banknotes of 20, 50, 100 and 200 dirhams.

Coins cover both dirhams and smaller centime amounts. Commonly encountered coins include 0.50, 1, 2, 5 and 10 dirhams, along with centime coins.

Where Should You Exchange Money in Morocco?

Authorized exchange services are easy to find in Morocco’s major tourist destinations. The Moroccan National Tourist Office lists exchange facilities at airports, banks, some hotels and city exchange offices.

You do not need to exchange your entire travel budget at the airport. For most trips, it is more practical to obtain enough dirhams for your immediate needs and then use authorized exchange offices or ATMs as you travel.

Exchange Offices

City exchange offices are common in destinations such as Marrakech, Fes, Casablanca and other visitor centers. Check the displayed rate and whether any fee applies before completing the transaction.

Airport Exchange

Airport exchange counters are convenient when you need cash immediately after landing. Convenience matters on arrival, but it is still worth comparing the offered rate rather than assuming every exchange point is identical.

Hotels

Some hotels exchange foreign currency. This can be useful when convenience matters more than shopping around for the best available rate.

Moroccan Dirham Exchange Rates: Avoid Outdated Conversion Tables

Searches for “Moroccan currency conversion,” “Moroccan currency converter” and dirham-to-dollar or dirham-to-pound rates are common, but embedding a fixed exchange rate into a travel article creates outdated information very quickly.

The value of MAD against USD, EUR, GBP and other currencies changes. Your card network, bank or exchange office may also use a slightly different customer rate or add fees.

Why Your Bank Rate May Differ From Google

A headline market rate is not always the rate you actually receive. Banks, card issuers, ATM operators and currency exchanges may apply their own conversion margin or fees. That is why a live market conversion should be treated as a benchmark rather than a guaranteed cash-out amount.

Cash or Card in Morocco?

Use both.

International cards are accepted in many hotels and by some restaurants, shops and petrol stations. Cash remains more dependable for small businesses, taxis, markets, tips, local cafés and purchases outside the main cities.

Visa and Mastercard have broad acceptance in the tourism sector, but never assume a small establishment takes cards simply because it appears polished.

Using ATMs in Morocco

ATMs are widespread in Moroccan cities and tourist destinations. They are often the simplest way for international travelers to obtain Moroccan dirhams during a trip.

Your own bank may charge an overseas withdrawal fee, and an ATM may display additional charges before you confirm. Read the screen carefully.

Should You Accept ATM Currency Conversion?

Some foreign ATMs offer to convert the withdrawal into your home currency on the screen. This is often called dynamic currency conversion. Before accepting it, compare the displayed rate and fees with what your own card provider would normally charge for a transaction in MAD.

When in doubt, understand your bank’s foreign transaction policy before leaving home rather than deciding at the ATM without context.

If your route includes rural areas, our Getting Around Morocco guide can help you understand how transport and local infrastructure change outside the major cities.

Can You Use Euros, US Dollars or British Pounds in Morocco?

The Moroccan dirham is the normal currency for everyday purchases.

Some tourism businesses may quote prices in euros or occasionally accept major foreign currencies, but relying on foreign cash for ordinary travel is inconvenient. You may receive an unfavorable informal conversion or find that the shop, taxi or restaurant only wants dirhams.

Use MAD for normal spending. Keep foreign currency as a source to exchange rather than treating it as a replacement for Moroccan money.

How Much Cash Should You Carry in Morocco?

There is no useful one-size-fits-all number. A traveler staying in hotels and paying most major expenses by card needs less daily cash than someone shopping in souks, using taxis, eating in small local restaurants and traveling through rural Morocco.

Rather than carrying a large amount at once, keep enough cash for the day’s likely small expenses plus a reserve. Replenish it at ATMs or authorized exchange services in larger towns.

Split cash rather than keeping every note in one wallet. The same basic travel habit makes sense in Morocco as anywhere else.

Small Change, Tipping and Everyday Spending

Small denominations are useful in Morocco. Even when a larger purchase can be paid by card, many everyday interactions are easier with 10, 20 and 50-dirham notes and coins.

That includes tips, small taxi fares, luggage help, cafés and minor purchases. You do not need to turn every interaction into a tipping situation, but having change gives you the choice.

Moroccan hospitality and service culture make more sense when viewed in the wider cultural context. See our guides to Moroccan people and Moroccan food for more on daily life and dining.

What Should You Do With Leftover Moroccan Dirhams?

Do not leave a large pile of dirhams until after you have passed through departure formalities. If you want to convert unused MAD back into foreign currency, keep your exchange receipts and handle the conversion before leaving Morocco.

The Office des Changes states that non-resident travelers can reconvert remaining dirhams under specified conditions. Documentation such as original exchange receipts can matter, particularly for larger amounts.

Can You Bring Moroccan Dirhams Into or Out of Morocco?

The Moroccan dirham is subject to currency controls. This is one area where old travel blogs can easily mislead travelers, so current official rules matter.

As of 2026, Morocco’s Office des Changes states that importing and exporting dirhams is generally prohibited, with an allowance for travelers to carry up to 2,000 dirhams in banknotes into or out of the country.

Because foreign-exchange regulations can change, travelers carrying significant amounts of cash should verify the current Office des Changes rules before departure.

Money Tips for Your First Day in Morocco

Frequently Asked Questions About Moroccan Currency