Morocco

Recommended Vaccinations For Morocco

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against the disease.

For Some Travellers

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Polio Vaccine

Vaccination with Oral Polio Vaccine or Inactivated Polio Vaccine should be administered between 4 weeks and 12 months prior to entry in Morocco. While there is no active risk of polio in this country. However, proof of polio vaccination may be necessary for some travellers.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

A BCG vaccine is recommended for all unvaccinated adults and children under 16 years of age, staying in the country for more than 3 months. A tuberculin skin test is required prior to administering vaccination for all children from 6 years of age.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

One dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) is recommended to infants 6 to 11 months prior to international travel.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through the consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water supplies may be contaminated.

Recommended Medications For Morocco

There are no recommendations for Morocco at this time.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Morocco

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Morocco.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Morocco through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

For Some Travellers

Polio

There is no risk of polio in Morocco. However, a valid International Vaccination Certificate with proof of Polio vaccination is required from all travellers arriving from Polio-affected countries.

West Nile Fever

The virus is transmitted to animals, birds and humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, nausea, and skin rash.

Rift Valley Fever (RVF)

Commonly spread via contact with domesticated animals infected with the virus. These include cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels, among others.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring hantavirus in Morocco through contaminated food or by coming into contact with someone infected with the virus.

Schistosomiasis

The parasite that causes schistosomiasis is found in Morocco. It is acquired through contact with fresh water, such as swimming, bathing, or rafting. Well-chlorinated swimming pools and contact with saltwater in oceans or seas will not put travellers at risk for schistosomiasis.

Measles

There is a risk of exposure to measles in the country.

Leishmaniasis

In Morocco, leishmaniasis usually occurs from June through September in the following provinces: Agadir, Boulemane, Er Rachidia, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Tata, and Tiznit. Leishmaniasis is more common in rural than urban areas. The risk of acquiring this illness is increased in travellers who spend time outdoors in rural areas and at night when sand flies typically feed.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Morocco, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in Morocco, including multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. Travellers are especially at risk if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Bats may also carry rabies-like viruses. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Safety & Security in Morocco

Personal Safety

Morocco experiences relatively low violent crime, with petty theft, pickpocketing, and scams being the primary concerns for visitors. Pickpockets and bag snatchers operate primarily in crowded tourist areas, medinas, souks, and beaches in cities like Marrakech, Casablanca, Fes, and Tangier. Tourist police maintain a visible presence in major tourist cities. You should watch your belongings in crowded spaces and avoid poorly lit areas at night. Aggressive begging is common near ATMs and tourist sites. Fake guides and vendors may harass tourists in medina quarters and markets. Some reports indicate occasional violent crime involving knives in street attacks, though tourists are rarely targeted for serious violent offenses. Credit card fraud and scams occur regularly, including goods being swapped for inferior items or double charging. Romance and marriage scams targeting foreigners through online platforms have been reported. City buses are not considered safe, while petit taxis are generally reliable during daytime. Intercity buses from companies like Supratours and CTM are considered safe. The train system has a good safety record. Rideshare services operate in a legal grey area, and drivers have reported incidents of harassment from local taxi operators.

Extreme Violence

Morocco has not experienced a major terrorist attack since 2011, though the threat remains. Security forces have effectively thwarted most terrorist threats, with authorities regularly arresting suspected terrorists and dismantling cells. In 2022 and 2023, there were no terrorist incidents reported, but sporadic threats from small, independent terrorist cells inspired by or affiliated with ISIS continue. In 2023, Moroccan law enforcement arrested 56 individuals, including 40 lone actors and 16 others associated with six different terrorist cells. A 2018 incident involved the murder of two Scandinavian tourists in a mountainous area near Imlil, which authorities described as a terrorist act. Terrorists may target tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets, shopping malls, restaurants, hotels, places of worship, and local government facilities with little or no warning. The country faces threats from Islamic State in the Sahel, which aims to expand operations in Morocco or recruit Moroccans. Morocco is a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and co-chairs the Africa Focus Group. Border security remains a top priority, with the General Directorate for National Security conducting border inspections at ports of entry and checkpoints operating along roads in border areas.

Political Unrest

Political and social demonstrations occur occasionally in Morocco, mostly near government buildings in Rabat, Casablanca, and other major cities. Demonstrations are generally peaceful and rarely confrontational or violent, though even peaceful ones can turn violent. Since late September 2025, youth-led protests organized by Gen Z 212 and Morocco Youth Voice have taken place across multiple cities including Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakech, Tangier, Sale, Oujda, and Rabat. These protests have demanded improvements to public education and healthcare while criticizing government spending on international sporting events. The protests became the largest since 2011 to 2012. According to official figures, at least three protesters were killed during clashes with security forces in Lqliaa in October 2025, and more than 400 people were arrested. Security forces injured 263 members during the unrest. The protests have been largely decentralized and organized through social media platforms. Authorized protests are generally peaceful, but unauthorized ones have sometimes led to clashes between protesters and police. Demonstrations can cause disruptions to traffic and public transportation. Protests linked to the situation in Israel may also occur.

Areas To Avoid

The Western Sahara region near the Algerian and Mauritanian borders should be avoided. This area has an unresolved legal status and was a site of armed conflict between Moroccan government forces and the POLISARIO Front. Thousands of unexploded landmines remain buried in the Western Sahara, occasionally causing death and severe injuries. You should avoid traveling within 30 kilometers west of the militarized zone of the Berm and all areas between the Berm and neighboring countries on the eastern and southern sides. The area within 20 kilometers of the border with Algeria should be avoided due to increased military presence, unstable security situation, and difficulty finding the exact border location. Morocco’s border with Algeria is closed. You should not attempt to cross into Algeria by land or water, as even accidentally crossing by boat is illegal. Remote mountain areas and the south carry increased terrorism risks. The risk of kidnapping against Westerners exists in remote regions and areas bordering Algeria and Mauritania. In cities, certain districts in Casablanca such as Bernoussi, Bousbir, Derb Ghallef, and Derb Milan have higher crime rates, as does the area near the train station and soccer stadium on game days.