Moroccan Dirham: The Complete Money Guide for Travelers

Before your trip, one of the first practical questions is money. What is the currency of Morocco? Can you buy it at home? Should you bring cash or use cards? How much is a taxi or a mint tea? And why does the shopkeeper say a price in “rial” when the note in your hand says “dirham”?

We cover the Moroccan dirham: the banknotes and coins, the exchange rate, the rules for bringing money in and out, where to change money, ATMs and cards, typical prices, tipping, bargaining, and the local way of counting money that confuses almost every visitor. These are the same tips our team shares with travelers before every tour.

Moroccan Dirham at a Glance

Detail	Info
Official name	Moroccan dirham
Currency code	MAD
Local symbol	DH or Dhs (and د.م. in Arabic)
Subunit	1 dirham = 100 centimes (santimat)
Issued by	Bank Al-Maghrib, the central bank of Morocco
Banknotes	20, 50, 100 and 200 dirhams
Common coins	10 and 20 centimes, ½, 1, 2, 5 and 10 dirhams
Approximate rate	About 10.7 MAD for 1 euro, about 9.3 MAD for 1 US dollar (at the time of writing)
Closed currency?	Yes, you can carry a maximum of 2,000 MAD in or out of Morocco
Cash or card?	Cash is king in souks, taxis and small cafés; cards work in hotels and big shops

What Is the Moroccan Dirham?

The dirham is the official currency of Morocco. Its code is MAD, and in daily life you will see prices written as “DH” or “Dhs”, for example “50 DH”. The name “dirham” has a very long history: it comes from the Greek drachma, a silver coin used in the ancient Mediterranean, and it has been used for Islamic coins for more than a thousand years. Today, the United Arab Emirates also uses a dirham, but it is a completely different currency, so do not confuse them.

Morocco introduced the modern dirham in 1960, a few years after independence, replacing the Moroccan franc. In 1974, the centime (santim) was added as the smaller unit. The money is printed and minted in Morocco by Dar As-Sikkah, the state printing house of Bank Al-Maghrib in Rabat.

A Short History of Money in Morocco

Money in Morocco has a long and rich story. In the Middle Ages, Moroccan dynasties minted their own silver dirhams and gold dinars. The gold dinar of the Almoravids, made with gold brought across the Sahara by caravans, was so respected that it was used far beyond Morocco, around the Mediterranean and in parts of Europe. The caravan routes that brought this gold passed through the desert near Sijilmassa, close to today’s Rissani and Merzouga.

Later, Morocco used a currency called the rial. During the French protectorate, the Moroccan franc became the main currency. After independence in 1956, Morocco created its own modern currency, the dirham, in 1960. This history explains why many Moroccans still say prices in “rial” and “franc” today: the old words stayed in the language long after the old money disappeared.

Moroccan Banknotes: What They Look Like

There are four banknotes: 20, 50, 100 and 200 dirhams. Bank Al-Maghrib introduced a brand-new series of notes and coins starting in November 2023, with modern security features and a recognition system for blind people. Each new note has its own theme:

Note	Theme of the new series	Tip
20 DH	Culture and heritage, including the Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou	The most useful note for taxis, snacks and tips
50 DH	Environment and renewable energy	Perfect for meals and small purchases
100 DH	The Moroccan Sahara and its openness to Africa	Common from ATMs, good for hotels and guides
200 DH	Infrastructure, industry and development	The biggest note; small shops may not have change

Older series of banknotes, like the 2013 series with the portrait of King Mohammed VI, are still in circulation, so you may receive old and new notes at the same time. Both are valid. All notes carry the King’s portrait, and you should always treat them with respect: never tear, write on or throw Moroccan money.

Moroccan Coins

Coin	Value	How often you will use it
10 and 20 centimes	0.10 and 0.20 DH	Rarely, sometimes as change in supermarkets
½ dirham	0.50 DH	Sometimes, for small change
1 dirham	1 DH	Often: public toilets, small tips, bread
2 dirhams	2 DH	Rare
5 dirhams	5 DH	Very useful: parking guards, water, small tips
10 dirhams	10 DH	Very useful: tea, coffee, tips, small purchases

Tip: Keep a small pouch with 5 and 10 dirham coins. You will use them all day for tips, public toilets, parking attendants and street snacks. The 10 dirham coin is bi-metallic, with a silver-colored center and a golden ring, so it is easy to recognize. Coins are heavy, so empty your pouch regularly by using them for small payments instead of always paying with notes.

Rial, Franc and “Million”: How Moroccans Really Count Money

This is the part that confuses almost every traveler, and very few guides explain it. Officially, prices are in dirhams. But in daily conversation, many Moroccans, especially older people and sellers in the souks, still count in old units:

Spoken unit	Real value	Example
Rial	1 dirham = 20 rial	“100 rial” = 5 dirhams
Franc or centime	1 dirham = 100 francs/centimes	“500 franc” = 5 dirhams
Alf rial (1,000 rial)	50 dirhams	“Joj alf rial” (2,000 rial) = 100 dirhams
Million (in centimes)	10,000 dirhams	“Price of the car: 8 million” = 80,000 dirhams

So if a seller in Marrakech tells you a price is “two thousand”, it can mean 2,000 rial, which is only 100 dirhams! The way people count can also change from one region to another. When in doubt, simply ask: “Bshhal b dirham?” (How much in dirhams?), or ask the seller to write the price on paper or on a phone calculator.

Moroccan Dirham vs Other Dirhams and Dinars

The word “dirham” is used in several countries, which sometimes creates confusion online. The Moroccan dirham (MAD) is different from the UAE dirham (AED) used in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. They have different values and cannot be used in each other’s countries. Morocco’s neighbors use dinars: the Algerian dinar and the Tunisian dinar, which are also controlled currencies. If you are comparing destinations, read our guide Morocco vs Tunisia.

Is the Moroccan Dirham a Closed Currency?

Yes. The dirham is a closed currency, which means it is controlled by the Moroccan state and is not freely traded abroad. In practice, this has three important consequences for travelers:

• You usually cannot buy dirhams before your trip. Most banks and exchange offices outside Morocco do not sell them. You change your money after you arrive.
• There is a limit on carrying dirhams. Travelers can bring in or take out a maximum of 2,000 dirhams in cash. Carrying more is a foreign exchange offense.
• Dirhams are almost useless outside Morocco. Spend them or change them back before you leave.

For foreign currencies like euros, dollars or pounds, there is no limit on how much you bring in. But if you carry cash worth 100,000 dirhams or more (about 9,300 euros), you must declare it to customs when you arrive. Rules can change, so check the latest information from Moroccan customs or the Office des Changes before you travel.

Moroccan Dirham Exchange Rate

The value of the dirham is managed by Bank Al-Maghrib and linked to a basket of two currencies: the euro and the US dollar. The euro has the biggest weight in the basket, because Europe is Morocco’s main trading partner. The dirham can move within a limited band around this basket, so its value is quite stable compared with many other currencies.

At the time of writing, 1 euro is worth about 10.7 dirhams and 1 US dollar about 9.3 dirhams. Always check a live rate before you travel, because rates change every day.

Dirhams	About in euros	About in US dollars
10 DH	€0.95	$1.10
20 DH	€1.90	$2.15
50 DH	€4.70	$5.40
100 DH	€9.35	$10.75
200 DH	€18.70	$21.50
1,000 DH	€93.50	$107.50

Easy mental math: For euros, divide the dirham price by 10 and take away a little. For dollars, divide by 10 and add a little. So 150 DH is a bit less than €15, and a bit more than $15.

Where to Exchange Money in Morocco

Place	Rate	Our opinion
Official exchange offices (bureaux de change)	Usually the best	Fast, easy, rates displayed, often no commission
Banks	Good	Safe, but slower and limited opening hours
Airport exchange desks	Fair	Good for a small first amount to start your trip
Hotels and riads	Lower	Convenient in emergencies only
People in the street	Risky	Illegal and risky; never do it

In big cities like Marrakech, Fes, Casablanca and Tangier, you will find many official exchange offices in the city centers and near the medinas. They are regulated, and rates are usually close to the bank rate. Bring clean, undamaged notes: damaged or very old foreign notes may be refused. Euros, US dollars and British pounds are the easiest currencies to change.

Very important: Always keep your exchange receipts. You will need them if you want to change your remaining dirhams back into euros or dollars at the end of your trip.

Opening Hours of Banks and Exchange Offices

Banks in Morocco usually open from Monday to Friday, roughly from 8:30 am to 4:00 or 4:30 pm. They are closed on weekends and public holidays, and they often work shorter hours during Ramadan and in summer. Exchange offices are more flexible: many open every day, including weekends, from the morning until the evening, especially in tourist areas and near the medinas.

If you arrive on a Friday evening or during a holiday weekend, plan to use an ATM or the exchange desk at the airport. Our guide to the best time to visit Morocco also lists the main holidays and Ramadan periods that can change opening hours.

ATMs in Morocco

ATMs (called “guichets automatiques”) are easy to find in cities and towns. Most accept Visa and Mastercard, and many have menus in English, French and Arabic. Using an ATM is often the easiest way to get dirhams at a good rate.

• Choose bank ATMs attached to a bank branch, and use them during the day when possible, so you can get help if a card is blocked.
• Check the withdrawal limit: each ATM has a maximum per withdrawal, often between 2,000 and 4,000 DH.
• Decline “conversion” if offered. If the ATM asks if you want to be charged in your home currency, choose to be charged in dirhams. It is usually cheaper.
• Tell your bank you are traveling so your card is not blocked for security reasons.
• Check your bank’s fees for foreign withdrawals, and take out larger amounts less often to save on fixed fees.
• Plan ahead for remote areas: ATMs are rare in small villages, in the mountains and deep in the desert.

Using Credit and Debit Cards

Cards are accepted in most hotels, big restaurants, supermarkets, malls, car rental offices and many shops in tourist areas. Visa and Mastercard are the most common. American Express is accepted in fewer places. Contactless payment is growing in big cities.

However, Morocco is still mostly a cash country. In the souks, small cafés, street food stalls, petit taxis, local hammams and small guesthouses, you will need cash. Some shops add a fee for card payments, so ask first. Some riads accept cards online for the booking but prefer cash for extras like dinner or excursions.

Can You Pay in Euros or Dollars?

In some tourist areas, sellers, guides or riads may accept euros, and sometimes dollars. But the legal currency is the dirham, and when you pay in foreign currency, the rate is usually bad for you. You also often receive change in dirhams calculated at a rate that favors the seller. Our advice: always pay in dirhams, and keep euros or dollars only as a backup.

Typical Prices in Morocco in Dirhams

These are approximate prices to help you plan. They change from city to city and between tourist areas and local neighborhoods.

Item	Approximate price
Mint tea or coffee in a local café	10 to 20 DH
Fresh orange juice	10 to 20 DH
Small bottle of water in a shop	5 to 8 DH
Bread (khobz)	1 to 3 DH
Street snack or sandwich	15 to 40 DH
Tagine in a local restaurant	50 to 100 DH
Dinner in a nice restaurant	150 to 400 DH per person
Short petit taxi ride in a city	10 to 30 DH (with the meter)
Local hammam entry	20 to 50 DH
Spa hammam with scrub	200 to 600 DH
Hassan II Mosque guided tour	About 130 DH
Jardin Majorelle (garden ticket)	About 170 DH

Planning a visit to Marrakech? See our guides to Jardin Majorelle and what to see in Marrakech.

How Much Cash Should You Carry Per Day?

Travel style	Per person per day (excluding hotel)	What it covers
Budget	200 to 350 DH	Street food, local cafés, public transport, a few entries
Mid-range	400 to 700 DH	Restaurants, taxis, museums, small souvenirs
Comfort	800 DH and more	Nice restaurants, spa, guided visits, shopping

If you are on an organized tour where transport and some meals are included, you need less: mainly cash for lunches, drinks, tips, entries and souvenirs.

Sample Daily Budget: One Day in Marrakech

To make it concrete, here is what a simple mid-range day in Marrakech can cost one person, not including the hotel:

Moment	What you do	Approximate cost
Morning	Coffee and msemen in a local café	20 to 30 DH
Mid-morning	Entry to a palace or museum	70 to 100 DH
Lunch	Tagine and salad in a medina restaurant	80 to 120 DH
Afternoon	Fresh juice and a short petit taxi ride	30 to 50 DH
Evening	Dinner on a rooftop terrace	150 to 250 DH
All day	Water, tips and small extras	40 to 60 DH
Total		About 400 to 600 DH

Add shopping, a hammam or a guided tour if you plan them. In smaller towns and villages, daily costs are usually lower.

Tipping in Dirhams

Tipping is part of daily life in Morocco and is always appreciated. Here are simple guidelines:

Situation	Usual tip
Café	A few dirhams, or round up the bill
Restaurant	About 10% if service is not included
Porter or hotel staff	10 to 20 DH
Parking guard	2 to 5 DH
Local guide (half day)	100 to 200 DH per group
Driver on a multi-day tour	Depends on days and group size; ask your tour company for advice
Public toilet attendant	1 to 2 DH

For more details, read our guide to tipping in Marrakech.

Bargaining With Dirhams in the Souks

• Ask the price in dirhams to avoid the rial confusion.
• Start at about a third to half of the first price, then meet in the middle.
• Stay friendly and smile. Bargaining is a social game, not a fight.
• Have small notes ready. Saying “I only have 100 DH” works better if you really do.
• Do not start bargaining if you do not want to buy.
• Fixed-price shops exist too, like cooperatives and some boutiques.

How to Know a Fair Price in Morocco

The hardest part of shopping in Morocco is not paying, it is knowing what something is really worth. Here is how locals and experienced travelers find a fair price:

• Visit a fixed-price shop first. In Marrakech, the Ensemble Artisanal is a government crafts center with fixed prices. Women’s cooperatives for argan oil also have fixed prices. Use these as a reference.
• Ask your riad or guide what a normal price is before you go shopping.
• Compare in two or three shops before buying anything expensive.
• Think in your own value: pay what the item is worth to you, not what you think the “right” price is.
• Quality matters more than price. A cheap leather bag can be low quality; a good carpet takes months of work.

Remember that a few dirhams more for you can make a real difference for a small artisan family. Bargain with respect, and be happy when both sides smile at the end.

Useful Money Words in Moroccan Darija

A few words in Darija, the Moroccan Arabic dialect, will make shopping easier and bring smiles. Learn more in our guide to the languages of Morocco.

Darija	Meaning	When to use it
Flous	Money	“Ma3endish flous” = I don’t have money
Bshhal?	How much?	Before buying anything
Ghali	Expensive	“Ghali bezzaf” = too expensive
Rkhis	Cheap	To compare prices
Sarf	Small change	“3endek sarf?” = Do you have change?
Nqess shwiya	Lower it a little	When bargaining
Safi	OK, done, deal	To close the deal

Digital Payments in Morocco

Digital payments are growing fast in Morocco. In big cities, more shops and restaurants accept contactless cards, and Moroccans increasingly use mobile banking apps. However, many foreign mobile wallets and payment apps do not work everywhere yet, and small businesses still prefer cash. For now, the best combination for travelers is simple: one or two bank cards for ATMs and hotels, and enough cash in dirhams for everything else.

Money Safety and Common Tricks

• Count your change carefully, especially with mixed old and new notes.
• Carry small notes so you do not hear “sorry, no change” when you pay with 200 DH.
• Split your money: keep some cash in your bag, some in your pocket, and a card at the hotel.
• Use ATMs inside or next to banks and cover the keypad when typing your PIN.
• Agree on prices before a service: henna, photos with animals, guided walks or taxis without a meter.
• Ignore people offering to change money in the street.

Money in the Desert and the Mountains

This is a tip we give to all our travelers: take out enough cash before you leave the big cities. On the road to the Sahara or in the Atlas villages, ATMs are rare and card payments are not always possible. Towns like Ouarzazate, Tinghir, Erfoud and Rissani have banks and ATMs, but villages near the dunes have very few or none, and machines can be out of cash on busy days. Bring enough dirhams for drinks, tips, fossils, carpets and small purchases during the desert part of your trip. If you are not sure how much you need, send a message to your tour company before you leave the city; save their number in international format, as explained in our guide to the phone code of Morocco.

Money Tips for Different Types of Travelers

Travelers From the USA and Canada

US dollars are easy to change in Morocco, but bring clean, recent notes. Many American cards charge foreign transaction fees, so a travel card without these fees can save money. Read our full Morocco travel tips for Americans.

Travelers From Europe and the UK

Euros are the easiest currency to exchange, and rates are usually good. British pounds are also accepted in exchange offices in big cities. With flights of only a few hours, many Europeans bring some cash in euros and use ATMs for the rest.

Students and Budget Travelers

Morocco is a great destination for small budgets. Eat in local restaurants, drink tea in local cafés, use shared transport and ask for student discounts with a valid student card at museums and monuments.

Seniors and Families

For a stress-free trip, many seniors and families prefer a tour where most costs are paid in advance. That way, you only need cash for drinks, tips and souvenirs, and your guide can help with payments and bargaining.

Leaving Morocco: What to Do With Your Dirhams

• Spend your coins before you leave, as exchange offices do not take coins.
• Change notes back at the airport or a bank, showing your exchange receipts or ATM slips.
• Do not take more than 2,000 DH out of the country.
• Keep a small amount (under the limit) if you plan to come back soon, for your first taxi.

Leaving from Casablanca? Read our guide to the Casablanca international airport.

12 Essential Money Tips for Travelers in Morocco

If you remember only one section of this guide, make it this one. These 12 tips will save you money and stress:

1. Do not try to buy dirhams at home. Change money after you land.
2. Change a small amount at the airport for your first taxi and snacks, then change more in the city.
3. Use official exchange offices or bank ATMs for the best rates.
4. Always choose to pay in dirhams when a card machine or ATM offers your home currency.
5. Keep every exchange receipt to change money back at the end.
6. Break big notes in supermarkets, pharmacies or hotels, so you always have small change.
7. Carry 5 and 10 dirham coins for tips, toilets and parking guards.
8. Ask prices in dirhams to avoid confusion with rial.
9. Withdraw enough cash before the desert or the mountains.
10. Split your money between different pockets and bags.
11. Check the 2,000 DH limit before you fly home.
12. Spend your coins on your last day, because they cannot be changed back.

Common Mistakes With Moroccan Money

Mistake	Fix
Trying to buy dirhams before the trip	Change money or use an ATM after you arrive
Paying in euros everywhere	Pay in dirhams for better prices
Accepting card conversion to your home currency	Always choose to pay in dirhams
Arriving in the desert with no cash	Withdraw enough in the city before you go
Losing exchange receipts	Keep them to change money back
Confusing rial and dirham	Always ask “how much in dirhams?”
Taking more than 2,000 DH out of Morocco	Spend or change the rest before departure

Quick Cheat Sheet: Moroccan Dirham

• Currency: Moroccan dirham (MAD / DH)
• Notes: 20, 50, 100, 200 DH
• About 10.7 DH = €1 and 9.3 DH = $1 (check live rates)
• Closed currency: max 2,000 DH in or out
• Best places to change: official exchange offices and ATMs
• Cash for souks, taxis, cafés; cards for hotels and big shops
• 1 dirham = 20 rial in spoken prices
• Keep your exchange receipts

Frequently Asked Questions About the Moroccan Dirham

Final Thoughts

The Moroccan dirham is easy to use once you know a few simple rules: change money after you arrive, keep small notes and coins, use cards in big places and cash everywhere else, keep your receipts, and always ask the price in dirhams. With this knowledge, you will shop, tip and bargain like a local and enjoy your trip without money stress. In the end, money is just a tool: the real treasures of Morocco are the people you meet, the mint tea you share and the memories you take home.

Have questions about money before your tour? Contact us and our team will tell you exactly how much cash to bring for your itinerary.

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Explore our Morocco trips:

Tours from Marrakech: Change your money in the red city, practice bargaining in the souks, then let us drive you over the Atlas to the desert, where we tell you exactly how much cash you need.

Morocco Desert Tours: ATMs are rare near the dunes, so we help you plan your cash before you leave. Then relax: camel rides, sunset and a night in a desert camp, with no money stress.

Tours from Fes: Discover the oldest medina, where prices are still said in rial, then cross the Middle Atlas to the Sahara with a local driver who helps you with every payment.

Tours from Ouarzazate: Ouarzazate is the last big town with many banks before the desert. Fill your wallet, then explore the kasbahs, the Dades and Todra gorges and the dunes.

Tours from Tangier: Arriving by ferry? Change your money in Tangier, then travel through Chefchaouen and Fes to the desert, spending your dirhams like a local.

Tours from Casablanca: Land at Mohammed V Airport, withdraw your first dirhams, and let us take you on a route to Marrakech, Fes and the Sahara with all practical tips included.

Contact us