Is Morocco safe for religious-minority travellers?
Significant restrictions
Morocco carries significant legal restrictions for religious-minority travellers — the clearest concern is government restriction of religion (very high restrictions).
What to know as a religious-minority traveller
the sourced facts that weigh most for you · concerns first
Pew Research Center classified Morocco’s Government Restrictions on religion as ’Very High’ in its 2022 data (published December 2024).
Article 267-5 of the Penal Code punishes offending Islam with up to two years’ imprisonment and Article 220 criminalises attempts to shake a Muslim’s faith; these provisions are actively enforced.
Morocco’s 2011 Constitution (preamble and Articles 19 and 23) prohibits discrimination on grounds such as sex, disability and social origin, but there is no comprehensive anti-discrimination statute and no protection for sexual orientation or gender identity.
Identity & recognition
Same-sex relationships
CriminalisedArticle 489 of the Penal Code criminalises same-sex sexual acts, punishable by 6 months to 3 years’ imprisonment and a fine, and it is actively enforced.
Legal gender recognition
Not possibleTransgender people cannot change their legal gender in Morocco; only intersex people gained limited legal recognition through Law 36.21 of 2021.
Anti-discrimination protection
PartialMorocco’s 2011 Constitution (preamble and Articles 19 and 23) prohibits discrimination on grounds such as sex, disability and social origin, but there is no comprehensive anti-discrimination statute and no protection for sexual orientation or gender identity.
Disability rights
CRPD 2009 + lawMorocco ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2009 and adopted Framework Law 97-13 on the rights of persons with disabilities in 2016.
Women's legal rights
Mostly equal, some gapsWomen’s legal rights are mostly equal, with some gaps — the WBL index scores 76/100 (2023) across mobility, workplace, pay, marriage, parenthood and property.
LGBTQ+ legal equality
Few or no protectionsLGBTQ+ people face a hostile legal environment — Equaldex scores 10/100 (2026); expect few or no protections, and in some places active criminalisation. Research local law and discretion carefully.
Body & health
Abortion access
Life/health onlyUnder Article 453 of the Penal Code abortion is permitted only when the mother’s health or life is at risk; a 2015-2016 reform effort to add rape and incest grounds was not enacted.
Cannabis & personal drug law
Illegal (recreational)Recreational cannabis remains illegal in Morocco under the 1974 dahir; Law 13-21 of 2021 legalised only medical, pharmaceutical and industrial uses under state licensing via the ANRAC agency.
Faith & conscience
Government restriction of religion
Very high restrictionsPew Research Center classified Morocco’s Government Restrictions on religion as ’Very High’ in its 2022 data (published December 2024).
Blasphemy & apostasy law
EnforcedArticle 267-5 of the Penal Code punishes offending Islam with up to two years’ imprisonment and Article 220 criminalises attempts to shake a Muslim’s faith; these provisions are actively enforced.
Speech & press
Freedom of expression
Not free · 37/100Rated Not Free, 37/100, by Freedom House (2025).
Your obligations on arrival
Address / residence registration
Foreign students must apply for a residence permit (carte de sejour) at the local police prefecture (Surete Nationale) within 90 days of arrival; failure to do so results in an illegal stay.
Student work rights
A Moroccan student visa or residence permit does not authorise employment; to work, a student must first secure a job offer and have the employer obtain a separate work permit.
Health insurance
Proof of health insurance valid in Morocco is required for the long-stay (Type D) student visa and is required by most universities before course registration.
Bringing medication
Travellers may bring prescription medicines for personal use (generally a one to three month supply) in original packaging with a doctor’s prescription; narcotics and psychotropics such as codeine, tramadol and benzodiazepines are restricted and must be declared to customs.
Laws differ from lived experience and this is not legal advice. Each fact shows its evidence type, date and source. Full method & sources →
Emergency numbers
Travel-medical cover that works abroad with no local address, and a data eSIM so maps and messaging work the moment you land.