MRE Buyer Guide
The MRE Buyer's Guide
to Property in Morocco.
MRE buyers have access to the same market as all other buyers — and to some advantages others do not. But your non-resident status creates specific requirements around banking, mortgages, and the Daam Sakani subsidy. Understanding them before you commit is what separates a well-structured purchase from a costly mistake.
MRE Status
What MRE Status Means
for Your Transaction.
MRE — Marocain Résidant à l'Étranger — is Morocco's official designation for Moroccan nationals who live outside the country. The status is not a formal registration but a legal category that determines which rules apply to your property transaction, banking, and eligibility for state programmes including Daam Sakani.
Moroccan Nationals Living Abroad
Any Moroccan national whose primary residence is outside Morocco is considered MRE for the purposes of property transactions, banking requirements, and Daam Sakani eligibility. This applies regardless of how long you have lived abroad, whether you hold another nationality, or whether you still hold a Moroccan CIN or passport.
It Determines the Rules That Apply
MRE status triggers the requirement to use a convertible dirham account (CPC) for purchase funds, determines your eligibility for MRE-specific mortgage products, and governs how the Daam Sakani 5-year occupancy obligation applies to you specifically — including the bail gratuit alternative that allows you to house immediate family members instead of living there yourself.
Moroccan Nationality Takes Precedence
If you hold both Moroccan and French (or Spanish, Belgian, or other) nationality, Morocco recognises you primarily as Moroccan for property transaction purposes. This means you are eligible for Daam Sakani (unlike non-Moroccan foreign nationals), and the MRE banking and mortgage rules apply to you as described in this guide.
The Core Purchase Process Is Identical
The notarial process, land registry registration, transaction costs (6–7%), and legal framework are the same for MRE and Morocco-based buyers. MRE status creates additional banking and documentation requirements — it does not create a separate or parallel transaction pathway.
Banking
CPC Account vs Regular Account:
Why the Difference Matters.
MRE buyers often already have a Moroccan bank account — used for family transfers, savings, or occasional visits. Many assume this account is sufficient for a property purchase. It is not. The type of account your purchase funds pass through determines whether you can ever recover those funds from Morocco.
The Account You Need for a Property Purchase
The CPC account receives funds transferred from abroad in foreign currency — euros, dollars, pounds. The bank converts them to dirhams at the prevailing rate. The critical feature: it creates a documented trail that funds originated from abroad. This trail is what gives you the legal right to repatriate full sale proceeds when you eventually sell. Mortgage repayments also go through the CPC account. All major Moroccan banks offer this account type.
Insufficient for Property Purchase Funds
A regular dirham account — whether you have used it for years or recently opened it — does not document the foreign origin of funds. If you transfer money to a regular account and then use those funds for a property purchase, you lose the repatriation guarantee. You can still complete the purchase, but getting your money back out of Morocco will be severely restricted: 25% of proceeds per year, meaning four years to recover the full amount after you sell.
Speak to your notary immediately. In some cases, if the final deed has not been signed, the situation may be salvageable. Once the acte de vente is signed and registered without the correct CPC and Office des Changes structure, the repatriation limitation is permanent.
Mortgage Options
Moroccan Banks Actively
Lend to MRE Buyers.
Most major Moroccan banks have dedicated MRE departments and offer mortgage products with terms specifically designed for non-resident buyers. These are not difficult to access — but the requirements are specific and must be prepared correctly before approaching a bank.
Typical Eligibility Requirements
A valid Moroccan CIN or passport confirming nationality. Proof of residency abroad — utility bill, foreign residence permit, or tax certificate. 6 months of bank statements from your foreign account showing regular income. Employment contract or self-employment documentation. Clean credit history with no Moroccan banking defaults.
Personal Contribution Required
MRE buyers typically need a personal contribution of 20–40% of the purchase price. The exact requirement varies by bank and borrower profile. The 30% minimum foreign currency contribution rule for repatriation means that where possible, at least 30% of the total purchase price should be transferred from abroad via the CPC account — regardless of whether you borrow the balance locally.
Loan Terms and Conditions
Loan terms for MRE buyers can extend to 25–30 years. Interest rates are typically variable, indexed to the Bank Al-Maghrib policy rate. Monthly repayments go through your convertible dirham account. Some banks cap total debt service (all loans) at 40–45% of net income — include all existing obligations when calculating affordability.
Currency and Repayment
The mortgage is denominated in Moroccan dirhams. You transfer repayments monthly from your foreign account to your CPC account, and the bank debits from there. Many banks offer standing order arrangements with French, Spanish, or Belgian banks to automate this. Exchange rate movements affect the real cost of your repayments — factor this into your long-term budget.
Which Banks to Approach
Attijariwafa Bank, CIH Bank, Banque Populaire, and BMCE Bank of Africa all have established MRE mortgage divisions and branches or offices in major European cities. Compare at least two offers before committing — rates and conditions vary. Applying before finalising a property gives you a clearer budget and stronger negotiating position with the developer.
Daam Sakani for MRE Buyers
Up to 100,000 MAD — But the
5-Year Rule Has an MRE Alternative.
MRE buyers are eligible for Morocco's Daam Sakani housing subsidy — 70,000 MAD for properties priced 300,001–700,000 MAD, or 100,000 MAD for properties at or below 300,000 MAD. But eligibility depends on meeting specific conditions. The 5-year occupancy obligation has a specific MRE alternative that most buyers are unaware of.
Core Eligibility Conditions
Moroccan nationality (including dual nationals). First-time property owner in Morocco — no current or past residential property in your name. Never previously benefited from any state housing subsidy in Morocco. Buying a new first-sale property with at least 2 rooms. Construction permit issued from 1 January 2023 or later. Property price at or below 700,000 MAD all taxes included (TTC).
The 5-Year Rule — and the MRE Alternative
The standard Daam Sakani condition requires the buyer to use the property as their primary residence for 5 years. MRE buyers living abroad cannot satisfy this literally. Morocco has addressed this: MRE buyers can meet the 5-year obligation by making the property available free of charge to their spouse, a direct ascendant (parent or grandparent), or a direct descendant (child or grandchild). The arrangement must be genuinely gratuitous — no payment of any kind.
The bail gratuit: A notarised gratuitous lease (bail gratuit) is the standard instrument used to document this arrangement. It identifies the property, names the beneficiary, and confirms the accommodation is provided free of charge. This document satisfies the Daam Sakani occupancy condition for MRE buyers.
What triggers repayment: Selling the property, renting it commercially, or placing someone outside the immediate family circle in the property within the 5-year period forces full repayment of the subsidy amount to the state.
As of October 2025, MRE buyers represented 24% of all Daam Sakani applications nationally — a significant share, indicating the programme is actively accessible to Moroccans abroad. The application is digital, handled through daamsakane.ma, and MRE buyers can register from abroad.
Power of Attorney
Acting From Abroad Without
Missing Critical Steps.
MRE buyers frequently need to manage parts of the transaction remotely — particularly for off-plan purchases where the handover may be 12–24 months after the reservation. A power of attorney (procuration) is the correct tool, but it must be scoped correctly and given to someone who will actually use it.
A Local Moroccan POA Is Usually Sufficient
Unlike foreign nationals who need apostilled and translated foreign-notarised documents, Moroccan nationals living abroad can typically grant a power of attorney through the Moroccan consulate in their country of residence. Consular POAs are directly recognised in Morocco without apostille or translation. Process time is usually 1–2 weeks — significantly faster than the foreign notary route.
Scope It for Every Stage
A property POA for an off-plan purchase should explicitly cover: signing the reservation contract and all payment receipts, signing the compromis de vente, signing the acte de vente at the notary, receiving the keys and signing the delivery report, managing post-delivery snag lists with the developer, and where applicable, signing the Daam Sakani documentation at the notary.
The Representative Must Be Active
A POA held by a family member who is hard to reach, unavailable for appointments, or unlikely to push back on a developer creates the same risk as no POA at all. The person you appoint must be willing to visit the site, attend the notary on short notice, and communicate with you regularly throughout the construction period.
Prepare It Before You Travel Home
Many MRE buyers visit Morocco during summer or Ramadan, find a property they want to buy, and return abroad before the paperwork is ready — assuming they can manage the rest remotely. If you intend to buy during a visit, prepare the POA before you travel. Processing at the consulate after you return abroad takes time, and developers may not hold a reservation indefinitely.
Common MRE Buyer Mistakes
What Goes Wrong — and
How to Avoid It.
These are the patterns that appear repeatedly when MRE purchases go wrong. None of them are inevitable — they are all avoidable with preparation.
Funding Through the Wrong Account
Transferring purchase funds to a regular dirham account — even one you have had for years — instead of a CPC account is the single most consequential mistake an MRE buyer can make. The repatriation guarantee is lost permanently once the transaction completes without the correct structure.
Buying Under Time Pressure
Sales teams know MRE buyers have fixed travel windows. "This price is only available until you leave" is a pressure technique, not a fact. Buyers who sign reservations during a visit without adequate verification are the most common source of post-purchase regret — particularly on off-plan purchases.
Signing Without Reading the Contract
A reservation contract presented for signature on the day of a site visit, in French or Arabic, covering a unit you have viewed once — is not a document to sign immediately. Every reservation contract should specify the delivery date, the payment schedule tied to construction milestones, the exact specifications, and what happens if the developer does not deliver on time.
An Inactive Power of Attorney
Granting a POA to a family member who does not visit the site, does not follow up with the developer, and does not communicate regularly during construction is nearly as risky as having no representative. The person you appoint must be genuinely active — not just legally authorised.
Misunderstanding Daam Sakani Eligibility
Structuring a budget around the 70,000 MAD subsidy before confirming eligibility is a common error. Previous property ownership in Morocco — including inherited or jointly held property — disqualifies you. The platform confirms eligibility before pre-approval, but a sales agent cannot confirm it for you.
Losing Transfer Documentation
The attestations de transfert from your CPC account transfers are required at the point of sale — often years after the purchase. Buyers who cannot produce these documents face significant difficulties repatriating proceeds even when the original purchase was structured correctly. Keep them permanently, not just for the tax year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions MRE Buyers
Ask Most.
Yes, in most cases. Daam Sakani requires that you have never owned residential property in Morocco — inherited property counts. The platform checks ownership records against your national ID. If you currently hold any share of a property in Morocco, even as a co-heir, you are not eligible. There is no exception for inherited property under the current programme rules.
Yes, but with more documentation. Banks require at least 2 years of tax returns and business accounts showing consistent income, rather than employment contracts and payslips. Some banks are more flexible than others. A larger personal contribution (towards 40%) can offset a less standardised income profile. Approach at least two banks and present your documentation clearly.
Yes. The subsidy reduces the effective purchase price, which reduces the loan amount needed. When structured correctly, the Daam aid is paid to the notary as part of the transaction, and your personal contribution plus the mortgage make up the balance. Your notary coordinates the timing with the bank. Confirm the full sequence with your notary and bank before reserving.
Yes. A notarised bail gratuit (gratuitous lease) is the standard instrument. It documents that your parents occupy the property free of charge — which satisfies the Daam Sakani 5-year occupancy obligation for MRE buyers. An informal arrangement without documentation provides no protection if the programme is audited or if circumstances change.
Some banks allow MRE buyers to begin the process remotely or at a partner branch abroad, particularly in France, Spain, and Belgium. In practice, most banks require at least one in-person appointment — either in Morocco or at a foreign branch — to complete KYC verification. Contact your chosen bank's MRE department in advance to understand their specific process before planning your timeline.
MRE mortgage products are designed for non-resident income profiles: they accept foreign income documentation, allow repayments via foreign-currency transfers to a CPC account, and often have dedicated advisors who speak French, Spanish, and Italian. The interest rates and term lengths are broadly comparable to standard products, but the documentation requirements and repayment mechanics are structured for buyers who are not based in Morocco.
Your MRE status determines the rules that applied at the time of purchase. Once you are resident in Morocco, future transactions follow resident rules. For properties already purchased under MRE rules, the existing CPC structure and Office des Changes registration remain valid and continue to protect your repatriation rights on that specific property.
Technically yes, using a properly prepared power of attorney. In practice, we recommend visiting at least once to see the project before committing — particularly for off-plan purchases where you are buying something that does not yet exist. Your POA can manage the remaining stages, but the initial site visit and developer evaluation is difficult to delegate meaningfully.
For MRE Buyers
We Work With MRE Buyers Every Day.
The questions in this guide come from real conversations with MRE buyers at every stage of the process — from first enquiry to key handover. We help with banking structure, Daam eligibility verification, developer evaluation, and managing the transaction when you are abroad. MRE buyer page →
Next Step
Tell Us What You Are
Planning to Buy.
Whether you are comparing properties, checking Daam eligibility, or working through the banking setup — tell us where you are in the process and we will help you move forward correctly.
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Trying to Buy or Build.
Whether you are comparing properties, buying from abroad, returning home, or bringing a development to market, the right next step depends on your situation. Tell us what you are working on and we will respond with the most relevant path forward.
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