Morocco is called the gateway to Africa because it is separated from the European continent by the Strait of Gibraltar, but also because of its greater cultural proximity to Europe compared to other African countries. However living and working in Morocco, as foreigner is not so easy. Thanks to its location, Morocco has an exceptional geographical diversity: coasts on the Atlantic Ocean, coasts on the Mediterranean Sea, mountainous regions and desert areas with the Sahara.
The climate is basically Mediterranean, i.e. mild and pleasant, but near the mountains the climate can become colder.
Morocco has a great ethnic diversity and the country is one of the few Islamic territories with remarkable religious tolerance due to its proximity to Spain and its historical influences. Moroccan society is a hospitable society for foreigners. There is no xenophobia here because the society is heterogeneous and people have learned over centuries to live with different cultures.
Moroccans, as their culture dictates, are extremely hospitable and cordial to all foreigners and guests in general. In Morocco, you will always be invited to weddings or baptisms, and you can bring a friend or relative, even if they have not been invited, they are welcome. Moroccans are very sociable and strike up a conversation with strangers everywhere. People are hospitable and curious. They want to know why you are here. The national language is Arabic. Since the country was a colony of France, French is well known, Spanish is spoken in the north, and young people know some English.
The public education system is highly inadequate and corruption makes it possible to sell and buy doctorates and titles. The private education system is of good quality: Morocco is a fairly international country and therefore has numerous schools for foreigners. French schools are the most common, as there is a strong French community in the country. Public health care leaves much to be desired in terms of equipment, facilities, and personnel. Therefore, it is necessary to use private health care, but it is quite expensive.
Morocco is not a particularly safe country: Fes is considered the worst city in the country and one of the most dangerous cities in the world, and other cities are not the safest either.
Living in Morocco is not expensive. The cost of living is generally low, with an income of $800-900 per month, one is considered representative of the middle class. Housing costs are also quite affordable, although they have increased recently.
Citizens of some countries who wish to visit Morocco do not need to apply for a visa. They can stay for a maximum of 90 days without any problems. However, if you want to live or work in Morocco, you must apply for a residence permit.
If you want to work in Morocco, it is essential that you have the necessary language skills. Although Arabic is the working language in most public offices, French is still the language of business in Morocco. More and more Moroccans speak English, and this language is also spoken in some international companies; however, in general, it will be very difficult to work in Morocco without being fluent in Arabic or French.
If you have good skills you can find a job in the tourism sector, but it is difficult to find work in other sectors. Casablanca, the economic center of the country, offers the largest job market and hosts the most foreigners working in Morocco. The Moroccan salary is relatively low compared to the cost of living and opportunities are not numerous. On the other hand, if you want to start an entrepreneurial activity and you like the lack of environmental regulations, the absence of penalties for excessive exploitation and the low wages for workers, this could be the place for you.
Below I list the most used job portals (in French) in Morocco:
Living and working in Morocco, conclusion
Morocco is a very beautiful Arab country, rich in traditions and history, with enchanting nature and landscapes. But it is also a country with obvious contradictions. There is a great difference between the Moroccan elite and the rest of the population. Unemployment is very high. Corruption and poor governance dominate the country.
In summary, Morocco is an exotic and attractive country for lovers of history and human warmth. As in many other countries, the differences between urban and rural areas or between rich and poor are very great. However, for those who have the opportunity to get a good job, the courage to make an experience in Morocco is an opportunity not to be underestimated.
