Settling in

Settling in Casablanca

Casablanca is quickly tamed: French is spoken everywhere, the sun helps, and the French community is one of the largest in the world. The paperwork, however, needs method: a residence card for each person on arrival, consular registration, a dirham bank account, then housing and school. Here is the order of things, checked against official sites and Casa Accueil.

Verified on 31 October 2026

Arrival and first steps

No visa is needed to enter Morocco, but staying more than three months requires a residence card for every family member, children included. The file is lodged at the police prefecture, a stone's throw from the Institut français.

Good to know

French nationals enter Morocco with a passport valid for the whole stay; an ID card alone is no longer accepted, and each child needs their own passport. Beyond 90 days, a tourist stay must be regularised with the Moroccan authorities. Source
A tourist stay cannot exceed three consecutive months in any six-month period: beyond that, every family member must obtain a residence card from the Moroccan police, and it is granted subject to proof of resources. Source
In Casablanca, the application is lodged at the police prefecture on boulevard Zerktouni, next to the Institut français: passport and certified copies, six photos, proof of residence (lease or Lydec bill), employment contract or a legalised letter of support, criminal record extract, medical certificate, proof of means and a 100-dirham fee. A receipt is issued within about a month, the card arrives about three months later. Source
The card is renewed every year until a ten-year residence permit is obtained, with a Moroccan criminal record extract at each renewal. Unmarried partnerships are not recognised in Morocco: a partner without salaried work cannot obtain a residence card. Source
Children staying more than three months must hold their own document, which depends on a parent's residence permit; these documents are required on entry and exit, failing which children over one year old may be refused exit. Source
Registration with the French consular register is free, valid five years and done online on service-public.fr, with French ID, proof of residence in Morocco and a recent photo, for you and each minor child. It is a condition for school grants and for help with the Caisse des Français de l'étranger. Source
Week 1, in order: collect the residence card forms with your passports and build one file per person (the receipt will then be needed everywhere), register the family on the consular register, get a SIM card identified in your name, open the dirham account, put the Lydec and internet contracts in the tenant's name, then finalise school enrolments. Source

Addresses

Consulat général de France à Casablanca

Consulate

Rue du Prince Moulay Abdellah, 20250 Casablanca (entrée du public ruelle Bachir Laalej, place Mohammed V)

In the heart of the city centre, near place Mohammed V. Open Monday to Thursday 8:30 to 12:00 and 13:30 to 16:30, Friday 8:30 to 12:00; procedures by appointment; the out-of-hours phone line is for life-threatening emergencies only.

Website Source
Préfecture de police de Casablanca, service des étrangers

Boulevard Zerktouni, à côté de l'Institut français

Lodging and collection of residence card (carte d'immatriculation) files for the whole family; first collect the white and yellow forms with your passport, then return with the complete file.

Source

Go further

Housing: neighbourhoods and renting

French families spread between the smart central districts (Racine, Gauthier, Bourgogne, Anfa), the villas of Californie and Oasis, and the leafy estates of Bouskoura and Dar Bouazza, depending on the school chosen and how much you like driving. Homes are generous in size, prices can surprise.

Good to know

In Morocco, villas and flats are large, and often come with high prices that can surprise; choose your home first according to workplace and schools, then according to whether you want a central or a quiet area. Source
Casablanca residents mostly move in summer: the choice is widest from May-June to late July-August. Get an estate agent on board with your criteria, and check whether your expatriation contract includes a relocation agency. Source
Insist on a lease in your name stating the rent, its frequency and the deposit, with a termination clause of one or two months' notice; the lease must be registered, at the landlord's expense, and an inventory done before moving in, with the landlord repairing any damage first. Source
Rent may rise by 10 % after the third year, and the municipal services tax (taxe d'édilité), roughly a month's declared rent, is paid every year: state in the lease who pays it to avoid any dispute. Source
The samsar, the neighbourhood go-between, is unavoidable but is never paid before the viewing; listings are on Mubawab, Sarouty and the property section of Avito, and word of mouth from Casa Accueil and the Facebook group Réseau des expatriés à Casablanca does the rest. Source
Before signing, check finishes, wiring, plumbing, window seals, shutters and heating: winter is cold in poorly insulated homes and electricity is expensive; a well is an asset if the house has a garden or pool, as tap water is costly. Source

Addresses

Racine, Gauthier et Palmier

Neighbourhood

The smart residential centre: quiet, cultural Gauthier, Racine mixing new buildings and grand old houses, more affordable Palmier with the École Molière. Lycée Lyautey, Anatole-France collège, consulate and Institut français on foot or by tram.

Source
Bourgogne et Val d'Anfa

Neighbourhood

Wide tree-lined avenues, green spaces and modern buildings popular with expat families; the Lycée Léon-l'Africain in Val d'Anfa, the Corniche ten minutes away.

Source
Anfa, Aïn Diab et la Corniche

Neighbourhood

One of the city's wealthiest districts: villas, ocean views, wide boulevards, the beaches and beach clubs of Aïn Diab. Favoured by families who want the sea every day, close to the new Casa Anfa where the EFI and the Lycée Alphonse-Daudet are opening.

Source
Maârif et CIL

Neighbourhood

The favourite district for going out: restaurants, cafés, shops, very well served by the tram, mid- and high-end buildings. Neighbouring CIL, more residential, is a family classic.

Source
Californie et Oasis

Neighbourhood

Handsome houses and villas on shaded streets in the south of the city, near green spaces; very quiet, much loved by families and expats. The École Al Jabr in Oasis, the Lycée Maupassant on the nearby Almaz campus.

Source
Bouskoura Ville Verte

Neighbourhood

A dozen kilometres south, estates with gardens and pools on the edge of the forest, around the Lycée Louis-Massignon, the largest French school in the country; a car is essential.

Source
Dar Bouazza

Neighbourhood

Fifteen to twenty kilometres along the west coast: villas, estates, surf beaches and leisure parks; quieter and greener, for families who accept the daily school run.

Source
Sidi Maârouf

Neighbourhood

Expanding business district in the south, modern buildings halfway between the airport and the centre; expats settle there to be close to work.

Source

Go further

Phone and insurance

A SIM card takes five minutes to get but must be registered in your name, and the Lydec bill soon becomes your proof of address. As for insurance, car cover is compulsory and health cover strongly advised.

Good to know

A prepaid SIM (Maroc Telecom, Orange, inwi) is sold everywhere, but the line must be identified, as regulations require, with an ID card, passport or residence card, in a shop or online. Source
No-commitment mobile plans are cheap and number portability is free, borne by the receiving operator; for the home, fibre and ADSL come from the same operators, with an installation delay to allow for. Source
Casablanca's water and electricity are run by Lydec: the contract goes into the tenant's name on moving in, and the Lydec bill becomes your proof of address for the residence card and every other procedure. Source
A car brought from France runs under temporary admission, six months at most per calendar year, and must be covered by a green card valid in Morocco or border insurance; a car bought locally is insured with a Moroccan company, third-party liability being compulsory. Source
No health insurance is imposed on families, but private clinics require payment before discharge and the consulate never covers medical costs or repatriation: employer cover, Caisse des Français de l'étranger or a private policy, to be decided before leaving (see our Health page). Source

Go further

Banking and money

A dirham account can be opened as soon as you have the residence card receipt, and it is used for everything: salary, rent, Lydec, school. Day to day, cash still dominates, but cards and mobile payments are gaining ground fast.

Good to know

To open a dirham current account, bring your passport, residence card or its receipt, proof of address and employment contract; each bank has its own list, so ask for it before the appointment. Ask straight away for online banking and a card that works abroad. Source
The dirham is not freely convertible: transfers abroad are regulated by the Office des changes. Foreign residents can transfer part of their income and savings through a convertible dirham or foreign currency account: ask for one when you open your account and keep your payslips, you will need them to send money to France. Source
Cash is still king in Morocco: currency in circulation hit a new record at the end of 2025. Always keep dirhams for taxis, markets, small shops and tips. Source
Bank cards, instant interbank transfers and mobile payments are growing fast, according to Bank Al-Maghrib's 2025 report: paying by card is easy in supermarkets, malls and most restaurants. Source
Be careful with cheques: writing a cheque without funds or a guarantee cheque is a criminal offence in Morocco. Never sign a 'deposit' cheque for a lease or a purchase. Source
Keep your French account and card: the card tides you over for the first weeks, before your Moroccan card arrives, and the account remains useful for direct debits and transfers with France. Do tell your bank you are leaving, though: some products, such as the LEP or LDDS savings accounts, cannot be held by a non-resident. Source

Addresses

Attijariwafa bank

Bank

Large Moroccan banking group with branches in every neighbourhood. Attijari Mobile app.

Website Source
Banque Populaire

Bank

Banque Centrale Populaire group, with a dense network across the country. Pocket Bank app.

Website Source
Bank of Africa

Bank

Formerly BMCE Bank, a Moroccan group present in several African countries.

Website Source
Saham Bank

Bank

Formerly Société Générale Maroc, bought by the Moroccan Saham group and renamed Saham Bank in June 2025: it is no longer part of the Société Générale group.

Website Source
CIH Bank

Bank

Moroccan bank known for its online services. CIH Mobile app.

Website Source
BMCI

Bank

A BNP Paribas subsidiary; in April 2026 BNP Paribas signed the sale of its stake to the Moroccan Holmarcom group (which already owns Crédit du Maroc), with completion expected at the end of 2026.

Website Source

Go further

Getting set up

Casablanca has its IKEA, in Zenata, north-east of the city, and Moroccan hypermarkets also sell appliances and plenty of French products. For the rest, there are the malls on the Corniche and in Casa Finance City, and Avito for second-hand goods.

Addresses

IKEA Zenata

Furniture and home

Zenata, Aïn Harrouda

The large IKEA store for the Casablanca area, north-east of the city.

Website Source
Kitea

Furniture and home

Moroccan furniture and home decor chain, founded in Casablanca, with several stores around the city.

Website Source
Marjane

Supermarket

Morocco's large hypermarket chain: food, homeware, appliances.

Website Source
Carrefour Maroc

Supermarket

Carrefour hypermarkets, Carrefour Market, Carrefour Express and Carrefour Gourmet (Moroccan LabelVie group): you will find many French brands there.

Website Source
Aswak Assalam

Supermarket

Moroccan supermarkets, from fresh food to small and large appliances.

Website Source
Morocco Mall

Shopping mall

Angle boulevard de la Corniche et boulevard de l'Océan, Aïn Diab

The big mall on the Corniche, with Adventureland, an indoor play and rides area for all ages, and an ice rink.

Website Source
Aeria Mall

Shopping mall

Casa Finance City, Casa Anfa

A recent mall in the heart of Casa Finance City: children's shops, home and decor, electronics, restaurants and a Marjane Market.

Website Source
Electroplanet

Appliances

Moroccan appliance and electronics chain, with several stores in Casablanca and online sales.

Website Source
Biougnach Electro

Appliances

Moroccan home appliance specialist since 1973.

Website Source
Avito

Second-hand

Morocco's main classifieds site: furniture, appliances, baby gear, cars, housing.

Website Source

Getting around with children

Casablanca is a city of cars and traffic jams, but the tram has changed the game: four lines and two busways, one ticket, pushchair-friendly stations. Many families combine car, ride-hailing and tram.

Good to know

The Casatramway network has four tram lines (T1 to T4) and two busway lines, from about 5:30 to 22:30, with a service every 8 minutes on average; the T4 terminates at the Parc de la Ligue arabe, the T2 at Aïn Diab beach and the T3 at Casa-Port station. Source
One ticket or pass covers both tram and busway: single ticket from the machine, rechargeable card valid five years, weekly or monthly pass, youth fare for under-26s; prices are very gentle compared with French public transport. Source
Children under 4 travel free with an adult; every station on the network is accessible to people with reduced mobility, and therefore to pushchairs, and priority seats are marked in the trams. Source
Casabus (Alsa) buses cover the whole conurbation, from Mohammedia to Bouskoura, for 5 to 8 dirhams a trip depending on the line, with an app for timetables; line L001 links Casa-Port station to Mohammed V airport. Source
Red petits taxis and ride-hailing apps (Heetch, Careem, inDrive, Yango, Bolt) are daily life for car-free families: short, cheap rides, but no car seat, so bring your own for little ones.
As a resident of Morocco, you must obtain a Moroccan licence by exchanging your French one: first request your secure driving entitlement certificate (ADCS) online on Mes points permis, then lodge the file with the Mines department for your place of residence, which comes under the NARSA. Source
Traffic is hard going and the school, activity and office runs often dictate the choice of neighbourhood; many parents who did not drive take up local driving, the others rely on ride-hailing, a driver and the tram. Source

Go further

Admin: CNSS, taxes and the consulate

Employed in Morocco, you are registered by your employer with the CNSS, which runs compulsory health insurance and family allowances. Income tax is declared in Morocco, and the consulate remains your town hall: passports, civil status, grants, register.

Good to know

The employer registers with the CNSS within 30 days of the first hire and declares its employees: your registration number opens compulsory health insurance (AMO) for you, your spouse and your dependent children up to 21, or 26 if in higher education. Source
Foreign nationals resident in Morocco must declare all their income there; for an employee, income tax is withheld at source by the employer. The Direction générale des impôts (DGI) answers individuals' questions by phone and email. Source
A tax treaty links France and Morocco to avoid double taxation; your French obligations as a non-resident (French-source income, property in France) remain and are handled by the non-residents tax office. Source
As a tenant, you pay the municipal services tax (taxe d'édilité), roughly a month's declared rent per year, unless the lease says otherwise; as an owner, you add the housing tax and tax on rental income. Source
What the consulate does: passports and ID cards, registration and transcription of births, consular register, lists of recommended professionals (doctors, lawyers, translators), means-tested social aid, and school grants for accredited schools: campaign from January to March on the Scolaide platform, first applications in Casablanca until early September for newcomers. Source
What it does not do: the residence card (Moroccan police), legal advice, translations, and it does not cover your health costs or repatriation, which is not a right; the out-of-hours phone line is for life-threatening emergencies only (accident, death, assault, missing minor). Source

Go further

Budget: what costs more, what costs less

Casablanca is gentle on the wallet for almost everything, with two exceptions: French schools, all fee-paying, and upmarket housing in the sought-after districts. No precise figures, but here are the orders of magnitude.

Good to know

Housing: far more space than in Paris for often lower rent, but the districts favoured by expats carry prices that can surprise; to buy, the square metre in town was still markedly cheaper than in France in 2023, roughly two thirds less. Source
School: every French school charges fees, with textbooks and supplies paid by families; it is the biggest line in a family budget, and consular grants only concern French children on a means-tested basis. See our School fees page. Source
Health: GPs and specialists are plentiful and affordable, much cheaper than in France; private clinics are less affordable and require payment before discharge, hence the value of good insurance. Source
Domestic staff: employing a nanny, home help, gardener or driver is common and costs a reasonable sum, but Law 19-12, in force since 2018, now regulates contracts, hours and working days. Source
Transport and leisure: tram and bus for a few dirhams, free beach, golf, riding, tennis and surfing often cheaper than in Europe; on the other hand, a car (purchase, fuel, driver) weighs on the budget of families in outlying districts. Source
Energy: winter is cold indoors and electricity is expensive, so heating (often oil or electric) surprises on the bill; tap water is costly for anyone with a garden or pool. Source
Groceries: fruit, vegetables, bread, fish and Moroccan products very cheap at the market and the corner grocer; imported goods, cheeses, alcohol and French brands markedly dearer than in France in the big supermarkets.

Go further

A place has closed, something has changed? Tell us: the mums of Casablanca will thank you.

Sources for this page

The public pages these landmarks come from. The official website always prevails.

Get updates to the Casablanca guide

Verified addresses, official sources, school-year dates: we write when the Casablanca guide changes, never more than once a week.

Settling in Casablanca

Arrival and first steps

Good to know

Addresses

Go further

Housing: neighbourhoods and renting

Good to know

Addresses

Go further

Phone and insurance

Good to know

Go further

Banking and money

Good to know

Addresses

Go further

Getting set up

Addresses

Getting around with children

Good to know

Go further

Admin: CNSS, taxes and the consulate

Good to know

Go further

Budget: what costs more, what costs less

Good to know

Go further

Sources for this page

Get updates to the Casablanca guide

Other sections of the Casablanca guide

Report a change