Airbnb Tightens Rules on Moroccan Hosts’ Requests for ID Photos from November 20

A host asks you for a photo of your passport or national identity card after you book Airbnb in Morocco? They will have to be able to justify the request. The platform now specifies that, in principle, hosts may not retain any physical or digital copy of an identity document, except in authorized cases.

The new official Airbnb policy will apply to bookings made from November 20. The previous terms already restricted sending photos of identity documents before arrival, except where legally required. The updated version sets out the restrictions on collecting and retaining personal data throughout the booking and stay.

Hosts may still ask to see an identity document in person upon arrival, provided they have stated this check in their listing. Keeping a photo or photocopy will require separate justification, particularly where required by law or by a documented condominium rule.

In Morocco, verifying identity does not mean keeping a passport

Moroccan law already sets out formalities for tourist accommodation. Articles 36 to 38 of Law 80-14 require the establishments and other covered forms of accommodation to check guests’ identity documents, collect an individual accommodation form and report the required information to the authorities.

This system, supplemented by the electronic reporting of tourist overnight stays, also requires accommodation forms to be kept for one year. It does not, by itself, impose a general requirement to photocopy passports. The applicable formalities depend on the legal status of the accommodation being operated.

Airbnb hosts who are legally required to collect information may continue to do so. However, before a guest books, they must state in the “Requests” section of their listing what information is required and why. Airbnb may ask them to provide evidence of this obligation.

If a host asks you to send a photo of your CIN on WhatsApp after you have booked, you can ask what legal requirement the collection is based on and check whether it was mentioned in the listing. If the request appears to violate the rules, Airbnb invites guests to report it to its support team.

The new terms also restrict additional rental agreements and mandatory sign-ups for external apps. Some exceptions remain, including for agreements related to stays of at least 28 nights. Bookings made before November 20 will remain subject to the previous policy. In the event of a violation, Airbnb may warn hosts, suspend their listings or delete their accounts.