French Banks May Block Transfers of Your Own Money From Morocco

French nationals living in Morocco, particularly Franco-Moroccan dual nationals, may be asked by their French bank to provide updated supporting documents. The Directorate General of the Treasury details these requirements in an official document published on October 29 on banking difficulties faced by French nationals living abroad.

Banks must regularly verify their customers’ identity, address, tax residence, occupation and the origin of certain funds. These checks also apply to accounts that have been open for several years.

A large transfer between Morocco and France may therefore require supporting documents, even when both accounts belong to the same person. A property sale, inheritance, gift or unusual transaction may lead the bank to request documents before processing the transfer.

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According to the Treasury, most delayed transfers are processed once the requested information has been received. However, an out-of-date file can lead to the temporary restriction of certain banking services, particularly if the customer’s address, tax residence or identity document has not been updated.

The guide also notes that the country of residence can affect access to certain financial products. An expatriate may therefore lose the ability to take out certain investments or use services previously offered by their French bank.

Account closure after repeated unanswered requests

If a customer repeatedly fails to respond to requests for supporting documents, the bank may be required to end the banking relationship. As a general rule, it must notify the account holder at least two months before the account is actually closed, except in cases provided for by regulations.

Checks will be further strengthened in July 2027 when the new European anti-money laundering framework takes effect. Banks will have to collect more information and update it more frequently, sometimes every year.

For French nationals living in Morocco, the Treasury recommends keeping documents relating to significant transactions and reporting any change in tax residence. This precaution is particularly relevant for people selling inherited property in Morocco, as transferring the proceeds of the sale to Europe may already require specific supporting documents.

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In the event of a dispute, the guide sets out several steps: contact your bank adviser, submit a written complaint, then turn to the banking ombudsman free of charge when the conditions are met.

There is another option for French nationals living abroad whose application to open a bank account has been refused. If they meet the requirements under the right to a bank account, they can apply to the Banque de France, which will designate a bank to provide them with basic banking services.