Moroccans Abroad With Holiday Homes May Miss Out on Free Electricity
Morocco plans to cover small electricity bills starting in January 2027. But Moroccans living abroad who own a home used only during holidays may be left out: second homes and seasonal residences are excluded from the announced program.
A bill of 30 or 60 dirhams will therefore not be enough to qualify for free electricity. On Friday, October 30, before the Finance Committee of the House of Representatives, Fouzi Lekjaa said that the aid planned for monthly bills of no more than 100 dirhams would be granted after excluding vacant, seasonal or second homes.
The distinction directly affects Moroccans living abroad (MREs) who keep an apartment or house in the country for their summer stays. These properties often have low consumption during the year precisely because they are occupied only occasionally. Their small bills will therefore not automatically entitle them to the state support announced.
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According to the minister, around six million electricity subscriptions, or 60% of electricity customers in Morocco, have monthly bills of 100 dirhams or less. Their average bill is 56 dirhams. But 29% of this group, or around 1.74 million subscriptions, correspond to vacant or seasonally used homes.
A small bill is not enough to qualify for the aid
After this screening, the government expects 4.26 million subscriptions to qualify, at an estimated annual cost of 2.83 billion dirhams. The program is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, as part of the measures accompanying the draft Finance Act.
For owners living in France, Belgium or the Netherlands, the key issue will be how their home is occupied. A house lived in year-round by parents is not in the same situation as an apartment kept closed for eleven months out of twelve. The rules for distinguishing between these situations will need to be clarified during implementation.
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The announced program will also cover prepaid meters, which are used in particular in rural areas. Eligible beneficiaries are expected to receive monthly credits, while customers billed after consumption will also be able to benefit from the support.
