MRE Travel Allowance 100000 Dirhams Morocco Currency

The rule is often unknown to Moroccans residing abroad. The personal travel allowance does not only concern Moroccans living in Morocco. According to the Foreign Exchange Office, it can also be granted to MREs when they travel abroad from Morocco.

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Specifically, this allowance is used to cover personal expenses related to travel: airline ticket or other transport document, accommodation fees, lodging or daily expenses abroad. It can be obtained directly from a bank or currency exchange operator, or be used as part of a trip organized by an approved agency.

Up to 100,000 dirhams, with a higher ceiling under certain conditions

The basic amount of this allowance is set at 100,000 dirhams per person per calendar year. It can be increased by a supplement equivalent to 30% of income tax paid or withheld at source in Morocco the previous year.

However, this increase only applies to persons who can justify income tax paid in Morocco. The total amount, including basic allowance and supplement, cannot exceed 500,000 dirhams per person per calendar year.

For MREs, this provision can be useful in several situations: departure from Morocco to another country after vacation, family trip from the kingdom, tourist stay or personal travel requiring foreign currency.

The allowance can be provided in several forms: foreign banknotes, traveler’s checks, bank checks or loading onto an international payment card. However, when foreign currency is provided in banknotes, the amount provided on the occasion of the same trip cannot exceed the equivalent of 100,000 dirhams.

The Foreign Exchange Office also specifies that unused amounts must be returned to the foreign exchange market. In case of trip cancellation, the deadline is 30 days from the date the allowance is granted. If the trip did take place, this deadline runs from the date of return to Morocco.

To obtain this allowance, Moroccans must present a valid national identity card as well as a valid individual passport. In case of a request for a supplement related to income tax, a certificate issued by the Moroccan administration is also necessary.

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This rule shows that MREs are not only concerned with customs formalities upon entry to Morocco. They may also be subject to exchange rules when leaving the kingdom with foreign currency for another trip.