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Searching for and buying property in Marrakech

Buying in Marrakech: what to check (title, zoning, VNA), acquisition costs and the exchange rules for a non-resident. Official sources.

Before buying in Marrakech, check the title with the land registry, the town-planning zoning of the plot and the absence of charges. On top of the price, count the registration duties (4% for a built property, 6% for many other properties), the land registry fees and the notary’s fees.

01 What to check before committing

  • The title: a registered property has a land title; an unregistered property (melkia) rests on deeds that a notary must examine.
  • The charges: the ownership certificate from the land registry shows the owner and the entries (mortgage, seizure).
  • The zoning: the permitted height (R+3, R+4, R+5…) and the use of the plot are read in the development plan, not in the listing.
  • Where the plot lies in relation to the urban perimeter, which conditions a purchase by a foreigner (see the guide for foreign buyers).

02 The budget beyond the price

On top of the registration duties (4% for a built property, 6% for transfers of real estate in general under the DGI schedule) come the land registry fee (1% for a transfer) and the notary’s fees, which are not set by a single scale.

03 Buying from abroad

The Office des Changes provides that the costs linked to the purchase (notary, registration, land registry) are covered by a transfer of foreign currency or from a convertible dirham account. For a dirham loan granted to a non-resident, a minimum contribution of 30% of the price in foreign currency is required.

Frequently asked questions

How do I check that a seller really owns the property?

Ask for the land registry’s ownership certificate for a registered property: it names the owner and the registered charges. For an unregistered property, have a notary examine the deeds before paying anything.

What costs should I plan for on top of the price?

Registration duties (4% for a built property, 6% for transfers of real estate in general), the land registry fee (1% for a transfer) and the notary’s fees. The official schedule is on the DGI and ANCFCC websites.

Can a non-resident borrow in Morocco?

Approved banks may grant dirham loans to non-residents to buy a home, provided a minimum contribution of 30% of the price in foreign currency is made, according to the Office des Changes. Each bank then applies its own criteria.

What does R+5 mean in a listing?

R+5 means a ground floor plus five storeys: it is the maximum height the zoning allows. The development plan can be revised (Marrakech-Ouest’s was in 2025): ask for the plot’s town-planning information note.

Sources