Operation Marhaba is the official welcome program for Moroccans Residing Abroad (MRE) during their summer return home. Organized by the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity (FM5) in partnership with the Ministry of MRE, it mobilizes thousands of volunteers and paid staff each year. In 2025, 4.06 million MRE transited through Marhaba welcome points, a record. For summer 2026, the program runs from mid-June to mid-September with 19 welcome points across Morocco and Europe.
Costs & fees
| Marhaba services (orientation, assistance, WiFi) | Free | For all MRE and families |
| FM5 hotline (080 100 80 80) | Free | From Morocco only |
| Personal customs allowance for MRE | 25,000 DH | Per adult, used effects and gifts |
Timeline
Marhaba 2026 welcome points in Morocco and Europe
In Morocco, 14 welcome points are deployed at main ports and entry routes: Tanger Med (main), Tanger city, Bab Sebta, Bab Melilla, Nador, Al Hoceima (port), Ras Kebdana, plus points on motorways A1 (rest areas), A3, A5 and at Casablanca Mohammed V airport. In Europe, 5 points are active: Algeciras (Spain), Tarifa (Spain), Barcelona (Spain), Sète (France) and Genoa (Italy).
💡 Tip — The Tanger Med welcome point is the most frequented and best equipped. It has a nursery, infirmary, prayer room, catering and a tourist information desk.
Free services offered to MRE
All Marhaba services are completely free for MRE and their families. They include: orientation and information (multilingual signage in Arabic, French, Spanish, Dutch, Italian), first emergency medical assistance (nurses and on-call doctors), temporary childcare, equipped prayer areas, rest spaces, phone charging, WiFi connection, and guidance to customs services. A telephone hotline is available: free number 080 100 80 80 (free from Morocco).
💡 Tip — The FM5 free number 080 100 80 80 responds in Arabic, French and Spanish. It can assist MRE in difficulty even before arriving in Morocco (ticket problem, missing document, medical emergency en route).
Marhaba 2026 customs allowance
Under the Marhaba operation, MRE benefit from a specific customs regime. The personal allowance (used personal effects, gifts) is set at 25,000 DH per adult. This allowance covers clothing, used personal electronics, toys, books, etc. New items in large quantities or of a commercial nature are subject to normal customs duties. The ADII (douane.gov.ma) publishes the list of authorized items and their maximum quantities each year.
💡 Tip — Keep original packaging and invoices for new electronic devices (phones, tablets, computers). They help justify personal use if subjected to thorough customs inspection.
⚠️ Warning — New phones in quantity (more than 2 per person) may be treated as a commercial import and taxed. Limit yourself to 1 or 2 new devices per adult.
Accelerated customs procedure at Marhaba ports
During the Marhaba operation, Moroccan customs set up dedicated MRE lanes at relevant ports. The simplified procedure allows faster processing for families by car carrying only personal effects within the allowed allowance. Bilingual agents are present to facilitate declarations. Nevertheless, during peak periods (July 15 - August 15), waiting times at Tanger Med can reach 2 to 4 hours even with Marhaba lanes.
💡 Tip — Submit your customs declaration online via the ADII portal (douane.gov.ma) before your arrival to speed up the crossing. Online pre-declaration has been available since 2023.
Marhaba 2025-2026 figures and context
Operation Marhaba 2025 welcomed 4.06 million MRE (vs 3.94 million in 2024), a 3.2% increase. France represents 38% of welcomed MRE, followed by Spain (22%), Belgium (9%), Netherlands (7%) and Italy (6%). Average summer stay duration is 35 days. For 2026, the FM5 plans to reach 4.2 million crossings with enhanced capacities at Tanger Med.
In depth
Operation Marhaba goes beyond simple border welcome: since 2018, the FM5 has extended its program to assistance throughout the journey. Mobile teams patrol the A1 motorway between Tanger and Casablanca to assist MRE who break down or encounter difficulties. This free roadside assistance is separate from insurance company assistance and can be requested via the free number. A less known aspect: the FM5 has cultural spaces at some welcome points where practical information about Morocco is distributed (investment guides, real estate offers, administrative procedures). These spaces are staffed by agents from various Moroccan ministries (ADII, CNSS, Land Registry, ANAPEC) who can answer specific questions about Moroccan administrative procedures. This is an opportunity for MRE to settle or initiate administrative files taking advantage of their physical presence.
❌ Common mistakes to avoid
- ✕Not knowing the FM5 free number (080 100 80 80) and being left without assistance in case of border problems
- ✕Exceeding the 25,000 DH allowance without declaration and risking confiscation and customs fines
- ✕Arriving at Tanger Med on July 14 without allowing for 3 to 4 hours of queuing despite Marhaba lanes
🔗 Official links and resources
❓ Frequently asked questions
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