Falling ill or having an accident in Morocco during the holidays is a reality many MREs have experienced. The good news: Morocco's healthcare system has good private clinics in major cities. The less good news: your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not valid in Morocco. This guide explains how to access emergency care, the reimbursement options through your French or European health insurance, and why repatriation insurance is strongly recommended.
Costs & fees
| GP consultation (private clinic, Morocco) | 200 to 500 MAD | Depending on the city and clinic. Rabat and Casablanca are more expensive than Agadir or Oujda |
| Specialist consultation (private clinic, Morocco) | 400 to 1,000 MAD | Cardiologist, surgeon, neurologist at a private clinic |
| One night hospitalisation (private clinic, Morocco) | 1,500 to 5,000 MAD | Excluding surgery and medications |
| CPAM reimbursement (French tariff base) | 60 to 70% of French SS rate | Around EUR 15 to 25 for a GP consultation |
| Repatriation insurance (1-month trip) | EUR 20 to 50 | Variable by insurer and level of cover chosen |
| Medications at pharmacy | Free prices | Generics cheaper than in France; keep packaging for CPAM reimbursement |
Timeline
Emergency numbers to know in Morocco
In case of medical emergency: dial 141 (SAMU Morocco, available 24/7). In rural areas or on the road, 177 (Royal Gendarmerie) can also coordinate emergency services. For emergencies in Morocco from a local or Moroccan phone: 141 (medical emergencies), 190 (police), 177 (gendarmerie). If you are in Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech or Agadir, private clinics have their own emergency doctors and can send an ambulance. Note the nearest clinic's number before you leave.
💡 Tip — Write down emergency numbers on paper and in your phone contacts before arriving in Morocco. In case of shock or panic, it is faster than searching online.
⚠️ Warning — Do not dial 15 (SAMU France) from Morocco: this number only works on French territory. The Moroccan medical emergency number is 141.
Choosing between public hospital and private clinic
For an MRE without Moroccan AMO health cover, the private clinic is the best option for fast, quality care. Moroccan public hospitals are accessible to all but often overcrowded, with long waiting times and variable equipment. Major cities (Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, Agadir, Fes, Tanger) have well-equipped private clinics with French-speaking or Spanish-speaking doctors. Fees are settled on the spot, in cash or by bank card depending on the clinic.
💡 Tip — Before leaving, note the name and number of 2 to 3 private clinics in the city where you are staying. Platforms like Doctoralia Morocco or local community recommendations can guide you.
⚠️ Warning — Even at a private clinic, always request a detailed invoice (with separate diagnosis, medical procedures and medications) so you can claim reimbursement on returning to France or Europe.
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) does not work in Morocco
The EHIC is valid in the 27 EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Morocco is not included. It therefore covers no treatment in Morocco. If your European supplementary insurance covers care abroad (outside the EU), check the limits and conditions before departure. Some French mutual insurance companies reimburse treatment in Morocco up to a defined ceiling (often 70% to 100% of French social security rates for equivalent procedures).
💡 Tip — Read your mutual insurance general conditions or contact your customer service before departure. Request the 'care abroad' reimbursement form and the required supporting documents.
⚠️ Warning — Do not rely on your EHIC in Morocco. It will be systematically refused by Moroccan clinics and pharmacies.
Getting CPAM reimbursement for treatment in Morocco
France has concluded a social security agreement with Morocco. For care received in Morocco, CPAM policyholders can request partial reimbursement based on the French liability rate. Procedure: (1) Keep all original invoices and prescriptions. (2) On returning to France, complete form SE 350-04 (Claim for reimbursement of care received in a foreign country) for consultations and medical procedures, or SE 350-20 for hospitalisations. (3) Attach original invoices, prescriptions and the medical report. (4) Send the file to your CPAM. Reimbursement is based on French social security rates (often well below actual private clinic prices in Morocco).
💡 Tip — Forms SE 350-04 and SE 350-20 are downloadable from ameli.fr. Fill them in before the end of your stay in Morocco so you do not forget anything.
⚠️ Warning — CPAM reimbursement through the Franco-Moroccan agreement is partial and based on French rates. If a consultation costs 500 MAD at a private clinic in Morocco, CPAM will reimburse the equivalent of a GP consultation in France (around EUR 25), not the actual 500 MAD.
Taking out repatriation insurance before departure
Repatriation insurance covers medical transport to your country of residence if your health condition requires it. This is separate coverage from health insurance, which most mutual insurers do not automatically include. It covers: air ambulance or ambulance to the most appropriate European hospital, hospitalisation in Europe if necessary, and sometimes repatriation of the body in case of death. Multi-risk travel insurance (Allianz Travel, AXA Assistance, Europ Assistance) generally includes this cover. Cost: EUR 20 to 80 for a stay of 1 to 3 months.
💡 Tip — Check whether your bank card (Visa Premier, Mastercard Gold, American Express) already includes repatriation insurance. If so, check the limits and exclusions.
⚠️ Warning — Repatriation insurance often has activation conditions (you must be more than X km from your home, hospitalisation must last at least 24 hours, etc.). Read the general conditions before subscribing.
In depth
## France-Morocco social security agreement The France-Morocco social security agreement was signed in 1965 and subsequently amended. It covers sickness, maternity, disability, occupational accidents, retirement and death risks for workers migrating between the two countries. **For MREs on holiday in Morocco:** The agreement does not create automatic cover like the EHIC does in the EU. It only allows a partial reimbursement request based on the French liability rate, after returning to France, with original invoices. **AMO (Moroccan Mandatory Health Insurance):** AMO is reserved for workers and retirees affiliated with CNSS or CNOPS in Morocco. MREs who do not contribute in Morocco are not entitled to it. There is no voluntary contribution option for non-residents. **Practical tips for dental and optical care:** Many MREs take advantage of their Morocco holiday for dental or optical care at lower cost. Private clinic dental care in Morocco typically costs 30% to 60% less than in France or Belgium. Your French mutual insurer can reimburse a portion with invoices. For glasses, Moroccan opticians offer very competitive prices on frames and lenses. **Pharmacies in Morocco:** Moroccan pharmacies are well stocked with common medications. Some medications available only on prescription in France are sold over the counter in Morocco (antibiotics, certain analgesics). Keep all medication packaging bought in Morocco to include in your CPAM reimbursement claim.
❌ Common mistakes to avoid
- ✕Trying to use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in Morocco: it is not valid outside the EU/EEA
- ✕Leaving without repatriation insurance and having to self-fund a medical flight (EUR 3,000 to 30,000)
- ✕Not keeping original treatment invoices: without them, no CPAM reimbursement is possible
- ✕Going directly to a public hospital in an emergency without checking for a nearby private clinic (waiting times can exceed 6 hours)
- ✕Forgetting to check international health cover with your mutual insurer before departure
🔗 Official links and resources
Ameli.fr — SE 350-04 form (care received abroad)
Download SE 350-04 form and CPAM reimbursement procedure for care received outside the EU
Ameli.fr — SE 350-20 form (hospitalisation abroad)
CPAM reimbursement for hospitalisation in Morocco or outside the EU
European Health Insurance Card — covered countries
Official list of countries where the EHIC is valid (Morocco is not included)
Europ Assistance — repatriation travel insurance
Repatriation insurer with Morocco and North Africa coverage
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