Falling ill or having an accident in Morocco during the holidays is a reality many MREs have experienced. 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 what repatriation insurance covers.
Costs & fees
| GP consultation (private clinic, Morocco) | Prices set by each clinic | Depending on the city and clinic |
| Specialist consultation (private clinic, Morocco) | Prices set by each clinic | Cardiologist, surgeon, neurologist at a private clinic |
| One night hospitalisation (private clinic, Morocco) | Prices set by each clinic | Excluding surgery and medications |
| CPAM reimbursement (French tariff base) | Check with the CPAM | Reimbursement conditions and rates are set by the health insurance |
| Repatriation insurance (1-month trip) | Check with the insurer | Variable by insurer and level of cover chosen |
| Medications at pharmacy | Varies by pharmacy | Packaging and prescriptions may be requested for a reimbursement |
Timeline
Medical emergencies in Morocco
In case of a medical emergency in Morocco, the local emergency numbers are provided by the Moroccan authorities (civil protection, national police, Royal Gendarmerie); they should be checked before departure on official Moroccan websites. In major cities, private clinics have their own emergency doctors and can send an ambulance.
Choosing between public hospital and private clinic
Moroccan public hospitals are accessible to all but can be overcrowded. Major cities (Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, Agadir, Fes, Tanger) have private clinics. Fees are settled on the spot, according to each clinic's methods.
⚠️ Warning: For any reimbursement, a detailed invoice (diagnosis, medical procedures, medications listed separately) is generally requested.
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. The reimbursement conditions and ceilings are set out in the mutual insurer's contract.
⚠️ Warning: The EHIC is not valid in Morocco.
Finding out about reimbursement by French health insurance
The conditions for CPAM reimbursement of care received in Morocco depend on the policyholder's situation. The general social security convention between France and Morocco of 22 October 2007 (in force since 1 June 2011) provides, in its Article 10, for immediate care for a Moroccan worker in France, or a French worker in Morocco, on a temporary stay in the country of which they are a national, on leave. The forms and reimbursement conditions should be checked with the CPAM before departure. Keeping the original invoices and prescriptions is generally necessary for any claim.
Repatriation insurance
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. Some travel insurance policies include this cover, depending on the contract.
⚠️ Warning: The conditions for activating repatriation insurance are set out in the general conditions of the contract.
In depth
France-Morocco social security convention
The general social security convention between France and Morocco dates from 22 October 2007; it entered into force on 1 June 2011 and repealed the general convention of 9 July 1965 (Cleiss).
For MREs on holiday in Morocco: The convention does not create automatic cover like the EHIC in the EU. Its Article 10 covers a Moroccan worker in France, or a French worker in Morocco, on a temporary stay in the country of which they are a national, on leave, when their health requires immediate care; the reimbursement conditions should be checked with the CPAM.
AMO (Moroccan Mandatory Health Insurance): According to Cleiss, AMO is managed by the CNSS notably for private-sector employees and pension holders; self-employed workers are also covered by AMO, and voluntary insured persons fall under AMO ACHAMIL. Entitlement requires contribution periods.
RAMED: Since 1 December 2022, RAMED beneficiaries have been moved to AMO TADAMON (Cleiss).
❌ 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
- ✕Not keeping original treatment invoices: they are generally requested for any reimbursement claim
- ✕Going directly to a public hospital in an emergency without checking for a nearby private clinic
- ✕Forgetting to check international health cover with your mutual insurer before departure
🔗 Official links and resources
Ameli.fr, care received abroad
Health insurance information on care received abroad
Ameli.fr, hospitalisation abroad
Health insurance information on hospitalisation abroad
European Health Insurance Card, covered countries
Official list of countries where the EHIC is valid (Morocco is not included)
Cleiss, France-Morocco social security convention
Text and summary of the general social security convention between France and Morocco
❓ Frequently asked questions
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