Taking a wheelchair user or a person with reduced mobility to Morocco is entirely possible, and it is protected by law. The secret is one thing: notify in advance. Whether you travel by ferry or by plane, assistance is a right, it is free, and your relative cannot be refused because of a disability. This guide explains, step by step, how to prepare the trip calmly, who to notify, which documents to gather, and how to handle the wheelchair and medication, both ways.
Costs & fees
| Reduced-mobility assistance (port, on board, airport) | Free | A right guaranteed by law, provided you notify at least 48 hours ahead |
| Carriage of mobility aids (Royal Air Maroc) | Free | Up to two mobility aids per passenger |
| Medical certificate (if requested by the company) | Variable | Depending on your doctor |
| Ferry or plane ticket | Depends on season | Assistance is free, only the ticket is paid |
Timeline
Book while flagging the disability from the start
When booking your ferry or plane ticket, state that you are travelling with a wheelchair user or a person with reduced mobility, and specify the level of help needed. This is what allows the company to prepare the right team and equipment. Book the outbound and return at the same time.
💡 Tip: If possible choose a daytime crossing and a main port such as Tanger Med, better equipped for assistance.
⚠️ Warning: Never buy from unofficial WhatsApp or Facebook groups. Only use the companies' websites or specialist comparison sites.
Notify the company at least 48 hours ahead
This is the golden rule. By sea, notify the company's assistance service and the port terminal. By air, request assistance at booking or at the latest 48 hours before, stating the level of help. Below 48 hours the company will do its best but assistance is no longer guaranteed.
💡 Tip: Always ask for written confirmation of the assistance, by email. It avoids any dispute on the day.
⚠️ Warning: Also notify for the return from Morocco, 48 hours ahead. Many families only prepare the outbound and end up without help on the way back.
Prepare the wheelchair, medication and documents
Keep medication in your hand luggage, never in the hold, with the prescription within reach. Bring a recent medical certificate if the condition requires it. Label the wheelchair with your contact details. For an electric wheelchair, note the battery type and power, the company will ask for them.
💡 Tip: Photograph the wheelchair before departure, useful in case of damage during transport.
⚠️ Warning: For flights, lithium batteries must be removed from the wheelchair and carried in the cabin. Declare them in advance.
On departure day, go to the assistance point
By sea, go to the port assistance point at the stated time, at the latest 60 minutes before embarkation. A team helps you board and disembark, whether on foot or by car. By air, go to the assistance desk as soon as you reach the airport; the help accompanies you from the desk to your seat.
💡 Tip: Spot the Operation Marhaba stands as soon as you arrive at the port, they have a reception for people with reduced mobility.
⚠️ Warning: Arriving late at the assistance point can lose you the help slot and priority boarding.
On arrival in Morocco and for the return
On arrival, the team helps you disembark and recover the wheelchair. Moroccan ports such as Tanger Med and the airports also provide assistance. For the return, repeat the same steps: flag the need 48 hours ahead with the company.
💡 Tip: Keep the Operation Marhaba number handy, reachable from Morocco on 080 000 23 23, free call.
⚠️ Warning: Do not assume the return is automatically arranged. Each trip must be notified separately.
In depth
Your rights, at sea and in the air
At sea, departing from a Spanish port such as Algeciras or Tarifa, you are protected by EU Regulation 1177/2010. It guarantees free assistance at the port and on board, including for boarding and disembarkation. You must notify the company or terminal at the latest 48 hours ahead, and present yourself at the assistance point at the latest 60 minutes before embarkation. In the air, EU Regulation 1107/2006 applies: it forbids refusing a booking or boarding because of a disability, and requires full assistance at the airport.
The ferry, what to know
The companies on the Algeciras - Tanger Med route are Africa Morocco Link, Balearia, FRS, DFDS, Trasmediterranea and Naviera Armas. Most ships have lifts, ramps, reserved seats, accessible toilets and wheelchair spaces. These features vary from ship to ship, which is why you should confirm them at booking. Help to board and leave the ship is included in the right to assistance, even when the person cannot use stairs.
The plane, what to know
At booking, specify the level of assistance. Companies distinguish three levels: escort to the aircraft for someone who can walk a little, enhanced help for someone who cannot manage stairs, and full assistance for someone who cannot move unaided. With Royal Air Maroc, assistance is requested at booking or at the latest 48 hours ahead, at the dedicated service: disabled-passenger-services@royalairmaroc.com or +212 522 48 97 51, 9am to 6pm. The airline carries up to two mobility aids free of charge.
Electric wheelchairs and medication
An electric wheelchair battery is treated as dangerous goods on aircraft. You must declare in advance the battery type, its power and the wheelchair dimensions. Lithium batteries must be removed and carried in the cabin. Always keep your medication in your hand luggage with the prescription, and ask for written confirmation of the airline's approval.
In Morocco and for the return
Moroccan ports and airports provide assistance on arrival as well as departure. Remember to announce the return 48 hours ahead. Operation Marhaba, from 5 June to 15 September, offers a reception for people with reduced mobility at ports and main road crossings, reachable on 080 000 23 23 from Morocco.
❌ Common mistakes to avoid
- ✕Not notifying the company at least 48 hours ahead, and being left without a team on the day
- ✕Booking the ticket without flagging the disability
- ✕Putting medication in the hold instead of hand luggage
- ✕Forgetting to declare the battery type of an electric wheelchair for a flight
- ✕Preparing only the outbound and forgetting assistance for the return
- ✕Arriving too late at the assistance point and losing priority boarding
🔗 Official links and resources
Royal Air Maroc, reduced mobility
Dedicated service: disabled-passenger-services@royalairmaroc.com, +212 522 48 97 51
EU Regulation 1177/2010, sea passengers
Official text: free assistance for people with reduced mobility at sea
EU Regulation 1107/2006, air passengers
Official text: assistance and non-discrimination in air travel
FRS, booking and assistance
Tarifa - Tanger Ville and Algeciras - Tanger Med routes
Balearia, booking and assistance
Algeciras - Tanger Med route, reduced-mobility service
Fondation Mohammed V, Operation Marhaba
Reception for people with reduced mobility, hotline 080 000 23 23
❓ Frequently asked questions
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