Could Morocco require visas from Europeans? Faced with the difficulties Moroccans face in obtaining a Schengen visa, some parliamentarians are calling for reciprocity.
Could Morocco soon follow in Namibia‘s footsteps and require an entry visa for European citizens? At any rate, it’s a proposal that is the subject of debate in the Moroccan parliament.
Recently, parliamentary advisors Khaled Setti and Loubna Alaoui put forward the idea of imposing such a measure in response to the visa restrictions applied to Moroccans wishing to travel to Europe. An initiative that raises serious questions, both diplomatically and economically.
A question of reciprocity?
At present, European Union citizens can enter Morocco without a visa for stays of less than 90 days. Conversely, Moroccans must, in most cases, obtain a Schengen visa to travel to Europe. This process is often perceived as complex and costly, due to the high refusal rate and the costs incurred, estimated at several million euros each year, which are not reimbursed if the application is rejected.
In 2023, more than 136,000 Schengen visa applications by Moroccan citizens were refused, generating a total cost of 118 million dirhams (around 11 million euros)…
Faced with this situation, Khaled Setti and Loubna Alaoui, representing the Union Nationale du Travail au Maroc (UNTM), believe it’s time to strike a balance by applying reciprocity. The idea would be to require a visa for European nationals in response to the restrictions imposed on Moroccans. A measure which, if adopted, would represent a turning point in relations between Morocco and its European partners.
An uncertain economic impact…
While this proposal is based on the principle of reciprocity, its application raises concerns, particularly as regards its impact on the Moroccan economy. Tourism is one of the country’s main economic drivers, and Europeans account for a significant proportion of foreign visitors.
In 2024, Morocco welcomed 8.8 million foreign visitors, mostly from Europe.
For some experts, the introduction of a visa could dampen this momentum and dissuade some European travelers from choosing Morocco as a destination. Tourism industry professionals are already warning of the risk of a drop in arrivals, which could weaken many economic players, particularly in cities such as Marrakech, Agadir and Fez.
A decision still pending
To date, this parliamentary proposal has not been translated into a government decision. Morocco continues to welcome European citizens without visas, and no official announcement has confirmed that this measure will be implemented. However, the question of the balance between visa policies remains a sensitive issue in relations between Rabat and the European Union.
European travelers are therefore advised to keep abreast of any developments in migration policy. In the meantime, the debate on visa reciprocity remains open and could influence future diplomatic decisions between Morocco and its European partners.
Travel to Morocco: e-Visa, a simplified alternative
Since July 2022, Morocco has introduced an electronic visa issuance system (e-Visa) enabling non-exempt travelers to obtain an entry visa online. This initiative aims to simplify visa procedures and promote tourism and business travel.
The e-Visa can be applied for via the government portal www.acces-maroc.ma.
The e-Visa is generally issued within 24 to 72 hours, is valid for 180 days and allows a stay of 30 days, renewable once only. This digital solution cuts red tape and facilitates access to Morocco for international visitors.
If Morocco were to impose a visa requirement on Europeans, the e-Visa option could provide a practical and less restrictive alternative to a traditional visa.
