Morocco

Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV

The categories of restriction are:

  • Unclear restrictions - it is not clear to what extent restrictions apply.

Restrictions on entry to Morocco

We found no evidence of any official restrictions on entry to Morocco based on HIV status.

According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Morocco does not have any HIV-related restrictions on entry.

The Moroccan Entry Visa Application form does not include a request to disclose HIV status or a requirement to submit a medical certificate.

Decree n° 1-03-196 of 16 ramadan 1424 (11 November 2003) promulgating law n° 02-03 relating to the entry and residence of foreigners in the Kingdom of Morocco, to illegal emigration and immigration does not contain any health provision regarding entry, does and not mention reasons to deny entry that could be interpreted as relating to the health of the applicant.

Similarly, the Embassy of Morocco in France does not include health considerations among the information provided about the procedures for entering the country.

Restrictions on short-term stay in Morocco

Sources are mixed on whether Morocco imposes restrictions on short-term stay of people living with HIV.

A non-official website indicates that a work permit requires a health certificate.

However, the Moroccan Work Visa Application form does not include a request to disclose or a requirement to submit a medical certificate.

Similarly, UNAIDS and the US Department of State report that Morocco does not have any HIV-related restrictions on short-term stay.

Restrictions on long-term stay in Morocco

Sources are mixed on whether Morocco imposes restrictions on long-term stay of people living with HIV.

UNAIDS and the US Department of State report that Morocco does not have any HIV-related restrictions on long-term stay.

A non-official website indicates that people wishing to stay in Morocco for a period between 1 and 10 years should request a ‘registration card’ (carte d’immatriculation) and one of the requirements to obtain it is to present a medical certificate. 

It is not clear if such health certificate include HIV disclosure or testing.

According to the Embassy of Qatar in Morocco all long-term stay permits require the accreditation of ‘good health’.

The Government of Morocco prepared the document Your stay in Morocco to guide foreign nationals to navigate the migration system. It does not mention the need of a health certificate or of meeting certain health standards.

Treatment access in Morocco

The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Morocco. However, it is not clear whether non-nationals are able to access this treatment in the same way as nationals.

ALCS reports that foreign residents who work in Morocco are covered by the “Caisse nationale de sécurité sociale” (CNSS) and are obliged to sign up to the “Assurance maladie obligatoire” (AMO). The funding of this system is paid through contributions made by both the employer and the employee.

Those of a lower income are covered by the “Régime d’assistance médicale aux personnes économiquement démunies” (RAMED).

The State covers between 70% – 90% of costs (depending on the treatment); the rest is paid by the patient.

HIV treatment is offered at several public hospitals throughout Morocco, particularly in larger cities like Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakesh, and Fes. Public hospitals with infectious disease units provide HIV testing, antiretroviral therapy (ART), and ongoing care for people living with HIV.

The Association de Lutte contre le SIDA (ALCS), the main HIV organisation in Morocco, runs 8 sexual health clinics where they provide PrEP, medical and social support for people living with HIV and referrals for services not available.

They also have 23 centres anonymous and free testing centres in 19 cities: Agadir, Béni Mellal, Casablanca, El Jadida, Essaouira, Fès, Guelmim, Laâyoune, Larache, Marrakech, Meknès, Nador, Oujda, Rabat, Safi, Tanger, Taroudant, Tétouan and Tiznit.

The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database

People living with HIV may be criminalised in Morocco. While there are no HIV-specific laws in force, we are aware of reported prosecutions of alleged HIV ‘exposure’, non-disclosure, and/or transmission under general criminal laws.

UNAIDS Global AIDS monitoring data

This information about access to HIV services comes from UNAIDS https://lawsandpolicies.unaids.org/, a platform to view data on HIV-related laws and policies. This is information provided by national authorities and civil society and may contradict other sources.

Migrant populations

Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens Yes
Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) Yes
Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens Yes
Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) Yes
Migrants are able to access HIV services Yes

Refugees and asylum seekers

Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens Yes
Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) Yes
Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens Yes
Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) Yes

Share

If you want to refer to this page when travelling and may not have internet access, you can use your browser to Save or Print this page - how you do it will depend on the device and browser you are using.

This site focuses on information about HIV travel. Please also consult your own Foreign Office/Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, or the local consulate of the country you are visiting, to see what restrictions there are specifically for you as a citizen of your country, regardless of your HIV status.