Essentials
- City
- Casablanca, Casablanca-Settat, Morocco
- Population
- 3,900,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 45 Mbps (Fiber available up to 200 Mbps in Gauthier/Maarif)
- Currency & Banking
- Moroccan Dirham (MAD). 1 USD ≈ 10.10 MAD, 1 EUR ≈ 10.95 MAD
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; use bottled brands like Sidi Ali or Ain Saiss
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets
- SIM Card
- Maroc Telecom (best coverage), Orange, or Inwi. 10GB data ≈ 100 MAD ($10)
- Banking for Expats
- Attijariwafa Bank, BMCE (Bank of Africa), and Société Générale. ATMs widely available.
- Accommodation
- Modern apartments in Gauthier or Maarif; prices range from 7,000 MAD to 15,000 MAD/month.
- Cashless Friendly
- Moderate. Fine for malls and hotels, but cash (small bills) is essential for taxis and souks.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local site Mubawab.ma
- Budget Accommodation
- L'Auberge de Jeunesse (Casablanca Youth Hostel) near the Medina ≈ 150 MAD/night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Sour Jdid (near Hassan II Mosque) and Old Medina for traditional vibes
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Gauthier (trendy, walkable) and Maarif (commercial hub, high-speed fiber)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- New Work Lab (Gauthier) - Daily pass 150 MAD; Commons (Anfa) - Monthly from 2,000 MAD
- Best Cafe for Work
- Bondi Coffee Kitchen (Gauthier) - Excellent WiFi and healthy food
- Networking Events
- Startup Grind Casablanca and Moroccan Digital Nomad Facebook groups
- Social Events for Expats
- Internations Casablanca monthly gatherings; events at the French Institute (Institut Français)
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Indriver, Careem, and Heetch. Petit Taxis (red) use meters starting at 2 MAD.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Medina Bike (sharing system) or private rentals at vélos.ma
- Best Beach Nearby
- Ain Diab (city beach) or Dar Bouazza (20 mins away for surfing)
- Top Regional Airline
- Royal Air Maroc (RAM)
- Top International Airline
- Royal Air Maroc, Air France, Emirates, Qatar Airways
- Highway Access
- A1 (to Rabat/Tangier), A3 (to Marrakech), and A7 (to Agadir)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Casa-Voyageurs (High-speed Al-Boraq hub) and Casa-Port
- Public Transport Passes
- Tramway de Casablanca (Casabusway) - 6 MAD per trip; reusable cards at stations
- Regional Travel
- ONCF high-speed train (Al-Boraq) to Tangier (2.5 hours) or CTM buses
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hôpital Universitaire International Cheikh Khalifa (Bvd Mohammed VI)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Om Yoga Casablanca (Anfa) - Single class ≈ 180 MAD
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- City Club (multiple locations) or Passage Fitness (Anfa Place Mall) ≈ 500 MAD/month
- Laundry Services
- Pressing de l'Oasis or local neighborhood 'Pressings' - approx 15 MAD per shirt
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Glovo is the primary operator; Jumia Food
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Rfissa (chicken with lentils and msemen) or Couscous at 'La Sqala'
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Veggie Casablanca (Gauthier) - Salads and bowls ≈ 80-120 MAD
- Best Dessert Spots
- Bennis Habiba (Habous) for traditional almond pastries
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Marché Central (fresh fish and produce) on Boulevard Mohammed V
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Jumia.ma and Amazon.ae (limited shipping)
- Grocery Delivery
- Glovo (Carrefour Express) or Marjane mobile app
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Corniche Ain Diab (clubs) and Gauthier/Palmier (speakeasy bars)
- Local Brewery
- Casablanca Beer (Société des Brasseries du Maroc) - widely available in licensed bars
- Wine Bars
- La Bodega (City Center) for tapas and Moroccan wines like 'Guerrouane'
- Street Food Stalls
- Habous District for Msmen and Harira soup (10-20 MAD)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Iloli (Japanese Fine Dining) and Relais de Paris (French/Steak)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Hassan II Mosque (one of the world's largest minarets)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Abderrahman Slaoui Foundation Museum (Posters and jewelry)
- Historical Sites
- Mahkama du Pacha (Habous) - stunning Moorish architecture
- Religious Sites
- Cathédrale du Sacré-Cœur (deconsecrated, now a cultural center)
- Annual Events
- Jazzablanca Festival (April/May) at Anfa Park
- Cultural Districts
- Habous Quarter (New Medina) for traditional crafts and books
- Theater Venues
- CasArts (Place Mohammed V) - the largest theater in Africa
- Local Markets
- Souk Habous and the busy stalls of Derb Sultan
- Music Scene
- Le Vertigo for live rock/indie; festivals in Anfa Park
- Street Art
- Graffiti murals in the El Hank district and Sela district
- Cooking Classes
- Atelier de Cuisine at 'La Maison de l'Argan'
- Art Galleries
- L'Atelier 21 and Galerie Villa Delaporte
- Historic Buildings
- Art Deco buildings along Avenue Mohammed V and Boulevard de Paris
- Local Heritage
- Traditional leather craft (Babouches) and ceramic Zellij tilework
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Bouskoura Forest (Forêt de Bouskoura) for running and picnics
- National Parks Nearby
- Tazzeka National Park (roughly 4 hours away via Fez)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Promenade of the Hassan II Mosque and Anfa Park green spaces
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Sky 28 at Kenzi Tower Hotel for a bird's eye view of the city
- Birdwatching Locations
- Sidi Moussa coastal lagoons (south of Casablanca)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Not permitted on city beaches; allowed at private surf camps in Dar Bouazza
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Aramex, DHL, and Poste Maroc (Amana service)
- Tech Repair Services
- Derb Ghallef (Famous electronics market with expert tech repair)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Cercle de Casablanca (Private club access usually required)
- Language Classes
- ESL Casablanca or ALC (American Language Center) for Darija/Arabic
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Mediathèque de la Fondation Mosquée Hassan II
- Community Centers
- Connect Institute - youth and cultural development center
- Gaming Lounges
- VR Studio Casablanca or local gaming cafes in Maarif
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Shem's (at Mazagan Resort, 1 hour away in El Jadida)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 20,000 MAD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 800,000 MAD / $80,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 12,000 MAD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 480,000 MAD / $48,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 18,500 MAD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 1,110,000 MAD / $111,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 10,000 MAD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 600,000 MAD / $60,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 17,000 MAD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 1,360,000 MAD / $136,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 9,500 MAD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 760,000 MAD / $76,000)
- Corporate Tax
- Progressive rates: 10% to 31% depending on profit
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15% (subject to tax treaties)
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents (>183 days)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 38% for income over 180,000 MAD
- VAT
- Standard rate 20%; 10% for tourism/restaurants
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, through Finance Law regulations on offshore holdings
- Property Tax
- TSC (Taxe de Services Communaux) and Taxe d'Habitation
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 6% (Registration duties 4%, Land conservation 1.5%, Notary fees ≈1%)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa yet, but 'Casablanca Finance City' offers incentives for regional HQs.