How to buy Moroccan dirhams: your dirham travel money guide

From the bustling souks of Marrakech to the blue-washed streets of Chefchaouen, Morocco is a destination that captures the imagination. But before you start packing your bags, you need to get one practical detail sorted: your travel money.

How you choose to buy Moroccan dirhams will impact your holiday budget. It's often the difference between having enough for an extra desert excursion or paying unnecessary fees. Whether you prefer the weight of physical notes in your pocket or the slick convenience of a dirham card, getting foreign currency is about making informed choices.

We've designed our features to take the stress out of currency exchange so you can buy Moroccan dirhams with clarity.

Want to learn more about international spending? Explore our guide to travel money cards and start planning your trip’s spending.

18+, T&Cs apply.

Currency exchange in 150+ currencies with the Revolut exchange rate. Fair usage limits and weekend fees may apply, depending on your plan.

The information provided's accurate as of 3 February 2026.

The content of this page is for general information purposes only and doesn't constitute financial advice. If you've any questions about your personal circumstances, please seek professional and independent advice. We're not a financial adviser.

How to buy Moroccan dirhams: a quick guide

Here's the essential info for your currency exchange:

• Digital accounts: use a multi-currency account like ours to spend like a local without the need for physical bureaus
• Exchange rates: check our currency converter to see market rates before you commit
• Compare pricing: compare different providers’ rates to find the best fit
• Card options: get a card that handles Moroccan spending, and choose between a physical card for withdrawing cash or virtual cards for secure online bookings
• In-app spending: spend in Morocco and let our app handle the conversion at the competitive rate available at that moment

Where you can buy Moroccan dirhams

In the UK, you can mainly buy Moroccan dirhams from digital platforms like Revolut, high-street banks, or specialist bureaus de change. The right choice depends on whether you want a digital balance for card spending or physical cash for things like tips.

Multi-currency accounts and apps

Using a digital account like ours is an efficient way to manage your money abroad. You can convert GBP to MAD in-app in a few seconds. This is a helpful option for customers who want to avoid carrying large sums of cash and use a travel money card instead.

High-street bureaus and Post Offices

Traditional bureaus and Post Offices are popular for people who want physical cash before they fly. If you choose this method, a cost-effective choice is to use a 'click and collect' service. Ordering online first usually gets you a more favourable rate than simply walking into a shop on any given day.

Bureaus and Post Offices can be less convenient and more time-consuming than digital platforms. You still have to physically go to these locations within their opening hours. Since the dirham is a restricted currency, many UK bureaus have limited stock or less competitive rates compared to local Moroccan exchanges.

High-street banks

Some major UK banks provide currency exchange services for their existing customers. While this is a reliable option, they don't always offer competitive exchange rates. You may also need to wait 3–5 business days for your cash to arrive at your local branch.

Finding the most convenient way to buy Moroccan dirhams

The best way to hold Moroccan dirhams is a combination of a multi-currency digital account for your main spending and a small amount of cash for emergencies. This approach offers the security of a card and the accessibility of cash for local markets.

This is where our multi-currency accounts show their value. Moroccan dirham is a restricted currency, meaning there are limits on how much you can take in and out of the country. However, you can buy MAD and hold it in your Revolut account and use your card to pay in local shops, cafes, and restaurants. We handle the conversion from your GBP balance automatically if you don’t hold MAD in your account.

Using our card for spending abroad also offers another layer of security for your travel money. If you misplace your card, you can freeze it instantly in-app.

If you need cash for small vendors or visiting rural areas, you can still use your card to withdraw cash at an ATM without fees from us up to your plan's limits.

No ATM withdrawal fees from Revolut up to your plan’s limits. Third-party ATMs may charge a fee.

How to buy Moroccan dirhams online

With Revolut, managing your Moroccan travel money is straightforward. You can do it on your phone in a few simple steps:

1. Download our app, sign up for Revolut, and verify your identity
2. Add money to your account via bank transfer, a debit card, or Google Pay or Apple Pay
3. Go to Home and tap Exchange
4. Choose GBP as your 'from' currency and MAD as your 'to' currency
5. Enter the amount you want to buy
6. Check the live rate and tap Confirm

Can you buy Moroccan dirhams with a credit card?

You can buy Moroccan dirham with a credit card, but it's usually an expensive method. Some credit card providers treat currency purchases as cash transactions. This triggers a different set of rules and fees.

Using a credit card for currency usually involves:

• Cash advance fees: a flat fee or percentage (often around 3%) charged per transaction
• Immediate interest: this begins adding up the moment you buy the currency, with no interest-free period
• No rewards: most cards don't offer points or cash back on these types of transactions

To avoid these extra costs, using a debit card or a dedicated travel account is a more affordable alternative.

What's the best time to buy Moroccan dirhams?

The best time to buy Moroccan dirhams is when the pound is strong against the dirham. Predicting market movements is never certain. Currency markets are influenced by global events, meaning rates change constantly throughout the day.

Consider these tips for timing your purchase:

• Track the rate: keep an eye on the MAD exchange rate in the weeks leading up to your trip
• Avoid weekend exchanges: weekend fees may apply, depending on your plan
• Use auto-exchange: set a target rate in-app so we can automatically do the exchange for you if the market hits your desired price

Exchange rates are dynamic. Always remember to check the applicable rate in-app before carrying out your exchange.

Important rules for Moroccan dirham

The Moroccan dirham is a restricted currency. There are strict regulations regarding how much currency you import or export. According to ‌UK government travel advice, travellers are permitted to import or export up to 2,000 MAD.

Because of these restrictions:

• Buy locally: you can often find competitive rates by withdrawing MAD from an ATM once you arrive in Morocco.
• Exchange before you leave: try to spend or exchange your leftover dirhams before you fly home. It's difficult to exchange MAD back into GBP outside of Morocco.
• Keep your receipts: if you exchange cash at a local Moroccan bureau, keep your receipts. You may need them to prove the source of your money or to exchange it back at the end of your trip.
• Use a multi-currency account: you can buy MAD and hold them in your Revolut account before your flight. We'll use that MAD balance when you make a payment in Morocco.

Managing your Moroccan travel money with Revolut

We've built features to make spending abroad as seamless as spending at home. Our app gives you control over your travel budget with a few taps.

Spend in 150+ currencies

You don't always need to pre-exchange your money. If you spend with your Revolut card in Morocco and don't have a MAD balance, we'll automatically convert your GBP at the competitive rate available at that moment.

Location-based security

This is a protection feature you can toggle on or off. We use your phone's GPS to help keep your account safe. If your card's used in a different location from where your phone is, we may flag the transaction as suspicious. This helps prevent fraudulent spending if your card details are stolen.

Disposable virtual cards

For booking riads on unfamiliar websites, you can use our disposable virtual cards. The details of these cards are destroyed after a single transaction. New ones are created instantly, adding an extra layer of protection for your main account.

Leftover dirham after your return

If you get home with leftover physical MAD, your options are limited due to its restricted status. Most UK bureaus only buy back notes, not coins. The rates might be less competitive than what you originally paid.

If you use your Revolut account, you don't have the problem of leftover digital dirhams. If you let us convert when you pay by card, you won't have any leftovers, and if you still have MAD in your Revolut account after your trip, you can keep it for your next trip or convert it back into GBP at a competitive rate.

How to get started and buy MAD with Revolut

Ready to start planning your next trip? Getting set up takes only a few minutes and can be done entirely in-app:

1. Download the app: find us on the App Store or Google Play.
2. Sign up: enter your phone number and follow the prompts to create your account.
3. Verify your identity: upload a photo of your ID and take a selfie for our secure verification process.
4. Add money: move some GBP into your account via bank transfer or debit card.
5. Exchange: tap Exchange to buy your MAD right away.
6. Order your card: tap Cards to get your physical travel card or set up a virtual one for immediate use. Delivery fees may apply.

Currency exchange in 150+ currencies with the Revolut exchange rate. Fair usage limits and weekend fees may apply, depending on your plan