Morocco is one of the easiest countries in North Africa to get connected. Between three well-established operators, cheap data, wide 4G coverage, and a fast, passport-only registration process, most travelers are online within minutes of landing. This guide covers everything you need to know about buying and using a prepaid SIM card in Morocco — from network coverage and pricing to activation codes and eSIM alternatives.
Basic Information
Morocco’s mobile market is regulated by the ANRT (Agence Nationale de Réglementation des Télécommunications) and run by three licensed operators:
- Maroc Telecom (IAM) — the former state incumbent, brand name for prepaid: Jawal
- Orange Maroc (formerly Méditel) — prepaid brand: Yo / prepaid SIM
- inwi — prepaid brand: tic tac / Al Jawla
All three operate 2G, 3G, 4G/LTE, and — since November 2025 — commercial 5G in Morocco’s major cities, following a joint national 5G launch after ANRT auctioned 5G spectrum for roughly MAD 2.1 billion. Morocco’s country calling code is +212, and mobile penetration is well above 100%, with network coverage reaching over 99% of the population (though rural and desert coverage still varies by operator).
Foreign phone numbers cannot be ported into a Moroccan network — you’ll be issued a new local number. Unlocked GSM phones work without any special import registration for short-term visitors; Morocco does not enforce the kind of tourist-facing IMEI-blocking systems used in countries like Turkey or Indonesia.
Availability
Prepaid SIM cards are widely available and require no residency or local address — only a valid passport (for foreigners) or national ID card (for residents). You can buy one:
- The moment you land, at all major international airports
- At official operator stores in every city and most towns
- At independent phone shops (téléboutiques), including inside old medinas
- From authorized kiosks, supermarkets, and convenience stores (for top-up vouchers)
Activation is usually immediate or takes a few minutes once your ID has been registered.
Where to Buy
| Location | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Airport kiosks (Casablanca Mohammed V, Marrakech Menara, Agadir Al Massira, Fès-Saïs, Tangier Ibn Battouta, etc.) | Arriving travelers who want instant setup | All three operators have counters; slightly higher prices than in the city but staff usually speak English/French and set up the APN for you |
| Official operator stores (Maroc Telecom, Orange, inwi boutiques) | Best prices, full plan range | Found in every city center and major mall |
| Independent phone shops / téléboutiques | Convenience, found in medinas and small towns | Sell all three carriers, same official prices, can also handle top-ups |
| Supermarkets and convenience stores (Marjane, Carrefour, tabacs) | Buying top-up vouchers, not new SIMs | Fast, no registration hassle since the line is already active |
| Online (operator websites) | Home delivery of a physical SIM or instant eSIM | Requires ID upload and a Moroccan delivery address for physical SIM |
Bring your passport. SIM registration is legally mandatory in Morocco, and vendors cannot activate a line without seeing valid ID.
Frequencies (Network Bands)
| Technology | Band | Frequency | Used By |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2G (GSM) | GSM 900 | 900 MHz | All operators |
| 2G (GSM) | GSM 1800 (DCS) | 1800 MHz | All operators |
| 3G (UMTS) | Band 1 | 2100 MHz | All operators |
| 4G (LTE) | Band 3 | 1800 MHz | All operators |
| 4G (LTE) | Band 7 | 2600 MHz | All operators |
| 4G (LTE) | Band 20 | 800 MHz (digital dividend) | All operators |
| 4G (LTE) | Band 28 | 700 MHz | Maroc Telecom (expanding rural coverage) |
| 5G (NR) | n78 | 3.5 GHz (mid-band, main deployment) | Maroc Telecom, Orange, inwi (major cities) |
Most modern unlocked smartphones (any phone sold globally in the last 5–6 years) support these bands without issue. If you’re bringing an older or region-locked device, double-check band compatibility before you travel — Band 20 (800 MHz) is the one most often missing from North American phones.
Coverage & Speed
| Operator | Urban Coverage | Rural/Desert/Mountain Coverage | Typical 4G Speed | 5G Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maroc Telecom (IAM) | Excellent | Best of the three — deepest rural, Atlas, and Sahara reach | 15–40 Mbps (up to 100+ Mbps in cities) | Yes, expanding in major cities |
| Orange Maroc | Very good, especially in cities and along highways | Good, some gaps in remote areas | 20–45 Mbps, competitive in cities | Yes, aggressive 5G rollout |
| inwi | Very good, strong in Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech | Good along main routes, weaker in isolated pockets | 20–40 Mbps | Yes, major cities |
In practice, real-world speed and coverage vary by neighborhood and season, and independent testers regularly find the three operators trading the top spot depending on the city. As a rule of thumb: choose Maroc Telecom for Sahara/Atlas/off-grid travel, and any of the three for city-only itineraries.
At a Glance Comparison
| Feature | Maroc Telecom (Jawal) | Orange Maroc | inwi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prepaid brand name | Jawal | Yo (prepaid) | tic tac / Al Jawla |
| SIM starter price | ~30 MAD (incl. small credit) | ~20 MAD (incl. 20 MAD credit) | ~20 MAD (incl. credit) |
| Passport required | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Registration method | ID/passport copy at point of sale | ID/passport copy at point of sale | ID/passport copy at point of sale |
| Best for | Rural, Sahara, mountain travel | Cities, competitive urban bundles, 5G | Value data bundles, social-media passes |
| eSIM available | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Validity of basic recharge | Varies by pack (days to months) | Up to 3 months | Varies by pack |
| Customer service | 888 | 121 | 120 |
Biometric User Registration
Since April 2014, Moroccan law (enforced by the ANRT) has banned the sale of anonymous, pre-activated prepaid SIM cards. Every prepaid line — for citizens and visitors alike — must be linked to a verified identity before it can be activated. In practice, this means:
- Foreign tourists register with their passport. The vendor records your name, passport number, and nationality, and you (or they) complete a short registration form.
- Moroccan residents register with the CNIE (Carte Nationale d’Identité Électronique), the country’s biometric national ID card, which itself embeds a chip containing the holder’s photo and fingerprints. Because subscriber identity is tied to this biometric ID for residents, the process is often referred to locally as “biometric registration,” even though tourists typically only need to present a passport rather than provide a fingerprint scan on the spot.
- Registration usually takes 5–15 minutes, and the SIM will not carry a working signal until it’s completed.
- Unregistered or improperly identified SIMs are periodically deactivated by operators under ANRT orders — so always keep your registration receipt/confirmation SMS.
Device Registration
Unlike some countries, Morocco does not require tourists to separately register their phone’s IMEI number to use a local SIM. ANRT’s type-approval rules (Décision DG N°16/24) apply to manufacturers, importers, and distributors placing devices on the Moroccan market — not to travelers bringing in a personal, already-owned phone. In short:
- Any unlocked GSM/4G/5G phone will work once you insert a registered Moroccan SIM.
- No customs declaration or IMEI whitelist step is needed for a short visit.
- If you plan to buy or import a phone permanently into Morocco, ANRT type-approval and potential import duties are a separate, unrelated process.
SIM Card Price
| Item | Typical Price (MAD) | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|
| Basic prepaid SIM (Maroc Telecom Jawal) | 20–30 MAD | $2–3 |
| Basic prepaid SIM (Orange) | 20 MAD (includes 20 MAD credit) | ~$2 |
| Basic prepaid SIM (inwi tic tac) | 20 MAD | ~$2 |
| Airport tourist SIM bundle (with data) | 100–220 MAD | $10–22 |
| Popular tourist bundle (e.g., ~20–50 GB) | 150–320 MAD | $15–32 |
Prices at airport counters and tourist bundles are usually the same as in-town, occasionally marked up slightly for the convenience and immediate setup/English-speaking assistance. Always confirm what’s included (data volume, validity period, minutes) before paying, since promotions rotate frequently.
Top-Up Methods
You can top up (recharge) any Moroccan prepaid line through:
- Physical scratch/top-up cards — sold at tabacs, kiosks, supermarkets, and phone shops nationwide, in fixed denominations (commonly 10, 20, 25, 50, 100 MAD and up).
- USSD/dial-in recharge — enter the voucher’s scratch-off code via a short code (varies by operator).
- Mobile money — Orange Money, inwi Money, and Maroc Telecom’s mobile wallet services allow direct top-ups from your phone.
- Operator apps — Max it (Orange), My inwi, and Maroc Telecom’s app support card payments and bank transfers.
- Online/international recharge services — sites like the operators’ own portals or third-party services (Recharge.com, Ding, My Easy Transfer, etc.) let family or friends abroad top up a Moroccan number remotely with a credit card.
- In-store recharge — any official boutique or authorized reseller can top up your line on the spot.
Maroc Telecom (Jawal) Prepaid Plans & Data Add-Ons
| Pass Name | Data | Validity | Approx. Price | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jawal Internet Pass (small) | 1–2 GB | 1–7 days | ~10–20 MAD | Dial *111# or send the pack code to 555 |
| Jawal Internet Pass (medium) | 5–10 GB | 7–30 days | ~30–60 MAD | Via *111# menu or Maroc Telecom app |
| Jawal Internet Pass (large/tourist) | 20–50 GB | 30 days | ~100–200 MAD | Via *111# menu, app, or in-store |
| Balance advance (“avance sur solde”) | 100 MB or 10 min | 1 day | Deducted from next top-up | Call 555 |
How activation generally works: dial *111# to open Maroc Telecom’s self-service (Jawal) menu, browse and confirm a data pass, or purchase directly through the Maroc Telecom app. For help or manual activation, call 888 (Maroc Telecom customer service). Exact pass names, prices, and shortcuts change periodically with promotions, so always confirm the current lineup in-store, via *111#, or in the app before buying — this is the most reliable way to get today’s real prices and codes.
Orange Maroc Prepaid Plans & Data Add-Ons
| Pass Name | Data | Validity | Approx. Price | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prepaid starter SIM | Comes with 20 MAD credit | — | 20 MAD | Instant at purchase |
| Marhaba (tourist pass) | Data + calls bundle | 7 days | ~120 MAD | Purchased at point of sale/airport |
| Marhaba (tourist pass) | Data + calls bundle | 14 days | ~220 MAD | Purchased at point of sale/airport |
| Marhaba (tourist pass) | Data + calls bundle | 30 days | ~320 MAD | Purchased at point of sale/airport |
| Internet Pass (top-up add-on) | Varies (1 GB–unlimited tiers) | 1–30 days | From ~10 MAD | Dial #121# or via Max it app |
How activation generally works: dial #121# to browse and buy current Internet Passes, or manage everything from the Max it app. Orange’s Yo Max prepaid/postpaid range (from ~99 to 649 MAD) offers customizable data-heavy bundles up to 160 GB or unlimited, managed the same way through Max it. For help, call Orange customer service at 121. As with all operators, treat exact pack names and prices as indicative — confirm the current catalog via #121#, the app, or in-store.
inwi Prepaid Plans & Data Add-Ons
| Pass Name | Data | Validity | Approx. Price | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tic tac starter SIM | Comes with starter credit | — | 20 MAD | Instant at purchase |
| Max Data (entry) | Data only | Varies | From ~49 MAD | Dial *120# menu or My inwi app |
| Max RS (social media pass) | Data for social apps | Varies (daily/weekly/monthly) | From ~5–20 MAD | Dial *120# menu |
| Visitor/tourist data package | Data + calls/SMS | Varies | ~100 MAD | Purchased at point of sale/airport |
How activation generally works: dial *120# to open inwi’s self-service menu and select a data pass, or manage your line through the My inwi app. For tic tac prepaid customers activating a top-up-linked Internet Pass, you typically enter the recharge voucher code followed by *3. For help, call inwi customer service at 120. Because inwi runs frequent promotions (its “Max” range is regularly revised), confirm today’s exact prices and codes via *120# or in an INWI store.
Note on activation codes: USSD short codes (like
*111#,#121#,*120#) and exact package names are the fastest way to see what’s currently on offer, but operators update their catalogs often — sometimes monthly. Codes and prices above are a reliable starting point, but always verify the live menu on your phone or ask staff in-store before purchasing, especially if a specific code doesn’t respond as expected.
How to Check the Remaining Balance
| Operator | Balance Check Code | Data Balance Check | Alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maroc Telecom | Dial #580# or open *111# menu | Via *111# menu | Maroc Telecom app |
| Orange Maroc | Dial #554# | Via #121# menu | Max it app |
| inwi | Dial *120*30# or call 120 | Via *120# menu | My inwi app |
If a code doesn’t respond, the fastest fallback is always the operator’s official app or a quick call/SMS to customer service — codes occasionally shift between updates.
Official Websites
- Maroc Telecom: https://www.iam.ma
- Orange Maroc: https://www.orange.ma (prepaid store: https://boutique.orange.ma)
- inwi: https://inwi.ma
- ANRT (national telecom regulator): https://www.anrt.ma
Apps
- Maroc Telecom app — manage your Jawal line, buy passes, check balance and data. Available on the App Store and Google Play (search “Maroc Telecom”).
- Max it (Orange Maroc) — manage lines, top up, buy passes, track roaming, pay bills. App Store link / available on Google Play.
- My inwi — manage your tic tac/Al Jawla line, buy Max Data/Max RS passes, top up. Available on the App Store and Google Play (search “My inwi”).
How to Check the SIM Number
If you don’t know your new Moroccan number:
- Maroc Telecom: dial
*111#and check the menu, or check the SMS sent upon activation. - Orange Maroc: dial
#123#or check the welcome SMS/receipt from the store. - inwi: dial
*120#and look in the menu, or check your activation SMS. - Universally, the easiest method is simply calling a friend’s phone or checking the confirmation SMS/receipt you received at the point of sale — vendors also usually write the number on your SIM packaging.
Tourist SIM
All three operators sell dedicated tourist-oriented packages (Orange’s Marhaba, and equivalent visitor bundles from Maroc Telecom and inwi) bundling a generous data allowance, some national minutes, and sometimes limited international minutes, valid for 7, 14, or 30 days. These are purpose-built for short stays and are the simplest option if you just want data and a local number without navigating the full prepaid catalog. Expect to pay roughly 100–320 MAD ($10–32) depending on data volume and validity, available at airport counters and city stores alike — just bring your passport.
Roaming Data
If you’d rather not switch SIMs at all, check with your home carrier about a Morocco roaming pass before you fly — many international carriers now offer flat-rate daily or weekly roaming add-ons that let you use your existing number and data plan on one of Morocco’s networks. This is the most convenient (if often pricier per GB) option, and it avoids registration and local number hassles entirely. Compare the cost per GB against a local prepaid SIM or eSIM, since a local option is usually cheaper for stays longer than a few days.
Digital eSIM Providers
If your phone is eSIM-compatible, you can activate Moroccan data before you even land — no queue, no passport needed at a counter, no physical SIM swap. Popular international eSIM providers offering Morocco plans include:
- Airalo — broad plan selection, roams on Maroc Telecom or Orange networks
- Holafly — unlimited-data plans, popular with heavy users (fair-use limits apply)
- Nomad — competitively priced fixed-data tiers, roams on Maroc Telecom/Orange
- Saily — value-focused, connects to Maroc Telecom
- Ubigi — dual-network option for wider rural/desert reach
Data-only eSIMs generally don’t include a local phone number for calls/SMS (you’ll rely on WhatsApp/Signal for voice), and top-ups usually mean buying a new data plan rather than a simple recharge. For short city-based trips, an eSIM is often the fastest option; for longer stays or remote/desert travel, a physical local SIM (especially Maroc Telecom) tends to offer better rural coverage and more flexible, cheaper top-ups.
Other Options
- Pocket Wi-Fi / MiFi rental — useful for groups or families sharing one data connection across multiple devices; available for rent at some airports and online in advance.
- Hotel and riad Wi-Fi — widely available in cities, though speed and reliability vary, especially in older medina buildings.
- Public Wi-Fi hotspots — Maroc Telecom operates public Wi-Fi hotspots in places like train stations, airports, and parks, accessible after a quick free registration.
Activation Help Line Numbers
| Operator | Customer Service Number | Use For |
|---|---|---|
| Maroc Telecom | 888 | Activation help, Jawal support, general inquiries |
| Orange Maroc | 121 | Activation help, Yo/prepaid support, general inquiries |
| inwi | 120 | Activation help, tic tac/Al Jawla support, general inquiries |
All three lines are typically free to call from the operator’s own network, and staff can usually assist in Arabic, French, and often basic English.
Conclusion
Getting connected in Morocco is refreshingly simple: three solid operators, cheap prepaid data, and a straightforward passport-based registration process mean most travelers are online within minutes of arrival. If your trip is city-focused, Orange and inwi both offer competitive data bundles and growing 5G coverage. If you’re heading into the Atlas Mountains, the Sahara, or off the beaten path, Maroc Telecom’s Jawal network remains the safest bet for staying connected. And if you’d rather skip the SIM shopping altogether, a digital eSIM from a provider like Airalo, Nomad, or Holafly can have you online before you even board your flight. Whichever route you choose, keep your passport handy, compare current data/validity combinations in-store or via the operator apps, and you’ll have reliable Moroccan data for the whole trip.
Prices, plan names, and activation codes in this guide reflect typical 2026 market conditions in Moroccan dirham (MAD) and are indicative — operators run frequent promotions and periodically revise packages, so always confirm current pricing and codes at the point of purchase, via the operator’s official app, or on iam.ma, orange.ma, or inwi.ma.