Morocco – Importing a Pet

Does Morocco allow pets to be imported, and are there restrictions on which animals are permitted?

Morocco does permit pet imports, though certain restrictions determine which animals may enter and under what conditions. The country’s import framework centres primarily on domestic dogs and cats, for which the rules are comparatively well defined. Owners travelling with other types of animals will encounter a considerably more complex regulatory environment.

The regulations cover domestic dogs and cats, including assistance and service animals. Wolf hybrids, as well as Savannah and Bengal cats that are not at least five generations removed from their wild ancestry, fall outside the standard import rules. Animals of other kinds — including reptiles, amphibians, birds, rabbits, and rodents — are governed by entirely separate regulatory provisions.

Morocco enforces specific legislation targeting certain dog breeds deemed dangerous. Prohibited breeds include Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Argentine Mastiffs (Dogo Argentino), Cane Corsos, and Great Danes. The ownership, acquisition, keeping, and breeding of these breeds is banned outright. Police are authorised to seize and euthanise any dog belonging to a prohibited breed. This is an enforceable legal prohibition, not simply a guideline — anyone planning to relocate with a dog must cross-reference the animal’s breed against Morocco’s restricted list well before arranging travel.

Certain animals fall under the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Anyone bringing a CITES-listed species into Morocco must present a valid CITES import permit to customs. This permit is valid for six months and is issued by the Moroccan Directorate of Water and Forests and Soil Conservation, and must be supported by a corresponding CITES export permit from the country of origin.

In practice, owners relocating with an ordinary domestic dog or cat of a non-prohibited breed will find Morocco’s requirements manageable. Anyone travelling with exotic or wild-derived animals faces considerable legal obstacles and should seek specialist legal and veterinary counsel before making any travel arrangements.

What vaccinations and health requirements do pets need before entering Morocco?

Morocco is designated as a high-risk country for rabies, and this classification has direct implications for the requirements pets must meet before entry. Unlike destinations that are rabies-free — such as the UK, Australia, or Japan — where entry conditions are designed to prevent any possible introduction of the disease, Morocco’s requirements focus on ensuring arriving animals are both protected and fully documented.

Dogs and cats entering Morocco must hold a valid rabies vaccination certificate issued no fewer than 30 days and no more than 12 months prior to arrival (as of 2025). The timing of vaccination is therefore critical: vaccinating too close to the travel date renders the certificate invalid, while vaccinating too far in advance risks it expiring before entry. Pet owners should always confirm the current timing requirements with their national veterinary authority before booking flights.

The ISO-compliant microchip must be inserted before the rabies vaccination is given. If vaccination precedes microchipping, the vaccination is considered void for travel purposes — a frequently made error that can completely derail relocation plans. The correct sequence — microchip first, vaccination second — is a firm requirement with no exceptions.

A rabies antibody titre test is required for entry into Morocco when travelling from any country not recognised as rabies-free by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Blood samples must be analysed at a laboratory holding European Union approval. The test must be conducted at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination has been administered. Because titre testing adds considerable time to the preparation process, owners should factor this requirement into their planning from the outset.

Beyond rabies, it is strongly recommended that pets be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, and parvovirus. While these vaccinations are not always checked at the border, several of the diseases they prevent — including a rapidly progressing canine gastroenteritis — are present in Morocco. Preventive treatment for both internal and external parasites is also strongly advised before entry. All treatments should be administered by a licensed veterinarian using products approved in the country of origin and can be documented on the health certificate.

On arrival in Morocco, a veterinarian employed by the National Office of Sanitary Safety and Food Products (ONSSA) will conduct a veterinary health inspection at the border post and review all accompanying documentation. Pet owners should confirm all current vaccination timing requirements directly with ONSSA or their home country’s competent authority before travel, as these requirements are subject to revision.

What is the application process for importing a pet into Morocco, and what paperwork is required?

Relocating to Morocco with a dog or cat is achievable, but requires considerably more coordination than travelling to many other destinations — particularly with respect to the import permit, health certificate timing, and the customs clearance process at Casablanca. Early preparation is not merely advisable; it is essential. Given the lead times involved across vaccination sequencing, the import permit application, health certificate timing, and any government endorsement requirements, owners should begin the process at least 8–12 weeks before the intended departure date — and earlier still if their pet has not yet been microchipped or vaccinated against rabies.

1. Microchip your pet. All dogs and cats entering Morocco must be individually identified in accordance with procedures recognised in the country of origin. The universally accepted standard is a 15-digit microchip conforming to ISO Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO Standard 11785. The microchip number must appear consistently across all accompanying documents. Crucially, the chip must be implanted before any rabies vaccination is administered.
2. Administer vaccinations. Once the microchip has been confirmed, arrange a rabies vaccination through a licensed veterinarian. The vaccination must fall within the required window — as of 2025, at least 30 days before entry but no more than 12 months old. Any other recommended vaccinations, including those for distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and leptospirosis, should be brought up to date at the same time.
3. Arrange a rabies antibody titre test (where required). When travelling from a country not classified as rabies-free by WOAH, a titre test measuring rabies antibody levels in the blood is required. This test must be administered at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and processed at an EU-approved laboratory. Allow additional weeks for the laboratory to return results, and incorporate this timeline into your overall travel plan.
4. Obtain an import permit. An import permit must be secured from the Government of Veterinary Services in Morocco before travel. The application requires a valid residential address in Morocco, personal identification, a rabies vaccination certificate, and a full vaccination record. The permit is issued through the Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture, and processing can take up to 14 days (as of 2024). Submitting the application as early as possible is strongly recommended.
5. Obtain a health certificate. A health certificate issued by an official veterinarian in the country of origin — and in some cases a transit country — must accompany your pet. This must be issued within three days of boarding and must confirm the animal is healthy and free from infectious disease. Some countries require the certificate to be endorsed by a government authority, such as a national veterinary or agriculture agency, before it is accepted for international travel. Check with your national authority to determine whether endorsement is necessary and what the precise format Morocco requires.
6. Government endorsement (where applicable). In certain countries, the health certificate must carry an official government endorsement before it is valid for international use. This endorsement step must typically be completed close to the departure date, as the certificate’s validity window begins from the date of issue or endorsement. Consult your national competent authority for specific requirements and timing applicable to your country of origin.
7. Arrive via an approved port of entry and clear customs. Pets must enter Morocco through Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport. On arrival, an ONSSA veterinarian will conduct a health inspection at the border post, and customs services will authorise entry to Moroccan territory following receipt of the veterinary inspection certificate. Engaging a local customs agent with experience in animal imports is strongly advised; if using an agent, a power of attorney is required.
8. Pay the inspection fee. Regardless of the outcome of the veterinary inspection, an import inspection fee of 10 Moroccan dirhams per animal (as of 2024) is payable to customs on arrival. Always verify the current fee with official sources before travelling.

Does Morocco require pets to undergo quarantine on arrival?

Provided all entry requirements have been fully met, no quarantine will be imposed on your pet upon arrival in Morocco. This places Morocco in broadly the same category as most EU member states, where compliant animals pass through a documentation check rather than a period of enforced isolation. This stands in contrast to countries such as Australia or New Zealand, which impose mandatory quarantine of ten days or more irrespective of documentation.

Owners should nevertheless be aware of a practical consideration specific to Casablanca airport. The customs clearance process there is one of the more involved aspects of the whole relocation. Inspection officials are not always immediately available to process incoming animals, and a waiting period of up to 48 hours following landing is a realistic possibility — not a medically imposed quarantine, but an operational reality of how animal arrivals are processed at Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport.

Experience from previous pet relocations to Morocco suggests that some customs agents have managed to have animals cleared on the same day they arrive, but this is not guaranteed. It is wise to plan for the possibility of an overnight wait rather than assuming your pet will be available for collection immediately after the flight. Building flexibility into your arrival arrangements is strongly recommended.

If a pet arrives without the required documentation, the consequences are severe: the animal may be placed in quarantine if appropriate facilities exist, returned to the country of departure, or euthanised. This stark reality reinforces why thorough preparation is non-negotiable. Additionally, any pet displaying signs of illness on arrival may be referred for a medical examination by an authorised veterinarian, even when all paperwork is otherwise in order.

Is Morocco part of any international pet travel scheme?

Morocco does not participate in the EU Pet Travel Scheme (PETS), the most widely recognised international framework for harmonising pet movement between member and associated countries. Although the documentation required to bring a pet into Morocco is sometimes loosely described as a “pet passport,” this terminology should not be confused with the official EU Pet Passport issued to resident pets within the European Union.

The paperwork required for entry into Morocco — proof of microchipping, rabies and other vaccinations, and an international export health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the country of origin — constitutes a country-specific document set. Unlike an EU Pet Passport, which is recognised across EU member states and associated countries, this documentation is assembled specifically for travel to Morocco and does not carry automatic validity elsewhere.

Owners travelling from an EU member state will find that their EU Pet Passport functions as supporting evidence of microchipping and vaccination history, and will be accepted by Moroccan authorities in that capacity. It does not, however, replace the obligation to obtain a Moroccan-specific health certificate or import permit. Entry requirements specific to Morocco must still be fully satisfied regardless of what documents accompany the animal from an EU country.

Where possible, flights to Morocco should be direct, or should route through a country with robust rabies controls or another EU member state. If your itinerary includes a layover within an EU country — such as via Paris, Frankfurt, or Amsterdam — your pet will require an EU transit health certificate in addition to the standard documentation for Morocco. The transit certificate must follow the same format as if the EU country were the final destination, creating an additional step that affects both your preparation timeline and the paperwork your veterinarian must produce.

Do pet owners need to register or licence their pet after arriving in Morocco?

There is no formal licensing requirement for pet owners in Morocco. That said, retaining all relevant documentation — vaccination records, import permits, and health certificates — and keeping them readily accessible at all times is strongly advisable. Morocco does not operate a centralised national pet register comparable to those found in some European countries, such as the UK’s compulsory microchip database for dogs.

Dog owners are required by Moroccan law to notify the competent authority of their dog’s presence, maintain an up-to-date health record, and ensure the animal’s rabies vaccination remains current. These obligations apply to all dog owners resident in Morocco and form part of the country’s broader animal health regulatory framework. Although enforcement may not be uniform in practice, these should be treated as genuine legal requirements and not disregarded.

As of 2025, there is no widely confirmed national annual licensing fee for pets, but individual municipalities may operate their own regulations. Some local communes have by-laws covering dog ownership, leash requirements, and the presence of animals in public spaces. Expats settling in cities such as Casablanca, Marrakech, or Rabat should enquire with the local commune or consult a veterinarian in Morocco about any municipality-specific obligations, as these are not consistently published online.

What applies consistently throughout Morocco is the requirement to keep rabies vaccinations current for the duration of your stay. When the time comes to leave Morocco, your pet will require an anti-rabies certificate issued by a licensed Moroccan veterinarian, and your destination country’s import rules — which may include titre testing or defined waiting periods — will also need to be met. Establishing an ongoing relationship with a local veterinarian is therefore a practical necessity rather than merely good practice.

Are there any additional rules or costs expats should be aware of when bringing a pet to Morocco?

Pets may travel to Morocco as cabin baggage, checked luggage, or air cargo, depending on the animal’s size, the airline’s policies, and the route being taken. Each carrier sets its own rules regarding in-cabin weight thresholds, approved carrier dimensions, and cargo handling procedures. Airlines and shipping companies impose their own requirements for the transport of animals, and these must be confirmed directly with the carrier before booking, as policies differ and are subject to change.

Royal Air Maroc, Morocco’s national airline, requires that animals be accompanied by a certificate of good health and transported in a carrier or cargo crate meeting the airline’s specifications. Other carriers operating routes to Morocco, including Qatar Airways, have comparable policies. Always check the current pet transport requirements directly with your airline well ahead of booking — do not rely on previously gathered information, as policies are updated regularly.

Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport (CMN) is the principal designated entry point for pets arriving by air. Pet owners intending to arrive through other airports, seaports, or overland border crossings should verify directly with ONSSA before travel, as not every border post is equipped to carry out the required veterinary health inspections.

Morocco operates 16 border inspection posts (PIFs) that are formally authorised for the import and export of animals, with sanitary control carried out by ONSSA veterinarians. In practice, however, not all of these posts routinely handle pet imports, and Casablanca remains the recommended entry point for expats relocating with animals.

Morocco does not publish a widely enforced strict cap on the number of personal pets that can be imported per person, as some countries do. However, arriving with a large number of animals may prompt scrutiny on grounds of commercial import. Anyone relocating with several pets should contact ONSSA or the Moroccan Directorate of Livestock in advance to clarify what will be required and to reduce the risk of complications at the border.

No seasonal restrictions specific to Morocco on pet imports have been widely documented. However, summer temperatures — particularly in inland cities such as Marrakech and Fez — can be extreme, and many airlines impose seasonal cargo embargoes on the transport of live animals during the hottest months in the interests of animal welfare. Pet owners planning summer travel should enquire about any such restrictions with their airline before finalising travel dates.

Where can expats find official information about importing a pet into Morocco?

Because requirements can change and documentation needs vary significantly depending on the country of origin, all requirements should be verified through official channels before making any travel commitments. The following authorities are the most authoritative sources of current information.

• ONSSA — National Office of Sanitary Safety of Food Products (Office National de Sécurité Sanitaire des Produits Alimentaires): ONSSA is responsible for veterinary health control at Morocco’s border inspection posts and ensures that imported animals comply with applicable health standards. It operates 16 designated border posts for animal imports and exports. ONSSA is the primary regulatory body for pet imports and the first authority to consult for official entry requirements. Their website is available at www.onssa.gov.ma.
• Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture (Ministère de l’Agriculture, de la Pêche Maritime, du Développement Rural et des Eaux et Forêts): The Directorate of Livestock, operating under the Ministry of Agriculture, handles enquiries relating to vaccination requirements and the import permit process. The Ministry provides oversight of veterinary policy and the legislative framework governing pet imports. General information is available at www.agriculture.gov.ma; for pet import queries, contact the Directorate of Livestock directly.
• Moroccan Customs (Administration des Douanes et Impôts Indirects — ADII): Customs authorities are responsible for collecting the inspection fee on arrival and authorising the physical entry of animals into Moroccan territory. Their website is www.douane.gov.ma. For species subject to CITES controls, the Moroccan Directorate of Water and Forests and Soil Conservation issues the necessary CITES import permits — owners of affected species should contact this directorate well in advance of travel.
• Your country’s national veterinary or agriculture authority: The health certificate and any required government endorsement must be produced and approved in the country of origin. The relevant body will differ depending on where you are travelling from — equivalent authorities to APHIS in the United States, APHA in Great Britain, or the DAFM in Ireland. These agencies will be familiar with the format Morocco requires and can issue or endorse the certificate accordingly.
• Moroccan Consulate or Embassy in your country: Morocco’s consular network can provide guidance on the documentation required to bring a pet into the country, including health and veterinary certificate requirements. Your nearest Moroccan diplomatic mission can also clarify current requirements and, in certain circumstances, certify documents. Visit the Moroccan consular services portal for contact information and further guidance.

Pet import regulations are subject to periodic revision. Even if you have already researched the requirements, it is essential to reconfirm all details with official sources immediately before your travel date, as a change to a single rule — such as a revised health certificate format or updated titre test requirements — could affect your pet’s eligibility for entry.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if my pet arrives in Morocco without the correct paperwork?

Any pet that fails to satisfy Morocco’s entry requirements on arrival may be placed in quarantine if suitable facilities exist, returned to the country of departure, or euthanised. These are not remote possibilities — ONSSA veterinarians at border posts are fully empowered to apply any of these three outcomes. There is no margin for error: every document must be correct, complete, and within its validity window before travel commences. Do not assume that minor paperwork deficiencies will be overlooked at the border.

How long does the full process take from start to finish?

Owners should allow a minimum of 8–12 weeks from start to finish, beginning earlier if the pet has not yet been microchipped or does not hold a current rabies vaccination. Where a titre test is required, additional time must be built in for blood sampling and laboratory processing, which alone can take several weeks. The import permit application, vaccination sequencing, health certificate timing, and any government endorsement each add to the total lead time required, making early planning essential.

Do the rules differ for cats versus dogs?

The fundamental requirements — microchipping, rabies vaccination, a health certificate, and an import permit — are the same for both cats and dogs. The most significant distinction concerns breed restrictions, which are specific to dogs. No comparable dangerous animal legislation applies to cats in Morocco. However, Savannah and Bengal cats that are fewer than five generations removed from their wild lineage, along with wolf hybrids, are excluded from the standard import framework. For ordinary domestic dogs and cats of permitted breeds, the process is essentially the same.

Can I bring a rescue animal into Morocco, or bring a rescue animal out of Morocco?

Importing a rescue animal into Morocco requires full compliance with the same documentation rules as any other pet — the animal must be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies within the prescribed timeframe, and accompanied by a valid health certificate and import permit. Exporting a rescue animal from Morocco to another country requires compliance with the destination country’s import regulations, which may include titre testing, waiting periods, or health certificates issued by a licensed Moroccan veterinarian. Because Morocco is classified as a rabies-risk country, destinations such as the UK, Australia, or Japan are likely to impose additional conditions on animals originating there.

Is there a limit on how many pets I can bring into Morocco?

Morocco does not publish a definitive cap on the number of pets that may be imported for personal use, unlike some countries that set explicit limits per traveller. That said, arriving with a large number of animals may invite scrutiny on the grounds that the import is commercial in nature, and each animal must be accompanied by its own complete documentation set. Anyone planning to relocate with several pets should contact ONSSA in advance to clarify requirements and avoid complications at customs.

Do I need to use a professional pet relocation company?

Engaging a professional pet relocation agent is not a legal requirement, but it is strongly recommended — especially for owners who are unfamiliar with Moroccan customs procedures. Using a locally experienced customs agent is widely advised, and a power of attorney is required when doing so. A competent relocation agent can coordinate health certificate preparation, manage customs clearance at Casablanca, and handle the associated paperwork, substantially reducing the risk of preventable errors that could delay or jeopardise your pet’s entry.

Are there any restrictions on travelling with pets on Moroccan domestic routes once I have arrived?

Once a pet has been legally admitted to Morocco, domestic travel is subject to the policies of individual transport providers. Royal Air Maroc and other carriers serving domestic routes each set their own rules regarding pet transport. Travelling with a pet by road within Morocco requires no special permit, but animals should be carried safely and in accordance with general road safety obligations. Vaccination records should be kept accessible at all times in the event of inspection by veterinary or police officials.

Can I bring birds or reptiles into Morocco as pets?

Birds, reptiles, amphibians, rabbits, and rodents are governed by separate regulations that differ substantially from those applying to dogs and cats. Many birds and reptiles fall under CITES controls, requiring both an export permit from the country of origin and a CITES import permit issued by Morocco’s Directorate of Water and Forests and Soil Conservation. This import permit is valid for six months and is issued on presentation of a CITES export permit from the management authority of the country of origin. Anyone planning to import such species should contact the Moroccan Directorate of Water and Forests and the relevant authority in their home country well ahead of travel.