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Moroccans Living in Belgium: Complete 2026 Guide

Updated on May 16, 20269 min read

The Moroccan community in Belgium numbers around 600,000 people, mainly in Brussels, Antwerp, Liège, and Charleroi. Whether you are a salaried employee, self-employed, or retiree, your status as a Moroccan Resident Abroad provides access to specific tax provisions, convertible dirham accounts, and partial social coverage in Morocco. This 2026 guide covers Belgium-Morocco money transfers, the Belgium-Morocco tax treaty of 1972 (revised 2006), MRE mortgages with Moroccan banks, and combined CNSS Morocco / Belgian ONP pension rights.

1. 1. MRE Status: Consular Card and Bank Accounts

MRE status acquired upon residing more than 183 days per year outside Morocco. Consular card requested at the Moroccan consulate in Brussels, Antwerp, or Liège. Required documents: passport, Belgian residence card, residence proof (household composition), recent photo. Issued in 2-3 weeks, free, valid 5 years.

Belgian Bank Accounts

Belfius, BNP Paribas Fortis, and ING offer Morocco transfer packages at preferential rates.

Moroccan Accounts

Convertible dirham account (funded with euros, freely transferable) at Attijariwafa, Banque Populaire, BMCE BOA, CIH.

2. 2. Belgium → Morocco Money Transfers

May 2026 comparison for EUR 1,000 transfer:

Wise

Fees EUR 4-7, interbank rate, 1-2 day delivery. Recommended for amounts > EUR 300.

Wafacash / Cash Plus

Fees EUR 10-15, instant in-branch delivery in Morocco.

Western Union

Fees EUR 20-35, instant delivery. Most expensive but fastest.

SEPA Bank Transfer

Fees EUR 0-12 depending on Belgian bank, less favorable rate. Delay 2-4 days.

3. 3. Belgium-Morocco Tax Treaty

The 1972 treaty (revised 2006) avoids double taxation:

Salaries

Taxed in the country where activity is performed. Belgian salary = taxed in Belgium only.

Real Estate Income

Taxed in Morocco for Moroccan properties. Reported in Belgium with exemption subject to progressivity rule.

Real Estate Capital Gains

Taxed in the country of the property. 30 % MRE allowance in Morocco.

Pensions

Taxed in the country of residence.

4. 4. MRE Mortgage from Belgium

Moroccan banks accept Belgian MRE files under the same conditions as French MREs: Attijariwafa, Banque Populaire, BMCE BOA, CIH, Crédit Agricole. 2026 conditions: 20-30 % down payment, 25 years max, 4.50-5.75 % APR. Documents: last 3 Belgian pay slips, employer certificate, last IPP tax return, household composition, employment contract.

5. 5. Pension: CNSS Morocco + Belgian ONP

The bilateral social security agreement (1968, revised) allows totalization of contribution periods. Each country pays a pension prorated to its contribution years.

6. FAQ

Q.How many Moroccans live in Belgium in 2026?
Around 600,000 people of Moroccan origin live in Belgium, mainly in Brussels (60%), Antwerp, Liège, and Charleroi. It is the second-largest Moroccan diaspora in Europe after France.
Q.What is the cheapest way to transfer money from Belgium to Morocco?
Wise is generally the cheapest for amounts > EUR 300 (fees EUR 4-7 for EUR 1,000, interbank rate). For amounts < EUR 200 or beneficiaries without bank accounts, in-branch Wafacash remains competitive.
Q.Is my Belgian salary taxed in Morocco?
No. The Belgium-Morocco tax treaty assigns salary taxation to the country where work is performed (Belgium). Your Belgian salary is not taxed in Morocco.
Q.Can I get a Moroccan mortgage with a Belgian CDI contract?
Yes. All major Moroccan banks accept Belgian CDI contracts under the same conditions as French MREs.
Q.Will I receive two pensions if I contributed in both Belgium and Morocco?
Yes, thanks to the bilateral agreement. ONP (Belgium) and CNSS (Morocco) each pay a pension prorated to its contribution years.

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