Moroccans in Spain 2026: Transfers, Taxes, Mortgage, Pension

1. 1. MRE Status in Spain: Consular Card and Procedures

MRE status acquired after 183 days per year outside Morocco. Consular card requested at Moroccan consulates in Madrid, Barcelona, Almería, Algeciras, Bilbao, Burgos, Las Palmas, Tarragona, or Valencia. Documents: current passport, Spanish NIE, empadronamiento (municipal registration proof), recent photo. Issued in 2-4 weeks, free, valid 5 years.

Spanish Bank Accounts

BBVA, Santander, CaixaBank, and Sabadell offer Morocco transfer services at negotiated rates. BBVA has a Moroccan presence (BBVA Morocco) facilitating intra-group transfers.

Moroccan Accounts

Convertible dirham account at Attijariwafa, Banque Populaire (Bladi offer), BMCE BOA, CIH. Funded with euros from Spain, free MAD withdrawal in Morocco.

2. 2. Spain → 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 8-15, instant in-branch delivery in Morocco.

Western Union / MoneyGram

Fees EUR 20-40, instant delivery. Most expensive but fastest.

BBVA Morocco (intra-group transfer)

Fees EUR 5-10 for BBVA Spain clients to BBVA Morocco, preferential rate. D+1 delivery.

SEPA Bank Transfer

Fees EUR 0-15 depending on Spanish bank, less favorable rate than Wise. 2-4 days delay.

3. 3. Spain-Morocco Tax Treaty (1985)

Avoids double taxation:

Salaries

Taxed in the country of work. Spanish salary = taxed in Spain only (IRPF).

Real Estate Income

Taxed in the country of the property. Rent from Moroccan property = taxed in Morocco, reported in Spain with tax credit.

Real Estate Capital Gains

Taxed in the country of the property. 30 % MRE allowance in Morocco on primary residence sale.

Pensions

Taxed in the country of residence.

4. 4. MRE Mortgage from Spain

All major Moroccan banks accept Spanish MREs: Attijariwafa Bank (Bladi MRE), Banque Populaire (Bladi Invest), BMCE BOA, CIH Bank, Crédit Agricole du Maroc. 2026 conditions: 20-30 % down payment, 25 years max, 4.50-5.75 % APR. Documents required: last 3 Spanish pay slips (nóminas), employment contract (contrato indefinido), last IRPF tax return, empadronamiento certificate, Moroccan consular card.

5. 5. Pension: CNSS Morocco + Spanish Seguridad Social

The bilateral social security agreement (1979, revised) allows totalization of contribution periods. If you contributed 12 years in Spain and 8 years in Morocco, you receive: (a) Spanish INSS pension prorated to 12 years, (b) Moroccan CNSS pension prorated to 8 years. Apply in your country of residence at retirement.

6. FAQ

Q.How many Moroccans live in Spain in 2026?

Around 800,000 people of Moroccan origin reside in Spain. It is the third-largest Moroccan diaspora in Europe, after France (1.5 million) and Belgium (600,000). Main concentrations: Catalonia, Madrid, Andalusia, and the Valencian Community.

Q.What is the cheapest way to transfer money from Spain to Morocco?

Wise for amounts > EUR 300 (fees EUR 4-7 for EUR 1,000, interbank rate). For BBVA Spain clients with a BBVA Morocco account, intra-group transfer costs EUR 5-10. Wafacash for fast in-branch delivery without account.

Q.Is my Spanish salary taxed in Morocco?

No. The 1985 Spain-Morocco tax treaty assigns salary taxation to the country of work (Spain). Your Spanish salary is not taxed in Morocco.

Q.Can I get a Moroccan mortgage with a Spanish contrato indefinido?

Yes. All major Moroccan banks (Attijariwafa, Banque Populaire, BMCE BOA, CIH) accept the Spanish contrato indefinido under the same conditions as MREs from France or Belgium: 20-30 % down payment, 25 years, 4.50-5.75 % rate.

Q.Will I receive two pensions if I contributed in both Spain and Morocco?

Yes, thanks to the bilateral social security agreement. Spanish INSS and Moroccan CNSS each pay a pension prorated to its contribution years.

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