Naturalization in Morocco

Naturalization is the legal process through which a foreign national voluntarily acquires the nationality of a country and becomes integrated into its society. Under Moroccan law, naturalization is available to foreign nationals who wish to obtain Moroccan nationality. It is a voluntary process, demonstrated by submitting an application for nationality and accepting the legal conditions established by law.

Moroccan law recognizes two types of naturalization: ordinary naturalization and exceptional naturalization.

I. Ordinary Naturalization

Ordinary naturalization is governed by Article 11 of the Dahir of 1958. Under normal circumstances, Moroccan nationality may be granted to any foreign national who fulfills the following conditions:

Ordinary and continuous residence in Morocco for the five years preceding the application, while remaining in Morocco from the date of submission until a final decision is issued.

The applicant must have reached the age of legal majority, determined in accordance with the law governing the applicant's personal status.

The applicant must be physically and mentally fit.

The applicant must be of good character and conduct, must not have been convicted of a felony or a dishonorable misdemeanor, must not have violated Moroccan residence laws, and must not have lost commercial legal capacity, unless such penalties have been erased through legal rehabilitation.

The applicant must possess adequate knowledge of the Arabic language.

The applicant must have sufficient means of livelihood.

Even when all these conditions are satisfied and an application is submitted, the Moroccan administration retains discretionary authority to approve or reject the application. If approved, Moroccan nationality is granted by a decree issued by the Council of Government and published in the Official Gazette.

II. Exceptional Naturalization

Exceptional naturalization is provided for under Article 12 of the Dahir of 1958. This provision allows Moroccan nationality to be granted without fulfilling all the conditions listed in Article 11, or while waiving some of them, in the following cases:

First Case

A foreign national who suffers an injury or illness while rendering a service to Morocco is exempt from the requirement of physical and mental fitness.

Second Case

A foreign national who has rendered, or is rendering, exceptional services from which Morocco has benefited or is expected to benefit is only required to:

Have reached the age of legal majority; and

Be of good character and conduct.

All other conditions may be waived.

In both cases of exceptional naturalization, Moroccan nationality is granted by Royal Decree (Dahir) issued by the Highest Authority of the Kingdom and published in the Official Gazette.