Can I fly a drone?

Decree 2-15-311 makes all civilian drone use in Morocco subject to authorisation from the Ministry of National Defence and the Civil Aviation Authority. In practice, individual tourists do not get authorisation. Drones are searched for at Casablanca, Marrakech, and Tangier airports — X-ray operators flag the rectangular battery-and-rotor signature — and confiscated at customs. You are issued a receipt and can in theory collect on the way out; in practice, they're held until departure or destroyed.

Flying without a permit, even briefly, is a criminal offence. Penalties range from a 10,000 MAD fine to imprisonment. Tourist videos shot from drones over Aït Benhaddou, Chefchaouen, and the dunes have led to arrests as recently as 2024.

If you're producing professional content, apply through the Centre Cinématographique Marocain at least eight weeks in advance, with the production company, insurance, flight plan, and locations specified. The CCM authorisation is the only route.