Rabat: what to see and whether to move there

What the city lives on and who it suits

Rabat is the capital of Morocco on the Atlantic coast, and together with neighbouring Salé more than 2 million people live in the area. It is the administrative centre: the royal palace, government, embassies and universities. Compared with Casablanca and Marrakesh, Rabat is calmer, cleaner and greener, and its old medina and waterfronts are pleasant to walk.

Who it suits: embassy and international organisation staff, retirees, families who want a mild climate and Europe two to three hours away by air. Who it does not suit: those looking for residence by investment - Morocco has no such programme.

Districts: where newcomers settle

• Agdal - a modern area with cafés, shops and the railway station.
• Souissi - villas, embassies and residences, the most expensive area.
• Hay Riad - new offices, malls and complexes, convenient by car.
• Hassan and the centre - by the medina and the Bou Regreg river waterfront.
• Salé - the neighbouring city across the river, cheaper and linked by tram.

Cost of living

• One-bedroom flat in Agdal - roughly $500-800 a month; villas in Souissi cost noticeably more.
• Groceries and markets - local vegetables, fruit and fish are cheap, imported goods pricier.
• Transport - tram, taxis and a high-speed train to Casablanca and Tangier.
• Services - household staff and services are affordable.

Practicalities: transport, climate, language, money

• Climate. Mild Atlantic: +25-28 in summer, +10-18 in winter, rains from November to March.
• Transport. The high-speed train links Rabat with Casablanca and Tangier, and the airport is close to the city.
• Language. Arabic and Amazigh are official; French is widely used in business and government, and English is spreading among young people.
• Money. Moroccan dirham, which cannot be freely taken out of the country; cards are accepted in cities.

Moving and legal status

• Entry - Russian citizens need no visa and can stay up to 90 days.
• Residence by investment - Morocco has no such programme, nor citizenship by investment.
• Residence grounds - an employment contract, marriage to a citizen, study, and retirees with income from abroad.
• Citizenship - after 5 years of legal residence, with Arabic and a government decision; more in Moroccan citizenship.

Taxes: income tax 0-37%, with very light taxation of foreign pensions; more in Moroccan taxes.

Work and business

• Where foreigners work - embassies, international organisations, education, outsourcing and renewable energy.
• Employment - a foreigner's contract is approved by the labour ministry.
• Your own business - companies are registered at the regional investment centre; corporate tax is 20% up to a profit threshold.
• Big projects - preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted with Spain and Portugal, have boosted construction and infrastructure.

Family: schools and healthcare

• Schools - French, American and British international schools, with many diplomats' children.
• Healthcare - private clinics in Rabat are of a good standard; foreigners need private insurance.
• A city for children - beaches, parks, a zoo and promenades, with calm streets.

First steps after moving

1. Residence card - issued by the police on a basis: contract, marriage or pension income.
2. Bank account - in dirhams for residents; convertible accounts are handy for income from abroad.
3. Housing - the lease is registered, and the deposit is usually one or two months.
4. Phone - a SIM card is issued against a passport, and mobile internet is cheap.

Safety and everyday details

• Rabat is one of Morocco's calmest cities; the main risk is pickpockets in the medina.
• During Ramadan the city's rhythm changes: many places close in the daytime and everything comes alive in the evening.
• Friday is the prayer day, and for most people the working week runs Monday to Friday.
• Modest dress is appropriate in the medina and in small towns.

The city and weekends

• The Kasbah of the Udayas - white and blue lanes of a fortress above the river mouth and the ocean.
• The Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V - the city's main historic sights.
• Casablanca - about an hour by train: business life, malls and an airport with flights to Europe.
• Fez and Meknes - old imperial cities two to three hours by train.
• Tangier - a couple of hours by high-speed train, with ferries to Spain.
• Beaches - the Atlantic right in the city, though the water is cool even in summer.

For retirees and remote workers

• Retirees with income from abroad can live in Morocco on a residence permit, and foreign pensions transferred into the country are taxed very lightly.
• Remote workers - there is no digital nomad visa. You can stay visa-free for up to 90 days, and longer stays need a residence basis.
• Money from abroad - foreign currency income is best handled through a convertible account, so it can later be transferred back without restrictions.

Is it worth living here

Rabat is a calm capital with a mild climate, good schools and Europe close by. Moving makes sense with a contract, through marriage or in retirement with income from abroad. Residence or a passport cannot be bought in Morocco, so the basis for living there must be chosen in advance.