Moving to Agadir / Tamraght: Procedures, Real Stories and Practical Guidance

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Introduction

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Why People Choose Agadir and Tamraght for Their Expat Life

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Over the past years living between Agadir and Tamraght, I’ve met dozens of expats — families, remote workers, retirees, entrepreneurs, and digital nomads — who all came here searching for a different rhythm of life. Many originally planned to stay for a few weeks and ended up settling for months or years. Agadir and Tamraght attract people for their sunny weather, calm lifestyle, affordability, and easy access to nature. But beyond the climate, what makes the experience special is the mix of local Amazigh culture, international influences, and a strong sense of community.

If you’re planning to relocate, this guide gives you everything you need: clear administrative steps, real insights from expats, and practical advice to help you settle smoothly.

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A Quick Overview of the Benefits and Challenges

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Moving to Morocco is easier than most people think. Daily life is comfortable, the cost of living is reasonable, and the region is safe and welcoming. Still, you should be prepared for a different administrative pace, cultural nuances, and an adaptation period.

This article covers everything you need before moving — from residence permits and housing to cost of living, healthcare, and personal experiences from expats living in Agadir and Tamraght.

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Understanding the Agadir–Souss-Massa Region

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Agadir: Climate, Surroundings and Lifestyle

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Agadir sits in the Souss-Massa region, famous for its mild climate: more than 300 days of sunshine per year, winters around 20°C, and cool summer evenings thanks to the ocean breeze. It is one of the most comfortable cities in Morocco to live in long-term, especially for families and retirees. Infrastructure is modern, with reliable healthcare, well-developed roads, international schools, malls, and a newly renovated corniche.

The proximity between city life, beaches, mountains and valleys creates a lifestyle that is both active and relaxing.

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Tamraght: A Surf Village Turned International Hub

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Just 15 minutes north of Agadir, Tamraght has grown into one of Morocco’s favourite destinations for digital nomads and expatriates. Once a quiet surf village, it now blends cafés with strong WiFi, coworking spaces, international restaurants, surf schools, yoga studios, and a vibrant international community.

You meet French, Germans, Brits, Canadians, Americans, Portuguese, and a large number of Brazilians and Eastern Europeans — all living side-by-side with local residents. The village remains calm, safe, and easy to navigate, with a friendly atmosphere that makes integration almost effortless.

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Local Culture and Integration

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Agadir and Tamraght are part of the Amazigh (Berber) region, known for hospitality and community spirit. People take time to greet each other, relationships matter, and the pace of life is slower and more grounded than in Europe.

For many expats, this cultural shift is refreshing. For others, it takes a bit of time to adapt — especially regarding the flexible schedules and less formal communication style. But overall, integration is easy, and locals are welcoming toward foreigners choosing to make this region their home.

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Part 2: Administrative Procedures to Settle in Morocco

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Tourist Stay, Residency and Legal Requirements

Most Europeans enter Morocco visa-free for 90 days. Some expats do “visa runs” to the Canary Islands or Spain, but if you’re planning to stay long-term, it’s worth applying for the Moroccan residence permit (carte de séjour).

The most common categories include:

• Employee resident card — if you sign a local work contract
• Retiree resident card — very common and straightforward
• “No activity” resident card — for people living off foreign income
• Business owner resident card — if you create a local company

Documents usually required:

• Passport copy
• Rental contract or housing attestation
• Criminal record certificate
• Proof of income or pension
• Passport photos
• Stamps and administrative forms

Processing time varies between 4 and 10 weeks depending on the city.

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Opening a Bank Account and Choosing Health Insurance

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The most expat-friendly banks in Agadir include:

• CIH Bank
• Attijariwafa Bank
• Banque Populaire
• Société Générale Maroc

You usually need a local address and your passport. For health insurance, expats tend to choose between:

• Moroccan private insurance
• CNSS (if employed in Morocco)
• International insurers (CFE, April, Allianz, Henner…)

For long-term stays, international insurance provides the best coverage.

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Housing: Long-Term Rentals and Buying Property

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Housing options vary depending on your lifestyle:

• Agadir city center — modern apartments, close to everything
• Founty — quiet residential area, perfect for families
• Hay Mohammadi — budget-friendly but high quality
• Tamraght — surf village atmosphere, great for long stays
• Taghazout — more touristic, with premium options

If you’re considering buying property, do not skip due diligence. You must verify:

• Title deed (titre foncier)
• Land limits and boundaries (bornage)
• Absence of disputes
• Property registration at the conservation foncière

This is exactly where Agadir Properties supports buyers with full legal due diligence.

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Work, Entrepreneurship and Remote Jobs

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Many expats keep their European clients and work remotely from Morocco. Others open cafés, hostels, yoga studios, surf schools, consulting firms or digital businesses.

Opening a company is relatively simple in Morocco, especially in Agadir where administrative centers are efficient and used to supporting foreign entrepreneurs.

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Schools, Families and Retirees

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Agadir hosts several international and bilingual schools, such as:

• International School of Agadir (ISA)
• Universiapolis
• Private bilingual schools across the city

Retirees are particularly numerous due to the stable climate, safety, and affordable healthcare.

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Part 3: Daily Life as an Expat in Agadir and Tamraght

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Cost of Living: A Realistic Overview

The cost of living is generally 30–50% lower than in Western Europe. Some examples:

• Long-term rental: €350–€800 per month
• Local meal: €2–€4
• European-style meal: €8–€15
• High-speed fiber internet: €20 per month
• Gasoline: €1.25/L

Tamraght is slightly more expensive than Agadir due to seasonal rentals and surf tourism, but long-term options exist.

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Healthcare, Internet and Local Infrastructure

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Agadir offers:

• Private clinics with modern equipment
• Specialized health centers
• Shopping malls (Marjane, Carrefour, Aswak, Socco)
• Reliable telecommunications
• New roads and safe neighbourhoods

Internet quality is excellent. Fiber optic is available in most areas, with speeds between 50 and 200 Mb/s.

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Where Expats Prefer to Live

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Different profiles choose different areas:

• Tamraght — digital nomads, surfers, young professionals
• Taghazout — expats seeking premium views and lifestyle
• Founty — families, retirees, long-term residents
• Hay Mohammadi — affordable residential comfort
• Bensergao / Taddart — quiet neighbourhoods with local life

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Community, Social Life and Integration

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Expats naturally form tight-knit groups here. Social life revolves around:

• early morning surf sessions
• cafés with ocean views
• yoga or breathwork events
• hiking in the mountains
• casual dinners mixing locals and expats
• WhatsApp community groups

People connect quickly, friendships form easily, and the lifestyle is warm, simple and social.

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Expat Testimonials

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Julie, 34, Freelance Designer, Living in Agadir

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“I came for a month and stayed two years. Agadir gave me exactly what I needed: sunlight, peace of mind, and a much healthier work rhythm. I work from cafés in Founty, go surfing twice a week, and enjoy a slower lifestyle that I didn’t know I needed.”

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Michael, 51, Retired, Living in Tamraght

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“I lived in Marrakech before, but Tamraght is on another level. Here, I wake up with an ocean view, walk around the village every day, and feel completely safe. Locals are kind, the community is strong, and life feels lighter.”

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Clara & Jonas, Digital Nomads, Tamraght

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“We needed a place with good WiFi but also outdoor life. Tamraght has both. We work from coworkings with ocean views, surf before sunset, and met a community of people just like us. We planned two months and ended up staying eight.”

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Benefits, Challenges and Practical Tips

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Main Advantages

• Perfect weather year-round
• Safe and welcoming region
• Affordable cost of living
• International community
• Surf and outdoor lifestyle
• High-quality healthcare
• Excellent internet
• Easy access to Europe

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Challenges to Expect

• Administrative processes require patience
• Some delays depending on offices
• Finding long-term rentals during high season can be difficult
• Language barrier at the beginning (Darija & Tamazight)

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Checklist Before Moving

• Visit first to explore the neighbourhoods
• Compare Agadir, Tamraght, Taghazout and Founty
• Prepare documents for your residence permit
• Choose your health insurance in advance
• Open a Moroccan bank account once on-site
• Work with a local real estate partner (Agadir Properties)
• Connect early with the expat community

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Conclusion

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Why Agadir and Tamraght Are Among the Best Places to Move To

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Moving to Agadir or Tamraght means choosing a lifestyle that is simpler, healthier and more human. The region offers the perfect mix between stability, modern comfort, outdoor life, culture, and international openness. Whether you are a remote worker, a retiree, a family or a young entrepreneur, the region makes settling in remarkably easy.

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How Agadir Properties Can Help You Settle

At Agadir Properties, we support expats with:

• property search and scouting (Active Search)
• due diligence and legal verification
• relocation support and neighbourhood guidance
• long-term real estate advisory

We’re on the ground every day and know the market from the inside. If you're thinking about moving, we’d be happy to guide you.

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