A 2026 guide to teaching English in Morocco: salaries in dirhams and US dollars, TEFL and degree requirements, the ANAPEC and Ministry contract visa and carte de séjour, American Language Centers, British Council and Amideast, living costs in Casablanca, Rabat, Fes and Marrakech.
To teach English in Morocco, most employers want a bachelor’s degree and a 120-hour TEFL certificate, and the largest job markets are Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, Marrakech and Tangier. Demand is growing as English gains ground alongside Arabic and French, but salaries mostly cover living costs rather than build big savings.
This guide covers 2026 pay in Moroccan dirhams and US dollars, entry requirements, the work contract visa and carte de séjour, the main employers, living costs and how to get hired.
TL;DR
- Salary: private language centres pay about MAD 5,000–12,000 a month ($510–$1,225); international schools MAD 15,000–30,000 or more ($1,530–$3,060+).
- Requirements: a bachelor’s degree and a 120-hour TEFL certificate; American Language Centers and the British Council ask for CELTA-level training and two years’ experience.
- Visa: your employer gets the work contract approved (visa’d) by the Ministry of Labour, usually after an ANAPEC certificate, then you apply for a carte de séjour.
- Living costs: about MAD 5,000–10,000 ($510–$1,020) a month for a single teacher.
- Best for: teachers who want North African culture, French or Arabic practice and easy access to Europe.
- Verdict: a break-even country for new teachers, with better pay at international schools for licensed teachers.
Last updated: November 2026
Table of Contents
- Is There Demand for English Teachers in Morocco?
- What Are the Requirements to Teach English in Morocco?
- What Visa Do You Need to Teach English in Morocco?
- How Much Do English Teachers Earn in Morocco?
- What Types of English Teaching Jobs Are There in Morocco?
- What Is the Cost of Living in Morocco for Teachers?
- What Are the Pros and Cons of Teaching English in Morocco?
- How Do You Get Hired to Teach English in Morocco?
- Related Guides
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Is There Demand for English Teachers in Morocco?
Yes. English is increasingly seen as the language of business, tourism and higher education in Morocco, and the government has been expanding English teaching in public schools. Private demand from children, students preparing for exams and professionals keeps language centres busy, especially in the evenings and on Saturdays.
Casablanca has the most jobs and the highest pay, Rabat has government, embassy and university demand, and Fes, Marrakech, Tangier, Kenitra and Agadir offer smaller markets. For a wider view of how Morocco compares, see our guide on how to teach English as a second language abroad.
What Are the Requirements to Teach English in Morocco?
| Requirement | Language centres | ALC / British Council | International schools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | Needed for the work contract | Required | Required |
| TEFL certificate | 120 hours | CELTA, Trinity CertTESOL or 120+ hours with teaching practice | Valued; licence matters more |
| Experience | Often not required | Two years or more (British Council lists 400–800+ hours by age group) | Two years or more |
| Non-native speakers | Accepted with strong fluency | ALC: IELTS 8 or TOEFL 110 | Accepted with fluency |
| Background check | Often requested | Requested | Required |
A degree is effectively compulsory because your diplomas form part of the work contract file. A 120-hour TEFL course with observed teaching practice is the usual entry level. Upgrading to a 180-hour Level 5 TEFL or CELTA makes you more competitive for the American Language Centers and the British Council.
French is not required in the classroom, but it helps a great deal with paperwork, housing and daily life.
What Visa Do You Need to Teach English in Morocco?
Citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and most EU countries can enter Morocco visa-free for up to 90 days, but that stay does not allow work. Teachers need an approved work contract and a residence card.
How does the work contract visa and carte de séjour work?
- Job offer: sign a “contrat de travail d’étranger” (foreign worker contract) with a Moroccan employer.
- ANAPEC certificate: unless an exemption applies, the employer advertises the role through ANAPEC, the national employment agency, which certifies that no suitable Moroccan candidate was found.
- Ministry visa: the employer submits the contract through the Ministry of Labour’s TAECHIR online platform. The contract only takes effect from the date the Ministry visas (approves) it.
- Documents: passport copy, certified diplomas and TEFL certificate, work certificates and sworn translations into French or Arabic.
- Carte de séjour: with the approved contract, apply to the police (DGSN) for a residence card, providing your passport, photos, a medical certificate, proof of address and usually a criminal record check.
The full process commonly takes three to five months, and many teachers start work while the residence card is processed. The card is usually issued for one year and renewed. Morocco is part of the Apostille Convention, so apostille your degree and background check before you travel.
How Much Do English Teachers Earn in Morocco?
Pay varies widely by employer type, city and hours. Most language centres pay by contact hour, so your monthly income depends on how many classes you are given.
| Job type | Monthly pay (MAD) | Approx. USD | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private language centre | 5,000–12,000 | $510–$1,225 | 20–25 contact hours; evenings and Saturdays |
| American Language Center | Hourly, by contact hour | Top of the centre range | 80% health insurance and a month of paid leave |
| British Council | Hourly, on pay bands | Above most centres | Freelance hourly contracts; CELTA required |
| University or business school | 10,000–20,000 | $1,020–$2,040 | Master’s usually required; semester contracts |
| International or bilingual school | 15,000–30,000+ | $1,530–$3,060+ | Licence needed; often flights and medical cover |
| Private tutoring | 100–250 an hour | $10–$26 an hour | Corporate classes pay MAD 150–350 an hour |
Most new teachers cover their costs and save a little with private students or online classes. To see where TEFL pay is much higher, read our ranking of the highest TEFL salaries in the world.
What Types of English Teaching Jobs Are There in Morocco?
American Language Centers
The American Language Centers are a network of non-profit schools belonging to the American Cultural Association, with centres in cities including Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, Marrakech, Tangier and Kenitra. They recruit mainly for September starts and offer professional development, including an annual all-ALC TEFL conference.
British Council and Amideast
The British Council runs teaching centres in Casablanca and Rabat and hires experienced, CELTA-qualified teachers on hourly contracts. Amideast, a US non-profit, runs English courses and test preparation from its Rabat and Casablanca offices, alongside other education programmes.
Private language schools
Independent language schools operate in every major city, from Casablanca and Rabat to Fes, Marrakech and Agadir. They are the most accessible option for new teachers, hiring year-round with peaks in September and January.
International schools and universities
International schools such as the American School of Casablanca, the American School of Tangier and British-curriculum schools in Casablanca and Rabat advertise on TES and Teach Away, mostly between January and May for September starts. Universities and business schools advertise in spring and summer.
For non-teaching roles and general job hunting, see our guide to working abroad in Morocco.
What Is the Cost of Living in Morocco for Teachers?
Morocco is affordable outside the most popular areas of Casablanca and Marrakech. Many teachers share flats or rent in local neighbourhoods to keep costs down.
| Monthly expense | MAD | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|
| One-bedroom flat in a city centre | 3,000–7,000 | $305–$715 |
| Room or studio outside the centre | 2,000–4,000 | $205–$410 |
| Groceries for one | 1,500–2,500 | $155–$255 |
| Utilities and internet | 500–1,000 | $50–$100 |
| Local restaurant meal | 30–60 | $3–$6 |
| Total single budget | 5,000–10,000 | $510–$1,020 |
Bring savings of roughly $1,500–$2,000 to cover a deposit, your first month and paperwork before your first full pay cheque.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Teaching English in Morocco?
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Growing demand for English across the country | Language centre pay leaves little to save |
| Rich culture, food and travel, a short flight from Europe | Contract visa and carte de séjour take months |
| Respected employers such as the ALCs and British Council | Top employers want CELTA and experience |
| Chance to learn French or Darija Arabic | Evening and Saturday schedules are standard |
| Affordable outside central Casablanca | Summer and Ramadan are slower for hours |
If you are comparing North Africa, look at teaching English in Tunisia, teaching English in Algeria and teaching English in Egypt. Across the Strait of Gibraltar, teaching English in Spain is a popular next step.
How Do You Get Hired to Teach English in Morocco?
- Get certified: complete a 120-hour TEFL with teaching practice, or CELTA if you are aiming for the ALCs or British Council.
- Apostille your documents: degree, TEFL certificate and criminal record check.
- Choose your target: Casablanca for volume and pay, Rabat for institutions, Fes and Marrakech for culture.
- Apply in spring: ALCs and international schools recruit for September; language centres also hire in January.
- Interview: many interviews run on video; some language centres prefer to meet candidates in person.
- Confirm the contract visa: make sure the employer will handle ANAPEC and the Ministry visa before you sign.
- Apply for your carte de séjour: as soon as your contract is approved, and keep copies of every document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you teach English in Morocco without a degree?
It is difficult to work legally without one. Your diplomas are part of the work contract file, and reputable employers such as the American Language Centers and British Council require a bachelor’s degree. Some small schools and private clients may hire without a degree, but usually informally and without a contract visa.
How much do English teachers make in Morocco?
Private language centres typically pay MAD 5,000–12,000 a month, about $510–$1,225. Universities pay around MAD 10,000–20,000, and international schools MAD 15,000–30,000 or more for licensed teachers. Private tutoring earns about MAD 100–250 an hour. Most new teachers break even and save through extra classes.
What visa do I need to teach English in Morocco?
You need an approved foreign worker contract. Your employer usually obtains an ANAPEC certificate, then the Ministry of Labour visas the contract through its TAECHIR platform. You then apply to the police for a carte de séjour. The 90-day visa-free stay many nationalities get does not allow paid work.
Do I need to speak French or Arabic to teach English in Morocco?
No. Lessons are taught in English, and employers do not require French or Arabic. French is very useful for contracts, residence paperwork, renting and banking, while basic Darija Arabic helps in markets and taxis. Many teachers take French or Darija classes after arriving to settle in faster.
When do schools in Morocco hire English teachers?
American Language Centers recruit mainly for September starts, so apply in spring. International schools hire between January and May for August or September. Private language centres hire year-round, with peaks in September and January, and fewer openings during Ramadan and the July–August summer break.
Which city is best for teaching English in Morocco?
Casablanca has the most jobs and the highest salaries, including most international schools. Rabat offers stable work at institutions, embassies and universities. Fes and Marrakech appeal to teachers who want history and culture, while Tangier, Kenitra and Agadir have smaller markets and fewer foreign teachers competing for jobs.
Conclusion
Morocco suits teachers who want a culturally rich base close to Europe, with respected employers and a clear, if slow, route to a legal work contract. Get a 120-hour TEFL or CELTA, apostille your degree and apply in spring for September. To compare more destinations, read our full guide to teaching English as a second language abroad.
