Morocco

'The Souk is the Moroccan equivalent of a European street market'

Buying & Selling:  The legal system is Latin-based and similar to that of France and Spain. When you have found the property you like, you will make a verbal offer via your notaire. Once a purchase price is agreed upon a preliminary contract is drawn up. At this stage a qualified lawyer should be appointed who is fluent in your language, but ideally based in Morocco. He or she will undertake the necessary checks on the property and prepare the documentation. The buyer then needs to open a euro account with a bank in Morocco and transfer sterling or euros to this account. This currency is then converted to dirhams, with which the seller is paid. A deposit of between 10% and 30% is generally paid to secure a property, with the balance due at completion. (New build deposits can be as high as 40%) The process takes an average of 6 to 8 weeks and the property is then registered with the Moroccan government in the name of the new owner.

As a general rule you should expect to pay around 6-7% of the property price. This covers lawyer’s fees, notary costs and registration.

• Property registration fees
• Government taxes
• Notary and Legal fees etc
• In the case of old houses or land, VAT is charged only on the notary and government registration fees, not on the property or land itself. VAT is, however, payable on newly built property, renovation work and off-plan purchases

Net profits earned through the sale of a Moroccan property can be repatriated in other currencies to your home country, whether you are a resident or not. The only condition is to register the investment at the Moroccan Exchange Control Office beforehand. Inheritance laws in Morocco don’t facilitate the buying process, as each person with a claim to a property must give their approval to the sale. A lot of older properties do not have title deeds and getting hold of the paperwork can take up to two years. There are traditional houses in beautiful, unspoilt cities available, but while they are often quite cheap you can expect to pay heavily for restoration costs.

Properties without the correct title deeds are commonplace in Morocco but, despite what you might hear, it is imperative that you do not purchase a property without the correct documentation. If you are not in possession of the title deeds, you do not officially own the property – regardless of how much you paid. While this is relatively straightforward for a new-build home to be brought and registered an older property is not as straight forward to register as every member of the vendor’s family needs to agree to the sale.

Currency:  Dirham

Getting To or Through:  By Plane: The most common way for international visitors to enter Morocco is by air. Air travel is also a good transport option in Morocco if you are in a hurry to get somewhere, however, it can be rather pricey. The are several airports in Morocco that will be able to serve your needs. Both local and international Moroccan airports operate throughout the country.

By Car:  The main road network is in good condition. Roads have good surface, although very narrow, in most cases only one lane in each direction. The main cities are connected by toll expressways still being extended. Fuel is not so common in the countryside so plan ahead and get a good map. Roads are varied and mixed with many cyclists, pedestrians and horse-drawn vehicles. Roadsigns are in Arabic and French and the traffic law is as in much of Europe but you give way to the right. Be very careful as many drivers respect signs only if a policeman is nearby. This means that traffic on a roundabout gives way to that entering itю There are numerous Police checks on the main roads where you must slow down to allow them to see you. The speed limit is enforced especially the 40kph in towns and on dangerous intersections where fines are imposed on the spot. General rule is that vehicles larger than yours should be given a priority: trucks, buses and even grand taxis.

Trains:  Are usually most preferred recommended transport because of speed and comfort; they are far less cramped and stressful alternative to local buses. Train network links Marrakech and Tangier via Casablanca and Rabat, a branch line near Meknes goes to Oujda.

Ferries/Boats:  There are several ferry connections to Morocco, mainly from Spain. Algeciras is the main port and serves Ceuta and Tangier. A ferry between Algeciras and Ceuta takes 40 minutes, and less than 2 hours to get to Tanger. You can also get to Tangier from the small port of Tarifa, on the southernmost tip of mainland Spain. This will need 35 minutes. Some companies run buses between Tarifa and Algeciras for free (25 minutes), so you will have no problems getting to the train station. Other Spanish ports that have connections to Morocco are Malaga and Almeria who connect to Melilla and its Moroccan neighbor town of Nador. Ferries from France also go to Tangier, from the port of Sète near Montpellier and Port Vendres near Perpignan. But these ferries are rather expensive. The Italian towns of Genoa and Naples also have direct connections to Tangier. The British crown colony of Gibraltar connects to Tangier through a high-speed boat service.

Culture:  The women normally run the roost, whilst the men take to the streets and will often be found in the local cafes. Moroccan’s most cherished possession is their honour and dignity, which reflects not only on themselves but on all members of their extended family. They are friendly and very hospitable. When friendship is formed, quite often you will be invited to a meal. It is customary to take off your shoes when entering a house and take a gift. In wealthier households one might take sweet pastry, figs, sugar, nuts and even flowers for the hostess. Whereas, in the not so affluent residences one might take a meat product or even a live chicken. Gifts for children are seen as a sign of affection and if wrapped gifts will not normally be opened when received and unless you know that your host drinks then alcohol is not normally given.

When meeting, between same sex normally people will shake hands. When a man meets a woman it is customary for the woman to extend her hand first, or for the man to nod/bow his head. To kiss greet is common once a friendship has been built.

Food is generally served at a knee-high round table and:

·         The guest of honour generally sits next to the host.

·         A washing basin will be brought to the table before the meal is served. Hold your hands over the basin while water is poured over them. Dry your hands on the towel provided.

·         Do not begin eating until the host blesses the food and they begin to eat.

·         Food will be served in a communal bowl and you should eat from the section of the bowl that is in front of you.

·         Never reach across the bowl to get something from the other side.

·         As the honoured guest, choice cuts will be put in front of you.

·         Bread will be provided to scoop the food or use the thumb and first two fingers of the right hand.

·         Eat and drink only with the right hand. Muslims believe that the left hand is for toilet use.

·         The washing basin will be brought around the table again at the end of the meal.

·         Befriending the locals will be the most authentic way of experiencing the cuisine.

Tajine is the national dish of Morocco. It is a stew cooked in an earthenware bowl and made with vegetables and either meat, chicken or fish. The national drink is mint tea. Couscous is the traditional Friday lunch made from semolina-like grains of flour and served with vegetables or with sugar, goat's milk and cinnamon as a pudding.

Many may be intrigued by the mosques. But Muslims hold these holy places in high esteem and an invite is very unlikely. Still in this day and age taking a photograph of someone without their permission can cause offence especially amongst older Moroccans in rural areas. Always ask permission first, its polite, and if allowed will then not offend. Non conforming could result in a scene and a request for money.

Don’t be supprised if your invited to "Hammans" or steam baths which are part of Moroccan life. Initially, hammans were reserved only for the upper class of Moroccan society. Nowadays, you’ll find people from all walks of life using them. It’s important to remember though, that in some hammans, women do not have the same access rights as men. They are an important part of socialising and they also have therapeutic benefits; professional masseurs work in them and can help your body make the transition from the hot and cold baths. Hammons are normally very elegant and they often serve as a point of contact where women observe and often net their future husbands.

The Souk, is the Moroccan equivalent of European street market, and is a very important place in daily Moroccan life. Primarily, souks are places to buy local products, but they are also an important part of Moroccans' social lives where disputes and debts are settled, and also where wedding plans are made. You can often get good bargains here, but remember that most Moroccans will have a lot more experience than you will when it comes to haggling the price so you will seldom find yourself able to get better than that which is offered.

Geography:  Morocco is an Arabian country, officially the Kingdom of Morocco (Arabic: المملكة المغربية), is a country in the north-west corner of Africa. Morocco has both a Mediterranean and an Atlantic coastline. It has a coast on the Atlantic Ocean that reaches past the Strait of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean Sea, inland here there is a fertile plain.. Morocco has international borders with Algeria to the east, Spain to the north (a water border through the Strait and land borders with two small Spanish autonomous cities, Ceuta and Melilla), and Mauritania to the south. The dominant feature of the country is the Atlas Mountain range. Morocco has many attractions, from the chaotic city of Marrakech to the quiet Berber villages of the Atlas Mountains. Casablanca. The Sahara is the world's largest desert. It stretches from the snow capped High Atlas mountains of Morocco in the west, to the Red Sea coast 4800km to the East. Only a small part of the Sahara is fertile, where corn, dates and other fruits grow, these parts are fed by underground rivers and oases

Seasonal Climate:  The weather is sunny nearly all year round, with pleasantly warm summers and mild winters. The hottest months of the year are July, August and September, but there is no humidity so temperatures are generally bearable temperatures inland can reach around 38ºC and the towns situated on the coast usually average around 22ºC to 27ºC.. Winter can bring heavy downpours of rain, which leave the streets of the old town very muddy, and winter nights can be cold. The average temperature during the winter months (November to May) is 15ºC.

Population:  33,757,175  (Est 2007)

Language:  Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French is common in international business

Religion:  Mainly Islam

General: As a deeply Muslim country, Morocco is mainly dry. Alcohol is available only in restaurants, bars, supermarkets, hotels and discos. Make no mistake, many Moroccans enjoy a drink although it is disapproved in public places. Some Moroccans that you meet on the streets have come up with dozens of ways to part you from your money. Keep your wits about you, but don't let your wariness stop you from accepting any offers of generous Moroccan hospitality. Despite being only a three-hour flight from the UK, Morocco is a world apart. From the ancient cities of Tangier, Marrakech and Casablanca to the sprawling arid desert, Morocco certainly provides something different for today’s homebuyer. Bustling towns and cities provide some of the liveliest markets on the planet, while the sandy white coastline offers rest and relaxation set to rival some of the world’s most popular beach destinations. It is even possible to ski on the snow-capped Atlas mountains.