Schengen Visa for Moroccan Nationals: Step-by-Step application guide

PRO-TIP: Schengen travel Insurance is mandatory for Moroccan citizens applying for a Schengen visa!

Written by the AXA Team
Date : 04/30/2026

Schengen Visa for Moroccan travellers: Key points you need to know

Before applying for a Schengen visa, keep these essential points in mind:

  • Visa requirement: Moroccan nationals must obtain a Schengen visa to enter the Area.
  • Where to apply: it depends on the European country you wish to visit + your place of residence
  • Application steps:
    • Fill out the visa application form accurately.
    • Provide all required documents (passport, photos, financial proof, etc.).
    • Attend an in-person interview to submit your file.
    • Apply at least 3 weeks before your planned arrival.
  • Travel insurance: Valid coverage is mandatory.
    AXA Schengen travel insurance is accepted, and your certificate is available instantly after purchase.

Schengen visa for Moroccan nationals: Everything you need to know to apply!

You are ready to meet the shiniest Lady of Paris, to sign a convention in Brussels, to shiver in Dracula's castle or to embrace Danish hygge? Family, business or tourism are taking you to one or several countries of the Schengen area, located in Europe!

As a Moroccan national you will need to apply for a visa (and compulsory visa travel insurance) to be allowed in the widest area of free movement in the World.

The AXA Team tells you all you need to know on how to obtain your entry-pass to the Schengen area if you are a Moroccan national applying from your home country or abroad.

Buckle up, here we go!

Schengen Visa for Moroccan nationals - Quick Guide & Key Information

Do Moroccan nationals need a Schengen visa?

Yes. Morocco is one of the hundred or so countries, including the other countries of Maghreb and Africa, China, Russia and India, which have not signed a visa-waiver agreement with the European Union.

As such, Moroccan nationals need to apply for a Schengen visa to be allowed in one or several countries of the European area for stays shorter than 90 days.

📌 NOTE

This obligation applies to all Moroccan citizens even if they are currently staying in a different country. We'll explain later how to apply from another country than Morocco if you live abroad.
You can check out our complete list of countries submitted to visa obligation.

→ A Schengen visa is mandatory for all Moroccan nationals wherever they live.

How to apply for a Schengen visa as a Moroccan national: your step-by-step guide

As a Moroccan citizen, you will thus need to go through the infamous visa application process but don't worry, the AXA team is here to help you every step of the way.

How to apply for a Schengen visa as a Moroccan national

Before breaking them down, here are the 8 steps to get your Schengen visa as a Moroccan national:

Step 1: Determine your main, first or only Schengen destination

Step 2: Contact the consular services of this Schengen country

Step 3: Choose your Schengen visa type

Step 4: Gather your documents and buy your mandatory and valid Schengen travel insurance

Step 5: Fill in the Schengen visa application form

Step 6: Book your visa appointment (at a visa application center or Schengen embassy/consulate)

Step 7: Attend your in-person appointment for the interview, biometric data collection, and payment of visa and service fees (if applicable)

Step 8: Track your visa application status online

And hope for the best!

What type of Schengen visa do you need as a Moroccan national?

There are different types of visas which can be delivered from Schengen consular services.
One of the first steps of your visa application process is to determine which one best fits your situation depending on the purpose and duration of your trip:

Short-stay Schengen visa: Type C visa (< 90 days)

You will need a Schengen visa, aka the type C or short stay visa if:

  • You are travelling for business, tourism or to visit family
  • Your stay will not be longer than 90 days over a 180-day period

✔️ What you can do with a Schengen type C visa

  • Enter the Schengen area
  • Visit one or all Schengen countries (unless limited territorial validity applies)
  • Stay for up to 90 days over a 180-day period.

❌ What you can't do with a short-stay Schengen visa

  • Work during your stay
  • Settle permanently or long-term in a Schengen country

Did you know?

  • The Schengen visa is the most commonly issued visa, with nearly 10 million granted each year!
  • It comes in different types:
    • Single-entry visa: you can enter the Schengen area once
    • Double-entry visa: you can enter the Area twice during the validity period of your visa.
    • Multiple-entry visa: you can enter the Area multiple times over a longer validity period. However, the 90/180 day rule still applies.

Schengen Airport Transit visa: Type A visa

When taking a connecting flight through a Schengen airport, while traveling from a non-Schengen country to another non-Schengen destination, some travellers may need an Airport Transit Visa (ATV).

The EU has a common list of nationalities subject to this visa requirement. However, individual Schengen countries can also impose additional rules and require other nationalities to hold an ATV.

Moroccan nationals are not on the EU-wide list, but they may still need an ATV in certain countries. For example, Romania requires Moroccan travelers to obtain an Airport Transit Visa when transiting through its airports.

✔️ What an Airport Transit Visa (ATV) allows you to do:

  • Transit through a Schengen airport
  • Wait for your connecting flight in the international transit area of a Schengen airport

❌ What an Airport Transit Visa (ATV) does not allow you to do:

  • Leave the airport transit area
  • Enter or visit the Schengen country where your transit airport is located
  • Transfer from one airport to another

📌 NOTE: The ATV is only valid once for the duration of your airport transit.

💡 PRO TIP: Rules can change, so always check with the consular services of the Schengen country you are transiting through to confirm whether you need an ATV (Type A visa) for your connecting flight.

Other types of visas for Moroccan travellers

If you plan to stay longer, work, or study in a Schengen country, you may need to apply for:

The consular services of your Schengen destination can guide you on the best option for your situation.

What documents do Moroccan nationals need for a Schengen visa?

Here is a list of the mandatory documents you must enclose with your visa application file:

  • A completed and signed Schengen visa application form,
  • Your passport: issued less than 10 years ago, valid for at least 3 months after the visa expires and with at least two blank pages.
  • Two recent Schengen visa-compliant passport photos
  • A Schengen travel insurance certificate: covering emergency medical care, hospitalization and repatriation (including in the event of death).
  • Your Schengen itinerary
  • Proof of accommodation

Additional documents are often required, including:

💡 PRO TIP: In some particular situations, such as a child protection measure (or Kafala), the Kafil will be asked to provide additional specific documents about themselves and the Makfoul.

Make sure to check with the consular services of your Schengen destination what is exactly required.

What travel insurance do Moroccan nationals need for a Schengen Visa?

Travel insurance is mandatory for all Schengen visa applicants, including Moroccan nationals. It must be purchased before applying and meet EU requirements for medical coverage, hospitalization, and repatriation.

⚠️ Important: A travel insurance certificate proving you are covered must be included with your visa application. Without it, your Schengen visa request will be denied.

Key requirements for your insurance certificate

Make sure your insurance covers the essentials below to be accepted for your visa:

  • Minimum €30,000 coverage for emergency medical expenses and hospitalization
  • Coverage for repatriation in case of serious illness or death
  • Valid in all Schengen countries for the entire stay
  • Purchased from a recognized insurance provider approved by consular authorities

Why AXA Schengen insurance makes your visa application easier

With AXA's expertise and reliable service, getting your Schengen visa is simpler and your coverage fully trustworthy. Here's what makes our insurance stand out:

💡 Pro tips:

Get your free online quote now and start packing!

Where must Moroccan travellers submit their Schengen Visa application?

Whether they are applying from Morocco or from another country and depending on which Schengen country they want to visit, Moroccan applicants will hand in their visa application files either at:

  • the consular services of the Schengen state they want to visit,
  • an external visa application centre, entrusted by the consular services of the Schengen States.
  • the consular services of another Schengen State.

📌 NOTE
• While the visa application files may be recovered by visa centres, the examination and final decision of granting the Schengen visa is ALWAYS the responsibility of the consular services of your Schengen destination.

Where to apply for a Schengen visa in Morocco?

1. Visa application centres (VAC)

In Morocco, most Schengen visa applications are handled by external providers.
You can find visa application centres (VAC) in the main cities across Morocco.
The centre where you submit your application will depend on your destination and your place of residence.
You will submit your visa application file at:

  • VFS Global

    For: Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Italy, Malta, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands

    Centres in: Beni Mellal, Casablanca, Marrakech, Rabat, Tangier
  • TLS Contact

    For: Belgium, France, Germany

    Centres in: Agadir, Casablanca, Fes, Marrakech, Laâyoune, Oujda, Rabat, Tangier
  • BLS International

    For: Spain, Portugal

    Centres in: Agadir, Casablanca, Nador, Rabat, Tangier, Tetouan

2. Applying directly at an embassy

Other Schengen countries handle the Schengen visa application files themselves. In that case, you will hand in your visa file directly at the consular services of the embassy of your Schengen destination.

You must apply directly at the embassy if travelling to:

3. The consular services of another Schengen State

If your destination country is not represented in Morocco, another Schengen country may handle your visa application:

  • Austria represents Slovakia
  • Belgium recovers files for Luxembourg
  • France is in charge of applications for Monaco and Estonia
  • Germany handles visa applications for Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia (as does Hungary).

⚠️ Important:

Visa procedures can change. Always check with the consular services of your destination country and check the official full list of EU/Schengen consular contacts worldwide.

  • Beware of scams and fraudulent intermediaries trying to sell you visas or appointments outside centres. Visa centres are officially appointed by Schengen states.
    The embassy of your Schengen destination is the only reliable source to make sure you are in contact with the proper service provider.

How can Moroccans apply for a Schengen Visa from abroad?

For Moroccan citizens residing outside Morocco:

  1. Contact the consular services of the Schengen country you plan to visit (or where you will stay the longest) in your current country of residence.
  2. Receive instructions on the visa process, including where to submit your application (embassy or visa centre).
  3. Prepare the required documents, which include the standard visa requirements plus additional proof of your current residence.

💡 PRO TIP
You might also find interesting information on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Expatriate website.

Which Schengen country should you apply to if visiting several countries?

If you plan on making the most of your Schengen trip by visiting several countries of this Area during your European trip, you must apply at the consular services of the Schengen country where you will stay the longest or the first one you will visit (i.e. by which you will enter the Schengen area).

💡PRO TIP: To make sure everything is clear, here's an explanation of the Schengen visa First Port of Entry rules.

Schengen Visa Timing: When to apply and processing time?

Planning ahead is essential for your Schengen visa application process to be successful. To make sure your visa is issued on time for your departure, anticipate when you should submit your application file and how long consular services take to examine it and issue the visa.

When should you apply for your Schengen visa?

The rules are simple:

  • A Schengen visa application must be submitted 6 months at the earliest and 15 days at the latest from your scheduled departure date, whether you are in Morocco or in another country.

💡PRO-TIP: We recommend applying for your Schengen visa 6 to 8 weeks before your scheduled date of departure. This will avoid unnecessary stress.

BEAR IN MIND!

You will need to schedule an in-person interview to submit your visa file. Available and concurring dates can be difficult to find.
→ Book your appointment at the visa centre/consular services as soon as possible in your application process.

How long does it take to process a Schengen Visa in Morocco?

The average examination process of a Schengen visa application file, whether in Morocco or elsewhere, takes 15 days.

However, it can be much longer - up to 2 months- depending on your situation, if the consular services need more documents or if it is a busier time of the year.

→ Once again, plan ahead! If you haven't heard anything after two weeks, contact the visa centre/consular services where you applied.

💡PRO TIP: For more information read our article on Schengen visa processing times.

How much does a Schengen visa for Moroccan nationals cost?

The cost of a Schengen visa is standardised across all Schengen countries, meaning all applicants pay the same amount regardless of their location.
The fee depends on the applicant's age:

  • Adults: €90
  • Children aged 6–12: €45
  • Children under 6: Free of charge

Reduced or waived fees: Depending on the purpose of your trip (school trips, research, humanitarian work, etc.), some travellers may benefit from a reduced fee or even a full exemption

📌Important notes on fees:

  • Non-refundable visa fees: Visa fees are non-refundable in case of refusal
  • Additional service fees: When applications are processed by visa application centres, an extra service fee is required, which is also non-refundable if the visa is denied

Good news! While visa and service fees are non-refundable, AXA will fully refund your travel insurance costs if your visa is denied!

💡PRO TIPS

How to apply for a Schengen visa for a specific country as a Moroccan national?

Now that you understand the general Schengen visa process for Moroccan citizens, here's a country-by-country guide for applying from Morocco.
Find step-by-step instructions for popular destinations, including France, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, and Germany.

💡PRO TIP: You can also read our guide on How to apply for a Schengen visa to a specific European country (scroll to find your destination).

Secure Your Schengen Visa with AXA Travel Insurance

Ensure your visa process goes smoothly and get reimbursed if your application is denied.

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FAQ

Can I apply for a Schengen visa for my Moroccan grandmother?

While you can take care of all the administrative aspects of the Schengen visa application process for another member of your family, they will need, including minors, to attend the interview at the visa centre or consular services of your Schengen destination in-person to check their identity and collect their biometric data if they are over age 12.

In what language must the documents of my Schengen visa file be?

You might be required to provide translated versions in English or in the language of your Schengen destination for your visa application file. Ask your consular contact before your interview.

How will I know if my visa has been granted or denied?

Once your visa file has been examined, you will be asked to recover your passport where you left it (Embassy, VAC). If your visa is granted, a visa sticker will feature on your passport. If your visa is denied, you will receive a document explaining the reasons why and how you can appeal the decision.

How and when can I pay my Schengen visa fees?

You will be asked to pay your visa fees during your in-person interview when you hand in your application file. The fees must be paid in cash, in the local currency, Moroccan Dirham (MAD). Some VAC are implementing an online payment process. Don't pay anything without checking with them and the consular services of your Schengen destination first.

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AXA Schengen's Travel Insurances

AXA Schengen Basic

AXA Schengen Basic

AXA Schengen Basic is perfect to obtain your Schengen visa. This travel insurance meets all the requirements demanded, covers you in all the countries of the Schengen Area as well as 4 European microstates (Andorra, Vatican City, Monaco and San Marino).

AXA Schengen Essential

AXA Schengen Essential

AXA Essential is perfect to obtain your Schengen visa. It provides coverage in all the Schengen countries + the European microstates + all the EU countries (including UK, Cyprus and the Republic of Ireland). And you get additional guarantees compared to AXA Schengen Basic.

AXA Schengen Annual

AXA Schengen Annual

AXA Annual is perfect to obtain your Schengen visa. This annual travel insurance is ideal for those who often travel to Europe as well as multiple-entry Schengen visa holders. You get the same guarantees as AXA Schengen Annual for different countries during 90 days.