Taking a Campervan to Morocco

Taking a campervan to Morocco is only possible by ferry, either across the Strait of Gibraltar or via the western Mediterranean. The crossing itself is straightforward - the more demanding part is the border crossing from the EU into a non-EU country: temporary import of the vehicle, the right insurance and customs. On this page you will find the campervan routes compared, the customs and insurance rules, and tips on vehicle dimensions, gas bottles and the best time to travel. If a dog is travelling with you, its entry and return rules add another layer - check with your vet well before departure.

Routes for campervans

There are basically two ways to get there:

• Short crossing from southern Spain: Algeciras - Tangier Med (approx. 1.5 hrs) and Tarifa - Tangier (approx. 1 hr) across the Strait of Gibraltar. A short sea crossing, but a long drive beforehand through France and Spain. For north-eastern Morocco you cross instead from Almería to Nador.
• Mediterranean overnight ferries: Sète - Tangier Med, Marseille - Tangier Med and Genoa - Tangier Med run as multi-day ferries with cabins. You sleep through most of the journey and save yourself a lot of motorway driving.

Wherever you are travelling from, reaching Morocco by campervan means covering serious distance first - the Mediterranean overnight ferries from Sète, Marseille or Genoa let you turn a long drive into an early night's sleep, arriving in Tangier Med rested rather than road-weary.

Temporary import and paperwork

As the driver, you need a passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry. A national ID card is not sufficient for Morocco. For tourist stays of up to 90 days, EU nationals do not need a visa - if you hold a different passport, check the requirements with the Moroccan consulate before you travel. A national driving licence is recognised for stays of up to a year.

For the vehicle, the temporary import (admission temporaire) applies: you can use your campervan duty-free in the country for up to six months per calendar year. It is best to complete the D16ter customs declaration online in advance through the Moroccan customs authority, which speeds up processing at the port. Keep your passport, vehicle registration document and driving licence ready.

Insurance: green card or border insurance

You must carry a green insurance card valid for Morocco. What matters is that the country code MA on the card is not crossed out but shown as valid. Many standard policies do not include Morocco. If that is the case, you take out border insurance (assurance frontière) directly at the port or border. Sort out your cover before you set off so you don't lose time at the port.

Getting your vehicle dimensions right

Campervans are grouped into price categories by length. To avoid surprises at check-in:

• Total length including attachments: bike rack, rear box and tow bar all count.
• Total height: measure including roof units, air conditioning and satellite dish.
• Vehicle-and-trailer combinations and oversized vehicles: often only bookable by phone with the operator.

Incorrect figures can lead to extra charges at check-in, or mean the vehicle isn't loaded at all. It pays to measure carefully.

Gas bottles and prohibited items

If you are travelling with gas bottles on board, safety rules apply: bottles generally need to be turned off and labelled. Since requirements vary by operator, check with yours before booking.

Important at customs: bringing any kind of drone into Morocco is strictly prohibited and prosecuted, with the equipment confiscated. Bringing in plants and seeds is also forbidden, and there are limits on how much cash you can carry in or out.

Best time to travel

Morocco is a classic winter destination for campervans: while pitches freeze over in central and northern Europe, southern Morocco stays mild. Ferries run year-round; sailings are most frequent - and ports busiest - in summer, especially from June to September. If your dates are flexible, spring and autumn bring quieter crossings. To see what's sailing on your travel date, check the timetable.