Is short-term rental legal in Morocco?

Yes, under the operating authorisation provided for by Law 80-14 and its 2023 decree, with obligations regarding safety, the guest register and declarations.

What occupancy rate can I expect for a villa?

There is no public series for luxury villas. Classified hotels in Marrakech reported 72% in 2024 and furnished holiday lets about 74% on average according to AirDNA. A villa fills fewer nights but at a higher price; work with conservative assumptions.

For a villa with 4 to 6 suites, a pool and staff, rates observed on the platforms vary widely; ask two property managers for a revenue study before buying.

What are the seasons?

October to December and March to May, plus the year-end holidays. Summer is the low season for villas.

How is the income taxed?

As a professional accommodation activity, distinct from property income; the regime depends on turnover and the operating model. See the Taxation page.

Can I manage it myself from abroad?

Technically yes, but the authorisation, guest welcome and maintenance require a local presence. A property manager is the norm.

Does the villa need to be furnished?

Yes, fully, with linen, equipment and a coherent decor; this budget must be planned in addition to the price.

Can I alternate personal use and letting?

Yes, it is the most common model: you block your weeks, the property manager lets the rest.

Short-term rental in Marrakech

Marrakech is Morocco's leading tourist destination and Menara airport passed ten million passengers in 2025. Short-term rental is a real market there, governed since 2023 by an authorisation regime. Here are the public figures, and what they do not say.

Sources checked: 2026-09

Courtyard of a medina riad seen from the roof at night, zellige tiles and lit lanterns — Medina riad

10.2 MPassengers at Marrakech-Menara in 2025
ONDA, 2025 results: +10.1% year on year
19.8 MTourist arrivals in Morocco in 2025
Ministry of Tourism, January 2026: +14%
72%Occupancy rate of classified hotels in Marrakech, 2024
Tourism Observatory
≈ 74%Average occupancy of furnished holiday lets, 2025
AirDNA estimate reported by the press, all segments

Demand

Morocco welcomed 19.8 million tourists in 2025, up 14% year on year, with receipts of MAD 124 billion at the end of November. Marrakech captures the largest share: Menara airport handled 10.2 million passengers in 2025, or 28% of national traffic, with Paris-Orly as the leading route.

This demand is mostly European, with a strong French, British and Spanish component, and growth from long-haul markets. It is supported by numerous direct flights and by the golf, desert and Atlas offering.

Seasonality and prices

Two high seasons structure the year: October to December and March to May, plus the year-end holidays. July and August are the low months for villas, because of the heat, except for guests from the Gulf.

Published nightly rates mainly cover apartments and riads (in the region of MAD 500 to 1,000 per night according to the specialist press). For luxury villas with a private pool and staff, there is no consolidated public series: rates observed on the platforms range from a few hundred to several thousand euros per night depending on size, location and services. We prefer to show this absence of data rather than an unverifiable figure.

Indicator	Value	Source and scope
Occupancy, classified hotels, Marrakech, 2024	72%	Tourism Observatory, hotels
Occupancy, furnished holiday lets, 2025	≈ 74%, from 50% to 77% depending on the district	AirDNA via press, mainly apartments and riads
Nightly rate, apartments	MAD 500 to 1,000	Specialist press, 2025
Nightly rate, luxury villas	Not consolidated	To be documented by property managers

The legal framework: Law 80-14

Furnished holiday letting is governed by Law 80-14 on tourist establishments and other forms of tourist accommodation, whose implementing decree 2.23.441 was published in August 2023. The owner must obtain an operating authorisation from the local authority, comply with safety standards, keep a guest register and declare their income.

The platforms are progressively requiring the authorisation number on listings. A reputable property manager handles these formalities; it is a selection criterion.

Operating authorisation issued for five years by the municipality or the prefecture.
Civil liability insurance covering guests.
Police registration form and guest register.
Tax declaration of accommodation income (professional activity).

Property managers and the business model

A luxury villa is let with services: welcome, housekeeping, cooking, driver, pool and garden maintenance. Property managers in Marrakech generally charge a commission on gross income, to which platform fees and variable costs are added. The orders of magnitude charged by local operators should be requested by quotation.

The rental yield calculator includes these items line by line: nightly rate, occupancy, commission, costs, municipal services tax, income tax. The gross yield shown on the Tifawin page is only a starting point.

Frequently asked questions

Sources and methodology

General information verified on the date shown. For your situation, our team, a notary and a tax adviser confirm the applicable rates and timelines.