The opportunity to pursue higher education in Morocco will provide a rich cultural experience as well as academic and economic opportunities due to its location between Europe and Africa. While this opportunity presents itself as exciting, it can also be intimidating to international students who are bringing a family (children and/or spouses) to live with them in Morocco because of the reality of accessing health care when living abroad.
The healthcare in Morocco is split into two systems. The public system attempts to provide universal coverage, while the private sector provides first-class medical services at a cost that reflects the quality of service provided. For the professional-minded student, getting the right healthcare coverage is more than a matter of getting “covered.” It means having your entire family able to access the top doctors in Casablanca, Marrakech, and Rabat, without losing everything financially.
The Moroccan Healthcare Landscape: A Reality Check
The health care system within Morocco has greatly improved over the years with the help of the Assurance Maladie Obligatoire (AMO) which is overseen by both the CNSS and CNOPS. This program is an integral part of the countries’ social structure; however, the public health care plan is not suitable for many international students and their families who are studying abroad in Morocco.
In addition to being overcrowded, public hospitals also have long wait times. The public plan typically does not cover all expenses and/or residents must be employed in Morocco. Most foreign individuals will opt for private medical services instead of the public plan because the majority of private clinics in Morocco are world class and offer services “on a pay-for service” basis. Because there are no laws that require international students/foreigners to purchase private medical coverage prior to traveling to Morocco, you may be required to pay large amounts of money upfront for any treatment needed prior to receiving the actual treatment.
Why International Plans Outperform Local Ones
The local Moroccan insurance plans usually do not have the level of portability as well as higher limits for international coverage that is typical of expatriate families. International Medical Insurance (iPMI) fills this void. iPMI policies are designed to understand that you will be studying in Rabat but would like to have the ability to receive specialized treatment in France if need be, or that you can go back to your home country for summer vacation. It provides a “safety net” which can follow you wherever you travel.
The Top 10 Insurance Providers for Families in Morocco
When selecting a provider, you are looking for a balance of premium costs, the breadth of their “Direct Billing” network (where the insurer pays the hospital directly), and their reputation for handling claims in North Africa.
| Provider | Core Strength | Monthly Est. (Family of 3) |
| APRIL International | High flexibility and digital-first claims. | $200+ |
| Allianz Care | Massive global network; very reliable in Morocco. | $250+ |
| Cigna Global | Modular plans; you only pay for what you need. | $250+ |
| AXA Global | Strong local presence via AXA Assistance. | $220+ |
| MSH International | Specifically designed for “globetrotters” and expats. | $150+ |
| IMG | Best for students who need a “journey” based plan. | $200+ |
| VUMI | Excellent if maternity coverage is a high priority. | $250+ |
| Bupa Global | The premium choice; access to any doctor, anywhere. | $300+ |
| Aetna International | Extensive experience with professional expat groups. | $250+ |
| Now Health | Fast turnaround on quotes and 24/7 support. | $200+ |
Decoding the Costs: What Should You Budget?
You should invest in healthcare because it is important for you to succeed in your studies. If you have a concern about a child who has a fever or if you are concerned about your spouse’s chronic illness, you will be unable to focus on your thesis. A middle tier health insurance plan with benefits including in-patient, out-patient, and emergency evacuation would cost an average family of three (one adult couple with one child) between $200 to $500 per month. Factors Affecting Your Premium:
- Deductible (Excess): The amount you pay before the insurance company pays. Raising your deductible from $0 to $1000 may cause your monthly premium to decrease by 20% or more.
- Region of Coverage: “Worldwide, excluding USA” is typical. If you narrow the coverage to “Africa and Europe”, you may get an even better rate.
- Limit of Benefits: Middle tier policies usually provide approximately $1-2 million in annual coverage. Although a large number, a patient could easily spend a week in the ICU or an emergency air ambulance ride could exceed your policy limit.
Essential Coverage Features for the Moroccan Context
Different types of insurance have different characteristics; when you read through a policy document, do not simply evaluate the price but also examine the following key areas that make a difference in Morocco.
1. Hospital and Surgery (In-Patient)
Hospital coverage is the base of all policies. This covers hospital stays, surgical procedures and other diagnostic services such as MRI’s. With good hospitality offered by the private hospitals in Morocco, many international plans offer private room coverage. This is important as it means the spouse can remain in the hospital with a sick child, which is a great advantage in a foreign country.
2. Medical Evacuations & Repatriations (Evacuation Clause)
Morocco offers some excellent medical specialists but there are times when there are certain rare conditions, specialized pediatric surgery etc., that are better handled in European countries. The evacuation clause makes sure that if the medical facilities available in Morocco are unable to meet the needs of the patient, the insurance company will transport the family to the next closest medical facility of expertise.
3. Out-patient (GP Visit)
Out-patient includes Doctor’s appointments, prescriptions and doctor’s specialist visits. Although you can easily pay for these services on an out-patient basis in Morocco ($30-$50 per visit) they will add up. Therefore, for families with small children, adding an out-patient benefit to your policy can be a worthwhile investment for $40 per month.
4. Maternity & Dental Coverage (Waiting Period Issue)
If you plan on expanding your family, you should begin immediately because almost all international insurance companies include a 10-12 month waiting period before the maternity benefits can take effect. If you purchase the insurance after being pregnant, it will not cover the delivery costs..
Actionable Strategy: How to Choose and Use Your Plan
You should follow a structured process when obtaining the most affordable coverage; otherwise, you could end up paying too much money for too little coverage.
Steps to follow to ensure you do not end up paying too much money for too little coverage:
Step 1: Find a Broker Who Is Specializing in Morocco
Do not go it alone. Insurance brokers such as Pacific Prime or ExpatFinancial are knowledgeable of the Moroccan market. Their services include a comparison of multiple insurance providers that costs you nothing to compare them. Additionally, their experience working in Morocco allows them to identify the best “Direct Billing” agreements with clinics such as the Clinique Internationale de Marrakech.
Step 2: Ensure Your Provider Has Adequate Language Services Available
While Morocco is primarily Arabic and French speaking environments, your insurance provider needs to have a 24-hour English-speaking hotline available to help you during a medical emergency. You need to be able to communicate with the insurance company to get authorization for a payment, or to get an ambulance sent to you, at any time of day, without a language barrier.
Step 3: Check That Your Provider Uses Either “Full Medical Underwriting” or “Moratorium”
When you apply for coverage, you will be asked to disclose any pre-existing medical conditions that you may have.
If you select Full Medical Underwriting, you will disclose all of your pre-existing conditions to the insurance provider prior to purchasing the policy, and the insurance provider will let you know ahead of time whether or not they will cover each condition. This is generally the most safe option for families.
However, if you choose Moratorium, you will not be required to disclose your pre-existing conditions to the insurance provider when you purchase the policy. However, the insurance provider has the right to review your medical history after you make a claim, and may deny your claim if they find out that you had a pre-existing condition that was not disclosed to the provider. This is a risk that you take by selecting this type of coverage.
Step 4: Make Sure the Providers in Your City Are Part of the Network
Prior to purchasing your policy, request the provider’s “Provider List” for Morocco. If you are studying in Casablanca, for example, check to see if the top-tier clinics located in the Gauthier or Maarif neighborhoods are part of the network. If the clinic is not included in the network, you will be responsible for paying for the treatment upfront, and then waiting weeks for the insurance company to reimburse you.
Peace of Mind in the Maghreb
The experience of living in Morocco while studying there is an exciting and transformative one, however, because the health care system is so complex, “good enough” insurance does not usually work. When you choose to purchase a complete international plan through a company such as Allianz, Cigna, or APRIL, you are purchasing more than just health care. You are purchasing the peace of mind and confidence that your family will be physically and financially well, during your time pursuing your degree.
References
- Aetna International. (2025). International health insurance for your global clients. https://www.aetna.com/insurance-producer/international-insurance.html
- Allianz Care. (2025). International health insurance for individuals and families. https://www.allianzcare.com/en/personal-international-health-insurance.html
- APRIL International. (2025). International health insurance in Morocco. https://www.april-international.com/en/landing/international-health-insurance-morocco
- AXA Global Healthcare. (2025, January 9). Expat health insurance: Get fast access to expert medical care. https://www.axaglobalhealthcare.com/en/expat-health-insurance/
- Bank of Africa. (n.d.). International insurance: Santé Monde. https://www.bankofafrica.ma/en/professionnels/assurance-de-personne/sante-monde
- Cigna Global. (2025, August 18). International health insurance for global professionals. https://www.cignaglobal.com/global-professionals
- GOV.UK. (2025). Health: Morocco travel advice. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/morocco/health
- IMG. (2025). Student Health Advantage: International student insurance. https://www.internationalinsurance.com/img/student-health-advantage/
- Mondassur. (2025). Health insurance in Morocco: Guide to local and international care. https://www.mondassur.com/en/health-insurance-morocco/
- MSH International. (n.d.). First Expat: International private medical insurance. https://www.asfe-expat.com/en/first-expat-international-private-medical-insurance-ipmi.html
- Pacific Prime. (2025). Maternity insurance: Pregnancy while living abroad. https://www.pacificprime.com/health-insurance-plans/maternity/
