Behind the humorous title lies a reality: there’s been a lot of talk about expatriation and leaving France in recent days.
Between calls from the Kingdom and disillusionment with France, the return of the MREs began a long time ago.
And in the last few days, we’ve seen some French people considering leaving France if the LFI party or, more broadly, the Left were to pass.
Even if that’s very French a topic, I thought the most important points I selected to make one’s decision are interesting.
I’ve been a happy immigrant in Morocco for twenty years now. I find that the strong points far outweigh the weak points, but I also repeat over and over again on social networks, etc. that a successful expatriation/emigration is first and foremost careful preparation, to avoid unpleasant surprises:
Morocco is not a tax haven, quite the contrary. Tax brackets are adapted to the average Moroccan income, so they are much lower than in Europe or North America. The maximum bracket is reached much more quickly. And there are virtually no tax niches.
If tax treaties prevent double taxation, this simply means that tax paid in abroad will be deducted from tax payable in Morocco or, worse still, refunded on proof of tax residence abroad. Only income from property is taxable, whatever happens, in the country where it is generated.
Everything imported is expensive, big cities and tourist spots are expensive, alcohol and energy are expensive (and energy prices are set to rise), private education is very expensive, and so is healthcare. In short, as long as you don't live the Moroccan lower-middle-class lifestyle, life isn't that cheap. But it's still a lot cheaper than in Europe and North America. You need at least €1,000 / 10.000 dirhams net income per adult per month to live well, without any great luxuries.
If your children do not speak Arabic, it is impossible to send them to state schools. The cost of bilingual or English-speaking schools is high, up to 8,000 euros per year per child in the most expensive schools.
As far as health is concerned, if you are not covered by an employer, a complementary private, CFE or local health insurance scheme is absolutely essential.
Apart from a few enclaves, Morocco remains a traditional country with modesty as its core value. Agadir still has its 300 days of sunshine a year, but they are much hotter, temperatures now regularly reach 50°C in Marrakech in summer and, above all, Morocco is short of water.
Being Moroccan is not enough to come (back) to Morocco and settle in easily. For those who left for their studies and have never worked in Morocco, or even more so for those born abroad, culture shock can be difficult, especially as they are expected to be "Moroccan", whereas foreigners are expected to do much more.
Especially since Covid, the Moroccan administration has been going digital in leaps and bounds. Many things can now be done (easily) online, procedures are simpler and faster, and regulations are lighter.
The Tax Code is just a few hundred pages long, compared with a European tax Code 'brick'! What's more, the Moroccan government has embarked on a simplification process that can be summed up as "taxing more people but less". In short, compared with the horrors I see every day on social networks, my life as an entrepreneur in Morocco is a field of roses.
Need I say why it's better than in France? Or that health costs are significantly lower than in the US ?
Clearly, it's just as easy to live there as a practising Muslim as it is to live there as a 'miscreant' who eats pork and drinks alcohol and comes to escape the woke-Islamo-leftist left (humour mode on).
For twenty years now, I've been struck by how optimistic and active Moroccans are. Of course, they grumble at least as much as the French, but here there is none of the dreary discouragement that heralds the end of the world that I often feel in France.
Moroccans may complain at every turn about the lack of civility, but in reality everyday life is much less aggressive and the street is, I believe, much less dangerous than in France.
Compared to far-flung destinations such as Asia, we're just two or three hours by plane from France, England or Germany, and you can even get there by car and ferry.
It's obviously preferable to speak at least a little Darija, but you can do all the administrative procedures that concern you in French, exchange your driving licence instead of taking it again, speak to a French-speaking customer service team in all the big companies (and most of the small ones). If you speak only English, life will be more difficult. But French is easier to learn than Darija, and Moroccans love English, that is not the language of the former Protectorate.
Even if it's getting hotter, the sun is still important. In Morocco there's a real gentleness to life when you have (a bit of) money, people are friendly, you can relax on the beach or by the pool and take a break for an hour or two, and you can go to some magnificent places in just a few hours...
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