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Finding English-Speaking Doctors in Morocco
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| Emergencies | 15 from a landline, 150 from a mobile; 112 also works from a mobile |
|---|---|
| Where the choice is widest | The largest cities, where most private clinics and specialists are |
| Best first sources | Your insurer, your embassy, and other foreign residents who have used the doctor |
| Fees | Set by each doctor or clinic. Ask when you book. |
| Insurance | Ask before treatment whether the clinic bills your insurer or you claim it back |
| No English speaker? | Bring someone who speaks French or Arabic, and your medical details in writing |
Finding a doctor who can see you in English is very possible in Morocco, particularly in the larger cities, but there is no national directory that tells you who they are. The reliable routes are the ones below, in roughly this order.
If it is an emergency, do not spend time looking for an English speaker. Dial 15 from a landline or 150 from a mobile for an ambulance, or 112 from a mobile, or go to the emergency department of the nearest hospital or private clinic. The healthcare guide explains how emergency care works.
For everything else:
- Ask your insurer. If you have international health insurance, its assistance line or provider list can often point you to clinics it already works with, and tell you whether it will pay the clinic directly.
- Check your embassy. Some embassies publish lists of local doctors or medical facilities for their citizens. These are not endorsements, but they are a useful starting point.
- Ask other foreign residents who have used a particular doctor for the same kind of problem. A personal recommendation for the right specialty is worth more than a clinic’s website.
- Ask when you book whether the doctor can see you in English, and whether the clinic will bill your insurer or you pay and claim back.
Language in Moroccan medicine
French is the working language of much of Moroccan medicine, alongside Arabic. Prescriptions, test results and medical reports are usually in French. Many doctors speak some English and some speak it fluently, particularly in the big cities, but you should not assume it, and ability varies between the doctor, the receptionist and the nursing staff.
If you cannot find an English speaker, bring someone who speaks French or Arabic to the appointment, and bring your medical history, allergies and medicines in writing, with generic names. For a follow-up in English, ask for a written report you can show to a doctor at home. The phrasebook covers some everyday phrases, but for anything medical a person who speaks the language is far better than an app.
Where to look
Casablanca and Rabat have the largest number of private clinics and specialists, and so the best chance of finding a specialist who works in English. Marrakech, Tangier, Agadir and Fès also have private clinics and specialists, with a narrower choice in some specialties.
In smaller towns, you may find a general practitioner locally but need to travel for specialist care. If you are choosing where to live and have a condition that needs regular specialist follow-up, check before you move that the specialty you need is available within reasonable reach.
For serious or complex care, the public university hospitals (CHU) in the larger cities handle major trauma and intensive care, alongside the larger private clinics. The healthcare guide explains the difference.
Paying and insurance
Fees are set by each doctor or clinic, so ask when you book, and for anything beyond a consultation ask for a written estimate (devis). Some larger clinics deal directly with international insurers; many practices expect you to pay and claim the cost back. Ask before treatment which applies, and keep every receipt and report, since your insurer will want them in a form it accepts.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies are everywhere and are a useful first stop for minor problems. Pharmacists usually work in French or Arabic and sometimes in English. Many medicines that need a prescription at home also need one here, including antibiotics, so do not count on a pharmacist handing them over without one. Bring a supply of any regular medication with the prescription, and ask a Moroccan doctor to prescribe the local equivalent for refills.
Women’s health and children
For gynaecology, pregnancy and contraception, the women’s healthcare guide covers what to ask. For children, ask the same sources above for a paediatrician, and ask other parents, including at your child’s school.
Mental health
Finding a psychiatrist or therapist who works in English usually takes longer than finding a general practitioner. Ask your insurer and your embassy first. Some people continue with an online therapist from home; if you do, check whether your insurance covers it.
Practical Tips
- For a medical emergency, dial 15 from a landline or 150 from a mobile; 112 also works from a mobile. Save your nearest private clinic's number too, before you need it.
- When you book, ask directly whether the doctor, not just the clinic, can do the consultation in English.
- Keep a short written summary of your conditions, allergies and medicines, with generic names, in English and ideally in French. Brand names differ in Morocco.
- Photograph your insurance card and policy number. Some clinics want proof of cover or a deposit before starting non-emergency treatment.
- For mental health care in English, expect the search to take longer. If you use an online therapist at home instead, check that your insurance covers it.
Related Guides
Accuracy note: Doctors move, clinics change and language ability varies from one practitioner to the next. This guide names no individual doctors or clinics as recommendations. Confirm language, fees and insurance arrangements with the provider before your appointment.