The life of a Moroccan freelancer. You’ve done the work, sent the invoice, and now you’re waiting for money that might take ages to arrive, shrink because of fees you didn’t expect, or get converted to dirhams at rates that make you wince. That’s the reality for many, but should it?
Morocco’s freelance economy is experiencing rapid growth. More professionals are working remotely for clients in the US, Europe, and beyond, earning in USD, EUR, and GBP. However, Morocco’s strict currency controls and banking system make receiving international payments less straightforward. Understanding how clients typically pay and what each method actually costs you can save you time, money, and frustration.
This article breaks down the most common ways international clients pay Moroccan freelancers, what you need to know about each method, and how to protect your earnings along the way.
Also read: Morocco’s growing appeal for European remote workers
Your payment method determines more than just when money arrives. It affects how much you actually receive, how quickly you can access it, and whether you have control over currency conversion.
Here’s what happens in practice: a client pays you $1,000. Depending on how they send it, you might receive 9,200 MAD one week or 9,100 MAD three weeks later. Such a difference lies in the fees, exchange rates, and the way the payment system operates. For Moroccan freelancers, common pain points include being forced to convert to dirhams at unfavourable rates, experiencing long delays, and having limited access to holding foreign currency. Choosing the proper payment method is crucial because it directly affects your income.
Also read: Top digital nomad hotspots in Morocco for remote workers
Many clients default to bank transfers because it seems straightforward. However, in practice, SWIFT transfers are one of the slowest and most expensive options for Moroccan freelancers.
How SWIFT works: Your client sends USD or EUR to your Moroccan bank account via the SWIFT system. The money passes through intermediary banks before reaching Morocco, where it’s automatically converted to dirhams.
Fees and delays: SWIFT transfers can take anywhere from one to five business days, and sometimes longer. Your client’s bank may charge $25 - $50 for the transfer. Intermediary banks charge an additional $10 - $30. Your Moroccan bank applies its own exchange rate, which is typically two to four per cent worse than the actual market rate. By the time the money reaches you, a $1,000 payment might be worth 9,000 MAD instead of, say, 9,200 MAD.
When SWIFT makes sense: SWIFT works for large payments where percentage-based fees matter less, or if your client insists on using their bank. For smaller, regular payments, SWIFT can be expensive and slow.
PayPal is popular with international clients because it’s fast and familiar. For Moroccan freelancers, it’s a complicated matter.
How PayPal works: Clients send money to your PayPal account. You can hold USD, EUR, or GBP in your PayPal balance, but withdrawing to a Moroccan bank account forces conversion to dirhams.
Fees and delays: PayPal charges around 3.9% + a fixed fee per transaction for receiving international payments. When you withdraw funds to your Moroccan bank account, PayPal applies its own exchange rate, which includes a three to four per cent markup above the mid-market rate. Withdrawals take three to five business days.
If a client sends you $1,000, PayPal takes roughly $40 in transaction fees.
When PayPal makes sense: PayPal works well if your client is already using it and speed is more important than cost. It’s not ideal for receiving regular incomes because the fees add up quickly.
Payoneer is widely used by Moroccan freelancers working on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr. It’s more affordable than PayPal but still involves conversion losses.
How Payoneer works: You receive payments into your Payoneer account, which can hold USD, EUR, or GBP. You can spend using a Payoneer card or withdraw to your Moroccan bank account in dirhams.
Fees and delays: Payoneer doesn’t charge receiving fees for most payments. However, withdrawing to your Moroccan bank involves a two to three percent currency conversion fee. Withdrawals typically take 2 - 3 business days.
For a $1,000 payment, you’d lose around $20 - $30 in conversion fees, leaving you with approximately 9,500 - 9,600 MAD.
When Payoneer makes sense: Payoneer is solid for freelancers earning regularly from international clients or platforms. It’s cheaper than PayPal, but you still lose money on conversion.
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Wise is known for transparent pricing and real exchange rates. It’s one of the better options for Moroccan freelancers.
How Wise works: Clients send money to your Wise account. You can hold USD, EUR, GBP, and other currencies. When you’re ready, you can convert to MAD at the mid-market rate and withdraw funds to your Moroccan bank account.
Fees and delays: Wise charges a small upfront fee (usually 0.5–1% depending on the currency) and converts at the real exchange rate with no hidden markup. Withdrawals to Moroccan banks take one to three business days.
When Wise makes sense: Wise works well if your client is comfortable using the service and you want better rates. It’s transparent and affordable.
Grey is designed specifically for freelancers and businesses for receiving international payments. It provides virtual EUR and GBP accounts, so clients can pay you directly as if you had local bank accounts in Europe or the UK.
How Grey works: Your client sends money to your Grey EUR or GBP account, and you can hold those funds in the original currency until you’re ready to convert. When you do convert, Grey uses transparent rates without the hidden markups traditional banks apply. You can withdraw funds to your Moroccan bank account quickly, or spend directly with your Grey card.
When Grey makes sense: Grey works exceptionally well for Moroccan freelancers earning regularly from European or international clients. Unlike other methods, which force immediate conversion or charge high fees, Grey gives you multi-currency accounts with control over your money. You’re not locked into poor conversion timing, and clients find it easier to pay you since they’re sending EUR or GBP to what looks like a local European account. It’s particularly valuable if you work with multiple clients across different countries, one system handles everything efficiently.
If you’re working through platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, the platform handles payments. Clients pay the platform, and you withdraw earnings through the platform’s supported methods.
How it works: Platforms hold your earnings until you request a withdrawal. You can usually withdraw via PayPal, Payoneer, bank transfer, or sometimes Wise.
Fees and delays: Platforms take their cut first. Upwork charges 5 - 20% depending on your earnings with a client; Fiverr takes 20%. After that, you pay withdrawal fees depending on your chosen method. Total costs can be significant.
When it makes sense: Platforms offer security and consistent work, but they’re expensive. The platform fee plus withdrawal fees can cost 25 - 30% of your earnings. They’re best for building your portfolio or finding steady clients, not necessarily maximising income long-term.
Also read: Highest-paying remote jobs for professionals in Morocco
Moroccan freelancers deal with challenges that most international freelancers don’t think about.
Forced conversion to dirhams: Morocco’s currency regulations mean you can’t easily hold USD, EUR, or GBP in local bank accounts. Most payment methods require immediate conversion, which means you lose control over timing and rates.
High FX margins and hidden fees: Banks and payment providers apply their own exchange rates, which are almost always worse than the real rate. A two to four per cent markup doesn’t sound like much, but if you’re earning $2,000 per month, that’s $40 - $80 lost every month, nearly $1,000 per year.
Slow settlement times: Waiting long periods for a bank transfer to clear is common. For freelancers managing cash flow, delays create unnecessary stress.
Managing multiple payment tools: Different clients prefer different methods. You end up juggling PayPal for one client, Payoneer for another, and bank transfers for a third. It’s messy, and each tool has its own fees.
The right payment tool should make your life easier, not harder. Here’s what matters:
Ability to receive and hold foreign currencies: Holding USD, EUR, or GBP gives you control. You can convert when rates are favourable, not when a bank forces you to.
Transparent fees: Hidden charges and poor exchange rates eat into your income. Look for tools that show exactly what you’re paying upfront.
Speed and reliability: Waiting weeks for payments disrupts cash flow. Faster transfers mean you can plan more effectively and manage expenses with less stress.
Control over conversions: If you’re forced to convert immediately, you lose flexibility. The best tools let you decide when to convert and at what rate.
Grey helps freelancers and businesses receive payments from abroad. It provides you with EUR and GBP accounts, allowing international clients to pay you directly without the complications associated with traditional banks.
Here’s how it works: your client sends money to your Grey account in their currency. You hold those funds until you’re ready to convert, and when you do, you get transparent rates without hidden markups. You can withdraw to your Moroccan bank account quickly, or spend using a Grey card.
Grey isn’t a freelance platform; it’s a payment solution that works alongside however you find clients. Grey helps you receive, hold, and manage foreign currency without losing money at every step.
Moroccan freelancers are part of the global workforce, and you deserve payment tools that respect that. Understanding how international clients typically pay and what each method actually costs puts you in control. Whether you use PayPal, Payoneer, Wise, or something else, choose tools that protect your earnings and save you time.
Open your free Grey account today or download the Grey app and start receiving international payments with better rates, faster transfers, and complete transparency because the money you earn should actually reach you.
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