Facts checked on October 18, 2026
Nador: a city on the lagoon
Nador is a coastal city and provincial capital in north-east Morocco, on the Marchica lagoon. The Spanish enclave of Melilla is about 10 km away. The city has its own international airport, opened in 1999.
Every summer thousands of people from the area who live in Europe come back. That shows in demand for homes and in how busy it gets from June to August.
The Marchica project
The Marchica project started in 2008 to develop the lagoon site into a tourist destination. Law 25-10 of 2010 created a dedicated body for it, the Agence pour l'aménagement du site de la lagune de Marchica.
Inside the Marchica zone, that agency issues subdivision, building and occupancy permits instead of Nador's regular urban agency. One of its developed zones is the Cité d'Atalayoun. A new investment programme for 2026-2027 was announced at the end of 2025.
- If you buy in the Marchica zone, ask which permits the agency has issued.
- On the same eastern Mediterranean coast, the Nador West Med container port is being built; its first phase is expected in late 2026 or early 2027.
Al Hoceima
Al Hoceima lies on the Mediterranean at the northern edge of the Rif mountains and is the capital of its province. It has sandy beaches, a mountainous setting and its own airport, Cherif Al Idrissi.
In February 2004 a magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck the area. For a resale home it is sensible to have the structure assessed, as with any purchase in mountainous terrain.
Saïdia: a resort on the eastern coast
Saïdia is in the Oriental region, about 60 km from Nador and Oujda, with some 14 km of beaches. The resort opened in 2009 under the Plan Azur, with a marina, hotels, residences and two 18-hole golf courses.
After problems with the first developers, the Société de développement de Saïdia, part of the CDG group, took over in 2012. The main issue is seasonality: full in summer, quiet for the rest of the year.
What to check when buying in the region
In my conversations with MREs from this region, the question is often about land or a house within the family. That is exactly when the title comes first.
- A titre foncier is definitive; a melkia can be contested and is not accepted as mortgage security.
- Request a certificat de propriété from the ANCFCC (100 DH) for owners, mortgages and seizures.
- Agricultural land outside urban areas is reserved for Moroccans.
- Budget 4% registration duty for a built home and 5% for land, plus a 1.5% + 100 DH land registry fee.
- Pay in foreign currency and keep the proof, so you can transfer the money back later.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Moroccan living in Europe buy a house in Nador?
Yes. MREs buy under the same rules as other Moroccans, with a deed by a notary or adoul. Make sure the property has a titre foncier.
What is the Marchica project in Nador?
A development project around the Marchica lagoon, started in 2008. A dedicated agency created by Law 25-10 plans the zone and issues the building permits there.
Is an apartment in Saïdia used all year?
Saïdia is mainly busy in summer. Extending the season is seen as one of its main challenges, so expect a quiet town outside summer.
How do I check a house in Al Hoceima before buying?
Request a certificat de propriété from the ANCFCC, check the permits and, for a resale home, have the structure assessed.
