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Morocco and Portugal sign agreement for reciprocal recognition of driving licenses, easing process for Moroccan residents in Portugal
via Le Matin4 min read
Morocco and Portugal have signed an updated agreement for the reciprocal recognition of driving licenses, aiming to simplify the process for Moroccan citizens residing in Portugal. The agreement was signed in Rabat by Abdessamad Kayouh, Morocco's Minister of Transport and Logistics, and Miguel Pinto Luz, Portugal's Minister of Infrastructure and Housing. This new accord updates an initial agreement from May 22, 2003, and addresses difficulties Moroccan residents faced in exchanging their Moroccan driving licenses for Portuguese ones. Previously, Portuguese authorities limited exchanges to only category "B" licenses due to differences in license models and data. The updated agreement allows for the exchange of Moroccan driving licenses of all categories obtained before residency in Portugal, expanding rights for Moroccan citizens and facilitating their professional and social integration. It also permits holders of a driving license from either country to drive in the other for up to one year from their entry date. The agreement aligns with the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic of November 8, 1968, and incorporates current driving license models from both nations. Both ministers highlighted the agreement as a significant step in strengthening cooperation and the strong friendship between Morocco and Portugal, acknowledging the substantial number of their respective nationals residing in each country.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
Over 40,000 Moroccan residents in Spain are encountering significant difficulties with their driving licenses due to Spanish regulations concerning foreign permits. New residents can use their Moroccan license for six months, after which they must regularize their situation, a process proving complex for many. The main challenge for individuals like Abderrahim is passing the Spanish theoretical exams, despite being experienced drivers. This issue stems from a dispute in the early 2000s when Spanish authorities suspended direct conversion of some Moroccan licenses due to falsification and irregularities. Although relations between Rabat and Madrid have improved, and Morocco has modernized its licensing system with digital verification mechanisms, a specific group of Moroccans remains in an administrative gray area. These are individuals who obtained their Moroccan licenses while already legally residing in Spain, which excludes them from direct conversion and necessitates passing Spanish exams. For many, a driving license is crucial for professional and social integration, particularly in sectors like construction, agriculture, and delivery services, where mobility is essential for employment. The prospect of losing the right to drive causes significant concern, impacting income and family stability, in addition to daily constraints like transporting children and handling administrative tasks. Calls are growing for solutions that balance social and professional realities with
Moroccan communities in North American cities like Montreal and New York are showing exceptional mobilization for the 2026 World Cup. Preparations are intensifying, with flags selling out and restaurants and community spaces fully booked for match viewings. This widespread enthusiasm highlights football's role as a cultural unifier, allowing Moroccans in the "New World" to feel connected to their home country. The younger generation of Moroccans residing abroad MREs, born or raised in North America, are leading these efforts, organizing gatherings via social media and creating temporary "Fan Zones." Football serves as a powerful tool for cultural transmission, bringing together generations as parents and grandparents share the experience with their grandchildren. This demonstrates how young people can embrace both integration and their origins, celebrating their dual culture. This display of unity by the Moroccan diaspora will also serve as a significant showcase for the Kingdom's "soft power" internationally. Canadian and American media are expected to cover these large gatherings, projecting an image of a passionate and unified people. This mobilization also highlights the vitality and civic engagement of the Moroccan community to local authorities, as they act as ambassadors for Moroccan culture on a global stage.
Two days before the Morocco-Brazil match, the Moroccan national team has made two changes to its squad for the 2026 World Cup. Marwane Saâdane and Amine Sbaï have been added to the list of players, replacing Nayef Aguerd and Abdessamad Ezzalzouli. While the Royal Moroccan Football Federation FRMF has not yet officially announced these changes, they are already reflected on FIFA's administrative platform and in the updated lists of participating teams published by the international body.