A Moroccan city becomes the new paradise for French retirees

Morocco rolls out the red carpet for Western retirees. The tax exemption, accessible by simply opening a local bank account, constitutes a major advantage. The cost of living, significantly lower than that of France, finally convinces candidates for departure. A couple interviewed by TF1 Info said they pay rent of 800 euros for a house, 50 euros for electricity and 50 dirhams (around 5 euros) for water per month. With a pension of 2,800 euros, living comfortably becomes child’s play.

Read: Morocco: sharp increase in the number of French retirees

Agadir also offers very competitive prices on food products. “With ten euros, we have fruit and vegetables for the week, for two people,” says a retiree. The opportunity to live better with less pushes many French people to take the plunge. “A lady on the plane told us that with 1,000 euros per month, she had accommodation, food and could even take the plane once a month to see her children,” says a conquered couple.

Despite this idyllic picture, a shadow hangs over Agadir: global warming. If the sun shines 340 days a year, episodes of drought and scorching temperatures, with peaks of 50 degrees recorded in 2023, are becoming more and more frequent. Intensive agriculture, which supplies European stalls with cheap fruit and vegetables, aggravates the situation by depleting water reserves. An environmental challenge which, for the moment, does not seem to dampen the enthusiasm of retirees for this sunny destination.