Bank Al-Maghrib Withdraws Old Banknotes from Circulation Starting This Year

The affected denominations include 10, 50, 100, and 200 dirham notes issued in 1987, alongside 10 dirham notes from 1990 and 20 dirham notes from 1996.

Marrakech – Bank Al-Maghrib announced the withdrawal of several old banknote denominations from circulation, effective January 1, due to the fact that they use outdated security features and printing technologies that fall behind current standards. The decision follows decree No. 2.25.966 issued on December 23, 2025.

The central bank’s official statement confirms that specific banknote series will lose their legal tender status and liberating power starting this month.

The withdrawn banknotes represent different periods of Moroccan monetary history. The 1987 series encompasses four denominations, while the 1990 and 1996 series each cover single denominations.

The affected denominations include 10, 50, 100, and 200 dirham notes issued in 1987, alongside 10 dirham notes from 1990 and 20 dirham notes from 1996.

Citizens holding these banknotes can exchange them without conditions at Bank Al-Maghrib counters and various banking institutions. The exchange period runs from January 1 through December 31, 2030, providing a four-year window for currency conversion.

“These types of banknotes will cease to have legal tender and liberating power from January 1, 2026,” the central bank stated in its official communication. Bank Al-Maghrib noted that the exchange process requires no special conditions or fees.

Banking institutions across Morocco will facilitate the exchange process alongside Bank Al-Maghrib’s direct services. The extended four-year exchange period aims to accommodate all citizens who may possess these older banknotes in personal collections or savings.

The central bank provided visual references of all withdrawn denominations in its official announcement.

This currency update affects banknotes that have circulated for nearly four decades in some cases. The withdrawal aligns with standard central banking practices for modernizing national currency systems and maintaining security standards.