Probation period Morocco: 15 days to 3 months, renewable

The probation period Morocco sets for an open-ended contract (CDI) is 3 months for managers and equivalent staff (cadres), one and a half months for employees and 15 days for workers, renewable only once (Article 14 of the Labour Code, Law n° 65-99). For a fixed-term contract (CDD), it may not exceed one day per week of work, up to two weeks, if the contract lasts less than six months, and one month if it lasts more than six months. During probation either party may terminate without compensation; after one week of work, however, termination requires 2 or 8 days’ notice depending on the pay cycle (Article 13). The rules are unchanged in 2026; this article is up to date as of 4 November 2026.

In brief

• CDI: 3 months (managers), 1.5 months (employees), 15 days (workers).
• Renewal: once only, i.e. at most 6 months, 3 months and 30 days in total.
• CDD: 1 day per week, 2 weeks at most, for a contract under 6 months; 1 month at most beyond that.
• Shorter is allowed: the contract, collective agreement or internal rules may provide less.
• Termination: free in the first week; then 2 days’ notice (paid by the day, week or fortnight) or 8 days (paid monthly), except for serious misconduct.
• After probation: the notice set by decree applies, never less than 8 days.

Probation period Morocco: the table

Source: Article 14 of the Labour Code. The “with renewal” column adds the initial period and one renewal of equal length, the most common case: the text allows a single renewal without setting its length, which should not exceed the initial period.

Manager, employee or worker?

The Code does not define these three categories. Apply the classification of the collective agreement or internal grade structure, failing that the actual duties. The distinction matters: the same job can carry 15 days or one and a half months of probation depending on whether it is classed as worker or employee. State the category in the contract.

Probation period Morocco for a CDI

Article 14 sets the probation period Morocco applies to open-ended contracts. It runs from the first day of work. Three practical points:

• It must be agreed: state its length and the option to renew in the contract or offer letter. A written contract is signed in two copies with certified signatures (Article 15).
• It cannot be extended beyond the legal length: the Code only allows shorter periods, by contract, agreement or internal rules.
• A probationer is an employee: pay at least the minimum wage (SMIG) in Morocco, CNSS registration from hiring (see employee registration in Morocco) and a payslip in Morocco every month.

Renewing the probation period

The Code states that probation “may be renewed only once” (Article 14). It sets no form or deadline. To be safe:

• provide for renewal in the contract;
• notify the renewal in writing before the initial period ends, countersigned by the employee;
• never renew a second time: beyond that, the employee is confirmed and decree notice applies.

Probation period Morocco for a CDD

For a fixed-term contract, Article 14 sets a ceiling in proportion to the contract length:

• Contract under 6 months: one day per week of work, up to two weeks. An 8-week CDD may include up to 8 days of probation; a 20-week CDD, 2 weeks at most.
• Contract over 6 months: one month at most.

The text does not cover a contract of exactly 6 months; caution suggests applying the first rule. Renewal is mentioned only for CDIs. Grounds and length of a CDD are covered in our guide to the fixed-term contract in Morocco.

Ending probation: notice and formalities

Article 13 defines probation as the period during which either party may voluntarily end the contract without notice or compensation. It adds an important nuance:

No severance pay is due: it requires six months of service (Article 52). Accrued untaken leave is still paid (Article 254), and the employer issues a work certificate (Article 72).

Can probation notice run past the end of probation?

The text is silent. To avoid the employee being deemed confirmed, notify termination early enough for the 2 or 8 days to end before the probation period Morocco expires, or pay them. Have the position reviewed if in doubt.

Example: an employee paid monthly

As an illustration, take a sales assistant (employee) hired on a CDI on 2 February 2026, with a renewable probation of one and a half months, paid 5,500 DH gross a month.

• The initial probation runs to mid-March; renewed once in writing before it ends, it can run to the end of April.
• If the employer terminates on day 4, no notice is due: it pays the days worked.
• If it terminates after three weeks, it gives 8 days’ notice, about 1,467 DH of salary for those 8 days on a 5,500 / 30 basis, or pays them if it releases the employee.
• Once probation is over, dismissal requires a valid reason and decree notice (8 days under one year for an employee).

Common mistakes

• Setting 3 months for an employee or worker: only the legal length for their category applies.
• Renewing twice, or renewing after the initial period has ended.
• Terminating without notice after the first week, absent serious misconduct.
• Forgetting that probation in a short CDD is capped at one day per week.
• Not registering the employee with the CNSS during probation.
• Letting the deadline pass without a decision: the employee is then confirmed.

Tracking probation end dates

With several hires a month, probation end dates are easily missed. HR and payroll software for Morocco calculates the end of each probation period Morocco employers set by category, alerts the manager before the deadline and stores the signed renewal. Candidate tracking up to day one is described in our page on recruitment software in Morocco. To estimate the cost of a hire, use our free payroll simulators, and find all our guides in payroll in Morocco.

Frequently asked questions

What is the probation period Morocco sets for a manager?

3 months on a CDI, renewable once, i.e. 6 months at most (Article 14).

What is the probation period for an employee?

One and a half months, renewable once. For a worker, 15 days, renewable once.

Is probation renewable in Morocco?

Yes, once only for a CDI. Provide for it in the contract and notify it in writing before the initial period ends.

What probation applies to a CDD?

One day per week of work, up to two weeks, for a contract under 6 months; one month at most for a contract over 6 months.

Is notice needed to end probation?

Not in the first week. Then 2 days if the employee is paid by the day, week or fortnight, 8 days if paid monthly, except for serious misconduct (Article 13).

Can the employee leave during probation?

Yes, termination is open to both parties, without compensation (Article 13). The 2 or 8 days’ notice after the first week should, to be safe, be observed too.

Is any compensation due at the end of probation?

No severance, which requires six months of service (Article 52). Days worked, any notice and accrued leave remain due.

Where can I read Articles 13 and 14?

In the consolidated Labour Code published by the Ministry of Justice (in French). Our page on the Morocco labour code gives the landmarks, and our guide to the notice period in Morocco takes over after probation.

Key takeaways

• The probation period Morocco sets for a CDI is 3 months for a manager, 1.5 months for an employee, 15 days for a worker.
• It may be renewed once; the contract may provide less, never more.
• CDD: one day per week, 2 weeks at most, under 6 months; one month beyond.
• Free termination in the first week, then 2 or 8 days’ notice, except for serious misconduct.
• A probationer is registered, paid and given a payslip like any employee.

To track every probation end and renewal without spreadsheets, book a Socium demo.