In the summer, many people drive to Morocco in a car that isn’t registered in their own name—whether it’s a leased vehicle from their employer, a company car with the registration certificate in the company’s name, or a family member’s car. What many people don’t realize is that in all these cases, you need an official document to cross the border without any issues: a legalized power of attorney for the vehicle.
Without this document, you may be stopped at the border. In this blog, we explain what you need, what you should keep in mind, and how Arabika can handle Arabika for you.
When do you need a power of attorney for a vehicle?
You need a power of attorney for the vehicle if the vehicle registration certificate is not in your name. This applies to:
A leased car where the registration certificate is in the leasing company’s name, a company car where the registration certificate is in your employer’s or your own company’s name, or a car belonging to a family member, partner, or friend.
Are you driving your own car, registered in your own name? If so, you don't need a power of attorney.
Why isn't a regular letter enough?
A letter from your employer or leasing company is not sufficient. The Moroccan authorities require an officially certified document proving that you are authorized to drive the car. This means that the power of attorney must go through two official steps.
The first step is legalization through the Chamber of Commerce (KvK). This confirms that the signatory is indeed authorized to sign on behalf of the organization. The second step is obtaining an apostille from the court. This is an internationally recognized certificate that makes the document legally valid for use abroad, including in Morocco.
If any of these steps are missing, the power of attorney will not be accepted at the border.
Would you like know right away what you need for your situation? Schedule an appointment with Arabika Rotterdam and we’ll guide you step by step.
Who is authorized to sign the power of attorney?
The power of attorney must be signed by someone authorized to sign on behalf of the company at the Chamber of Commerce, typically a director or a person authorized for that purpose. A signature from an HR employee or a colleague is not valid.
This is one of the most common mistakes: the power of attorney is drawn up correctly, but it is signed by someone who is not authorized to do so. This almost always leads to rejection and delays. So be sure to check this in advance in the Chamber of Commerce trade register.
How long is a power of attorney for a vehicle valid?
A vehicle authorization is valid for 3 months from the date of issuance. This means you cannot reuse last year’s authorization or one from a previous season, even if it still looks in good condition. Once the three months have expired, the document is no longer legally valid and will be rejected at the border.
So plan your application carefully. Don’t apply for the power of attorney too early, but definitely not at the last minute either.
Common mistakes you can avoid
Starting too late is the most common mistake. Legalization through the Chamber of Commerce and obtaining an apostille from the court take time. Be sure to start this well in advance—and definitely not the week before you leave.
Bringing an expired power of attorney is also a common problem. The power of attorney is valid for only 3 months. Any document from last year or earlier this year will be rejected at the border without exception.
We also frequently encounter situations where the wrong person has signed the document. In such cases, the person who signed is not authorized to do so by the Chamber of Commerce. Missing information—such as the license plate number, the driver’s name, the destination, or the effective date—also causes unnecessary delays. Finally, the apostille is sometimes forgotten: the Chamber of Commerce legalization is present, but the apostille issued by the court is missing.
A single mistake could result in you being stopped at the border or your car being denied entry into Morocco.
How much does it cost, and how does it work at Arabika?
At Arabika , you Arabika all aspects of your power of attorney for a vehicle under one roof. We draft the document, handle the legalization through the Chamber of Commerce and the apostille through the court, and ensure that everything is returned to you in full.
The cost is €150, including VAT. This is an all-inclusive rate: Chamber of Commerce certification, the apostille through the court, and our assistance are all included. No separate fees for each step, no surprises later on.
Since this is a company vehicle, the cost of the power of attorney is tax-deductible as a business expense.
The processing time is approximately 3 to 4 business days, depending on how quickly you provide the necessary information. Be sure to start the process early so that the power of attorney is ready well before your departure date.
Once the power of attorney is ready, you can pick it up for free at our office in Rotterdam. You don’t need to go anywhere else.
Frequently Asked Questions
Travel worry-free. Arabika everything for you.
Proper preparation starts with the right paperwork. Stop by one of our offices or schedule an appointment online. We’ll make sure your power of attorney for vehicle matters is ready and in order on time, so you can hit the road without any issues.
