Three Moroccan work documents sound similar but serve very different purposes. The employment certificate (attestation de travail) confirms you currently work somewhere, issued on request, used for visas, account opening, credit. The salary certificate (attestation de salaire) adds your salary figure, used for mortgage and visa applications with means-testing. The end-of-service certificate (certificat de travail, Labour Code article 72) is mandatory at contract end and lists your dates and roles, with no opinion on termination. Below: what each one contains, how to request them, and what to do if your employer drags their feet.
The three documents to distinguish
Employment certificate (attestation de travail)
Confirms you are currently employed. The employer issues it on request, at any time. Used for:
- visas and travel;
- certain administrative registrations;
- opening an account, applying for credit.
Minimum content, employee identity, role, hire date, statement that the contract is active.
Salary certificate (attestation de salaire)
Adds the salary amount (usually the last three months or a monthly gross average). Used for:
- bank or mortgage credit applications;
- visas with means-testing;
- some rental applications.
The employer is not always legally required to issue it, but in practice it is given on request.
End-of-service certificate (certificat de travail)
Issued at contract end (Labour Code article 72). Mandatory. Content:
- entry and exit dates;
- positions held and their periods.
No mention of termination grounds or opinion. A derogatory mention would be a breach by the employer.
How to request
- Written request (email or letter) to HR or management, stating the document type and purpose.
- Reasonable timeline, typically 48-72 hours for an employment certificate, slightly longer for a salary certificate (figures to consolidate).
- Check the document bears date, employer stamp and signature.
In case of unjustified refusal, you can refer the matter to the labour inspectorate.
Moving on after the certificate?
If you just received your end-of-service certificate, the next move is finding what’s next. Browse current openings in Morocco on Bayt.com, your seniority and prior role unlock listings that aren’t visible without a track record.
Further reading
- Labour Code glossary entry, article 72
- Guide: Understanding your Moroccan payslip, the gross figure your certificate restates
- Guide: Severance pay calculation, what other documents you should request at exit
- Guide: How to get your CNSS number, your CNSS number must appear on every salary certificate
- Guide: First job checklist, admin docs to ask for from day one
- Blog: Remote work in Morocco, certificates are location-neutral