Morocco is moving to add Tamazight to the country’s new biometric passport, a change that would place Amazigh alongside Arabic, French and English on one of the state’s most important identity documents.
The reform was adopted by Morocco’s Council of Government on July 9, 2026 through draft decree No. 2.26.551, which amends the 2008 decree that established the biometric passport. The outlet reported that the new document is due to be rolled out gradually at prefectures, provinces, embassies and consulates, with nationwide availability targeted for August 2026.
The reported changes go beyond language. AkalPress said the new passport format would also add a secure holder photo on the signature page, remove the holder’s street address from the data page, and end the temporary passport regime. The same report said passports already in circulation would remain valid until expiry during the transition.
The passport change also fits into a broader state policy of integrating Amazigh into public services rather than limiting it to symbolic recognition. Morocco’s Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform says the government allocated a budget that rises to 1 billion dirhams from 2025 for implementation of the official character of Amazigh, including reception services in Amazigh, Amazigh-language call-center support, signage in public buildings, official websites and other public-service settings.
For Amazigh advocates, the significance of the passport is partly practical and partly symbolic. A passport is a high-visibility state document used at borders, consulates and administrative counters. Adding Tamazight would make the language present in a national identity instrument that has long circulated without it, and could strengthen arguments for broader use of Tifinagh and Amazigh across other official documents and public-facing services.
Still, some details remain better treated with caution until the final implementation texts are easier to verify directly. Secondary reporting has described the reform as approved by government and due for rollout in August, but a publishing review should confirm whether the final decree text or joint implementation order has since been issued and whether the rollout calendar has changed.