What Is a Payment Terminal (POS)?
A payment terminal (POS — Point of Sale), known as TPE (Terminal de Paiement Electronique) in Morocco, is a device that allows a merchant to accept card payments at the point of sale. It reads card data (chip, magnetic stripe, or contactless NFC), communicates with the interbank network for authorization, and prints or sends the receipt to the customer.
In Morocco, electronic payment adoption is accelerating. The number of deployed POS terminals exceeded 100,000 units in 2025, and contactless payments now represent over 40% of point-of-sale transactions. Bank Al-Maghrib and CMI are actively encouraging payment digitization, particularly through the Maroc Pay program and incentives for small merchants.
This guide covers all types of terminals available in Morocco, their costs, how to obtain them, and new technologies like Soft POS that are revolutionizing payment acceptance.
Types of Payment Terminals
Traditional POS (Fixed)
The traditional POS is a standalone device installed at the checkout. It features a keypad, screen, chip reader, and NFC contactless reader.
- Connection: Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or 4G
- Features: card payment, contactless, tip entry, receipt printing
- Ideal for: businesses with a fixed checkout (restaurants, shops, supermarkets)
- Indicative price: 2,000 to 5,000 MAD to purchase, or 150 to 300 MAD/month to lease
Portable POS (Wireless)
Wireless version of the traditional POS, connected via Wi-Fi or 4G. It allows the merchant to move around the store or onto a terrace.
- Connection: Wi-Fi + 4G with SIM card
- Features: identical to fixed POS, with mobility
- Ideal for: restaurants with table service, delivery, markets and fairs
- Indicative price: 3,000 to 6,000 MAD to purchase, or 200 to 400 MAD/month
mPOS (Mobile POS)
The mPOS is a small portable card reader that connects to a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth. The mobile app manages the transaction.
- Connection: Bluetooth to smartphone + mobile internet
- Features: card payment (chip and NFC), digital receipt via SMS/email
- Ideal for: small merchants, artisans, freelancers, street vendors
- Indicative price: 500 to 1,500 MAD for the reader + 50 to 150 MAD/month subscription
Soft POS (Tap to Mobile)
Soft POS is the latest technology: it transforms an NFC-equipped Android smartphone into a payment terminal. No additional hardware is needed — the customer simply taps their card on the merchant's phone.
- Connection: smartphone NFC + mobile internet
- Features: contactless payment only (NFC card, phone, smartwatch)
- Ideal for: delivery drivers, artisans, micro-merchants, events
- Indicative price: 0 MAD hardware + 50 to 100 MAD/month subscription
Learn more in our dedicated Soft POS guide.
How Does a POS Terminal Work in Morocco?
The point-of-sale payment process follows these steps:
- Card presentation — The customer inserts their card (chip), swipes it (magnetic stripe), or taps it (NFC contactless)
- Amount entry — The merchant enters the transaction amount
- Authentication — For amounts above a threshold (typically 200-500 MAD), the customer enters their PIN
- Authorization request — The POS sends the request to CMI via the secure network
- Bank response — The issuing bank authorizes or declines the transaction
- Receipt printing — The POS prints two receipts: one for the merchant, one for the customer
- Settlement — Funds are credited to the merchant's account (typically D+1)
Standards and Certifications
Every POS terminal deployed in Morocco must be:
- EMV certified — the international standard for chip payments
- CMI approved — the Centre Monetique Interbancaire validates every terminal before deployment
- PCI-PTS compliant — the security standard for payment terminals
- NFC compatible — for contactless payments (increasingly required)
Morocco's POS Market in 2026
Key Providers
| Provider | POS Type | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| CMI | Traditional, portable POS | Market standard, via banks |
| NAPS | Traditional POS, mPOS | M2M Group subsidiary, multi-channel solutions |
| ChariBaaS | Soft POS, mPOS | Innovative solution, Chari network 50,000+ PDV |
| Cash Plus | POS, agents | Network of 3,000+ agencies |
| Banks (CIH, AWB, BMCE) | Traditional POS | Direct installation via the bank |
2026 Trends
- Soft POS growing rapidly — merchants increasingly prefer their smartphone as a terminal
- Integrated Maroc Pay — POS and Soft POS now accept Maroc Pay QR codes
- Contactless dominant — over 40% of point-of-sale transactions
- Small merchant inclusion — Bank Al-Maghrib programs to equip neighborhood merchants
POS Solution Comparison in Morocco
| Criteria | Traditional POS | mPOS | Soft POS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardware cost | 2,000-5,000 MAD | 500-1,500 MAD | 0 MAD |
| Monthly subscription | 150-300 MAD | 50-150 MAD | 50-100 MAD |
| Transaction fees | 0.8-1.5% | 1-2% | 1-2.5% |
| Contactless NFC | Yes | Yes | Yes (only) |
| Chip card | Yes | Yes | No |
| Receipt printing | Yes | No (digital) | No (digital) |
| Mobility | Fixed/portable | High | Very high |
| Installation | 1-3 weeks | 24-48h | Immediate |
| Maroc Pay (QR) | Depends on model | Yes | Yes |
| Ideal for | Large businesses | SMEs, mobile vendors | Micro-merchants, delivery |
How to Get a POS Terminal in Morocco
Step 1: Choose the Terminal Type
Assess your needs:
- Transaction volume — Over 100 transactions/day? A traditional POS is recommended
- Mobility — Need to move around? mPOS or Soft POS
- Budget — Limited budget? Soft POS eliminates hardware costs
- Payment type — Need to accept chip cards? Soft POS only handles contactless
Step 2: Choose the Provider
You can get a POS terminal through:
- Your bank — the classic option, the POS is provided by the merchant's bank
- A payment institution — such as ChariBaaS, NAPS, or Cash Plus
- An authorized reseller — companies specializing in payment technology
Step 3: Prepare the Application
Documents typically required:
- Trade register (RC)
- Business license (Patente)
- Manager's national ID (CIN)
- Company articles of incorporation
- Settlement account bank details (RIB)
- Tax registration certificate
Step 4: Installation and Training
- The provider installs and configures the terminal
- Staff training on usage
- Validation tests with real transactions
- Go live
Use Cases in Morocco
Restaurants and Cafes
Restaurants use portable POS terminals for tableside payment. Contactless speeds up service and improves customer experience. Tips can be added directly on the terminal.
Retail
Shops and supermarkets use traditional POS terminals integrated with their cash register. Integration with the management system enables automatic reconciliation.
Delivery and E-commerce
Delivery drivers use Soft POS or mPOS to collect payment on delivery. It's a cash alternative that secures revenue and simplifies accounting.
Markets and Fairs
Market vendors and fair exhibitors adopt mPOS for its portability and low cost. No electricity or landline needed.
Agent Networks
Agent networks like Chari's use POS solutions for cash-in/cash-out operations, bill payments, and phone top-ups. ChariBaaS offers POS acceptance solutions tailored to these use cases.
Regulation
Card payment acceptance in Morocco is governed by:
- Bank Al-Maghrib — oversees payment systems and licenses payment institutions
- CMI — certifies terminals and manages the interbank network
- Law 103-12 — legal framework for payment activities
- PCI standards — mandatory card data security
The merchant must sign an acceptance agreement with their bank or payment institution, defining fees, settlement terms, and obligations.
How ChariBaaS Can Help
ChariBaaS offers point-of-sale acceptance solutions for all profiles:
- Soft POS — turn any Android smartphone into a payment terminal
- Chari network integration — access to over 50,000 points of sale in Morocco
- Acceptance APIs — integrate POS acceptance into your own application
- Maroc Pay — accept QR code payments alongside cards
- Unified dashboard — track all your transactions (online and in-store) in one interface
- Automatic reconciliation — simplify your accounting
Discover our POS acceptance services or contact us for a demonstration.
Looking to equip your business with a payment terminal? Contact our team to find the right solution for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does a POS terminal cost in Morocco?
- POS terminal costs in Morocco vary by type. A traditional POS costs 2,000 to 5,000 MAD to purchase, or 100 to 300 MAD/month to lease. A Soft POS (smartphone app) is generally cheaper, with subscriptions starting at 50 MAD/month. Transaction fees range from 0.8% to 2.5% depending on the provider and volume.
- How do I get a POS terminal in Morocco?
- To get a POS terminal, contact an acquiring bank (CIH, Attijariwafa, BMCE, etc.) or a payment institution licensed by Bank Al-Maghrib. You'll need to provide your trade register, business license, manager's national ID, and a bank account number. Installation typically takes 1 to 3 weeks.
- What is Soft POS in Morocco?
- Soft POS is a technology that transforms a smartphone or tablet into a payment terminal. Using NFC, the merchant can accept contactless payments directly on their phone without additional hardware. It's an ideal solution for small merchants, delivery drivers, and mobile professionals in Morocco.
- What is the difference between POS, mPOS, and Soft POS?
- A traditional POS is a dedicated device with a keypad and card reader. An mPOS (mobile POS) is a small portable card reader that connects to a smartphone via Bluetooth. Soft POS uses only the smartphone as a terminal through its built-in NFC, requiring no additional hardware. Each solution has advantages depending on transaction volume and business type.