Background Advance care planning (ACP) is rare among older adults with a migration background because of social, cultural, and religious reasons. This study aimed to explore ACP-related knowledge, experience, views, facilitators, and barriers among older adults of Moroccan origin in Belgium.

Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted in Darija (Moroccan Arabic). General practitioners in Brussels and Mechelen recruited participants. Data were analyzed using a combination of inductive and deductive thematic analysis techniques.

Results The 25 interviewees (average age, 74 years) lacked ACP knowledge and had not discussed it with healthcare professionals. After a brief explanation, most interviewees did not find ACP useful. After more extensive explanation with specific examples, they were more willing to have discussions with their general practitioners and/or relatives. The most frequently mentioned facilitator was general practitioners’ provision of information; children’s involvement in ACP discussions and the desire to not be dependent on children. Barriers were a lack of knowledge, procrastination due to good health, trust in one’s children to take over care and make decisions, and fear of worrying one’s children.

Conclusion Many older adults with Moroccan origin were willing to talk about advance care planning after receiving understandable information with case examples in their native language. Physicians should pay sufficient attention to the way in which ACP is described. The use of understandable language can determine the impact of ACP conversations.