Morocco officially returned to Greenwich Imply Time plus one hour (GMT+1) in the early hours of Sunday, March 22, 2026, after a temporary shift to GMT during the month of Ramadan. At 02:00 local time, clocks were moved forward by 60 minutes, restoring the country’s standard time.
The change marks the end of a period initiated on February 15, 2026, when Morocco switched to GMT, adjusting clocks back by one hour in anticipation of Ramadan. The Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform confirmed the return to GMT+1, citing decree n°2.18.855, adopted in October 2018, which establishes GMT+1 as Morocco’s permanent legal time, with a temporary reversion to GMT during the holy month.
This annual adjustment is intended to align daily life with the rhythms of Ramadan, facilitating observance of fasting and prayer times. The temporary shift to GMT allows for earlier sunrise times during the fasting period. The Ministry confirmed the temporary return to GMT is a standard procedure designed to facilitate the daily lives of citizens during Ramadan.
The return to GMT+1 follows the conclusion of Ramadan, with the timing generally occurring on the first Sunday after Eid al-Fitr, the festival marking the end of the fasting month. This year, Eid al-Fitr is expected to be celebrated on either Friday, March 20th, or Saturday, March 21st, depending on the sighting of the crescent moon, leading to the time change on Sunday, March 22nd.
The system of seasonal time adjustment has been in place in Morocco for several years, with the automatic return to GMT+1 following the end of Ramadan. Public administrations, businesses, and public establishments will resume their regular schedules following the time change. Royal Air Maroc and ONCF (railway) have adjusted their schedules to match the time shift, and travelers were encouraged to verify departure times.
While most smartphones automatically updated, users were advised to double-check their time settings to avoid confusion. The Centre africain d’études stratégiques et numériques has raised concerns about the impact of the GMT+1 system on quality of life, learning conditions, and social balance, questioning whether the purported economic and energy benefits have been clearly demonstrated.
