Morocco resets its clocks — GMT returns September 20. Morocco will switch back to Greenwich Mean Time on September 20 at 2:00 a.m., the government announced on Thursday after a cabinet meeting in Rabat. Government spokesperson Mustapha Baïtas said the decision reflects the administration’s positive response to citizens’ demands, noting that the issue had long been a subject of discussion within the ruling coalition — and that it was time to act.
The Cabinet approved Decree No. 2.26.530 on legal time, which provides for the return to GMT by setting clocks back 60 minutes starting September 20, 2026, in accordance with Royal Decree No. 455.67 of 23 Safar 1387 (2 June 1967).
The decision responds to citizens’ demands, strengthens their psychological and social stability, aligns with economic requirements, and improves the efficiency of administrative work. — Joint statement, three governing parties
Eight years of the extra hour — reversed
The Istiqlal Party confirmed in a statement that the leaders of the three parties forming the governing majority — the National Rally of Independents, the Authenticity and Modernity Party, and the Istiqlal Party — recently discussed Morocco’s adoption of GMT+1 since 2018, and its administrative, economic, social, and psychological consequences.
All three parties expressed their will to return to the legal time defined for Moroccan territory — GMT — and to reverse the 60-minute addition that had been in place since 2018. The government responded positively to that will by approving the decree at Thursday’s cabinet meeting.
The three governing parties welcomed the decision, describing it as one that responds to citizens’ demands, strengthens their psychological and social stability, aligns with economic requirements, and improves the efficiency of administrative work.