Morocco Announces Return to Legal Time (GMT) Starting at the End of Summer 2026
On Thursday, Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch announced the country’s decision to revert to legal time based on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), effectively ending the permanent application of GMT+1. This measure will take effect at the end of summer 2026.
This decision signifies a significant shift in the country’s time policy, which has employed an additional hour ahead for several years in a nearly permanent manner.
A Decision Made in Response to Citizens
According to the Prime Minister, this measure was adopted in response to demands from a portion of the Moroccan citizens, who have frequently raised concerns about the continuation of GMT+1.
Akhannouch specified that this issue has been discussed multiple times within the governmental majority, where it was acknowledged that this time shift posed difficulties for certain users.
A Government Attuned to Social Expectations
The Prime Minister emphasized that the executive branch is attentive to the citizens’ expectations and seeks to align its decisions with the realities of daily life.
He highlighted that this approach aims to ensure better alignment between the national time system and the needs of the population.
Return to GMT Time Zone
With this decision, Morocco will officially restore the GMT time zone as the country’s legal time, thus abandoning the GMT+1 regime that has been in effect for several years.
A Recurring Debate in Morocco
The issue of legal time has long been a topic of debate in Morocco, pitting advocates for the continuation of GMT+1 against supporters of a return to GMT.
This announcement could potentially put an end to a persistent public debate, although its impacts on daily habits, particularly in education and work, remain to be observed.
