Managing global teams and international client meetings is already a logistical puzzle. However, when you add seasonal timezone changes that do not align with standard daylight saving schedules, the complexity multiplies. One of the most unique and frequently overlooked timezone shifts occurs in Morocco.

Every year, Morocco temporarily suspends its Daylight Saving Time (DST) during the holy month of Ramadan to ease the fasting period for its citizens. For global businesses, remote workers, and event coordinators, this annual change requires careful planning. Here is everything you need to know about the Morocco DST changes for Ramadan 2026 and how to keep your schedules perfectly aligned using TimezoneLink.

Understanding Morocco’s Dual Timezone System

To plan effectively, you must first understand how Morocco handles its time offsets. Officially, Morocco is on Western European Summer Time (WEST), which is UTC+1.

However, during the holy month of Ramadan, the country temporarily reverts to Western European Time (WET), which is UTC+0 (equivalent to Greenwich Mean Time or GMT). This shift shortens the afternoon daylight hours, allowing those fasting to break their fast (Iftar) at an earlier hour on the clock. Once Ramadan concludes, Morocco returns to UTC+1.

Projected Morocco DST Schedule for Ramadan 2026

Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, the exact dates of Ramadan shift by approximately 10 to 12 days each year. Consequently, the Moroccan government adjusts the clock-change dates annually to match.

Key Dates to Watch

For 2026, Ramadan is projected to begin on or around February 18, 2026, and end on or around March 19, 2026. Based on historical patterns, the anticipated DST transition schedule is as follows:

Note: These dates are subject to official confirmation by the Moroccan Ministry of Transition to Digital Innovation and Administration Reform closer to the start of Ramadan, following the sighting of the crescent moon.

Why Does Morocco Change Clocks for Ramadan?

The one-hour rollback is designed to make the daily fast more manageable. By shifting the clock back to UTC+0, sunset occurs an hour earlier according to local clock time, meaning families can gather to break their fast at 6:00 PM instead of 7:00 PM.

The Double Impact: Timezone Shift and Reduced Business Hours

When scheduling meetings with partners or team members in Morocco during this period, you must account for two major adjustments:

  1. The One-Hour Time Shift: Your regular meeting slot with a Moroccan colleague will suddenly be one hour later or earlier for them, depending on your local timezone's DST status.
  2. Adjusted Business Hours: In addition to the physical clock change, Moroccan public administration and private businesses typically adopt reduced working hours during Ramadan. Instead of the standard 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM schedule, temporary business hours often shift to 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM local time.

This creates a highly compressed window for cross-border collaboration, especially for teams working across European, Asian, or American timezones.

Practical Tips for Scheduling Meetings with Morocco in 2026

To avoid missed appointments, double-bookings, and communication friction, follow these best practices:

Seamlessly Navigate Timezone Changes with TimezoneLink

Trying to keep track of shifting international schedules manually is a recipe for missed opportunities. TimezoneLink takes the guesswork out of global collaboration.

With TimezoneLink, you can:

Don't let seasonal timezone shifts disrupt your workflow. Keep your global team synchronized, respect cultural observances, and schedule with confidence using TimezoneLink.