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Europe clock change: Winter time begins October 25, 2026
In 2026, several European countries and North Macedonia will transition from summer time to winter time on the night of Sunday, October 25. During this transition, clocks will be set back one hour at 03:00 to 02:00, providing an extra hour of sleep.
While most modern electronic devices like smartphones and computers adjust automatically, manual adjustments may still be required for older household appliances and certain vehicles. In Germany, the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt manages the technical synchronization of clocks via long-wave signals.
The practice of seasonal time changes remains a subject of debate within the European Union. Although the European Parliament supported a proposal in 2019 to abolish seasonal time changes, member states have not reached a consensus on whether to permanently adopt summer or standard time. Consequently, the current system remains in effect.
Health experts note that the transition can impact biological rhythms, potentially leading to sleep disturbances or concentration issues, though some studies suggest the health impacts of the autumn transition are less severe than those in the spring.
Entities
European Commission · European Parliament · European Union · Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Central European Summer Time (CEST) will change to Central European Time (CET).
- [● 2 SOURCES] Clocks will be set back one hour from 3:00 AM to 2:00 AM. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt is responsible for time changes in Germany. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] The transition to winter time in 2026 occurs on the night of Sunday, October 25. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Smartphones and smart speakers typically update their time automatically. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de