Germany daylight saving time: Public opposition reaches record low

daylight saving time DAK-Gesundheit Forsa survey sleep disorders Germany

As Germany prepares to transition to winter time on October 25, 2026, a new survey by Forsa for the health insurance provider DAK-Gesundheit reveals a shift in public opinion. While 71 percent of respondents still call for the abolition of biannual time changes, this represents a five-percentage-point decrease from the previous year and the lowest level of opposition since 2016.

The decline in opposition is most pronounced among young adults aged 18 to 29, where the demand for abolition dropped from 66 percent to 50 percent. Within this same demographic, 39 percent now support maintaining the seasonal time changes.

Despite changing attitudes, health concerns remain significant. Approximately 29 percent of those surveyed reported experiencing physical or psychological issues due to time changes. Women are more frequently affected, with 36 percent reporting problems compared to 22 percent of men. Common complaints include fatigue (80 percent), sleep disorders (63 percent), concentration difficulties (41 percent), and irritability (37 percent). Some respondents also linked the transition to depressive moods.

Originally introduced in Germany in 1980 to optimize daylight and save energy, the practice remains a subject of debate. Although a 2018 European Commission consultation showed overwhelming support for ending the practice, a unified European solution has yet to be reached.

Entities

DAK-Gesundheit · European Commission · Forsa · Germany · Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] 80 percent of those affected cited fatigue or lethargy as a problem. www.finanzen.at · www.upday.com · www.finanznachrichten.de
[● 3 SOURCES] 29 percent of respondents reported health or psychological problems due to the time change. www.finanzen.at · www.upday.com · www.finanznachrichten.de
[● 3 SOURCES] In the 18-29 age group, opposition fell from 66 percent to 50 percent. www.finanzen.at · www.upday.com · www.finanznachrichten.de
[● 3 SOURCES] Opposition to the time change is at its lowest level since 2016. www.finanzen.at · www.upday.com · www.finanznachrichten.de
[● 3 SOURCES] Approximately 20 percent of affected people linked the time change to depressive moods. www.finanzen.at · www.upday.com · www.finanznachrichten.de
[● 3 SOURCES] 36 percent of women reported problems compared to 22 percent of men. www.finanzen.at · www.upday.com · www.finanznachrichten.de
[● 3 SOURCES] 71 percent of respondents demand the abolition of the biannual time change. www.finanzen.at · www.upday.com · www.finanznachrichten.de
[● 3 SOURCES] 63 percent of affected individuals reported sleep disturbances or difficulty falling asleep. www.finanzen.at · www.upday.com · www.finanznachrichten.de