Greece to transition to winter time on October 25, 2026

Greece and other European Union member states are scheduled to transition to winter time on Sunday, October 25, 2026. During this transition, clocks will be set back one hour at 04:00 to 03:00.

The practice of switching between daylight saving and winter time is a long-standing European regulation intended to optimize the use of natural light and conserve energy. While discussions regarding the abolition of this measure occurred in 2019, the decision was postponed due to the pandemic.

Globally, the use of daylight saving time is declining. According to a 2023 Pew Research Center study, only 22% of countries adopt time changes, with Europe being one of the most active regions. Outside of Europe, the practice is primarily observed in the United States, Canada, and parts of Latin America and the Caribbean, while most countries in Africa and Asia maintain a constant time year-round.

Critics of the practice point to scientific research suggesting that the disruption of biological cycles may be linked to cardiovascular or immune system issues, and some argue that the expected energy savings are no longer significant.