Poland daylight saving time change scheduled for October 2026

In 2026, the transition from daylight saving time to winter time in Poland will occur on the night of October 24 to October 25. Clocks will be set back from 3:00 to 2:00, providing an extra hour of sleep. This change occurs slightly earlier than in the previous year.

Experts, including Professor Marta Jackowska from SWPS University, note that seasonal time changes disrupt the human biological clock and circadian rhythms by manipulating light exposure. Such disruptions can affect sleep, digestion, body temperature, and mood. Some research, such as studies from the Duke Clinical Research Institute, has investigated potential links between time changes and increased risks of heart attacks or strokes.

Despite previous efforts by Poland during its presidency of the Council of the European Union to abolish seasonal time changes, EU member states have not yet reached an agreement to end the practice, a process that was previously delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Public opinion in Poland remains largely negative; research from the Pollster Research Institute indicates that 61 percent of respondents oppose the change, with 51 percent reporting negative effects.