Europe to transition to winter time on October 25, 2026

daylight saving time winter time clock change European Union policy seasonal time adjustment

European countries, including Greece, Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Finland, are scheduled to transition from daylight saving time to winter time on the night of October 24–25, 2026. Clocks will be set back one hour from 03:00 to 02:00, providing an extra hour of sleep but resulting in earlier sunsets.

While the transition aims to utilize natural light and save energy, modern debates question its effectiveness due to the prevalence of LED lighting and air conditioning. Discussions regarding the abolition of seasonal time changes have persisted within the European Union for years. Although the European Commission proposed ending the practice in 2018 and the European Parliament supported the move, member states have yet to reach a final agreement on whether to permanently adopt summer or winter time.

The change also carries implications for labor regulations. In countries like Poland, workers on night shifts may experience extended working hours, which may entitle them to overtime pay under local labor laws.

Entities

Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk · European Commission · European Parliament · European Union · Poland

Claims

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

[○ 1 SOURCE] The time change is based on a regulation by the Prime Minister regarding the introduction and abolition of Central European Summer Time for 2022-2026. biznes.interia.pl
[● 3 SOURCES] The transition to winter time in 2026 will occur on the night of October 25, when clocks move from 3:00 to 2:00. biznes.interia.pl · www.gazetaprawna.pl
[● 2 SOURCES] The Labor Code governs overtime pay for employees whose shifts are extended due to the time change. biznes.interia.pl · www.gazetaprawna.pl
[● 2 SOURCES] European discussions regarding the abolition of seasonal time changes have reached a standstill due to economic and geopolitical challenges. www.gazetaprawna.pl
[○ 1 SOURCE] Because the time change in Poland occurs on a Sunday night, overtime hours may be compensated at a 100 percent rate. biznes.interia.pl
[○ 1 SOURCE] The next scheduled time change will occur on March 28, 2027, when clocks move forward one hour. cretaone.gr
[● 2 SOURCES] Clocks in Greece will move back one hour on Sunday, October 25, 2026. cretaone.gr · www.thebest.gr
[● 2 SOURCES] The time change will occur at 04:00, resetting the clocks to 03:00. cretaone.gr · www.thebest.gr
[● 2 SOURCES] The European Commission proposed ending seasonal time changes in 2018, but no final decision has been implemented. cretaone.gr · www.thebest.gr