Portugal transitions to winter time

Portugal will transition to winter time during the early hours of Sunday, October 25. In mainland Portugal and Madeira, clocks will be set back one hour from 02:00 to 01:00, while in the Azores, the change occurs from 01:00 to 00:00.

Health experts and organizations, including the Portuguese Sleep Association and the Portuguese Society of Pulmonology, have issued guidance for sensitive groups. Children and the elderly are noted as being particularly affected by changes to circadian rhythms. Recommendations include a gradual adjustment of sleep schedules starting several days prior, maintaining consistent meal times, and seeking natural light in the morning to help reset internal biological clocks.

Research published in the Journal of Sleep Research suggests that the perceived extra hour of sleep is often less than expected, with participants averaging only 33 to 38 additional minutes of sleep during the transition. The current seasonal time change is regulated by a 2000 European directive, though proposals to end the practice have been discussed within the European Commission.