Spain and Portugal to transition to winter time on October 25

Spain and Portugal will transition to winter time during the early hours of Sunday, October 25, 2026. In mainland Spain and Portugal, clocks will be set back one hour at 03:00, while the Canary Islands will adjust at 02:00. This seasonal change aims to align daily activities with natural light availability, though it continues to spark debate regarding its necessity and impact on health.

Experts have raised concerns about the biological effects of the shift. Sleep specialists note that the body's circadian rhythm does not adjust instantly to clock changes, which can lead to fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and disrupted sleep patterns for humans, adolescents, and even pets. To mitigate these effects, specialists recommend a gradual adjustment of sleep schedules in the days leading up to the change.

While the practice was historically intended to save energy, recent studies suggest that modern energy savings from daylight saving time are negligible. Despite a 2019 European Parliament vote to end seasonal time changes, a lack of consensus among EU member states means the current system remains in effect. In Spain, the government has previously advocated for the abolition of the practice, citing health and lifestyle disruptions.