Europe and UK transition to winter time

Most European countries and the United Kingdom transitioned from summer time to standard time on Sunday, 25 October 2026. In the UK, clocks moved back one hour at 2:00 AM, marking the end of British Summer Time (BST) and the return to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

The seasonal shift, which provides an extra hour of sleep in autumn, has historical roots in fuel-saving measures introduced during the First World War. In Britain, the practice was championed by builder William Willett to maximize daylight usage.

While the transition is largely automated for modern electronic devices, experts continue to debate the necessity of seasonal changes. Health researchers have noted that while the shift can affect circadian rhythms and sleep patterns, studies on the direct health impacts of autumn versus spring transitions show varying results. In some regions, such as Germany, the transition is managed by national metrology institutes to ensure precision across radio-controlled and industrial clocks.