Daylight Saving Time 2026 — Europe

The European Union observes summer time from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October. In 2026, clocks spring forward on March 29 and fall back on October 25. The UK follows the same schedule.

2026 DST Dates

Clocks Spring Forward
March 29, 2026
Last Sunday in March — clocks spring forward 1 hour at 1:00 AM UTC
Clocks Fall Back
October 25, 2026
Last Sunday in October — clocks fall back 1 hour at 1:00 AM UTC
Rule: Last Sunday in March → Last Sunday in October (EU Directive 2000/84/EC)

Daylight Saving Time in Europe — Details

European time zones during DST (summer time)

During summer time: Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2) covers Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, and most of central Europe. Eastern European Summer Time (EEST, UTC+3) covers Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Finland, and the Baltic states. Western European Summer Time (WEST, UTC+1) covers Portugal and the Canary Islands.

Will the EU abolish Daylight Saving Time?

In 2019 the European Parliament voted to end seasonal clock changes, with member states choosing to remain permanently on summer or winter time. However, no final agreement between member states has been reached as of 2026. The EU continues to observe clock changes twice per year.

Which European countries do not observe DST?

Iceland, Belarus, Russia, and Turkey do not observe Daylight Saving Time and remain on a fixed UTC offset year-round. These countries are not EU member states. Within the EU all member states currently observe DST.

How does European summer time affect calls with the US?

The US (EST) springs forward on March 8, three weeks before Europe (March 29). During these three weeks (March 8–28) the time difference between New York and London is temporarily 4h instead of 5h, and between New York and Berlin is 5h instead of 6h.

Frequently Asked Questions — DST Europe 2026

When do clocks change in Europe in 2026?
EU clocks spring forward on March 29, 2026 at 1:00 AM UTC, and fall back on October 25, 2026 at 1:00 AM UTC.
What time zone is Germany in during summer?
Germany is in Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2) from March 29 to October 25, 2026. Outside this period it is on CET (UTC+1).
What time zone is France in during summer?
France uses Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2) in summer (March 29 – October 25, 2026) and Central European Time (CET, UTC+1) in winter.
Does Russia observe daylight saving time?
No. Russia abolished DST in 2014 and now stays on standard time year-round. Moscow is permanently on UTC+3.
Is European DST the same date as UK DST?
Yes. Both the EU and the UK change clocks on the last Sunday of March and the last Sunday of October. In 2026: March 29 (forward) and October 25 (back).
DST dates sourced from IANA Time Zone Database and official government announcements.