Daylight saving time 2026

01

Winter time 2026

Sunday, 25 October 2026

On Sunday, 25 October 2026, clocks move back one hour at 3:00 AM to 2:00 AM.

That day is 25 hours long.

Winter time, or standard time, is the time observed outside of the summer period. The seasonal clock change was coordinated across Europe in 1996 to avoid cross-border confusion. The European Parliament voted in 2019 to abolish the clock change, but implementation has been postponed indefinitely.

Practical tips

You gain an hour of sleep, but it gets dark earlier in the evening. Adjust analogue clocks, ovens and car clocks manually. Public transport runs an adjusted schedule that night. Make a point of getting extra daylight in the days that follow.

Upcoming dates for Winter time

DateDay
2026Sunday, 25 October 2026
2027Sunday, 31 October 2027
2028Sunday, 29 October 2028
2029Sunday, 28 October 2029
2030Sunday, 27 October 2030
02

Summer time 2026

Sunday, 29 March 2026

On Sunday, 29 March 2026, clocks move forward one hour at 2:00 AM to 3:00 AM.

That day is only 23 hours long.

Daylight saving time was first introduced in Europe during the First World War as an energy-saving measure. The practice was standardised across the European Union in 1996, with all member states changing their clocks on the same date. The European Parliament voted in 2019 to abolish the seasonal clock change, but implementation has been postponed indefinitely.

Practical tips

Go to bed a little earlier the night before to offset the lost hour. Smartphones and laptops adjust automatically, but analogue clocks, ovens and car clocks need to be changed manually. Public transport runs an adjusted schedule that night.

Upcoming dates for Summer time

DateDay
2026Sunday, 29 March 2026
2027Sunday, 28 March 2027
2028Sunday, 26 March 2028
2029Sunday, 25 March 2029
2030Sunday, 31 March 2030
03

Frequently asked questions

Do the clocks go forward or back?
In March, clocks go forward one hour (from 2:00 to 3:00 AM). In October, clocks go back one hour (from 3:00 to 2:00 AM). A handy way to remember: spring forward, fall back.
Is the clock change being abolished?
The European Parliament voted for abolition in 2019, but EU member states could not agree on which time to keep permanently. Implementation has been postponed indefinitely.
Do my devices adjust automatically?
Smartphones, tablets, laptops and smart TVs adjust automatically. Analogue clocks, ovens, microwaves, car clocks and bike computers need to be changed manually.
What about public transport?
NMBS/SNCB, De Lijn, MIVB/STIB and TEC adjust their schedules on the night of the clock change. Night buses and trains may run earlier or later. Check the live schedule on the evening of the change.

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