Daylight saving time 2024 begins March 29—here's what changes
Daylight saving time (DST) will begin on 29 March 2024 for around 70 countries worldwide. The change aims to extend evening daylight and reduce energy use, following long-standing EU regulations. However, not all nations will take part—some have abandoned the practice entirely. The shift to DST will apply to all EU member states, along with the UK, Switzerland, Norway, and several Balkan nations. Countries like Albania, Andorra, and Bosnia and Herzegovina will also move their clocks forward by one hour. The policy follows EU Directive 2000/84/EC, which standardises the timing of seasonal clock changes.
Most modern devices, including smartphones and computers, will update automatically. But manual adjustments will still be needed for analog clocks, car dashboards, and kitchen appliances like oven timers. Not every country is participating. Belarus has decided to remain on permanent standard time, meaning no time difference with neighbouring Kyiv, Vilnius, Riga, or Tallinn. Russia and many Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) nations have also abandoned seasonal clock changes in recent years. The current DST period will last until the last Sunday in October, when clocks will move back by one hour. After the switch, cities like Warsaw and Berlin will stay one hour ahead of regions that do not observe daylight saving.
The 29 March change will affect travel, scheduling, and daily routines across participating countries. Those in non-participating nations, such as Belarus, will experience temporary alignment with neighbours like Ukraine and the Baltics. The next clock adjustment will occur in late October, marking the return to standard time.
