Europe's Daylight Savings Starts Earlier Than Usual in 2026
Daylight savings time will begin earlier than usual in 2026. On Sunday, March 29, clocks across Europe will move forward by one hour. This change comes a day sooner than last year's switch, following the shifting calendar pattern.
The start of daylight savings time always falls on the last Sunday in March. In 2026, this date lands on March 29, slightly earlier than the previous year. The earliest possible start date, March 25, last occurred in 2018 and will return in 2029.
Many modern devices adjust automatically if their auto-update function is active. PCs, smartphones, and radio-controlled clocks handle the change without user input. However, manual adjustments remain necessary for wristwatches, household appliances, alarm systems, and security systems.
The return to standard time in 2026 will happen on Sunday, October 25—the earliest possible end date for daylight savings time. Despite ongoing discussions, no EU member state has yet chosen to permanently adopt summer time or abolish the seasonal switch. A 2019 EU proposal to end time changes by 2021 was delayed due to COVID-19 and a lack of agreement among the 27 countries. Nations like France and Germany continue to follow the biannual schedule.
The 2026 time changes will follow the usual pattern, though slightly earlier than in recent years. Automatic updates will simplify the process for many, but some devices will still need manual correction. For now, the EU's seasonal clock adjustments remain in place, with no permanent changes confirmed.
