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EU Clock Change This Weekend as Spain Revives Push to End the Switch

Spain plans to seek EU approval to scrap the biannual change from 2026, with member states still divided on a permanent time.

Overview

  • Clocks move back one hour from 3:00 to 2:00 in the night of October 25–26, returning to standard time across Germany and most of the EU.
  • Most phones, computers and radio‑controlled clocks update automatically via the Physikalisch‑Technische Bundesanstalt signal; many analog clocks and some car systems still need manual adjustment.
  • The European Parliament backed ending the twice‑yearly change in 2019, but the plan is stalled because governments have not agreed on permanent summer versus permanent standard time.
  • Official analyses report no clear net energy savings from clock changes, while sleep experts warn of disruptions and recommend permanent standard time for health reasons.
  • Alternatives under discussion include a half‑hour compromise and redrawing time zones, yet no shared assessment or EU‑level consensus has emerged.