Overview
- Germany will move clocks from 3:00 to 2:00 on the night of 25 October 2026, returning to Central European Standard Time.
- An EU-wide end to twice-yearly changes remains stalled after a 2018 Commission poll showed strong public support to stop the practice and the European Parliament voted in 2019 for reform.
- Scientists say the change can briefly disturb the body's circadian rhythm by shifting melatonin release and causing a 'mini-jetlag', with the spring forward usually harder to bear than the autumn backshift.
- Surveys find large majorities of Germans oppose the twice-yearly switch and some groups report worse effects, notably women and people who keep late sleep schedules.
- To ease adjustment, experts recommend small schedule shifts before the change, morning light exposure, fixed bedtimes, avoiding snooze buttons, and cutting heavy meals and stimulating media before sleep.