Twice a year, something happens that noticeably disrupts our daily routines – yet affects only a single hour: the change to daylight saving time. In the night of March 28th to 29th, 2026, it will happen again. Most European countries will then switch from winter time to summer time, moving the clock forward by one hour – from 2:00 AM to 3:00 AM.
The first time change of the year in Germany always takes place on the last Sunday in March. On this day, winter time ends – and with it, the actual normal time. Summer time is merely a legally established advancement of normal time by one hour – with the unpopular consequence that the alarm clock will ring an hour earlier from now on.
Fortunately, most clocks no longer need to be adjusted manually: smartphones, computers, and radio-controlled clocks usually adjust automatically. Only analog wristwatches, kitchen clocks, or wall clocks still require manual adjustment.
Before or Back? Mnemonics for the Time Change
Many people struggle with the question of “forward or back” every year. Simple memory aids can aid:
- The rhyme “Im Winter hinter” (In winter behind) reminds us that the clock is turned back one hour in autumn.
- Or consider of a thermostat: in spring, you turn it up (the clock goes forward), in winter, you turn it down (the clock goes back).
- The comparison of the seasons also helps: in spring, the garden chairs are put out – the clock is put forward. In winter, you put them back – and so does the time.
Summer Time 2026: Where Will the Clock Be Turned?
Even as most countries in Europe adhere to the time change, some states have long since abandoned it. Russia, China, or Japan no longer adjust their clocks. The United States has also been discussing abolishing it for years, but the states are divided.
In the EU, the time change was actually supposed to be abolished in 2021 – as proposed by the EU Commission after a widely noticed citizen survey. However, member states have so far been unable to agree on which time should apply permanently: summer or winter time. The decision remains on hold.
How the Time Change Affects Our Bodies
One hour may not sound like much – but for the internal clock, It’s a disruption. The human organism follows a finely tuned circadian rhythm, controlled by light and darkness. When the time suddenly “jumps,” it can temporarily lead to sleep problems, fatigue, or difficulty concentrating.
Children and older people, whose biological rhythms are less flexible, may be particularly sensitive. Studies show that more traffic accidents occur and the risk of heart attack slightly increases in the days following the change.
To support the body, chronobiologists recommend simple measures: light in the morning, regular sleep times, and a gradual adjustment of bedtimes help to gain used to summer time faster.
Why Does Daylight Saving Time Exist at All?
Originally, it was introduced for a simple reason: to save energy. The German Reich first introduced daylight saving time on April 30, 1916, during the First World War – together with Austria-Hungary. The goal was to save coal by making better leverage of daylight.
After several abolitions and reintroductions, Germany returned to daylight saving time in 1980 – in the hope of consuming less electricity through longer evenings. However, modern studies show that the savings are minimal, and additional heating costs sometimes offset the effects.
Today, proponents primarily argue for the recreational value of daylight saving time: longer evenings, more daylight after work. Opponents, however, emphasize the health burdens and the technical problems that the semi-annual intervention in time brings with it.
Abolishing Daylight Saving Time?
Whether the time change in 2026 will be one of the last of its kind is open. Many experts advocate for an end – but which time should remain is highly controversial.
- Permanent summer time: more light in the evening, but a permanent shift in the natural rhythm
- Permanent winter time: better agreement with the biological clock, but earlier sunsets
What would happen if daylight saving time were abolished? Studies show that everyday life would adjust in the long term – school and work hours as well as leisure activities would shift. However, a societal consensus on which time model is “more natural” is still a long way off.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the time change happen in 2026?
The time change will occur in the night of March 28th to 29th, 2026, when clocks will be moved forward one hour.
Which countries have already abolished daylight saving time?
Russia, China, and Japan no longer adjust their clocks.
What are some ways to adjust to the time change?
Chronobiologists recommend getting light in the morning, maintaining regular sleep times, and gradually adjusting bedtimes.
How do you feel about the possibility of permanently abolishing daylight saving time?
