World · Europe · 1 hr ago
Spain turns clocks back as debate over seasonal time changes continues
Spain turns clocks back to winter time on Sunday, October 25.
At 3 a.m., clocks go back to 2 a.m.
in most of Spain; in the Canary Islands, they go back at 2 a.m.
to 1 a.m.
The change gives people an extra hour overnight, but it also renews a debate about whether clocks should keep changing twice a year.
Supporters say the seasonal shift helps match daily life to changing daylight, while critics argue its energy savings are small and it can harm health and wellbeing.
Spain proposed ending the changes in 2026 in discussions with the European Union, but there has been no progress on a concrete plan.
Ending the system needs support from the EU Council, where member governments are represented; earlier efforts stalled over differences between countries.
Spanish experts remain divided, and the October change is expected to continue because no agreement to end the system has been reached.
Spain is due to turn clocks back one hour overnight from Saturday, October 24, to Sunday, October 25, 2026.
At 3:00 a.m. in mainland Spain, clocks will move back to 2:00 a.m.; in the Canary Islands, 2:00 a.m. will become 1:00 a.m.
The change has renewed debate over whether Spain should keep seasonal clock changes or use winter time all year.
Some physicists defend seasonal adjustments, while the Association for the Rationalisation of Spanish Timetables supports fixed winter time.
A European proposal to end the changes has made no progress, and the adjustment remains in place.
- Who
- People in Spain, as well as advocates and critics of seasonal clock changes.
- What
- Clocks are due to move back one hour as Spain returns to winter time. The change has renewed debate over whether seasonal adjustments should continue.
- When
- Overnight from Saturday, October 24, to Sunday, October 25, 2026.
- Where
- Spain. In mainland Spain, clocks move back at 3:00 a.m.; in the Canary Islands, they move back at 2:00 a.m.
- Why
- The seasonal change was intended to make better use of daylight and reduce electricity use. Its energy benefits and effects on health are disputed.
Physicists José María Martín Olalla and Jorge Mira Pérez
Association for the Rationalisation of Spanish Timetables (ARHOE)
Seasonal clock changes
Physicists José María Martín Olalla and Jorge Mira Pérez
The physicists defend keeping the seasonal adjustment; Mira Pérez says a country with seasons cannot do without both winter and summer time.
Association for the Rationalisation of Spanish Timetables (ARHOE)
ARHOE advocates keeping winter time fixed throughout the year.
Fixed time year-round
Physicists José María Martín Olalla and Jorge Mira Pérez
Mira Pérez argues that fixed winter time would bring very early sunrises in parts of Spain, while fixed summer time would mean very late sunrises.
Association for the Rationalisation of Spanish Timetables (ARHOE)
ARHOE supports ending seasonal changes in favour of permanent winter time.
The European Commission's proposal to let each country choose whether to keep seasonal changes was set aside amid differences between European capitals.
Spain's government brought a proposal to EU ministers to end seasonal clock changes in 2026, but no progress followed.
Spain is due to turn clocks back one hour and return to winter time.
- Mainland Spain clock change
- 3:00 a.m. becomes 2:00 a.m.
- Canary Islands clock change
- 2:00 a.m. becomes 1:00 a.m.
- Date
- Overnight from October 24 to 25, 2026
- Winter-time debate
- ARHOE advocates keeping winter time fixed year-round.
- EU proposal
- Spain proposed ending seasonal changes in 2026.
3 sources
What people are saying
The seasonal time change is, above all, a mechanism of social regulation
You can't have a fixed option
unnecessary complications