25.10.2026 13:11
In most European countries, clocks were turned back one hour today with the switch to winter time. In Turkey, clocks did not change due to permanent daylight saving time, while the time difference between Germany and Turkey increased from one hour to two hours. While no common decision could be reached in initiatives to abolish the clock change in Europe, the next clock change will take place on March 28, 2027.
In most European countries, clocks were turned back one hour on Sunday, October 25, as winter time began. The change, implemented in many countries, including Germany, increased the time difference between Türkiye and Europe. In Türkiye, however, no change was made to clocks due to the permanent daylight saving time practice.
CLOCKS TURNED BACK ONE HOUR IN EUROPE
Winter time has begun in most European countries. In countries in the Central European Time Zone, including Germany, clocks were turned back one hour at 03:00 local time on Sunday, October 25, to 02:00.
As part of the clock change carried out on the last Sundays of March and October each year, European countries will switch back to daylight saving time in spring. The next change will take place on March 28, 2027, and clocks will be turned forward one hour.
TIME DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TÜRKİYE AND GERMANY RISES TO TWO HOURS
With the start of winter time in Europe, the time difference between Türkiye and Germany increased from one hour to two hours.
Türkiye ended seasonal clock changes by switching to permanent daylight saving time in 2016. Therefore, while clocks in Türkiye remain fixed throughout the year, they continue to be changed in spring and autumn in most European countries.
In Germany, under the practice in place since 1980, clocks are turned back one hour in autumn and forward one hour in spring.
CLOCK CHANGE CONTINUES TO BE DEBATED IN EUROPE
Daylight saving and winter time practices, which became widespread in Europe starting in the 1970s, have long remained a subject of debate.
Opponents of the practice argue that changing clocks twice a year can negatively affect sleep patterns and may cause various problems in daily life.
A broad participatory survey conducted by the European Commission in 2018 also revealed public objections to the clock change. In the survey, in which 4.6 million people from European Union countries participated, 84 percent of respondents wanted the clock change practice to end.
NO COMMON DECISION COULD BE REACHED IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
Following the survey results, the European Commission proposed abolishing seasonal clock changes in September 2018. The European Parliament also supported the proposal with 410 votes to 192.
However, the regulation could not be implemented because no common decision could be reached in the Council of the European Union, which represents the governments of member states.
Thus, while daylight saving and winter time practices continue in most European countries, Türkiye continues to use the same time zone throughout the year.