By Bill Giannopoulos
Greece will switch to winter time in the early hours of Sunday, October 25, 2026, when clocks go back one hour and residents gain an extra hour of sleep.
At 4:00 am, clocks across Greece will move back to 3:00 am, ending daylight saving time and returning to standard time. The change means Sunday will effectively have an extra hour.
The seasonal adjustment follows the European Union’s existing rules, which require clocks to move forward in spring and back in autumn.
Why Do Clocks Change in Greece?
EU Directive 2000/84/EC governs the seasonal time change and sets common arrangements for summer time across member states.
The system moves clocks forward by one hour on the last Sunday of March and back by one hour on the last Sunday of October. The aim is to make better use of available daylight during different parts of the year.
Although the European Commission proposed ending the twice-yearly clock changes in 2018, EU member states have not reached a final decision. The current system therefore remains in force. Source
The History of Daylight Saving Time in Greece
Greece first experimented with daylight saving time in 1932, when clocks were moved forward during the summer months. European countries later reintroduced the practice as they looked for ways to manage energy consumption.
The modern system became part of everyday life in Greece during the 1970s, amid the energy crisis that encouraged countries to reconsider how they used daylight.
Across Europe, the practice has roots in the First World War, when Germany introduced seasonal clock changes in 1916 to conserve energy resources.
How the Time Change Affects Daily Life
The shift to winter time brings more daylight into the morning hours but means the sun sets earlier in the evening.
For some people, the extra hour of sleep is welcome. Others find the change disruptive, as their sleeping patterns, daily routines and body clocks adjust to the new schedule.
The impact of seasonal clock changes continues to fuel debate over whether Europe should maintain the current system or adopt a permanent time arrangement.
Will the Clocks Change Again in 2027?
Under the current EU system, Greece is scheduled to move back to standard time on Sunday, March 28, 2027, when clocks will move forward by one hour.
For now, residents should remember to set manual clocks back one hour before going to bed on Saturday night, October 24. Smartphones and other internet-connected devices will generally update automatically if their date, time and time-zone settings are configured correctly.
Source: Greek Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport; Council of the European Union.
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