Abolition of clock changes: The European Parliament has made a decision

 

It’s that time again when millions of Europeans are asking the same question: Is this the last time we turn back the clock?

Although EU decision-makers have been pushing for the abolition of daylight saving time for years, in 2026 we are still at a point where the political debate seems to be moving faster than time – but the solution is just not coming.

What Did the European Parliament Decide?

In March 2019, the European Parliament voted by a large majority – 410 votes to 192 – to scrap the practice of moving clocks forward by an hour in spring and back again in the autumn.

Under the plan:
– EU countries would stop changing the clocks from 2021
– Each member state would be free to decide whether to stay permanently on Summer Time (Daylight Saving Time) or on Standard Time (Winter Time)
– Countries choosing permanent Summer Time would change clocks for the last time on the last Sunday of March 2021
– Countries choosing permanent Winter Time would change clocks for the last time on the last Sunday of October 2021

Why Did They Want to Abolish It?

1. Public Opinion
In 2018, the European Commission held an online public consultation. 4.6 million people participated – the largest in EU history. 84% voted in favor of ending the time shifts.

2. Health Reasons
Scientific studies link time changes to disruption of biological cycles, sleep problems, fatigue, and increased risk of cardiovascular problems, heart attacks, and accidents in the days after the change.

3. No Energy Savings Anymore
The original reason for daylight saving time was to save energy during World War I and the 1970s oil crisis. Today, with modern technology, LED lighting, and different lifestyles, studies show the energy savings are minimal or zero.

Why Has It Still Not Happened?

The Parliament’s vote was NOT the final law. It was only the Parliament’s position.

To become law, it also needs approval from the Council of the European Union – the governments of all member states.

And there, the proposal has been stuck since 2019 because:

– Countries cannot agree on which time to keep permanently. Some want permanent Summer Time, others want permanent Winter Time.
– Fear of a patchwork of time zones: If neighboring countries choose different permanent times, it would create chaos for business, transport, and travel in the single market.
– The COVID pandemic and other crises pushed the issue off the agenda.
– The European Commission has launched a new study into the impacts, but there is still no agreement.

Clock Change 2026: When Should the Clocks Be Changed?

Unless there is a lightning-fast political turnaround, the usual schedule will remain in 2026.

This means:
– Clocks go forward 1 hour on the last Sunday of March – Summer Time begins
– Clocks go back 1 hour on the last Sunday of October – Winter Time begins

In 2026, clocks go back on Sunday, October 25, 2026 at 01:00 UTC. You get an extra hour of sleep.

What Would Happen If Abolition Finally Happens?

– If a country chooses permanent Summer Time: Later sunrises in winter (around 8:45 in Warsaw, 9:15 in Szczecin) but longer, brighter afternoons.
– If a country chooses permanent Winter Time: Earlier sunrises in winter, but it gets dark very early in the afternoon.

This is the main reason for the deadlock – there is no perfect choice for everyone.

Conclusion

The European Parliament has decided: the clock change should be abolished. The majority of Europeans want it abolished.

But until the member states in the Council agree on a common solution, Europeans will continue to change their clocks twice a year.

So for now – don’t forget to set your clock back on October 25, 2026.