What Is Daylight Saving Time?
Daylight Saving Time is the practice of moving clocks forward by one hour during part of the year, usually in spring, and moving them back again in autumn. The goal is simple: to make better use of daylight during the warmer months.
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Summer time: Clocks are set one hour ahead of standard time
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Winter time: Clocks return to standard time
The phrase often used is:
This means:
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In spring, we lose one hour of sleep but gain lighter evenings
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In autumn, we gain one hour of sleep but evenings get darker earlier
Winter Time vs. Summer Time: What’s the Difference?
Winter Time (Standard Time)
Winter time is the normal, baseline time for a region. It reflects the natural position of the sun more accurately, with noon occurring close to when the sun is highest in the sky.
Key features of winter time:
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Mornings are lighter
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Evenings get dark earlier
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Better alignment with human circadian rhythms
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Often considered healthier by sleep experts
Winter time usually begins in autumn, when clocks are turned back one hour.
Summer Time (Daylight Saving Time)
Summer time is an artificial adjustment designed to extend daylight into the evening.
Key features of summer time:
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Brighter evenings
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Darker mornings
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One hour “lost” when clocks move forward
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Often associated with more outdoor activity and tourism
Summer time usually begins in spring, when clocks are turned forward one hour.
When Do We Change the Clocks?
The exact dates for changing clocks depend on where you live, as different regions follow different rules—or none at all.
Daylight Saving Time in Europe
Most European countries follow a unified system.
When Does Summer Time Start in Europe?
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Last Sunday in March
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Clocks move forward from 01:00 to 02:00 (UTC-based systems)
This marks the start of summer time, often referred to as Central European Summer Time (CEST) or equivalent.
