Daylight saving time change 2026: When will the clock be set back to standard time? - WELT

The autumn clock change is easy to overlook until an alarm sounds at an odd time, the oven clock disagrees with your phone, or an early journey needs a second look. For the UK, the essential detail is straightforward: clocks go back one hour in the early hours of Sunday 25 October 2026.

At 2am British Summer Time (BST), the time returns to 1am Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Most connected devices should update by themselves, but it is worth checking alarms, heating controls and any travel plans because the hour from 1am to 2am occurs twice.

The UK clock change: date and time

British Summer Time ends on the last Sunday in October. In 2026, this is Sunday 25 October.

• At 2am BST, clocks go back to 1am GMT.
• The hour between 1am and 2am happens twice: first in BST, then in GMT.
• Mornings will be lighter earlier according to the clock.
• Evening darkness will arrive an hour earlier by the clock.

When BST ends, 2am becomes 1am: the clocks go back by one hour.

For most households, there is no need to stay awake for the change. You can alter manual clocks before bed on Saturday 24 October, or do it on Sunday morning.

Do other European countries change their clocks too?

Many European countries end summer time on the same date, although the displayed time differs between time zones. In countries using Central European Summer Time, including France, Germany and Spain, clocks go from 3am to 2am.

Ireland changes its clocks at the same time as the UK. Iceland stays on GMT throughout the year. Clock rules also vary elsewhere in the world, so do not assume that friends, family or colleagues overseas are making the same change.

Take particular care if you are:

• catching a flight, ferry, coach or train;
• arranging an international video call;
• working overnight;
• setting a timer for lighting, heating or security equipment;
• following an overseas live broadcast or event.

Tickets and booking confirmations normally give local times, but check directly with the operator if a journey crosses time zones or takes place overnight.

A simple way to remember: forward in spring, back in autumn

The familiar saying is “spring forward, fall back”. Although “autumn” is the usual word in the UK, the phrase remains a handy reminder: clocks move forward in spring and back in autumn.

You can also use a more British seasonal prompt:

1. Think of the garden

In spring, garden furniture comes out and the clocks move forward. In autumn, furniture goes back into the shed or garage, and the clocks go back too.

2. Think about daylight

After the October change, sunrise appears earlier on the clock. The trade-off is that it becomes dark earlier in the afternoon and evening.

3. Check a reliable device

If you are unsure, compare the time with a phone or computer set to the UK time zone. Do not rely solely on an old wall clock or a cooker display.

Which clocks need changing manually?

Many modern devices update automatically, provided their date, time-zone settings and connection are correct. These commonly include smartphones, tablets, computers, smart watches, smart speakers and internet-connected televisions.

Some devices still need attention:

• analogue watches and clocks;
• conventional alarm clocks;
• oven and microwave displays;
• battery-powered kitchen and wall clocks;
• some car clocks;
• older central-heating programmers;
• timers for garden lights, lamps and security systems.

A quick checklist for Saturday evening

1. Check alarms needed for work, school or an early journey.
2. Put back analogue and battery-powered clocks if convenient.
3. Review heating and hot-water programmes, particularly around waking time.
4. Check outdoor and security lighting, as dusk will arrive earlier by the clock.
5. Confirm overnight travel times with the operator.

Avoid changing a clock controlled by a workplace network, building-management system or supplier app unless it is your responsibility. A manual alteration may conflict with the system’s automatic update.

The repeated hour: why it matters

When the clocks go back, 1am to 2am occurs twice. For most people, that simply means an extra hour in bed. For overnight workers and anyone making time-sensitive plans, it can cause confusion.

Be especially clear where shifts, bookings or timed equipment are involved. Rather than saying “1.30am”, specify “1.30am BST” or “1.30am GMT” where needed. Digital systems often retain time-zone information in the background, but older equipment may not.

People working in care, hospitality, transport, security or other overnight roles should follow their employer’s arrangements for the repeated hour. If a prescribed medicine must be taken at exact intervals, follow the directions provided with it or ask a pharmacist or clinician for individual advice.

The extra hour is useful only when your alarm, travel plans and essential timers are all using the right time.

Making darker evenings safer and easier

The autumn change does not alter the amount of daylight; it changes when daylight appears on the clock. It can nevertheless make routines feel different, particularly when school runs, dog walks or commutes suddenly happen in lower light.

A little preparation can make the first week easier:

• keep bedtime and waking times reasonably consistent;
• get outdoors during daylight when practical;
• prepare bags, uniforms and lunches on Sunday evening;
• use lights and reflective items for evening walks or cycling where appropriate;
• check that outdoor lights work properly;
• clear wet leaves from paths, steps and entrances where it is safe to do so.

Autumn weather in the UK can bring rain, wind and early dusk. Take extra care when using ladders to adjust outdoor lighting or clear gutters: wait for dry, stable conditions, use suitable equipment and do not work at height alone.

Why the UK still changes the clocks

The UK uses BST from the last Sunday in March until the last Sunday in October. Moving the clock forward in the brighter months puts more daylight later in the evening.

The arrangement has been debated for many years. Some people value lighter spring and summer evenings for travel, leisure and outdoor activities. Others dislike the disruption to routines and question the practical benefits of changing clocks.

Whatever the wider debate, the established UK timetable remains in place for 2026: clocks go forward in March and back in October. The October change does not create or remove daylight; it simply changes how the daylight hours are shown on the clock.

Common mistakes to avoid

A few small checks prevent most problems:

• Assuming every device updates automatically: ovens, cars, alarm clocks and older programmers may not.
• Changing a smart device by hand: it may update automatically later and end up an hour wrong.
• Forgetting an early alarm: check it before bed, especially if it is an older model.
• Ignoring the repeated hour: use BST or GMT when arranging overnight work or meetings.
• Overlooking travel details: international tickets and connections may use a different local time.
• Leaving lighting timers unchanged: outdoor lights may come on an hour later than you expect after the clock change.

A practical plan for Sunday 25 October

Before bed on Saturday, check the alarms and timers that matter most. Let connected devices update automatically, but make sure they are set to the correct UK time zone. Put back manual clocks if you prefer not to do it in the morning.

On Sunday, compare key clocks with a reliable automatically updated device. Then take five minutes to check heating controls, outdoor lighting and the week ahead’s school, work and travel arrangements.

By Monday, the change should be little more than a quick household check - with the bonus of an extra hour overnight for many people.