On the last Sunday of October, Ukraine and European Union countries return to winter time. In 2026 this will happen on the night to Sunday, 25 October.
When and how
In Ukraine, clocks are turned back by one hour: at 04:00 summer time it becomes 03:00. So you get an extra hour of sleep.
In EU countries, the change takes place on the same day. Across Europe, the clock change happens on the night of the last Sunday of October.
What to do about your clocks
- Smartphones, tablets and computers usually adjust by themselves if automatic time detection is on.
- Wall clocks and wristwatches, car clocks, microwaves and cookers will need to be changed by hand.
- Check your alarms: they will go off at the new time.
How it affects your day
In the first days after the change, it gets dark earlier in Ukraine and mornings are lighter. Some people feel sleepy or have disrupted sleep for a few days. Go to bed a little earlier and do not change your routine abruptly.
Why the EU still changes the clocks
In 2019 the European Parliament backed the idea of abolishing seasonal clock changes, but the EU countries have still not adopted a final decision, because they have not agreed which time to keep permanently.
Public transport timetables in Kyiv are drawn up in local time, so the change does not affect them. Check carriers’ announcements on the eve of the change.
