Greece Winter Time 2026: When Clocks Go Back in October
Greece is set to return to winter time at the end of October 2026, turning clocks back by one hour and providing an extra hour of sleep.
- Greece switches to winter time on Sunday, 25 October 2026.
- Clocks move back from 4 a.m. to 3 a.m. that morning.
- Most digital devices update automatically, while analogue clocks need manual adjustment.
If you are traveling to Greece or booking flights around late October, check your departure times carefully against the new local time. Ensure your smartphone is set to update automatically to avoid any confusion with schedules or transport connections.
When Do Clocks Change in Greece?
Greece will officially return to winter time on Sunday, 25 October 2026. At 4 a.m. on that morning, clocks must be set back by one hour to 3 a.m., giving everyone an extra hour of sleep. This seasonal adjustment follows current European regulations, shifting Greece from Eastern European Summer Time (UTC+3) back to winter time (UTC+2).
How to Update Your Devices
Most modern smartphones, computers, and tablets will update their time automatically as long as the automatic time setting is enabled. However, traditional analogue clocks, wall clocks, and any other non-syncing devices will need to be manually adjusted by hand.
Future of Seasonal Time Changes in the EU
Discussions regarding the abolition of seasonal clock changes across the European Union have been ongoing for years, yet the practice remains in place. In 2018, the European Commission proposed ending the twice-yearly shifts, and a subsequent public consultation showed strong public support for ending the practice. Although the European Parliament backed the abolition in March 2019, the Council of the European Union has not reached a final decision.
Until a new agreement is reached among member states, the directive requiring switches on the last Sunday of March and the last Sunday of October continues to apply, keeping energy saving and daylight optimization as standard practice across participating nations.
