Tonight, some will sleep an hour more, as in the early hours of Sunday, 26 October 2025 takes place on change of time with the hands of the clocks turning back an hour.
So in the established time change on the last Sunday of October, at 04:00 in the morning the hands will show 03:00, but the day now seems even shorter to us, which marks the beginning of the winter season.
“We remind you that, on Sunday, October 26, 2025, the application of the summer time measure expires, in accordance with Directive 2000/84 of the European Parliament and of the Council of EE19/01/2001, regarding the summer time provisions. The hands of the clocks must be moved back one hour, ie from 04:00 AM. at 03:00 am.” refers to a relevant announcement of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.
Why is the time change on Sunday?
The time change is chosen to always be applied on a Sunday, so as to limit upheavals in everyday life. Scientists emphasize that the change affects the biological rhythm and causes temporary confusion in the body, which is why it is considered easier to adapt when there are no intense work or school obligations.
As for the measure to change the time, this was taken in the 1970s, immediately after the energy crisis of 1973. The aim was to save energy, as the use of natural light reduced the need for artificial lighting. Greece, like most European countries, followed the same practice.
The European Union has been debating an end to the time change since 2018, with the European Parliament and the European Commission proposing to end the practice, but no implementation yet on the controversial issue.
Winter time will be in effect until the last Sunday of March, when we will turn our clocks forward one hour.
Any clocks that are connected to the internet, e.g. on mobiles, tablets, etc., will do the process automatically, but be careful to turn any clocks that need to be changed manually.