Daylight Saving begins (clocks forward)

Daylight Saving begins in the Netherlands on the last Sunday of March.

This is when the clocks go forward by one hour. In Dutch, this is usually called zomertijd, or summer time.

In 2026, the clocks went forward on Sunday 29 March. At 02:00, the time jumped directly to 03:00. That means the hour between 02:00 and 03:00 did not happen. People lost one hour of sleep that night.

The benefit is more daylight in the evening. The downside is a darker morning and a shorter night.

When do the clocks go forward?

In the Netherlands, the clocks go forward on the last Sunday of March.

The change happens during the night from Saturday to Sunday.

At 02:00, the clock moves forward to 03:00.

A simple way to remember it:

• In spring, the clocks go forward.
• In autumn, the clocks go back.

So in March, you lose one hour. In October, you get one hour back.

When did Daylight Saving begin in 2026?

In 2026, Daylight Saving Time began on Sunday 29 March.

The exact change was:

02:00 became 03:00

This moved the Netherlands from Central European Time, or CET, to Central European Summer Time, or CEST. Timeanddate lists this as the 2026 start of Daylight Saving Time in the Netherlands.

After the change, the Netherlands was on UTC+2 instead of UTC+1.

Do you lose or gain an hour?

When Daylight Saving begins, you lose one hour.

If you go to bed at midnight and wake up at 08:00 by the clock, your body only had seven hours instead of eight.

This is why many people feel tired after the March clock change. The evening gets lighter, but the first morning can feel rough.

The October clock change is the opposite. Then the clocks go back and you gain one hour.

March means one hour less sleep.

Do phones and laptops change automatically?

Yes, most modern phones, laptops, tablets and smartwatches update automatically.

This works if your device has automatic time zone settings turned on.

Still, it is smart to check important clocks manually. Wall clocks, ovens, microwaves, car clocks and older watches often need to be changed by hand.

If you have an early train, flight, exam or work shift on the Sunday morning, check the time twice.

Why does the Netherlands use Daylight Saving Time?

The idea behind Daylight Saving Time is to move more daylight into the evening.

Government.nl explains that when summer time starts, it gets light an hour later in the morning and dark an hour later in the evening.

That can make evenings feel longer. People have more daylight after work or school. Parks, terraces and outdoor activities become more attractive.

But not everyone likes the system. Some people find the clock change bad for sleep, health and daily rhythm.

What is the Dutch word for Daylight Saving Time?

The Dutch word is zomertijd.

It literally means summer time.

The opposite is wintertijd, or winter time. Winter time is the standard time used after the clocks go back in October.

You may also hear:

• de klok gaat vooruit: the clock goes forward
• de klok gaat een uur vooruit: the clock goes forward one hour
• zomertijd gaat in: summer time begins

CET and CEST explained

The Netherlands uses two time settings during the year.

In winter, the Netherlands uses CET, or Central European Time. This is UTC+1.

In summer, after the March clock change, the Netherlands uses CEST, or Central European Summer Time. This is UTC+2.

So when Daylight Saving begins, the Netherlands moves from CET to CEST.

This is why the time difference with some countries changes for a few weeks. For example, Europe and North America do not always change clocks on the same date.

Are trains and flights affected?

Trains, flights and public transport systems plan around the clock change.

For most people, there is no major issue because the change happens at night. But if you travel late on Saturday night or very early on Sunday morning, check your schedule carefully.

Night trains, buses, airport transfers and international travel can be more confusing during the clock change.

If you have a flight on the morning after the clocks go forward, set more than one alarm.

Does the whole Netherlands change time?

The European Netherlands changes time.

This means Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Eindhoven, Groningen, Maastricht and the rest of the mainland Netherlands all move from CET to CEST.

The Caribbean Netherlands is different. Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba do not follow the same European clock change system.

For most readers living in the European Netherlands, the rule is simple: last Sunday of March forward, last Sunday of October back.

Is the EU going to stop clock changes?

The future of Daylight Saving Time has been debated in the European Union for years.

The European Parliament voted in 2019 to support ending seasonal clock changes, but the plan has not been fully implemented. EU countries have not agreed on a final coordinated approach, so the clock changes continue.

For now, the Netherlands still changes clocks twice a year.

Until official rules change, assume the March and October clock changes still apply.

Practical tips

• Go to bed a little earlier the night before if you can.
• Set important alarms on more than one device.
• Check manual clocks on Sunday morning.
• Be careful with early travel plans.
• Expect children and pets to need a few days to adjust.
• Use the lighter evenings for walks, cycling or outdoor plans.
• Remember: March means one hour less sleep.

Why this day matters

Daylight Saving begins is not a holiday. There are no public celebrations.

But it affects everyone’s daily rhythm. Work, school, sleep, travel and appointments all follow the new time from Sunday morning onward.

It is a small change on the clock, but it can make the start of spring feel real.

The mornings may be darker for a while. The evenings become lighter. And in the Netherlands, that extra evening daylight matters.

Frequently asked questions