Daylight Saving ends (clocks back)

Daylight Saving ends in the Netherlands on the last Sunday of October.

This is when the clocks go back by one hour. In Dutch, this is usually called wintertijd, or winter time.

In 2026, the clocks go back on Sunday 25 October. At 03:00, the time changes back to 02:00. That means the hour between 02:00 and 03:00 happens twice. People get one extra hour that night.

The benefit is more daylight in the morning. The downside is that it gets dark earlier in the evening.

When do the clocks go back?

In the Netherlands, the clocks go back on the last Sunday of October.

The change happens during the night from Saturday to Sunday.

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

A simple way to remember it:

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

So in October, you gain one hour. In March, you lose one hour.

When does Daylight Saving end in 2026?

In 2026, Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday 25 October.

The exact change is:

03:00 becomes 02:00

This moves the Netherlands from Central European Summer Time, or CEST, back to Central European Time, or CET. Government.nl confirms that on Sunday 25 October 2026 at 03:00, the clock goes back one hour for winter time.

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

Do you gain or lose an hour?

When Daylight Saving ends, you gain one hour.

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

This is why the October clock change often feels easier than the March change. You get an extra hour of sleep.

But it also means evenings become darker much earlier. For many people, that is the harder part.

October means one hour more sleep.

Do phones and laptops change automatically?

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

This works if automatic time zone settings are turned on.

Manual clocks still need attention. Wall clocks, ovens, microwaves, car clocks and older watches often need to be changed by hand.

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

What is winter time?

Winter time is the standard time used in the Netherlands after the October clock change.

In Dutch, it is called wintertijd.

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

During summer time, the Netherlands uses CEST, or Central European Summer Time. This is UTC+2.

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

Why do the clocks change?

The Netherlands changes clocks because of the European summer time system.

Government.nl explains that the Netherlands introduced summer time in 1977 to align with neighbouring countries, and that summer time and winter time are agreed at EU level. In almost all European countries, the clock goes forward in March and back in October.

The idea is to make better use of daylight during the summer months. In summer, evenings stay lighter for longer.

In winter, the clock returns to standard time, which gives more daylight in the morning.

What changes after the clocks go back?

The most noticeable change is the evening darkness.

Sunrise and sunset both shift earlier by about one hour. Timeanddate notes that after the October clock change, sunrise and sunset are about one hour earlier than the day before.

That means mornings feel lighter for a while. But evenings become darker sooner.

For people who work indoors, this can make winter feel sudden. You may leave work or school in the dark.

Are trains and flights affected?

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

For most people, there is no major problem because the change happens at night. But travel around the changeover hour can be confusing.

Night trains, night buses, airport transfers and international trips may use adjusted timetables.

If you travel late on Saturday night or very early on Sunday morning, check your schedule carefully.

Does the whole Netherlands change time?

The European Netherlands changes time.

This includes Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Eindhoven, Groningen, Maastricht and the rest of the mainland Netherlands.

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

For most readers 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 seasonal clock changes has been debated in the European Union for years.

The European Parliament voted in 2019 to support ending the twice-yearly clock change. But EU countries have not agreed on a final coordinated system, so the 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

• Enjoy the extra hour, but keep your sleep routine steady.
• Check manual clocks on Sunday morning.
• Set important alarms on more than one device if you have early plans.
• Be careful with travel around the changeover hour.
• Expect darker evenings from Sunday onward.
• Use morning daylight if you can. A walk or bike ride early in the day can help your rhythm.
• Remember: October means one hour more sleep.

Why this day matters

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

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

It also marks the real start of the darker part of the year.

The clock change is small. The feeling is not. In the Netherlands, the early evening darkness arrives quickly after winter time begins.

Frequently asked questions