View source for Summer time in Europe

{{short description|Variation of standard clock time}}
{{use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Time zones of Europe}}
'''Summer time in Europe''' is the variation of standard clock time that is applied in most [[Europe]]an countries (apart from [[Iceland]], [[Belarus]], [[Turkey]] and [[Russia]]) in the period between spring and autumn, during which clocks are advanced by one hour from the time observed in the rest of the year, with a view to making the most efficient use of seasonal daylight. It corresponds to the notion and practice of [[daylight saving time]] (DST) to be found in some other parts of the world.

In all locations in Europe where summer time is observed (the [[EU]], [[EFTA]] and associated countries), '''European Summer Time''' begins at 01:00 [[UTC]]/[[Western European Time|WET]] (02:00 [[Central European Time|CET]], 03:00 [[Eastern European Time|EET]]) on the last Sunday in March (between 25 and 31 March) and ends at 01:00 UTC (02:00 [[Western European Summer Time|WEST]], 03:00 [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]], 04:00 [[Eastern European Summer Time|EEST]]) on the last Sunday in October (between 25 and 31 October) each year; i.e. the change is made at the same absolute time across all time zones. [[European Union Directive]] 2000/84/EC makes the observance of summer time mandatory for EU member states (except overseas territories). A proposal to repeal this directive and require that member states observe their own choice{{notetag|The choice should be either summer or winter time of their current time zone; however, this is not obligatory, so a new time zone could be chosen as well.}} year-round is currently going through the legislative process {{As of|July 2020|lc=y}}, but has not seen progress since October 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lawson |first1=Patrick |title=The plan to abolish the time change is "completely blocked" at European level, says specialist in European issues |url=https://www.geads.co.uk/2020/10/25/the-plan-to-remove-the-time-change-is-completely-blocked-at-european-level-says-specialist-in-european-issues/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210212075621/https://www.geads.co.uk/2020/10/25/the-plan-to-remove-the-time-change-is-completely-blocked-at-european-level-says-specialist-in-european-issues/|work=Geads News |date=18 November 2020|archive-date=12 February 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Summer time lasts 30 weeks in years when the last Sunday in March is after the 28th; otherwise, it is 31 weeks.

==History==
Summer Time was first introduced during the [[First World War]]. However, most countries discontinued the practice after the war. It was then restarted in various countries during the [[Second World War]] and its immediate aftermath. Again it was widely cancelled by the 1950s, but reintroduced in isolated cases until the late 1960s, when the [[1970s energy crisis|energy crisis of the late 1960s and early 1970s]] began to prompt policymakers to reintroduce Summer Time across the continent. It has remained in place in most European countries since then.

Historically, the countries of Europe had different practices for observing Summer Time, but this hindered coordination of transport, communications, and movements. Starting in 1981 the [[European Commission]] began issuing [[European Union directive|directives]] requiring member states to legislate harmonised start and end dates for Summer Time.<ref name=Report>{{CELEX|52007DC0739|text=Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee under Article 5 of Directive 2000/84/EC on summer-time arrangements}}</ref>

Since 1981, each directive has specified a transition time of 01:00 UTC and a start date of the last Sunday in March, but the end dates have differed. Successive Directives laid down two dates for the end: one on the last Sunday in September applied by the continental Member States, and the other on the fourth Sunday in October for the United Kingdom and Ireland.<ref name=Report/> In 1996 the end date was changed to the fourth Sunday in October for all countries.<ref>{{cite web|title=European Commission - Mobility and Transport: Summertime|url=https://ec.europa.eu/transport/summertime_en.htm|date=24 October 2014}}</ref> In 1998 the end date was changed to the last Sunday in October; this happened to be the same as the previous rule for 1996 and 1997.<ref>{{cite web|title=History of legal time in Britain|author=Joseph Myers|url=http://www.srcf.ucam.org/~jsm28/british-time/|date=21 January 2007|access-date=24 March 2007}}</ref> The ninth directive, Directive 2000/84/EC, issued January 2001, specifies this rule and remains in force.<ref name=EC>{{CELEX|32000L0084|text=Directive 2000/84/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 January 2001 on summer-time arrangements}}</ref>

==Future==
There were proposals in 2015 and 2016 from members of the [[European Parliament]] to abolish summer time observance, but the [[European Commission]] did not at that time put forward proposals to be considered, saying it had not found conclusive evidence in favour of a change, and [[Member State of the European Union|member states]] were divided. It did, however, note that a cost would be incurred if harmonisation between member states' summer time rules was lost.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://epthinktank.eu/2016/03/24/summertime-changing-the-clocks/|title=Summertime: changing the clocks|date=24 March 2016|website=epthinktank.eu}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeanddate.com/news/time/eu-dst-discussions.html|title=EU Politicians Speak Up to Remove DST|website=www.timeanddate.com}}</ref> In 2017 the Finnish and Lithuanian parliaments both voted in favour of proposals calling on the EU to reconsider daylight saving, with similar criticism from Poland and Sweden. The European Commission at the time was reviewing the practice.<ref>[https://www.euractiv.com/section/health-consumers/news/finland-wants-eu-to-give-up-daylight-saving-time/ Finland wants EU to give up daylight saving time], Euractiv 27/10/17</ref><ref>[https://www.euractiv.com/section/health-consumers/news/lithuania-hopes-to-kill-daylight-savings-time/ Lithuania hopes to kill daylight savings time], Euractiv 22/11/17</ref>

On 8 February 2018, the European Parliament voted to ask the European Commission to re-evaluate DST in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeanddate.com/news/time/eu-parliament-abolish-dst.html|title=EU Parliament Votes to Re-Evaluate DST in Europe|website=www.timeanddate.com}}</ref> After a web survey, that ran from 4 July to 16 August 2018, in which 4.6 million European citizens participated, showed high support for not switching clocks twice annually,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-18-5302_en.htm|title=European Commission - PRESS RELEASES - Press release - Summertime Consultation: 84% want Europe to stop changing the clock|website=europa.eu}}</ref> on 12 September 2018 the European Commission decided to propose that an end be put to seasonal clock changes (repealing Directive 2000/84/EC).<ref>[https://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-18-5641_en.htm State of the Union 2018: Q&A on the Commission's proposal to put an end to seasonal clock changes] European Commission − Press Release (Strasbourg, 12 September 2018)</ref> In order for this to be valid, the standard [[European Union legislative procedure]] must be followed, including that the [[Council of the European Union]] and the [[European Parliament]] must both approve the proposal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2018/0332(COD)&l=en|title=Procedure File: 2018/0332(COD) &#124; Legislative Observatory &#124; European Parliament|website=oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu}}</ref>

Under the proposal, member countries were expected to decide by 31 March 2019 which time they would observe year round. This was however considered a fairly tight timescale by many.<ref name=resistjuncker/><ref name=bbc-Clock-ticking/> The [[Internet Assigned Numbers Authority]], which coordinates changes to the [[tz database|time zone database]] used by most computers and smartphones, notes that "With less than a year's notice there is a good chance that some computer-based clocks will operate incorrectly after the change, due to delays in propagating updates to software and data."<ref>{{cite web |title=Sources for time zone and daylight saving time data |url=https://data.iana.org/time-zones/tz-link.html#changes |website=data.iana.org |publisher=IANA |access-date=24 October 2018 |language=en}}</ref> The airline industry pointed out the complexity of revising all airline schedules, particularly in terms of ensuring slot availability on flights outside the EU, and recommended keeping the status quo or deferring the change until at least 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=Joint industry position on Summertime Arrangements |url=https://www.iata.org/policy/slots/Documents/Position%20papers/Airlines-Position-on-European-Summertime%20Arrangements.pdf |website=www.iata.org |publisher=IATA |access-date=28 October 2018 |language=en-us}}</ref> An informal meeting of EU transport ministers on 29 October 2018 suggested that many member states would not support the "unrealistic" timetable and that implementation could be pushed back to 2021.<ref name=bbc-Clock-ticking>{{cite news |title=Clock is ticking on EU daylight saving |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-46017347 |access-date=30 October 2018 |work=BBC News |date=29 October 2018}}</ref>

Discussions have shown support for year-round "winter time" in e.g. Denmark, the Netherlands ([[UTC+01:00]]), and Finland ([[UTC+02:00]]) while permanent summer time was supported in France,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www2.assemblee-nationale.fr/consultations-citoyennes/consultations/fin-du-changement-d-heure|title=Fin du changement d'heure|date=12 March 2019|website=assemblee-nationale.fr}}</ref> Germany and Poland ([[UTC+02:00]]), and Cyprus ([[UTC+03:00]]) excluding [[Northern Cyprus]].<ref name=resistjuncker>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/countries-resist-jean-claude-juncker-daylight-saving-clock-change-plan/|title=Countries resist Juncker's clock change plan|date=5 October 2018|website=POLITICO}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite news |last1=Chevalier |first1=Zoe |title=Debate over daylight saving time drags on in Europe |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/debate-daylight-saving-time-drags-europe/story?id=80925773 |work=ABC News |date=6 November 2021 |language=en}}</ref> Portugal,<ref>{{cite news |last1=|first1=|title= Portugal não vai acabar com a mudança da hora|url=https://www.publico.pt/2018/10/01/sociedade/noticia/portugal-nao-vai-acabar-com-a-mudanca-da-hora-1845952|work=Público |date=1 October 2018 |language=pt}}</ref> Spain,<ref>{{cite web |title=Informe de la Comisión para la reforma de la hora oficial |url=https://www.lamoncloa.gob.es/consejodeministros/Paginas/enlaces/220319-enlacehorario.aspx |access-date=12 March 2023 |language=es}}</ref> and Italy<ref>{{cite web |title=Disposizioni relative all'ora legale |url=https://www.camera.it/_dati/leg18/lavori/documentiparlamentari/indiceetesti/087/002/00000003.pdf |access-date=16 March 2022 |language=it}}</ref> are in favour of keeping current daylight saving regime.

On 4 March 2019, the European Parliament Transport and Tourism Committee approved the Commission's proposal by 23 votes to 11. The start date was, however, to be postponed until 2021 at the earliest, to ensure a smooth transition, and the Commission is to ensure that countries' decisions to retain winter or summer time are coordinated and do not disrupt the internal market.<ref>{{cite web |title=Could switching between summer and winter time end in 2021? |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20190304IPR30073/could-switching-between-summer-and-winter-time-end-in-2021 |publisher=[[European Parliament]] |language=en |date=4 March 2019}}</ref> This decision was confirmed by the full European Parliament on 26 March; it must now be approved by the Council of the European Union.<ref>{{cite news |title=Euro MPs vote to end summer time clock changes |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47704345 |work=BBC News |date=26 March 2019}}</ref> As of November 2021, this approval has not yet been obtained.<ref>{{CELEX|52018PC0639|text=Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL discontinuing seasonal changes of time and repealing Directive 2000/84/EC}}</ref> Under the draft directive, member states would have chosen whether to remain on their current summer time, in which case the last transition would have been on the last Sunday of March 2021, or their current winter time, which would have taken permanent effect from the last Sunday of October 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Boffey |first1=Daniel |title=European parliament votes to scrap daylight saving time from 2021 |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/26/european-parliament-votes-to-scrap-daylight-saving-time-from-2021 |work=The Guardian |date=26 March 2019}}</ref>

A consultation by the Irish government found that 80% of those surveyed would not support any measure that resulted in different time zones between Northern Ireland and the Republic. In July 2019, Ireland announced its opposition to the proposed directive and intends to lobby other EU states on the issue. A qualified majority of 55% of member states representing at least 65% of the European population is required for the Council of Ministers to implement a directive.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Harrison |first1=Shane |title=Irish government opposes EU clock change plan |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-49018982 |work=BBC News |date=18 July 2019}}</ref> In the UK, the [[House of Lords]] launched a new inquiry in July 2019 to consider the implications of the European changes, explore the preparations that should be made and the factors that should inform the UK's response.<ref>{{cite web |title=Implications of ending clock changes investigated in new inquiry - News from Parliament |url=https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/lords-select/eu-internal-market-subcommittee/news-parliament-2017/seasonal-changes-of-time-inquiry/ |website=UK Parliament |access-date=6 August 2019 |language=en}}</ref> The United Kingdom [[Brexit|left the EU]] on 31 January 2020, before any reform became effective; EU rules continued to apply during the transition period (up until 31 December 2020) but thereafter the UK could choose to make its own arrangements.<ref name="bbc-20181002">{{cite news |last1=Cowburn |first1=Ashley |title='Time border' could exist between Northern Ireland and Great Britain after Brexit, minister admits|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-irish-border-time-clock-change-daylight-savings-boris-johnson-a9169326.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-irish-border-time-clock-change-daylight-savings-boris-johnson-a9169326.html |archive-date=2022-05-25 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=3 February 2020 |work=The Independent |date=24 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=House of Lords - Subsidiarity Assessment:discontinuing seasonal changes of time - European Union Committee |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201719/ldselect/ldeucom/200/20003.htm |website=publications.parliament.uk |access-date=5 November 2018}}</ref> If the UK were thus to continue observing summer/winter time, [[Northern Ireland]] would have a one-hour time difference for 30 or 31 weeks of the year either with the rest of [[Ireland]] or with the rest of the UK.<ref name=norniron>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-daylight-saving-switch-could-leave-n-ireland-out-of-step-with-rest-of-uk/|title=EU daylight saving switch could leave Northern Ireland out of step with rest of UK|first=Eline|last=Schaart|date=22 October 2018|website=POLITICO}}</ref>  In September 2018, the UK Government said that it "has no plans" to end daylight saving.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/northern-ireland-wont-change-time-zone-to-suit-the-eu-say-unionists-37271919.html |title =Northern Ireland won't change time zone to suit the EU, say unionists | newspaper= [[Belfast Telegraph]] | date= 1 September 2018}}</ref>

{{As of|2021|December}}, the decision has not been confirmed by the Council of the European Union.<ref>{{cite web |title=Seasonal clock change in the EU |url=https://ec.europa.eu/transport/themes/summertime_en |website=Mobility and Transport - European Commission |access-date=24 December 2021 |language=en |date=22 September 2016}}</ref> The Council has asked the Commission to produce a detailed impact assessment, but the Commission considers that the onus is on the Member States to find a common position in Council.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Posaner |first1=Joshua |last2=Cokelaere |first2=Hanne |title=Stopping the clock on seasonal time changes? Not anytime soon |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-blame-game-over-failure-to-end-clock-change/ |work=Politico |date=24 October 2020}}</ref> As a result, progress on the issue is effectively blocked.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Feargus |first1=O'Sullivan |title=Why Europe Couldn't Stop Daylight Saving Time |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-11/will-daylight-saving-time-ever-end |work=www.bloomberg.com |date=11 March 2021}}</ref><ref name="auto"/> 

Poland intends to resolve the issue during its presidency of the EU in 2025. [https://www.psl.pl/czas-zatrzymac-zmiane-czasu/]

{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible collapsed" style="min-width: 20em"
|+ Mainland timezones of EU members
! State !! Geographical !! Winter !! Summer !! Proposed <!-- This column should be based on official statements, which currently don't exist for most countries. -->
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------
!{{rh}} title="without Azores and Madeira"| {{flagg|unp|Portugal|pref=Time in}}
| −01:00 || ±00:00 || +01:00 || {{n/a}}
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <!-- WET -->
!{{rh}}| {{flagg|unp|Ireland|pref=Time in|pthe=yes}}
|title="−1 by majority of land mass, but ±0 by majority of population"| ±00:00 || ±00:00 || +01:00 || {{n/a}}
|-------
!{{rh}}| {{flagg|unp|Netherlands|pref=Time in|pthe=yes}}
| ±00:00 || +01:00 || +02:00 || {{n/a|+01:00}}
|-
!{{rh}}| {{flagg|unp|Belgium|pref=Time in}}
| ±00:00 || +01:00 || +02:00 || {{n/a}}
|-
!{{rh}}| {{flagg|unp|Luxembourg|pref=Time in}}
| ±00:00 || +01:00 || +02:00 || {{n/a}}
|-
!{{rh}} title="without Corsica and overseas territories"| {{flagg|unp|France|pref=Time in}}
| ±00:00 || +01:00 || +02:00 || +02:00
|-
!{{rh}} title="without Canary islands"| {{flagg|unp|Spain|pref=Time in}}
| ±00:00 || +01:00 || +02:00 || {{n/a}}
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <!-- CET -->
!{{rh}}| {{flagg|unp|Sweden|pref=Time in}}
| +01:00 || +01:00 || +02:00 || {{n/a}}
|-
!{{rh}}| {{flagg|unp|Denmark|pref=Time in}}
| +01:00 || +01:00 || +02:00 || {{n/a|+01:00}}
|-
!{{rh}}| {{flagg|unp|Germany|pref=Time in}}
| +01:00 || +01:00 || +02:00 || {{n/a|+02:00}}
|-
!{{rh}}| {{flagg|unp|Poland|pref=Time in}}
| +01:00 || +01:00 || +02:00 || {{n/a|+02:00}}
|-
!{{rh}}| {{flagg|unp|Czechia|pref=Time in|pthe=yes}}
| +01:00 || +01:00 || +02:00 || {{n/a}}
|-
!{{rh}}| {{flagg|unp|Slovakia|pref=Time in}}
| +01:00 || +01:00 || +02:00 || {{n/a}}
|-
!{{rh}}| {{flagg|unp|Austria|pref=Time in}}
| +01:00 || +01:00 || +02:00 || {{n/a}}
|-
!{{rh}}| {{flagg|unp|Hungary|pref=Time in}}
| +01:00 || +01:00 || +02:00 || {{n/a}}
|-
!{{rh}}| {{flagg|unp|Italy|pref=Time in}}
| +01:00 || +01:00 || +02:00 || {{n/a}}
|-
!{{rh}}| {{flagg|unp|Slovenia|pref=Time in}}
| +01:00 || +01:00 || +02:00 || {{n/a}}
|-
!{{rh}}| {{flagg|unp|Croatia|pref=Time in}}
| +01:00 || +01:00 || +02:00 || {{n/a}}
|-
!{{rh}}| {{flagg|unp|Malta|pref=Time in}}
| +01:00 || +01:00 || +02:00 || {{n/a}}
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <!-- EET -->
!{{rh}}| {{flagg|unp|Finland|pref=Time in}}
| +02:00 || +02:00 || +03:00 || {{n/a|+02:00}}
|-
!{{rh}}| {{flagg|unp|Estonia|pref=Time in}}
| +02:00 || +02:00 || +03:00 || {{n/a}}
|-
!{{rh}}| {{flagg|unp|Latvia|pref=Time in}}
| +02:00 || +02:00 || +03:00 || {{n/a}}
|-
!{{rh}}| {{flagg|unp|Lithuania|pref=Time in}}
| +02:00 || +02:00 || +03:00 || {{n/a}}
|-
!{{rh}}| {{flagg|unp|Romania|pref=Time in}}
| +02:00 || +02:00 || +03:00 || {{n/a}}
|-
!{{rh}}| {{flagg|unp|Bulgaria|pref=Time in}}
| +02:00 || +02:00 || +03:00 || {{n/a}}
|-
!{{rh}}| {{flagg|unp|Greece|pref=Time in}}
|title="+01:00 by land mass, but +02:00 by area (incl. sea) and population"| +02:00 || +02:00 || +03:00 || {{n/a}}
|-
!{{rh}}| {{flagg|unp|Cyprus|pref=Time in}}
| +02:00 || +02:00 || +03:00 || {{n/a|+03:00}}
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|}

==Table of transition dates for European Summer Time==
{{Anchor|Exact timing for the next several years}}<!--Do not remove without verifying no inlinks (renamed section)-->
European Summer Time '''begins''' (clocks go forward) at 01:00 UTC on the last Sunday in March, and '''ends''' (clocks go back) at 01:00 UTC on the last Sunday in October:

{|class ="wikitable"
!Start!!End
|-
|{{DST start date/EU|{{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-5}}}}||{{DST end date/EU|{{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-5}}}}
|-
|{{DST start date/EU|{{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-4}}}}||{{DST end date/EU|{{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-4}}}}
|-
|{{DST start date/EU|{{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-3}}}}||{{DST end date/EU|{{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-3}}}}
|-
|{{DST start date/EU|{{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-2}}}}||{{DST end date/EU|{{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-2}}}}{{notetag|If the 2018 Commission proposal had been approved by the Council of Ministers, and member states opted to remain on winter time year round, the October 2022 clock change would have been the final clock change.}}
|-
|{{DST start date/EU|{{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1}}}}||{{DST end date/EU|{{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1}}}}
|-
|'''{{DST start date/EU|{{CURRENTYEAR}}}}'''||'''{{DST end date/EU|{{CURRENTYEAR}}}}'''
|-
|{{DST start date/EU|{{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}+1}}}}||{{DST end date/EU|{{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}+1}}}}
|-
|{{DST start date/EU|{{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}+2}}}} ?||{{DST end date/EU|{{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}+2}}}}
|-
|{{DST start date/EU|{{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}+3}}}} ?||{{DST end date/EU|{{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}+3}}}}
|-
|{{DST start date/EU|{{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}+4}}}} ?||{{DST end date/EU|{{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}+4}}}}
|-
|{{DST start date/EU|{{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}+5}}}} ?||{{DST end date/EU|{{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}+5}}}}
|}
<!-- Please do not extend this table until the future of DST in Europe becomes settled.  -->

==Double Summer Time==
"Double Summer Time" (two hours ahead of local winter time) has been observed on some occasions, notably in 1921, 1941–45, and 1947. See:
* [[British Double Summer Time]] ([[UTC+02:00]])
* [[Central European Midsummer Time]] ([[UTC+03:00]])
* Moscow Midsummer Time ([[UTC+05:00]])

==Countries not switching to and from summer time==
There are five countries that do not use summer time, but keep the same time all year.

Some may be thought of as using "permanent" summer time, since they use time zones allocated to regions further east than themselves. Belarus explicitly decided to stay permanently on (what it formerly called) summer time after 2011.
* [[Greenland]] moved to permanent summer time ([[UTC-02:00]]) in spring 2023.<ref name="greenlandpermanentsummer" />
* [[Iceland]] observes [[UTC+00:00]] all year round despite being at longitudes (13°W-24°W) which would indicate [[UTC-01:00]]. Iceland's high latitude (the Reykjavík region, home to nearly two-thirds of the country's people, is at [[64th parallel north|64°N]]) means that sunset and sunrise times change by many hours over the year, and the effect of changing the clock by one hour would, in comparison, be small.
* [[Russia]] used "permanent summer time" from 2011 to 2014. In October 2014 Russia changed permanently back to standard time ([[UTC+03:00]]) in the country's west, including Moscow, setting the clocks back one hour at the same time as other European countries did.<ref>{{cite news|title=Russia set to turn back the clocks with daylight-saving time shift|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/01/russia-state-duma-daylight-saving-time-summer|access-date=25 October 2014|work=The Guardian|date=1 July 2014}}</ref>
* [[Turkey]] decided to stop daylight saving time in September 2016, but decided to stay on [[UTC+03:00]] throughout the year rather than switching back to its original time zone [[UTC+02:00]].

Spain, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands may also be thought of as observing "summer time" throughout the winter, and "double-summer time" during summer, because of their positions to the west of the central European time zone.

==Local observations==
In most of Europe, the word ''Summer'' is added to the name of each European [[time zone]] during this period: thus, in the [[UTC+01:00]] time zone, [[Central European Time]] becomes [[Central European Summer Time]] ([[UTC+02:00]]).

===Austria===
[[Austria]] used summer time in 1916–1918, 1920, 1940–1948 (as part of [[Nazi Germany]] between 1940 and 1945), and since 1980.

====Austria-Hungary====
[[Austria-Hungary]] used summer time during World War I in 1916, 1917, and 1918, in line with the [[German Empire]].

===Bulgaria===
Summer time was introduced in Bulgaria in 1979 by a regulation of the Bulgarian Council of Ministers. Bulgaria observes the European Union rules for summer time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=113965|title=Bulgaria Turns Clocks to Daylight Saving Time March 28 - Novinite.com - Sofia News Agency|website=novinite.com}}</ref>

===Croatia===
[[Croatia]] was a part of [[Yugoslavia]] as summer time was introduced in 1983. Yugoslavia was the last country in Europe introducing summer time. After gaining independence in the [[Croatian War of Independence]] in 1992, Croatia followed the Central European way to change the time on the last Sunday of March and on the last Sunday of October, respectively on the last Sunday of September till 1995.

===Czech Republic===
{{anchor|Czech Republic}}
In the [[Kingdom of Bohemia]] summer time was used for three seasons during World War I, from 1916 to 1918, while part of the [[Austria-Hungary|Austro-Hungarian Empire]].

During World War II, when the [[Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia]] became a [[de facto]] part of [[Nazi Germany]], summer time was used from 1940. In 1940/1941 and 1941/1942, summer time was kept continuously even during the winter.

[[Czechoslovakia]] used summer time from 1945 to 1949 and from 1979 to 1992. In winter 1946/1947 (from 1 December to 23 February), [[winter time (Czechoslovakia)|winter time]] (CET+01:00) was used.

The [[Czech Republic]] continued to use summer time after the [[dissolution of Czechoslovakia]] in 1993.

===Denmark===
{{main|Time in Denmark}}

Summer time has been observed in [[Denmark]] since 1980. A national association against summer time (Landsforeningen mod Sommertid) exists,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ikkesommertid.dk/|title=Landsforeningen mod Sommertid|access-date=2007-10-27|language=da}}</ref> which celebrated the EU commission preliminary decision in August 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bt.dk/samfund/formand-jubler-over-eu-udmelding-sa-skal-champagnen-flyde-i-stride-stromme |title=Formand jubler over EU-udmelding: 'Så skal champagnen flyde i stride strømme'] (translation: The chairman is delighted with EU announcement: "The champagne will flow in steady flow") |date=31 August 2018}}</ref>

====Faroe Islands====
The Faroe Islands has observed summer time since 1981.<ref>[[tz database]]</ref> The islands have never been part of the EU, so the decision to observe summer time was its own.

====Greenland====
{{see also|Daylight saving time in the Americas#Greenland}}
From 1980 to 2023, [[Greenland]] observed summer time simultaneously with Europe. In November 2022, the Greenland parliament voted to remain on permanent summer time from spring 2023 onwards.<ref name="greenlandpermanentsummer">{{cite news |title=Greenland to stay in daylight saving time forever |url=https://apnews.com/article/greenland-daylight-saving-summertime-utc-gmt-3b5b90720fce47066cb086ba8f91cef4 |work=AP News |date=27 March 2023 |accessdate=3 April 2023}}</ref> Exceptions, based on company decisions, are the northeastern coast around [[Danmarkshavn]] (UTC year-round) for [[Thule Air Base]] (which follows [[Atlantic time zone|Atlantic Time]] and observes [[Daylight saving time in Canada|in accordance with US and Canadian rules]]).{{cn|date=April 2023}}

===Estonia===
In [[Estonia]] summer time was not used in 1990–1996 and 2000–2001. It was used under Soviet rule in 1981–1989.

===Finland===
In Finland, summer time has been used on a regular basis since 1981.

[[Popular initiative|A citizens' initiative]] to abolish daylight saving time was signed by 70,000 Finnish citizens. It was presented to the Finnish parliament in June 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/citizens_initiative_to_dump_daylight_saving_time_heads_to_finnish_lawmakers/9657273|title=Citizens' initiative to dump Daylight Saving Time heads to Finnish lawmakers|website=yle.fi|date=8 June 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-finland-eu-daylightsaving/finland-wants-eu-to-give-up-daylight-saving-time-idUSKBN1CV2OE|title=Finland wants EU to give up daylight saving time|publisher=[[Reuters]]|date=2017-10-26|accessdate=2024-11-09}}</ref>

===France and Monaco===
France and Monaco follow [[Central European Time]] and [[Central European Summer Time]]. They apply EU rules regarding the start and end times and dates for summer time.

From 1923 until the Second World War, France and Monaco observed summer time from the last Saturday in March until the first Saturday in October. During the Second World War France also observed summer time. However, after the war the practice was abandoned (since the country changed time zones instituting ''de facto'' permanent summer time). In 1976, summer time was reimplemented because of the [[1973 oil crisis|oil crisis]].<ref name=Poulle>{{cite journal|last=Poulle|first=Yvonne|title=La France à l'heure allemande|journal=Bibliothèque de l'École des Chartes|year=1999|volume=157|issue=2|pages=493–502|language=fr|url=http://www.persee.fr/articleAsPDF/bec_0373-6237_1999_num_157_2_450989/article_bec_0373-6237_1999_num_157_2_450989.pdf|access-date=11 January 2012|doi=10.3406/bec.1999.450989}}</ref>

Since [[UTC+00:00]] is France's "natural" time zone ([[Extreme points of France|extreme points]] correspond to UTC-0:20 to UTC+0:38), its use of [[UTC+01:00]] in winter could be seen as a form of [[daylight saving time]], while its use of Central European Summer Time ([[UTC+02:00]]) in summer can be seen as a form of "double summer time".<ref name="Thorsen">{{cite web|last=Thorsen|first=Steffen|title=France and Spain kicks into "Double Summer Time"|url=http://www.timeanddate.com/news/time/france-spain-summer-time.html|publisher=Time and Date.com|access-date=11 January 2012}}</ref>

===Germany===
Summer time was first introduced during [[World War I]] by the [[German Empire]] from 1916 to 1918. After the end of the war and the proclamation of the [[Weimar Republic]] in November 1918, summer time ceased to be observed. Summer time was reintroduced in 1940, during [[World War II]], to try to save energy for the [[war economy]]. After the defeat of Germany, summer time was retained by the occupation powers. In 1945, [[Berlin]] and the Soviet Occupation Zone even observed [[Central European Midsummer Time]] (''Mitteleuropäische Hochsommerzeit'', ''MEHSZ''; GMT+03:00): in 1947, all of Germany switched to midsummer time from 11 May to 29 June. After the [[Federal Republic of Germany|Federal Republic]] (West Germany) and the [[German Democratic Republic]] (East Germany) were established in 1949, summer time again ceased to be observed in 1950.

In 1978, [[West Germany]] decided to reintroduce summer time, following the example set by several neighbouring states in the aftermath of the [[1973 oil crisis]]. However, it only came into effect in 1980, after West and [[East Germany]] reached an agreement to observe summer time simultaneously from the last Sunday in March (02:00 CET) to the last Sunday in September (03:00 CEST). Thus both German states observed the same time until the [[German reunification]] in 1990, after which the reunified Germany retained the laws and thus also the Time Act (''Zeitgesetz'') of West Germany.

After 1980, West and East Germany; since 1991 reunified Germany: [[Central European Summer Time]].<ref>[https://www.ptb.de/cms/en/fachabteilungen/abt4/fb-44/ag-441/realisation-of-legal-time-in-germany/dst-and-midsummer-dst-in-germany-until-1979.html DST and midsummer DST in Germany until 1979], Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt. (2010)</ref>

[[Büsingen am Hochrhein]], a small exclave of Germany entirely surrounded by Swiss territory, did not implement summer time in 1980 but observed the same time as Switzerland; thus there was a one-hour time difference between this village and the rest of [[Germany]]. For the [[tz database]], the zone Europe/Busingen was created in its 2013a release,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mm.icann.org/pipermail/tz-announce/2013-March/000009.html |title=tzcode2013a and tzdata2013a available |first=Paul |last=Eggert |publisher=tz-announce |date=2013-03-02}}</ref> because since the [[Unix time]] epoch in 1970, Büsingen am Hochrhein has shared clocks with [[Zürich]], but not with Germany every year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://article.gmane.org/gmane.comp.time.tz/4765 |title=New zone for DE, split from Europe/Berlin |first=Arthur David |last=Olson |publisher=gmane.comp.time.tz |date=2012-03-03}}</ref>

Germany follows the [[European Union|EU]] rules regarding the start and end times and dates for summer time.

===Greece===
Summer time was first introduced in Greece in 1932, from July 6 to September 1, but the idea was then quickly abandoned.

In the early 1970s and in the aftermath of the 1973 energy crisis that led many European states to implement summer time in order to save energy, Greece reintroduced summer time in 1975 for the period March–September.

Since 1997, Greece follows the [[European Union|EU]] rules regarding the start and end times and dates for summer time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kathimerini.gr/992002/article/epikairothta/ellada/allazei-thn-kyriakh-h-wra--oi-deiktes-twn-rologiwn-mia-wra-pisw|title=Aλλάζει την Κυριακή η ώρα -Οι δείκτες των ρολογιών μια ώρα πίσω {{!}} Kathimerini|website=www.kathimerini.gr|date=26 October 2018 |access-date=2024-11-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.gr/news/ellada/story/121973/pote-tha-allaxei-i-ora-se-therini|title=Πότε θα αλλάξει η ώρα σε θερινή|last=|date=2018-03-18|website=CNN.gr|language=el|access-date=2024-11-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tovima.gr/2008/11/24/archive/istories-therinis-wras/|title=Ιστορίες θερινής ώρας|last=Βεβελακη|first=Αμαλια|date=2008-11-24|website=Ειδήσεις - νέα - Το Βήμα Online|language=el|access-date=2019-04-04}}</ref>

===Hungary===
Summer time was first introduced in Hungary in 1916, and it was observed until 1919. After that, summer time was in use between 1941–1949 and 1954–1957. Summer time has been in use again since 1980 and follows EU rules.

===Iceland===
[[Iceland]] uses [[UTC+00:00]] but has not used summer time since April 1968. From 1908 to 1968 Iceland used GMT−01:00. Summer time was used in 1917–1919, 1921 and 1939–1967.
The European Union Directive 2000/84/EC is valid also in the [[European Economic Area]], but Iceland has a special exception from it.<ref>{{CELEX|22001D0095|text=Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No 95/2001 of 13 July 2001 amending Annex XIII (transport) to the EEA Agreement}}</ref>

===Ireland===
{{Further|Time in Ireland}}

In [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], [[Irish Standard Time]] (IST) (UTC+01, [[Western European Summer Time]]) is observed during Summer (March to October). IST is sometimes mistaken for "Irish Summer Time", though this is incorrect.  "Winter Time" (UTC+00, [[Western European Time|WET]]) is observed in the rest of the year.<ref>{{cite web  |title=Standard Time (Amendment) Act, 1971 |publisher= Government of Ireland |url=
https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1971/act/17/enacted/en/print  |website=Irish Statute Book}}</ref>

([[Northern Ireland]], as part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, observes UK time. {{As of|March 2022}}, this is the same as the rest of [[Ireland]]).

===Italy, San Marino, and Vatican City===
Summer time is known as "ora legale" (literally "legal hour", referencing the fact that it is mandated by law) in [[Italy]], and it has been adopted and abolished several times: it was observed from 1916 to 1920 and between 1940 and 1948.<ref>{{cite web |title=Regio Decreto Legge n. 664 13 giugno 1940 |trans-title=Royal Legal Decree 664 |url=http://augusto.agid.gov.it/gazzette/index/download/id/1940151_SO |date=13 June 1940 |publisher=[[Kingdom of Italy]] }}</ref> A law was approved in 1965 that took effect the following year, and made the application of summer time mandatory in the whole country.{{cn|date=March 2022}} Since 1996, it has been coordinated with the [[European Union]]. [[San Marino]] and [[Vatican City State]] share land borders solely with Italy and observe the same time as in Italy.

===Netherlands===
{{Citation needed span|text=The [[Netherlands]] did not use a standardised time until 1909, when [[Amsterdam Time]] was introduced.|date=December 2020}} {{Citation needed span|text=Amsterdam time was 19 minutes and 32 seconds ahead of GMT (Greenwich Meridian time).|date=December 2020}} {{Citation needed span|text=Later this was corrected to GMT+00:20 for the sake of simplicity.|date=December 2020}}

In 1940 the German occupants forced the Netherlands to observe CEST, Germany's Daylight Saving Time, effectively advancing its time by one hour and 40 minutes. This time stayed in effect year round until 1942, when the normal clock followed the German DST switches.

The use of DST was abandoned directly after the war, and not observed again until 1977, when summer time was observed again, which it currently still is.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeanddate.com/time/zone/netherlands|title=Time Zone History of the Netherlands|work=Timeanddate.com|access-date=2018-11-06}}</ref>

===Norway===
In Norway, summer time was observed in 1916, 1940–45, and 1959–65. The arrangement was controversial, and in 1965 the Norwegian parliament ([[Stortinget]]) voted to discontinue the practice. Their neighbour, Sweden, did not use it.

However, in 1980 summer time was reintroduced (together with Sweden and Denmark), and since at least 2002 Norway has followed the European Union in this matter.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.forskning.no/Artikler/2002/oktober/1035454427.68|title=Hva er sommertid?|work=Forskning.no|access-date=2007-10-27|language=no}}</ref>

===Poland===
In Poland, "the summer time" was observed in the following years:
* 1916–1919
* 1940–1949
* 1957–1964
* 1977–present
In the years 1979–1995 the last day of summer time was the last Sunday of September. In 1996 it was changed to the last Sunday of October, to synchronise with other countries of the EU.

===Portugal===
Most of [[Portugal]] operates Western European Time and Western European Summer Time, although the majority of mainland Portugal, west of 7º30'W, was supposed to be operating in [[UTC-1]].

Summer time (locally known as ''hora de Verão'') was introduced in 1916. In the years 1922, 1923, 1925, 1930 and 1933 summer time was not applied. From 1966 to 1976 permanent summer time was applied in Portugal (UTC+1), Madeira (UTC) and Azores (UTC-1).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://oal.ul.pt/documentos/2018/01/hl1911a2018.pdf/|title=Hora Legal desde 1911|trans-title=Legal time since 1911|language=pt}}</ref>

Since 1912, the official time in [[Madeira]] was UTC-1, and in the [[Azores]] was UTC-2.<ref>{{cite web |title=Decree of 26 May 1911 |url=https://dre.pt/pdf1sdip/1911/05/12500/23132313.pdf |access-date=23 January 2020 |language=pt}}</ref> However, since 1976 in Madeira (belonging to time zone -1), the official time is the same as that of Continental Portugal (UTC) and, in the Azores (belonging to time zone -2), it is one hour behind (UTC-1) the mainland. The start and end dates for summer time in Portugal follow the pattern in the rest of the EU.<ref>{{cite web |title=Time Zones in Portugal |url=https://www.timeanddate.com/time/zone/portugal |website=www.timeanddate.com |access-date=23 January 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Legislação sobre a Hora Legal |trans-title=Legislation on legal time|publisher=Observatório Astronómico de Lisboa |url=https://oal.ul.pt/hora-legal/legislacao/ |website=oal.ul.pt |access-date=23 January 2020}}</ref>

===Romania===
Summer time in Romania (locally known by "Ora de Vară") was originally introduced in 1932 (between 22 May and 2 October). Between 1933 and 1940 summer time started on the first Sunday in April and ended on the first Sunday in October. Summer time was abandoned in 1941 and reintroduced in 1979. Since 1996, with few exceptions, summer time in Romania follows European Union rules.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.astro-urseanu.ro/ora_vara.html|title=Observatorul Astronomic - Ora de vara|access-date=2008-11-15|language=ro}} Contains tables with all historical summer time start and end dates since 1932.</ref>

===Russia===
{{Further|Time in Russia}}
A decree of the [[Russian Provisional Government]] introduced summer time ({{langx|ru|летнее время}}) in [[Russia]] on 1 July 1917, and clocks moved one hour forward. A [[Soviet Decrees|decree]] of the [[Sovnarkom|Soviet government]] led to the abandonment of this system six months later: clocks moved one hour back again on 28 December.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeanddate.com/time/zone/russia/moscow?year=1916|title=Time Zone & Clock Changes 1900–1924 in Moscow, Russia|website=www.timeanddate.com}}</ref>

From 1930, [[Decree time]] had the effect of imposing year-round time-zone advances in the Soviet Union.

A decision of the [[Council of Ministers (Soviet Union)|Council of Ministers of the USSR]] reintroduced summer time in the [[USSR]] ([[Moscow Summer Time]], for example) on 1 April 1981, and its practice continued into post-Soviet times until 2011. The changeover dates in [[Russia]] were the same as for other European countries, but clocks were moved forward or back at 02:00 local time in all zones. Thus in Moscow (local time = [[UTC+03:00]] in winter, [[UTC+04:00]] in summer), summer time commenced at 02:00 UTC on the day before the last Sunday in March, and ended at 03:00 UTC on the day before the last Sunday in October. ("Day before the last Sunday" is not the same as "the last Saturday" in a month where the last day is a Saturday.)

[[File:December 23, 2013 in Brateyevo (Moscow) at 9.06.jpg|thumbnail|right|Night black sky at 09:06 ([[UTC+04:00]]) on 23 December 2013 in [[Moscow]]]]
On 8 February 2011, Russian President [[Dmitry Medvedev]] announced cancellation of biannual clock changes in Russia in favor of a permanent switch to summer time. An hour was added in March 2011 for the last time, and clocks did not move back again. At the same time some of Russia's time zones were consolidated.<ref name=Gessen/> After this reform many Russian cities had a "standard time" two hours more than would be suggested by their "astronomical time" (because the original standard time was already ahead of astronomical time in many areas).<ref name=Gessen/>

During his [[2012 Russian presidential election|2012 election campaign]], [[Vladimir Putin]] proposed re-introducing summer time, as some workers had complained about not seeing any daylight during the winter, since the sun had not risen when they went to work.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.timeanddate.com/news/time/russia-daylight-saving-promise.html|title= Russian prime minister promises daylight saving time|publisher= Time and Date.com|date= 8 February 2012|access-date= 4 January 2013}}</ref> According to a report in the ''International Herald Tribune'', Russian citizens remembered the winter of 2011–12 as the "darkest winter on record" as a result of the time change.<ref name=Gessen/> However, Putin later said it would be up to then Prime Minister Medvedev's cabinet to decide how to proceed with a seasonal time shift, and it decided to stay with the 2011 policy.<ref name=Gessen>
{{cite web|last= Gessen|first= Masha|title = Will Russia Turn Back the Clock?
|url = http://latitude.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/01/will-russia-restore-daylight-saving-time/
|work = Latitude: Views from Around the World|publisher= International Herald Tribune
|access-date = 4 January 2013|date= 1 October 2012
}}</ref>

On 26 October 2014, Russia permanently returned to "winter" time.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-28423647|title=Russia moves to year-round winter time|date=22 July 2014|work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rg.ru/2014/07/22/vremya-site.html|title=РФ вернется к "зимнему времени" 26 октября|website=Российская газета|date=22 July 2014 }}</ref>

===Slovakia===
[[Slovakia]] used summer time (locally known as ''Letný čas'') in 1916, 1917, and 1918 (as part of the [[Austro-Hungarian Empire]]), then again in the early 1940s (as the [[Slovak Republic (1939–1945)]], a [[client-state]] of [[Nazi Germany]]).

In 1979, Slovakia, as part of [[Czechoslovakia]], established that summer time begins annually in the first weekend of April (moved to the last weekend in March in 1981) and ends in the last weekend of September.<ref name="SummertimeinSlovakia">{{cite news |url=https://svet.sme.sk/c/22517242/v-europskych-statoch-sa-v-nedelu-skonci-letny-cas.html |title=V európskych štátoch sa v nedeľu skončí letný čas |trans-title=On Sunday, summer time ends in European countries |journal=SME |agency=[[News Agency of the Slovak Republic]] |date=23 October 2020 |access-date=19 March 2021}}</ref>

After the [[dissolution of Czechoslovakia]] in 1993, independent Slovakia continued to use summer time. From 1996, Slovakia has prolonged summer time by about one month so it lasts until the last weekend in October, in accordance with [[European Union]] rules.<ref name="SummertimeinSlovakia"/>

===Slovenia===
Summer time in [[Slovenia]] (locally known as "Poletni čas") was introduced on 16 November 1982 to be practised from 1983 on. At that time, Slovenia was one of the [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|Yugoslav]] republics. The same law was valid until 1996 when the end of summer time was changed from the first Sunday in October to the last Sunday in October. In 2006, the European Union standard was adopted and is still used today.

===Spain===
Spain including the [[Canary Islands]] has summer time, applying EU rules regarding the start and end times and dates.

In 1918, Spain observed summer time for the first time, and then introduced and abolished several times. It was abolished autumn 1949, and then reintroduced 1974 and has been used since.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.timeanddate.com/time/change/spain/madrid |title = Daylight Saving Time Changes 2019 in Madrid, Spain}}</ref> Spain used GMT+00:00 from 1901 to 1940 and GMT+01:00 from 1940 as standard time. The [[Canary Islands]] used GMT-01:00 before 1946 and GMT+00:00 since 1946 as standard time.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.timeanddate.com/time/zone/spain/las-palmas | title=Time Zone & Clock Changes in las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain}}</ref>

Since [[UTC+00:00]] is Spain's "natural" time zone ([[Extreme points of Spain|extreme points]], except Canary Islands, correspond to UTC-0:37 to UTC+0:17), its use of [[UTC+01:00]] in winter could be seen as a form of [[daylight saving time]], while its use of Central European Summer Time ([[UTC+02:00]]) in summer can be seen as a form of "double summer time".<ref name="Thorsen"/>

===Sweden===
In [[Sweden]] summer time was originally introduced on 15 May 1916. It proved unpopular, and on 30 September in the same year, Sweden returned to year-round standard time. This continued for more than half a century.

On 6 April 1980, Sweden again introduced summer time, and since then summer time has been observed every summer in Sweden. Except for the introduction year 1980, summer time has always started on the last Sunday in March. It ended on the last Sunday in September during the years 1980–1995, and has ended on the last Sunday in October since 1996, following a unification of start/end dates of summer time within the [[European Union|EU]] as well as in several European countries then outside the EU.

The transit authority [[Västtrafik]] changes its clocks at 04:00, so that the last tram that leaves around 03:30 actually goes 02:30 on the last weekend of October for those who have changed their clocks at the legal time.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/Vasttrafik/posts/388878481135963 Natten mellan lördag och söndag går vi över till sommartid] (Swedish)</ref> The public transport company [[Storstockholms Lokaltrafik|SL]] changes their clocks at the legal time, and runs extra departures during the October transition hour.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nyheter |first=Sveriges |date=2007-10-26 |title=Sommartid blir vintertid - även i SL-trafiken |url=https://www.svd.se/a/f2508e1b-04e4-35c5-86fc-82ca3ab7795d/sommartid-blir-vintertid-aven-i-sl-trafiken |access-date=2024-03-23 |work=Svenska Dagbladet |language=sv |issn=1101-2412}}</ref>

===Switzerland and Liechtenstein===
The second last country in Europe (only before [[Yugoslavia]] ) to adopt summer time, in 1981, was [[Switzerland]], even though summer time had been rejected by 52.1% of voters in a federal referendum in 1978.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.admin.ch/ch/f/pore/va/19780528/det283.html|title=Votation No|first=Chancellerie fédérale|last=ChF|website=www.admin.ch}}</ref>
Since 1996, Swiss summer time has followed EU regulations. It had formerly been in use in 1941 and 1942.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.suedostschweiz.ch/politik/seit-30-jahren-sommerzeit-der-schweiz|title=Seit 30 Jahren Sommerzeit in der Schweiz|website=www.suedostschweiz.ch}}</ref> [[Liechtenstein]] observes the same time as Switzerland. The German village of [[Büsingen am Hochrhein]], a small exclave entirely surrounded by Swiss territory, also observes the same time as in Switzerland. It did not implement summer time in 1980 and observed the same time as Switzerland, so that in 1980, there was a time difference of one hour during the implementation of summer time in Germany between Büsingen am Hochrhein and the rest of [[West Germany]].

===Turkey===
{{Main|Daylight saving time in Turkey}}
Summer time was introduced in [[Turkey]] in 1947, but suspended from 1965 to 1972. Since 1974, Turkey follows European Summer Time.

In 2008, the Turkish Ministry of Energy proposed that Turkey should abolish summer time while at the same time switching to [[UTC+02:30]], originally from 2009 onwards, but when this appeared infeasible, to start in 2011,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.worldtimezone.com/dst_news/dst_news_turkey02.html |title=Turkey to abandon daylight saving time in 2011|newspaper=[[Turkish Daily News]] |publisher=Worldtimezone.com |date=19 August 2008 |access-date=2010-06-25}}</ref> the plan has not been heard of since.

For the year 2011, Turkey switched to European Summer Time at 03:00 on Monday 28 March, one day later than the rest of Europe, to avoid disrupting the national university entrance examinations held on 27 March.<ref>{{cite news |title=Turkey switches to summer time one day later |url=http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=70872 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311220822/http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=70872 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=11 March 2011 |publisher=World Bulletin |date=10 March 2011 |access-date=2011-03-12}}</ref>

Once again, for the year 2014, Turkey switched to European Summer Time at 03:00 on Monday 31 March, one day later than the rest of Europe, to avoid disrupting the [[2014 Turkish local elections|local elections]] held on 30 March.<ref>{{cite news |title=Turkey's election delays summertime |url=http://www.worldbulletin.net/turkey/131791/turkeys-election-delays-summertime |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330064430/http://www.worldbulletin.net/turkey/131791/turkeys-election-delays-summertime |url-status=usurped |archive-date=30 March 2014 |publisher=World Bulletin |date=23 March 2014 |access-date=2014-03-30}}</ref>

In 2015, Turkey delayed the switch from European Summer Time by 2 weeks, to 04:00 on Sunday 8 November, two weeks later than the rest of Europe, due to the calling of a [[November 2015 Turkish general election|snap general election]] on Sunday, 1 November.<ref>{{cite news |title=End of Daylight Saving Time delayed in Turkey |url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/end-of-daylight-saving-time-delayed-in-turkey.aspx?pageID=238&nID=89163&NewsCatID=341 |publisher=Hürriyet |date=30 September 2015 |access-date=2015-10-07}}</ref>

In 2016, Turkey scrapped winter time, by permanently staying in [[UTC+03:00]] daylight saving time zone passed Thursday 8 September.<ref>{{cite news |title=Turkey to implement daylight savings time year-round - Türkiye News |url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-to-implement-daylight-savings-time-year-round----------103707 |access-date=3 November 2022 |work=Hürriyet Daily News |date=8 September 2016 |language=en}}</ref>

===Ukraine===
Summer time was introduced in [[Ukraine]] in the early 1980s; from 1981 till 1989 this was [[Moscow Summer Time]]; since 1992 [[Eastern European Summer Time]] has been used.{{r|Kyivwintertimeisgone}}{{r|Kyivwintertimeisback}}

On 20 September 2011, the [[Verkhovna Rada]] (Ukrainian parliament) voted not to return from Eastern European Summer Time to [[Eastern European Time]].<ref name="Kyivwintertimeisgone">[https://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/113166/ Ukraine cancels use of daylight saving time], ''[[Kyiv Post]]'' (20 September 2011)</ref><ref>[https://www.worldtimezone.com/dst_news/dst_news_ukraine04.html Deputies cancelled the winter time], WorldTimeZone.com (20 September 2011)</ref> This change would have had the effect of moving Ukraine into the [[Further-eastern European Time]] zone [[UTC+03:00]] along with Belarus and western Russia (which do not observe summer time). However, on 18 October 2011 the Parliament canceled these plans and the country returned to [[Eastern European Time]] as scheduled.<ref name="Kyivwintertimeisback">[https://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/115146/ Ukraine to return to standard time on 30 Oct (updated)], ''[[Kyiv Post]]'' (18 October 2011)</ref><ref>[https://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/115182/ Ukraine cancels plan to drop winter time change], ''[[Kyiv Post]]'' (18 October 2011)</ref> 295 MPs voted in favour out of 349 registered MPs.<ref name="Kyivwintertimeisback"/>

On 3 March 2021, the Verkhovna Rada voted on bill No. 4201 "Draft Law on time observation in Ukraine" which will abandon transitioning to summer time and establish year-round standard time on the whole territory of Ukraine. The bill received 277 votes from the 370 MPs present during the first reading.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukranews.com/en/news/760235-rada-to-abandon-transition-to-seasonal-time|title=Rada To Abandon Transition To Seasonal Time|publisher=[[Unian]]|date=3 March 2021|access-date=10 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://w1.c1.rada.gov.ua/pls/zweb2/webproc4_1?pf3511=70150|title=Проект Закону про обчислення часу в Україні|trans-title=Draft Law on time observation in Ukraine|publisher=[[Verkhovna Rada]]|language=Ukrainian|date=9 October 2020|access-date=10 March 2021}}</ref> On 19 March, the bill was rejected in a second reading with 212 out of 226 required votes and was sent to an additional second reading instead.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukranews.com/en/news/763895-rada-refuses-to-cancel-transition-to-seasonal-time|title=Rada Refuses To Cancel Transition To Seasonal Time|publisher=[[Unian]]|date=19 March 2021|access-date=29 March 2021}}</ref> On 16 July 2024, the bill got passed, thus, the last clock transition is scheduled for 27 October 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Про порядок денний одинадцятої сесії Верховної Ради України дев'ятого скликання |url=https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/go/3562-20 |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=Офіційний вебпортал парламенту України |language=uk}}</ref>

The [[Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine|regions of eastern Ukraine under the occupation of Russia]], including [[Crimea]], observe [[Further-eastern European Time]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tass.ru/en/world/756540|title=DPR and LPR switch over to Moscow time|publisher=[[ITAR TASS]]|date=26 October 2014|access-date=15 August 2015}}</ref>

===United Kingdom===
{{Main|British Summer Time}}

The standard time zone for the whole [[United Kingdom]] is [[Greenwich Mean Time]] (GMT), ([[UTC+00:00]], [[Western European Time|WET]]), which is based on the solar time at [[Greenwich Observatory]], London. The country observes [[British Summer Time]] (BST) ([[UTC+01:00]]), which is equivalent to [[Western European Summer Time|WEST]] used in [[Portugal]] and Irish Standard Time in Ireland, in accordance with the standard European timings.

Summer time was first implemented under the Summer Time Act 1916. Subsequent legislation has altered this: Summer Time Act 1922;  Time (Ireland) Act, 1916; Summer Time Act, 1925;  Emergency Powers (Defence) Act, 1939; The Summer Time Order 1964; The Summer Time Order 1967; Summer Time Act 1972;  The Summer Time Order 1997; and The Summer Time Order 2002.<ref name=DSTUK>{{cite web|url=https://www.webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/uk.html|title=Full text - Daylight Saving Time - United Kingdom Law - The Summer Time Order 1997|website=www.webexhibits.org}}</ref>

The UK did not revert to GMT for the three winters of 1968–69, 1969–70 and 1970–71, remaining on BST continuously from 18 February 1968 to 31 October 1971.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeanddate.com/time/zone/uk/london|title=Time Zone & Clock Changes in London, England, United Kingdom|website=www.timeanddate.com}}</ref>

The UK was, until 23:00 GMT on 31 January 2020, a member state of the European Union. Since 1996, all clocks in the European Union have changed to summer or winter time on the same dates and at the same moment, at 01:00 UTC+00:00<ref name="wwp">{{cite web| url=https://greenwichmeantime.com/info/calendars/bst/ |title= British Summer Time | website= greenwichmeantime.com | access-date= 11 August 2020}}</ref> (Thus summer time ends at 01:59:59 [[UTC+01:00]]).
* Summer Time starts: Last Sunday in March
* Summer Time ends: Last Sunday in October

{{As of|August 2020}}, it appears that the UK government intends to continue to operate winter and summer time on these dates, irrespective of any EU decision on the matter.{{citation needed|date= November 2021}} This may have the effect that [[Northern Ireland]] will have a different time zone from the [[Republic of Ireland]].

The [[Crown Dependencies]] also observe [[Greenwich Mean Time]] and [[British Summer Time]], although under separate legislation. In 2008, [[Jersey]] held a referendum to consider moving permanently to Central European Time in winter and Central European Summer Time in summer; however, this was rejected.

None of the UK's fourteen [[British Overseas Territories]] observe BST. [[Gibraltar]] observes CET and CEST, in line with neighbouring Spain. Due to Gibraltar's longitude, which is further west than much of the UK, it could be considered that Gibraltar is on permanent summer time, and observes double summer time during the summer months.

==Notes==
{{notefoot}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book|author=David Prerau|url=http://savingthedaylight.com/|title=Saving the Daylight: Why We Put the Clocks Forward|year=2005|publisher=Granta Books|isbn=1-86207-796-7}}

{{Daylight Saving Time}}
{{Europe topic|Time in|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Daylight saving time| ]]
[[Category:Daylight saving time by country|Europe]]
[[Category:Time in Europe]]