The next time change in France, moving to summer time in 2026, will occur on the night of Saturday 28th to Sunday 29th March 2026. At 2 a.m., clocks will move forward to 3 a.m., meaning one hour less sleep that night. This change is part of a long-standing tradition in France, introduced in 1976 for energy-saving purposes, though the actual savings remain debated.

Changing clocks twice a year

The practice of changing clocks twice a year in France dates back to 1976. The idea was initially to reduce energy consumption by making better use of natural light. However, the real impact on electricity bills is considered modest. Despite these debates, the European Union has not yet abolished the practice. In 2019, the European Parliament voted to put an end to the biannual time change, but no final decision has been reached as member states have not yet agreed on a permanent solution.

Passage to winter time in 2026

In 2026, the passage to winter time will take place in the night of Saturday 24th to Sunday 25th October. At 3 a.m., clocks will be turned back to 2 a.m., giving people an extra hour of sleep. This date is set by EU regulations, which have standardized the time change for all member states since 1998. The last Sunday in March marks the switch to summer time, and the last Sunday in October marks the return to winter time.

Approximately 70 countries worldwide still change their clocks twice a year. In France, this practice is set to continue at least until 2026. The European Union has been considering ending the time change for several years, but due to disagreements among member states and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the issue remains unresolved.

Public reaction and future uncertainty

Public reaction to the time change has been mixed. Some appreciate the extra hour of sleep in the fall and the longer evenings in the summer, while others criticize the disruption to sleep patterns and daily routines. A 2019 European Commission proposal suggested ending the practice and allowing each country to choose whether to remain on permanent summer or winter time. In France, over 59% of respondents favored retaining summer time, according to a public vote.

The future of time changes in Europe remains uncertain. The European Parliament’s 2019 vote was intended to be a step toward ending the practice, but the final decision has been postponed. Until all member states agree on a permanent time system, the current arrangement will remain in place. The 2026 time change will therefore continue as scheduled, with the European debate ongoing in the background.