Daylight saving time 2026: dates for changing clocks in different countries around the world

Every year, dozens of countries switch their clocks to daylight saving time, and 2026 will be no exception. The dates of the transition vary by region, from March in North America and Europe to April in Australia and New Zealand. Learn more about the exact dates for changing the clocks in different countries around the world and regional features of daylight saving time in 2026

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Every year, dozens of countries change their clocks to make the most of daylight hours. According to Relocate.to, around 70 countries will continue to observe daylight saving time (DST) in 2026. The transition schedules depend on the hemisphere: in the Northern Hemisphere, clocks are changed in the spring, and in the Southern Hemisphere, in the fall.

We will discuss specific dates, regional features, and exceptions to the rules further in this article.

Clock changes in the US and Canada in 2026

North America traditionally opens the daylight saving time season earlier than other regions. In 2026, the date for changing the clocks in the United States and Canada is Sunday, March 8. The clocks are set forward one hour, which means one hour less sleep on the night of the transition. Most US states follow this schedule, but there are exceptions: Hawaii, most of Arizona, and some overseas territories do not switch to daylight saving time at all.

Canada acts in sync with the United States — the transition also takes place on March 8. However, there are regions here that remain on standard time all year round. A similar schedule (from March 8 to November 1, 2026) is also used in some countries in the Caribbean and Central America, although not all countries in this region practice changing their clocks.

Daylight saving time in Europe: date and time in 2026

European countries switch to daylight saving time later than North America — on Sunday, March 29, 2026. The changeover takes place simultaneously at 01:00 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), but local time varies in different time zones.

Countries in the Central European Time (CET) zone move their clocks from 02:00 to 03:00. This group includes: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Hungary, Italy, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the Vatican.

Countries in the Eastern European Time Zone (EET) will change their clocks from 03:00 to 04:00. These include Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Ukraine, and the Åland Islands.

Moldova will also make the transition on March 29, although the technical details may be clarified by separate government decisions. It is worth noting that Russia and Belarus have not used daylight saving time for several years.

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Daylight saving time in Latin American countries in 2026

Latin America remains a region where the practice of changing clocks is fragmented. Only a few countries have retained the DST system, and the dates of the transitions may differ significantly from the schedules in North America or Europe.

Brazil applies daylight saving time only in certain states. The current 2025–2026 season started in October 2025 and is scheduled to end in April 2026. Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay have their own individual schedules — the transition usually begins in August–November, and the return to standard time occurs in March–April. Due to regular changes in legislation in the countries of the region, the exact dates of the transition are specified individually each year, so travelers are advised to check the latest information before traveling.

End of daylight saving time in Australia and New Zealand in 2026

In the countries of the Southern Hemisphere, the situation is the opposite: daylight saving time for the 2025–2026 season will be in effect from October 2025, and in 2026, the clocks will be turned back to standard time.

In Australia, the transition does not affect the entire country, but only certain states and territories: New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory. The end of daylight saving time is scheduled for Sunday, April 5, 2026. The rest of the states, including Queensland and Western Australia, do not observe daylight saving time. New Zealand will also return to standard time in March–April 2026 — the exact date is determined by the national DST calendar.

Planning a trip to Ukraine in 2026? Take care of your safety in advance!

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Reminder! In the spring, Ukraine traditionally reviews the size of pension payments, but the March increase will not affect all recipients. For some pensioners, the amounts will remain unchanged due to the specifics of the calculation and current restrictions. Who can expect a pension increase — we explain here.

Photo: Freepik

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