{
  "id": 13321908,
  "title": "Germany: Time for the Next Time Change",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/germany-time-for-the-next-time-change",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-10T03:52:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Berlin Spectator",
    "slug": "the-berlin-spectator",
    "url": "https://berlinspectator.com/2026/10/10/germany-time-for-the-next-time-change/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Seven years ago, the European Union sought to eliminate the inconvenience of switching between standard time and daylight saving time. However, member states have been unable to reach a consensus on adopting a permanent time setting. Some governments advocate for keeping clocks on summer time year-round, similar to Turkey's decision in 2016, while others prefer staying on regular time. This ongoing dispute results in Germany continuing to shift its clocks twice a year, causing significant annoyance for many Germans and Europeans who struggle to adjust their clocks and experience potential sleep disruption.\n\nOn Sunday, October 25th, 2026, at 3 a.m., Germans will revert their clocks and watches back to 2 a.m. Local residents do not need to wake up at 3 a.m. to perform this task; they can set their devices before or immediately after waking on Sunday. Smartphones and computers automatically adjust to the time change.\n\nThe practice of time changes in Germany began in 1980, aiming to maximize daylight hours and conserve energy. However, experts cannot confirm the latter benefit. Simultaneously, they agree that such changes negatively impact the human biological clock. Meanwhile, the U.S. is also considering doing away with its time changes. In Washington, D.C., the House of Representatives approved the Sunshine Protection Act on July 15th, aiming to implement this change permanently. Nevertheless, the Senate has not yet taken action, and President Donald Trump supports the legislation. Until the act passes, the U.S. will still undergo time changes, albeit a week later than Europe. Between October 25th and November 1st, the time difference between Berlin and the U.S. East Coast will be five hours instead of six. Only Arizona and Hawaii in the U.S. do not change their clocks; Arizona has no exception, but the Navajo Nation, part of Arizona, undergoes the time changes.",
  "summary": "When do we change the time? And which direction do we turn our clocks? Why do we still have to go through this annoying procedure?",
  "key_points": [
    "European Union seeks permanent time setting since 2013",
    "Germans adjust clocks twice yearly, causing sleep disruption",
    "U.S. considers ending time changes, but Senate has not acted"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}