Spain announced it will formally propose to the European Union the permanent abolition of bi-annual clock changes across the bloc, citing scientific evidence against energy savings and widespread public opposition.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez revealed the plan on social media. His announcement comes as Portugal and other EU nations prepare for the traditional shift to winter time.
Sánchez argued that time changes no longer make sense. He pointed to scientific findings that they do not save energy. These changes also disrupt biological rhythms, according to scientific consensus.
The Prime Minister also noted that a majority of citizens oppose the practice.
Science says it no longer represents energy savings and that it alters biological rhythms. The majority of citizens don’t want it either.
This week will be the last time we change the clocks. Spain will propose to the European Union to end time changes. pic.twitter.com/9r9FfN57hY
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) October 22, 2024
Portugal is set to delay clocks by one hour early this coming Sunday. This change marks the start of winter time in mainland Portugal and its autonomous regions of Madeira and the Azores.
On Sunday, October 26, in mainland Portugal and Madeira, clocks will move from 02:00 local time back to 01:00. In the Azores, the shift will occur at 01:00 local time, moving back to 00:00.
The legal time is currently scheduled to revert to summer time on March 29, 2026.
A European Union directive from 2000 regulates the current system of time changes. It mandates that clocks are advanced and delayed by one hour on the last Sunday of March and October, respectively. This marks the beginning and end of summer time.