Why do the clocks change twice a year?
In 1977, the Netherlands introduced summer time to align with neighbouring countries. Summer time and winter time are agreed on by the EU. In almost all European countries the clock goes forward an hour in March and back an hour in October.
On 29 March 2026 at 02.00 the clock will go forward one hour.
Changing the clock to align with neighbouring countries
Many other European countries introduced summer time to save energy. The Dutch government introduced summer time in 1977 so the time in the Netherlands would be the same as in neighbouring countries. Summer time has been standardised across Europe since 1980.
The start and end of summer time is laid down in Directive 2000/84/EC. The Dutch Time Regulation Act specifies that Central European Time (also known as winter time) is the standard.
Winter time: clocks go back in October
In the last weekend of October the clocks go back one hour. This is also known as ‘winter time’. On 21 December, the shortest day of the year, the sun rises at approximately 08.45 and sets at approximately 16.30.
Summer time: clocks go forward in March
In the last weekend of March the clocks go forward one hour. This is known as ‘summer time’. Summer time means it gets light an hour later in the morning, and dark an hour later in the evening. On 21 June, the longest day of the year, the sun rises at approximately 05.20 and sets at approximately 22.00.