When do the clocks change in October 2026?

The autumn clock change will happen on Sunday, 25 October 2026. Spain will follow the standard European schedule for the end of daylight saving time.

In the Spanish Peninsula and Islas Baleares: 3:00 am becomes 2:00 am

In the early hours of Sunday, 25 October, when the clock strikes 3:00 am, it must be put back to 2:00 am.

Simply put: at 3, it will be 2.

In Islas Canarias: 2:00 am becomes 1:00 am

In Islas Canarias the change happens an hour earlier. At 2:00 am, the clocks will go back to 1:00 am.

Do we get an extra hour of sleep?

Yes. Because the clocks go back by one hour, the night of Saturday, 24 October into Sunday, 25 October will be one hour longer.

In other words, that Sunday will officially have 25 hours.

Is 'winter time' really starting?

'Winter time' is just the everyday phrase we use for the period following the October clock change.

Technically, the reality is much simpler: summer time ends, and we revert to standard time.

A new time zone doesn't begin just because autumn has arrived. The shift simply follows the official schedule for daylight saving time. European regulations stipulate that this period ends on the last Sunday of October.

Why do we still change the clocks twice a year?

In Spain, as in the rest of the European Union that follows this system, the clocks change twice a year: they go forward by an hour in March and back by an hour in October.

The original goal was to maximise daylight hours and save energy. Over the years, the system has also been kept in place to keep schedules coordinated across different countries.

The origin: making the most of daylight

Various countries first introduced the clock change during the First World War to save energy, and it was widely reintroduced during the 1970s oil crisis.

The premise was simple: adjust official time to better align waking hours with natural daylight.

But the way we consume energy has evolved significantly since then. Lighting is just one aspect of a home's energy use; heating, air conditioning, household appliances, and our personal habits also play a massive role.

Because of this, changing the clocks doesn't automatically guarantee electricity savings.

Time coordination in Europe

Beyond making the most of daylight, there is another key reason for keeping a common schedule: coordinating time zones across European nations.

The European Union set common rules to stop individual countries from applying their own separate dates. This coordination makes it much easier to manage activities that rely on shared schedules, such as transport, trade, and economic operations.

Does the clock change actually save energy?

There is no set amount of electricity that every household will save simply by putting the clocks back an hour.

In fact, when the European Commission proposed abolishing seasonal clock changes, it noted that the associated energy savings had become entirely marginal. It also pointed out that the impact varies depending on factors like location and consumption habits.

This makes sense: we use energy in far more ways today than when the clock change was first introduced. Lighting remains important, but so do heating, air conditioning, hot water, and appliances.

So, rather than viewing the clock change as a guaranteed money-saver, treat it as a handy reminder to review how and when you use energy at home.

The clock change won't save energy for you: use it to rethink your usage

Sunday, 25 October is a great day to rethink some of your daily habits.

You don't need to overhaul everything. Just check whether your schedules and automated settings still align with the new daylight hours.

For example:

• Make the most of natural daylight before switching on the lights.
• Review your heating timers.
• Check the timers and schedules on your appliances.
• Turn off lights when you don't need them.
• If your energy tariff has different time periods, see which tasks you can shift to off-peak hours.

You'll find plenty more tips on the Endesa blog to help you cut your gas and electricity bills, from minor habit changes to advice on making your appliances more efficient.

How to make the most of daylight after the clocks go back

Following the October change, the clock will be one hour behind summer time. The most noticeable difference in your day-to-day life is that it will get dark earlier by the clock.

To make the most of the available daylight:

• Open your blinds and curtains during the day.
• Set up study or workspaces near windows whenever you can.
• Turn off the lights in empty rooms.
• Make sure the bulbs in your most-used rooms are energy efficient.

The goal isn't just to delay turning on the lights as long as possible, but to only use artificial lighting when you actually need it.

In October, heating can matter more than lighting

The clock change happens right as autumn sets in, coinciding with the time many households start turning up the heating.

So, if you have a programmable thermostat, now is the perfect time to review your timers and match them to your daily routine.

Good programming stops your system from running while you're out and ensures your home is comfortably warm exactly when you need it to be.

Check out this Endesa guide on programming your heating for more advice on running it efficiently.

Which devices should you check when the clocks change?

Smartphones, computers, and other connected devices usually update the time automatically. Even so, there are a few devices worth double-checking:

• Heating and cooling systems: make sure your programmed schedules are right.
• Thermostats: check the current time and scheduled operating windows.
• Smart plugs and timers: verify your settings.
• Programmable appliances: review any cycles set to run at a specific time.
• Smart home systems: check any automations linked to your lighting, blinds, or climate control.

This stops a one-hour shift from causing your appliances to kick in earlier or later than you intended.

Do peak, shoulder, and off-peak hours change with winter time?

No. The clock change does not alter the time bands on the 2.0TD tariff.

On weekdays (Monday to Friday), peak hours are 10:00 to 14:00 and 18:00 to 22:00; shoulder hours are 08:00 to 10:00, 14:00 to 18:00, and 22:00 to 00:00; and off-peak hours are 00:00 to 08:00. Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays are entirely off-peak, 24 hours a day.

Crucially, these time bands remain exactly the same in both winter and summer.

You can read more about peak, shoulder, and off-peak hours – and how to make the most of them – on the Endesa blog.

Does the clock change affect your tariff price?

Not in and of itself.

Putting the clocks back an hour doesn't alter the financial terms of your contract. If you're on a time-of-use tariff, all that matters are the conditions of that tariff and the exact time you use electricity.

If you're thinking about shifting your usage habits, it's a good idea to first understand exactly what tariff you're on and how it works.

You can check out Endesa's electricity tariffs and explore the best options for your needs here.

How your home's 'energy clock' might shift

The clocks may change by an hour, but your energy needs won't magically follow suit.

What might change is when you need to run certain appliances.

For instance, you might start turning on the lights earlier in the evening during autumn. You'll probably also start using the heating more often.

Rather than wondering how much money the clock change will save you, a better question to ask is: How can I adapt my consumption to the new daylight hours and my autumn lifestyle?

That's where minor tweaks to your habits and timers can help you use energy much more efficiently.

Plus, as an Endesa customer, you can track your electricity consumption via your digital bill, your Customer Area, or the Endesa app. This gives you a clearer picture of your usage trends and highlights exactly which habits you can tweak.

The clock change and the autumn equinox are not the same thing

Though they happen just a few weeks apart, the clock change and the autumn equinox are entirely separate events.

The equinox is an astronomical event that marks the official start of autumn. The clock change, on the other hand, simply follows the legal schedule for daylight saving time.

That's why they don't necessarily fall on the same date.

Why don't we change the clocks as soon as autumn starts?

Because the clock change isn't tied to the astronomical start of the seasons.

European law states that daylight saving time ends on the last Sunday of October. In 2026, that falls on 25 October.

As a result, there can be a gap of several weeks between the first day of autumn and the day the clocks go back.

Will the October 2026 change be the last one?

No, not under the current schedule.

The European Commission has already published the official daylight saving dates for 2027 through to 2031. For now, the calendar still includes the March and October clock changes.

So, what happened to the proposal to scrap the clock change altogether? It's still up in the air. The European Commission proposed it back in 2018, but a final agreement to end seasonal changes has yet to be reached.

Until a new law is passed, the current system stays in place.

If Europe wanted to scrap it, why do we still change the clocks?

In 2018, the European Commission proposed ending seasonal clock changes. The European Parliament formally backed the idea in 2019, but the Council of the European Union has yet to agree on its official stance.

Because the legislative process hasn't concluded, the existing rules still apply.

Until a fresh decision is made, we will carry on changing the clocks every March and October.

Your energy checklist for the clock change

Sunday, 25 October is a great excuse to double-check a few things around the home:

• Clocks: check any devices that don't change automatically.
• Heating: review your scheduled times and target temperatures.
• Lighting: make the most of natural daylight and switch off any unnecessary lights.
• Timers: check your smart plugs, automated schedules, and programmers.
• Appliances: review any cycles set to run at a specific time of day.
• Tariff: if your tariff includes different time periods, see if there's any usage you can delay or shift.

You don't need to disrupt your routines just because the clocks have changed. It's simply about ensuring your habits and appliances are still working effectively for you.

Monitor your consumption before and after the clocks go back

The clock change is also the perfect excuse to pay a little closer attention to your energy use.

Try comparing your consumption in the weeks before and after 25 October. Has your heating use spiked? Are you turning the lights on earlier? Are any of your appliances running at odd times?

If you have access to hourly consumption data, it's much easier to spot your peak usage times and see which habits have the biggest impact on your bill.

Ultimately, saving energy isn't about moving the hands on a clock – it's about shaping your energy use to perfectly fit your lifestyle.

FAQs about the October 2026 clock change

When do the clocks change?

The clocks go back on 25 October 2026. In the Spanish Peninsula and Islas Baleares, the clocks will go back from 3:00 am to 2:00 am. In Islas Canarias, 2:00 am will become 1:00 am.

At 2:00 am is it 3:00 am, or at 3:00 am is it 2:00 am?

In October, 3:00 am becomes 2:00 am across the Spanish Peninsula and Islas Baleares. This means the clocks go back by one hour.

What happens in Islas Canarias?

In Islas Canarias, the change takes place an hour earlier: at 2:00 am, the clocks will go back to 1:00 am.

Do we get an extra hour of sleep or lose one?

We get an extra hour of sleep. Because the clocks go back an hour in the early hours of Sunday, 25 October, you'll gain an hour of sleep – provided you stick to your usual bedtime.

Do the clocks go forward or back?

They go back by one hour. In the Spanish Peninsula and Islas Baleares, 3:00 am becomes 2:00 am. In Islas Canarias, 2:00 am becomes 1:00 am.

When does winter time begin?

The so-called 'winter time' starts on 25 October 2026. Technically speaking, this is the day daylight saving time ends and standard time resumes.

Does changing the clocks actually save energy?

It doesn't automatically guarantee lower electricity bills. The clock change only has a very minor effect on overall consumption, which largely depends on the weather, heating use, and individual household habits. That's why this is a great time to review exactly how and when you use your lighting, heating, and other home appliances.

Do off-peak hours change?

No. The clock change doesn't affect the time bands on time-of-use tariffs. If you're on a standard 2.0TD domestic tariff, your peak, shoulder, and off-peak hours stay exactly the same whether it's summer or winter time.

Will my tariff change?

Not as a result of the clock change. Putting the clocks back doesn't change your tariff prices or the terms of your contract. If you have a time-of-use tariff, your set billing periods will remain exactly as they were.

Are the clock change and the equinox the same thing?

No, they are two completely different events. The autumn equinox is an astronomical event marking the start of autumn, usually falling around 22 or 23 September. The clock change is a legally regulated adjustment that takes place on the last Sunday of October in Spain.

Will this be the final clock change?

Nothing has been finalised yet. The European Union currently requires member states to change the clocks twice a year. While there is a standing proposal to abolish the practice, a definitive agreement on when or how to implement this hasn't been reached.

Do smartphones update automatically?

Usually, yes. Smartphones, computers, and most Internet-connected devices will automatically update the time as long as the setting is enabled. However, you should still manually check your wall clocks, household appliances, smart home systems, and any other devices not connected to the Internet.