EU Parliament Members Demand End to Seasonal Clock Changes
A group of 44 MEPs is calling on EU transport ministers to restart stalled efforts to abolish biannual time shifts.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Europe
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Members of the European Parliament have urged EU transport ministers to finally act on ending the practice of seasonal clock changes. The move follows years of legislative inaction despite strong public support for standardizing time across the union.
Why it matters
Efforts to stop clock changes have stalled because EU governments have failed to agree on whether to permanently adopt summer or winter time. There is also ongoing concern that uncoordinated time shifts would disrupt transport and cross-border commerce.
A 2001 EU directive currently mandates synchronized clock changes on the last Sundays of March and October across all member states. Seasonal time shifts were originally introduced following the 1970s oil crisis to optimize energy usage.
The players
European Parliament
This is the directly elected legislative body of the European Union, representing citizens from across the 27 member states.
European Commission
The executive branch of the European Union, responsible for proposing legislation and implementing decisions made by the Parliament and Council.
The details
The letter, signed by 44 lawmakers representing 15 countries, highlights the growing frustration over the status quo since the European Commission first proposed ending the shifts in 2018. A new study regarding the impact of abolishing these changes is currently scheduled for release by the end of 2026.
Timeline
1970s: Seasonal clock changes were introduced to save energy.
2001: EU directive mandated synchronized clock changes.
2018: Commission proposed legislation and held public consultation.
October 24, 2026: Europe turns clocks back one hour.
End of 2026: New study on abolishing clock changes is expected.
Travel Outlook
The debate over ending clock changes challenges the 2001 EU directive on summertime arrangements that has standardized travel and logistics across the continent for decades. Replacing this system remains complex due to the need to align internal market operations without disrupting cross-border connectivity.
Travelers should note that Europe will continue to turn clocks back one hour on October 24, 2026, as the current directive remains in effect. Anyone crossing borders during the transition weekend should verify local time changes, as the ongoing legislative stalemate ensures that seasonal shifts will persist for the foreseeable future.
The takeaway
The persistent disagreement between member states highlights how difficult it is to synchronize time-related policies across diverse economic zones. For now, travelers and businesses must continue to account for the biannual adjustment in their schedules.
What happens next
A commissioned study detailing the impacts of abolishing seasonal clock changes is expected to be published by the end of 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about travel logistics and regional policies in Europe.
Live Poll
Should the government permanently end the practice of switching clocks twice a year?
