Ukraine switches to winter time on the night of 25 October: clocks go back one hour

When and how

On the night from Saturday, 24 October, to Sunday, 25 October, Ukraine switches to winter time. At 04:00 Kyiv time clocks must be turned back one hour, to 03:00. The night will be an hour longer and Sunday will last 25 hours.

After the change Ukraine returns to standard time, UTC+2, instead of summer time, UTC+3. According to timeanddate.com, sunrise and sunset on 25 October will be about an hour earlier than the day before: mornings will be lighter and it will get dark earlier in the evening.

What changes for you

Most modern devices — smartphones, tablets, computers and smartwatches — will change the time automatically if automatic date, time and time-zone settings are on, ThePublic reminds readers. Mechanical watches, some car systems, alarm clocks and household appliances will have to be adjusted by hand.

Anyone travelling on the night of the change should check timetables carefully: trains and buses running at that time may depart or arrive according to an adjusted schedule.

Why the clocks still change

Clock changes in Ukraine are governed by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 509 of 13 May 1996 “On the procedure for calculating time on the territory of Ukraine”. Under it, winter time starts on the last Sunday of October and summer time on the last Sunday of March.

On 16 July 2024 the Verkhovna Rada adopted a law on time calculation (bill No. 4201). It provided for abolishing seasonal clock changes and introducing a single Kyiv time, UTC+2, all year round. The bill was backed by 261 MPs. The plan was that Ukrainians would turn their clocks back for the last time in October 2024 and that from 2025 there would be no switch to summer time.

However, as ThePublic notes, the law was sent to the president for signature on 21 August 2024 and its status has not changed since. Volodymyr Zelensky has still not signed it, so it has not entered into force and Resolution No. 509 remains valid.

Where daylight saving time came from

Summer and winter time were first introduced in Great Britain in 1908 to save electricity and distribute it more rationally over the day, Ukrinform recalls. Since then the arguments for and against seasonal clock changes have been debated in many countries, including in the EU.

The next change

If the law remains unsigned, clocks will next move to summer time on 28 March 2027, from 03:00 to 04:00.

Adjusting more easily

The switch to winter time is usually easier than the spring one, since people gain an extra hour of sleep. Still, the body may need a few days to adapt. A regular routine helps: go to bed and get up at the same time by the new clock, get more daylight in the morning and avoid coffee in the evening. Children and older people may find it easier to shift their routine gradually, by 15–20 minutes a day.

In short: what to do

• on Saturday evening check that automatic time setting is on in your smartphone;
• adjust wall clocks, wristwatches and the clock in your car by hand;
• if you are travelling on the night of 25 October, check the timetable with your carrier;
• remember it will get dark earlier after the change — plan evening errands with possible power outages in mind.