Summer time and winter time

In short: In the EU the clocks are changed twice a year: at the end of March to summer time (CEST), at the end of October back to standard time (CET).

In more detail: Summer time was permanently introduced in Germany in 1980 to make better use of daylight and save energy.

In detail

• Changeover: Forward one hour in spring (from 2 to 3 am), back one hour in autumn (from 3 to 2 am).
• Mnemonic: In spring “forward”, in autumn “back”, like garden furniture.
• Energy saving: The hoped-for effect is small.
• Health: Some people suffer short-term sleep disturbances (schlaf-und-computerarbeit-warum-nachtschichten-sich-rächen).
• Debate: The EU is discussing abolition, an agreement is outstanding.
• Technology: Computers and smartphones change automatically, time-zone errors are possible (zeitzonen-und-kalenderfallen).
• Shift work: On the changeover night the shift is one hour longer or shorter.