Switching to winter time in 2026: what you need to know
Soon, Poles will once again set their clocks back. Changing from daylight saving time to winter time is a permanent fixture in our country's calendar, intended to make better use of sunlight during the day. Although discussions about the purpose of this operation have been ongoing for years, the procedure will still apply to all residents of Poland in 2026.
The idea of changing the time was born many years ago, and New Zealander George Vernon Hudson is considered its originator. The main goal of this solution was to save energy and align human activities with the natural cycle of day and night. By shifting the clock hands, we gain more light in the morning hours during the autumn and winter period.
In Poland, the transition to winter time always takes place on the last Sunday of October. On the night from Saturday to Sunday, we set our clocks back from 3:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., which means we get an extra hour of sleep. It is worth remembering that most modern electronic devices, such as smartphones and computers, make this change automatically, but we must adjust traditional clocks manually.
Although debates have been ongoing in the European Union for a long time regarding the complete abolition of time changes, no final decisions have been made on the matter so far. This means that in the near future, citizens of member states, including Poland, must continue to prepare for changing the time twice a year. It is therefore worth marking this date in your calendar to avoid misunderstandings when planning your day.