Key Takeaways
- On Sunday, 26 October 2025 at 03:00 Europe/Amsterdam time, clocks in the Netherlands were set back one hour to 02:00, marking the transition from daylight saving time (DST) to standard time (winter time).
- This change aligns the Netherlands with Central European Time (CET, UTC+1) for the coming months.
- The shift is part of a long-standing practice coordinated across the European Union (EU) and reflects both historical decisions and ongoing debate.
- Even if most devices update automatically, it remains important to check manual clocks—especially in cars, ovens, older appliances—to ensure they reflect the correct time.
Story & Details
In the early hours of Sunday, 26 October 2025, the Netherlands made the annual time-adjustment that marks the start of what is commonly called “winter time”. At exactly 03:00 local daylight time, the clocks moved back to 02:00, giving one extra hour in the night and shifting sunrise and sunset to roughly one hour earlier than the day before. The source confirms: “Sunday, October 26 2025 — 1 hour back” in Amsterdam.
This change is coordinated across Europe: many EU countries shift simultaneously to maintain consistent time-difference relationships.
The Dutch government explains that the practice stems from efforts to align with neighbouring countries and optimise daylight hours; the Netherlands introduced summer time in 1977 and participates in the EU-wide schedule of time changes.
As one article puts it: “On 26 October 2025 at 03.00 the clock will go back one hour.”
Thus residents moving from Saturday night into Sunday enjoyed an “extra” hour of sleep, but beginning Monday morning they found that dusk arrived earlier and mornings were lighter.
What this means in practice
- With the clocks set to CET (UTC+1), mornings will have more daylight relative to the previous week, while evenings become darker earlier.
- Most smartphones, computers and internet-connected devices will update automatically. However, manual or analogue clocks (wall clocks, ovens, cars, older devices) may need to be adjusted by hand.
- For planning international communications and travel, especially across time-zones, note that while local time changed, the time difference vs. other CET/UTC+1 regions remains consistent since they changed at the same moment.
Definitions & Translations
Winter time
In the Netherlands, “winter time” refers to the standard time period when clocks have been set back by one hour from summer time (daylight saving time). It is the period when the country operates under Central European Time (UTC+1).
Daylight saving time (DST)
Daylight saving time is the practice of setting clocks forward by one hour during part of the year (typically spring/summer) so that evenings have more daylight and mornings less. In Dutch this is called zomertijd.
Europe/Amsterdam time zone
This is the official time‐zone designation for the Netherlands during standard time. It is equivalent to Central European Time (CET, UTC+1) during the winter months and shifts to Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2) in summer.
Why the Change Occurs
- The time-shift practice in the Netherlands is coordinated under EU rules: the last Sunday in March clocks go forward one hour (to summer time), and the last Sunday in October clocks go back one hour (to standard time).
- The government states that the change helps to synchronise with neighbouring countries and was originally introduced in the 1970s to save energy by making better use of daylight.
- However, there remains ongoing debate about the necessity and benefit of this bi-annual change. Some voices favour permanently keeping either summer time or standard time, citing health, safety and convenience concerns.
Conclusions
Yes — the clocks in the Netherlands have changed. On the night of Saturday-to-Sunday, 26 October 2025, the time moved back one hour at 03:00 to 02:00. This ushers in the standard time period (winter time) under CET. For residents and visitors alike, the practical impact is: check your clocks, expect earlier dusk and lighter mornings, and remain aware of the time difference for international coordination. The practice remains rooted in both historical context and modern debate about its future.
Sources
- Time change in the Netherlands: “Daylight Saving Time Changes 2025 in Amsterdam, Netherlands” – TimeAndDate.com
https://www.timeanddate.com/time/change/netherlands/amsterdam - Dutch government explanation: “Why do the clocks change twice a year?” – Government.nl
https://www.government.nl/topics/european-union/question-and-answer/why-do-the-clocks-change-twice-a-year - News coverage: “More sleep this weekend as the clocks go back one hour” – DutchNews.nl
https://www.dutchnews.nl/2025/10/more-sleep-this-weekend-as-the-clocks-go-back-one-hour/ - Video explanation of winter time in the Netherlands: “NT2 wintertijd klok VERZETTEN” – YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSyTAer3iDc
Appendix
Additional note on timing
The shift happened at 03:00 local daylight time (just as many other European countries changed) thereby moving the clock to 02:00 standard time.
Why “one extra hour” of sleep
Because clocks moved backward by one hour, the hour between 02:00–03:00 local time effectively occurred twice, granting an additional hour overnight.
Reminder for manual clocks
While many modern devices update automatically, analogue or non-connected clocks (e.g., ovens, older vehicles, wall clocks) often require manual adjustment.
My Diary - Leonardo Cardillo 