Spain's 2025 Time Change Debate: Public Favors Summer Time Amid Political Push for Winter Time

Spain is at the center of a contentious debate over whether to permanently adopt winter or summer time. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has proposed making winter time permanent, arguing it aligns better with human circadian rhythms and could improve health and performance. This approach would eliminate the biannual clock changes but result in earlier sunrises and much earlier sunsets, particularly in spring and summer. However, this proposal conflicts with the strong preference of the Spanish population. A 2018 EU consultation found over 80% of Spaniards favored keeping summer time year-round, valuing the extended afternoon sunlight for leisure, social activities, and economic benefits in commerce and hospitality.

The Balearic Islands exemplify local political consensus favoring summer time. Their parliament unanimously backed maintaining summer time permanently, supported by the citizen platform ‘Illes amb claror’ which gathered thousands of signatures. Being the earliest in Spain to see sunrise and sunset, the Islands face significant lifestyle and economic impacts if winter time reduces valuable afternoon daylight.

Experts remain divided on the merits of winter time; while some highlight circadian advantages, others emphasize mental health benefits of afternoon light. Countries like France and Italy also lean toward summer time for cultural and economic reasons. The controversy highlights a tension between political decisions and citizen sentiment, with the latter strongly inclined toward summer time to safeguard Spain’s lifestyle and tourism-driven economy.

Ultimately, the debate is not just about biological suitability, but about which time regime best supports Spain’s cultural and economic fabric, with current evidence and public opinion favoring summer time for a better quality of life.