Spain Sets Sights on Ending Biannual Daylight Saving Time Changes

Spain has officially announced its intention to abolish the twice-yearly clock changes mandated by the European Union, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressing his belief that the practice no longer makes sense. In a video statement shared on platform X, Sánchez underscored that the clock changes fail to effectively save energy and have adverse effects on health and daily life. The prime minister highlighted that the disruptions to people’s biological rhythms — which occur each spring and autumn — pose a significant concern.

According to Sánchez, a 2018 survey showed that 84% of Europeans are against the clock changes, reflecting broad public desire to end the practice. Spain plans to bring a formal proposal to the upcoming Energy Council meeting within the EU advocating for the cessation of seasonal time changes. The final biannual change under the current system is scheduled for October 26, 2025, which will mark the switch from Central European Summer Time (CEST).

The daylight saving time system was introduced in 1980 with the goal of better utilizing daylight hours. However, for Spain and other EU member states to permanently abolish these clock changes, they must collectively agree on adopting either permanent summer or winter time, a decision that has yet to be resolved. Sánchez emphasized the need for consensus at the EU level to implement a unified and permanent timing arrangement across member countries.

This move aligns Spain with a growing European debate on the relevance and impacts of daylight saving time adjustments. The Spanish government’s proposal signals a significant step toward ending what many view as an outdated practice that disrupts health and well-being without delivering promised energy savings.