Clocks to fall back one hour Sunday at 3 a.m. as daylight saving debate continues

On Sunday, October 26, 2025, the Netherlands will move its clocks back one hour at 3 a.m., marking the end of daylight saving time. The annual change raises questions about whether it could be the last time the country observes the switch.

As of October 2025, the Dutch government has not made a decision on permanently abolishing daylight saving time. The European Commission proposed ending the twice-yearly clock changes in 2018, but the plan failed to gain sufficient support from EU member states.

Dutch authorities say there is still insufficient clarity on the advantages and disadvantages of ending the practice, and a full assessment by the European Commission is needed before a final decision can be made.

In the broader European context, Spain has advocated for ending daylight saving time. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the practice outdated. For any change to take effect at the EU level, at least 15 of the 27 member states must support it, or a coalition representing at least 65 percent of the EU population must agree.