Every spring and autumn, Europeans adjust their clocks, despite most people opposing the practice. This Sunday, clocks will move forward, costing millions an hour of sleep. Many are frustrated with this routine. A 2018 EU-wide survey found that 84% of citizens want to stop the time change altogether.
Scientific research backs their concerns. Studies show that shifting the clock disrupts the body’s natural rhythm. It can cause sleep issues and may worsen certain health conditions. Originally, daylight saving time was introduced to save energy, but experts now say it no longer serves that purpose.
“It was introduced in a completely different energy context,” explains Ariadna Güell Sans from the Time Use Initiative. “Today, it doesn’t help us save energy anymore.”
Why Hasn’t the EU Ended It?
In 2018, the European Commission proposed ending the biannual clock change. The European Parliament supported the idea, voting 410 in favor. However, the proposal stalled when EU member states failed to agree on a replacement system. Some countries wanted permanent summer time, while others preferred winter time.
The EU stresses that any change must be coordinated across all member states to prevent disruptions to the single market. If different countries follow different time schedules, trade, travel, and business could be affected. This complexity has kept individual nations from making changes on their own. As a result, the proposal has been stuck for years.
There is still hope for change. Lithuania may revive discussions when it holds the EU Council presidency in 2027. The European Commission remains in favor of a unified approach and encourages further talks.
More Than Just Time: A Political and Cultural Issue
Choosing a permanent time system is not only a technical decision. It also carries political and historical weight. Throughout history, time zones have reflected political influence and national identity.
During World War II, Nazi Germany imposed its time zone on occupied countries. Spain, under dictator Francisco Franco, also aligned its clocks with Hitler’s Germany and has kept that time ever since.
More recently, Ukraine stopped using daylight saving time to avoid aligning with Moscow Standard Time, which Russia imposed on occupied territories. This shows how time zones can be a statement of political stance.
Another issue is that many European countries do not follow “solar time,” where noon aligns with the sun’s highest point. In parts of Western Europe, the sun rises and sets much later than the clock suggests. This can disrupt natural sleep cycles, especially in countries like Spain.
Güell Sans explains: “Ideally, noon on the clock should align with the sun’s highest point in the sky.”
A Proposed Solution: A New Time System
To solve these issues, the Time Use Initiative has suggested a new approach: redefining European time zones based on natural meridians. Their proposal includes four main time zones:
- The UK, France, Spain, and the Benelux countries would use Western European Time (current GMT).
- Ireland and Portugal would join Iceland in the Azores Time Zone, one hour behind Western Europe.
- Central European countries, including Germany and Italy, would remain one hour ahead of Western Europe.
- Eastern European and Baltic nations would be two hours ahead of Western Europe.
This system aims to align time more closely with natural daylight patterns. However, such a change could create new complications. For example, if Ireland followed Azores Time but Northern Ireland remained on Western European Time, it could lead to confusion and even political disputes.
For now, the seasonal time change will continue, despite growing opposition. Without agreement among EU member states, the issue remains unresolved. Most Europeans want to end the practice, but political and logistical challenges make change difficult.
As more research highlights the health risks and practical downsides of daylight saving time, pressure may increase for a final decision. Until then, millions of Europeans will keep adjusting their clocks twice a year, wondering when the change will finally come.