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Does Sweden have daylight saving time?

How summer time works and whether it is ending.

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Short answer

Yes, Sweden has summer time (daylight saving time): clocks go forward one hour on the last Sunday in March and back on the last Sunday in October. In 2026 they went back on 25 October, and the next change is on 28 March 2027. The EU has not decided to abolish the clock change.

Seasons and weather in Sweden Illustration of a season wheel with snow, a birch leaf, sun and rain around a red Swedish cottage

Why

  1. According to Ordinance (2001:127) on summer time, summer time means that standard time is increased by one hour.
  2. According to the European Parliament, Directive 2000/84/EC obliges all member states to switch to summer time on the last Sunday of March and back on the last Sunday of October.
  3. According to a Council of the EU note from 3 June 2026, progress on the 2018 proposal to end clock changes stalled in 2019 and a Commission study is expected to finish by the end of 2026.

Details

Sweden is on Central European Time in winter and Central European Summer Time in summer. Summer time starts at 02:00 standard time and ends at 03:00 summer time. In 2027 the clocks go forward on 28 March and back on 31 October.

Tip

Most phones and computers change the time by themselves, but check hand-set clocks such as wall clocks and oven clocks on the change weekend.

What may differ

If the EU ever abolishes the clock change, each member state could choose permanent summer or winter time, according to the European Parliament's summary of the 2018 proposal.

People also ask

  • Does Sweden do daylight savings?
  • Does Sweden observe daylight savings time?

Sources

This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check the Swedish Government before you travel.

Seasons and weather in Sweden

  • What should I wear in Gothenburg?

    What to wear in Gothenburg depends on the month, because SMHI's normal mean temperature is about 1 °C in January and about 18 °C in July.

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  • What should I wear in Sweden in March?

    In March, wear a warm jacket and scarf, because SMHI's normal mean temperature is about 2 °C in Stockholm and about 3 °C in Gothenburg.

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  • What should I wear in Sweden in November?

    In November, wear a warm coat and scarf, because SMHI's normal mean temperature is about 4 °C in Stockholm and about 5 °C in Gothenburg.

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  • Is it always dark in Sweden in winter (polar night)?

    No, in Stockholm the sun is up from 8:47 am to 2:55 pm in January, and polar night, with no sunrise at all, only occurs in the far north.

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