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Why does Sweden have summer and winter time?

The EU rule behind summer and winter time.

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Short answer

Sweden changes the clocks because EU 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. EU rules on this began in 1980 to unify national practices. A 2018 proposal to end the change has not been decided.

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 the European Parliament, the 1980 EU legislation aimed at unifying existing national summer-time practices and schedules.
  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 the Council of the EU, the Commission proposed on 12 September 2018 to discontinue seasonal time changes, and progress in the Council stalled in 2019.

Details

In Sweden the dates are set by Ordinance (2001:127) on summer time. The Swedish Government had not decided whether the change should be abolished, according to a page last updated in 2022. A Commission study on the options was launched in February 2026.

Tip

To follow the debate on ending the clock change, read the Council note and the Swedish Government page listed under sources.

What may differ

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

People also ask

  • Why does Sweden change the clocks?
  • Why do we have summer and winter 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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