When will Ukraine switch to standard time in 2026?
Ukrainians will once again have to change their clocks—in the fall of 2026, the country will switch from daylight saving time to standard time. Despite ongoing discussions about abolishing this practice, the seasonal clock change remains in effect for now.
We’ll explain below exactly when to change the clocks in 2026 and whether we’ll get an extra hour of sleep.
When will Ukraine switch to standard time?
The transition will take place on the night of Saturday, October 25, 2026.
At 4:00 a.m. under the current daylight saving time, clocks will need to be set back one hour to 3:00 a.m. Thus, the day will formally be one hour longer, and Ukrainians will have the opportunity to sleep longer.
The last Sunday in October is traditionally the date when Ukraine switches to standard time. This procedure is established by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 509 “On the Procedure for Calculating Time on the Territory of Ukraine.”
Do you need to set your clock manually?
Owners of smartphones, tablets, computers, and most modern smartwatches usually won’t have to do anything—provided that automatic date and time detection is enabled in the settings.
However, you’ll need to adjust mechanical watches and some older electronic devices manually.
By the way, it’s still worth checking your phone’s settings before the change, especially if you have a trip, work, or an important meeting scheduled for the morning of October 25.
Why Ukraine Still Changes the Clocks
The issue of abolishing the seasonal time change in Ukraine has been under discussion for several years now.
In July 2024, the Verkhovna Rada supported Bill No. 4201, which called for the abolition of the switch to daylight saving time. The bill stipulated that after the final switch to standard time, Ukraine would remain on standard time permanently. A total of 261 members of parliament voted in favor of the bill.
However, the bill did not take effect because it was not signed by the president. As a result, the current rules remain unchanged—Ukrainians continue to set their clocks twice a year.
What Will Change After the Switch
After switching to standard time, Ukraine will return to UTC+2, whereas UTC+3 is used during daylight saving time.
The main change people will notice is that it will start getting dark earlier in the fall. On the other hand, daylight will begin earlier in the morning.
For many Ukrainians, the best part of the time change is the chance to sleep an extra hour on the first night after the clocks are set back.
However, the body may still need some time to adjust to the new sleep and activity schedule.
So, on October 25, 2026, don’t forget to check your clocks—at least the ones that won’t adjust automatically.
