Winter time in Ukraine-2026: The Rada voted for abolition — why will the clocks be turned back again?

Back in 2024, the Verkhovna Rada voted to abolish the seasonal clock change. But two years later, Ukraine is still living by the old rules: on the night of October 25, 2026, the clocks will be turned back an hour again. The reason is that the abolition law never came into force.

The transition to winter time will take place on the night from Saturday, October 24, to Sunday, October 25. At exactly 04:00 Kyiv time, the clocks will be set back to 03:00. Thus, this night will last an hour longer.

Why the law on abolishing the clock change didn't work

On July 16, 2024, the Verkhovna Rada supported draft law No. 4201 "On the calculation of time in Ukraine." 261 people's deputies voted for the document.

The law provided for abandoning the seasonal clock change and establishing permanent standard time UTC+2, which corresponds to winter time in Ukraine.

It was assumed that in the fall of 2024 the country would switch to winter time for the last time and would no longer return to summer time.

However, on August 21, 2024, the document was submitted for signature to President Volodymyr Zelensky, and since then its official status has not changed. As of October 18, 2026, in the draft law card on the Verkhovna Rada website it is still indicated: "Sent for signature to the President".

Without signing and official publication, the law did not enter into force. Therefore, the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 509 of May 13, 1996, according to which clocks are changed twice a year: on the last Sunday of March - forward, and on the last Sunday of October - back, remains in effect.

What will change after the transition to winter time

After the clock change, Ukraine will return to standard time UTC+2 instead of summer time UTC+3.

By local clocks, sunrise and sunset will occur about an hour earlier. This means that it will be lighter in the morning, but it will get darker earlier in the evening. The length of daylight itself does not change from turning the hands.

Most smartphones, computers, and smart watches will switch to the new time automatically if the time zone is set correctly and automatic synchronization is enabled.

Mechanical watches, some alarm clocks, household appliances, and car clocks may need to be set manually.

Those who plan to travel on the night of October 24-25 should be especially careful. It is better to check the departure times of trains, buses, and flights in advance, especially if the route includes connections.

Will the time difference between Ukraine and Europe change?

On October 25, most European countries, including Poland, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, France, and Spain, will also switch to winter time.

In Central European countries, the clocks will be set from 03:00 to 02:00. Since the transition will occur simultaneously with Ukraine, the usual time difference will remain.

For example, when it is 12:00 in Kyiv, it will be 11:00 in Warsaw, Berlin, Rome, and Paris, and 10:00 in London.

The situation is different with the USA and most of Canada, where the seasonal clock change will take place a week later - on November 1, 2026.

Therefore, from October 25 to November 1, the time difference between Ukraine and the regions of North America that change clocks will temporarily be reduced by one hour. This is important to consider for international calls, remote work, and online meetings.

Could the October clock change be the last?

So far, there are no reasons to consider the October 25 change the last. Although the Verkhovna Rada adopted the law abolishing the seasonal time change two years ago, it never entered into force.

If the legislation does not change, the next clock change in Ukraine will take place on March 28, 2027. Then at 03:00 the clocks will be set forward an hour again - to 04:00.

Thus, Ukrainians will have to switch to winter time again this autumn, and the question of final abolition of the seasonal clock change remains open.

Based on materials from: Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 509, Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine - draft law No. 4201, Time and Date, EU Directive 2000/84/EC