Greece Time Change: When do we turn back the clocks - In a few days we will move from summer to winter time

The date when we will change our clocks from summer to winter time is approaching, which means that the clocks will go back one hour.

The time change will take place on the last Sunday of October, specifically the morning of October 27th, when the clocks strike 4:00 AM. At that time, we will need to turn them back one hour to 3:00 AM.

How the Time Change Became Established

Daylight Saving Time (DST) is a system aimed at making the most of daylight hours to conserve energy. In Greece and Europe, DST lasts for 7 months, while winter time (or standard time) begins on the last Sunday of October and is applied for 5 months.

The first mention of using DST comes from Benjamin Franklin in a letter published in a French newspaper. While it doesn't explicitly mention changing the clock, it suggests people wake up an hour earlier.

Today, the portion of the global population using DST is a minority, as almost all Asian and African countries do not participate. Others have abolished it or are planning to do so.

The European Union decided to stop the mandatory time change in 2021, allowing each member state to independently choose to permanently adopt either summer or winter time.

In Greece, the relevant consultation has been postponed indefinitely.

Time Change 2024: When it Appeared in Greece

In Greece, DST was first implemented experimentally in 1932, specifically from July 6th to September 1st, where the clocks were moved forward one hour. However, the idea was quickly abandoned. However, in 1973, due to the energy crisis that hit Europe, it was decided to adopt DST by a large number of countries, including Greece at the time. The new measure was first implemented in our country in 1975 and continues to this day.

Thus, the difference in relation to the sunlight that determines the real time became very large, mainly in the western parts of the country and especially in Corfu.

In the following years, a simple shift of the opening hours of public services and shops by half an hour was adopted during the winter period.

However, two years after the energy crisis that broke out in Europe in 1973, it was decided to adopt DST by a large part of its member states, including Greece. It was implemented in 1975.