When the clocks change in March 2026: Spring forward and get ready for daylight saving time

If you're one of those people still wondering when the clocks change this season, get ready because the date is just around the corner. Like every year around this time, March is when we say goodbye to standard time and welcome longer, brighter days. But be warned, it's not as straightforward as it seems: the change always brings a bit of confusion, and even more so if it coincides with a long weekend or a special celebration. And this year, 2026, there's an interesting twist because the adjustment falls right on Palm Sunday.

The early hours of March 29: Getting one hour less of sleep

Mark your calendars: on the night of Saturday 28 March to Sunday 29 March, we'll be moving the hands of the clock again. At 2 am (peninsular time), it will suddenly become 3 am. Yes, you read that right: we'll be sleeping one hour less that night. If your phone is connected to the internet, you won't need to do a thing because it updates automatically. But your wristwatch, the oven clock, the microwave timer, and that old alarm clock you keep for nostalgia's sake... those you'll have to change manually on Saturday before you go to bed, or on Sunday morning when you wake up feeling a bit groggy.

This year, the date carries extra significance: it falls on Palm Sunday, the starting signal for Holy Week. So, the morning processions, the palms, and the festive atmosphere will be bathed in a different light, one that feels more like spring. And take note, because anyone planning a trip that weekend needs to be very aware of the change to avoid missing their train or flight. One less hour of sleep, but an extra hour of daylight in the evening.

Is the time change phenomenon living on borrowed time?

We've been hearing for years that Brussels wants to put an end to this biennial clock-changing ritual, that the European Commission proposed scrapping it back in 2021, and that they ultimately couldn't reach an agreement... Well, for now, things remain the same. Spain maintains the twice-yearly adjustment, and 2026 is no exception. So, while the politicians deliberate, we'll keep pushing our clocks forward and pulling them back twice a year. And the truth is, despite our grumbling, we eventually adapt. Our bodies feel the shift, especially in the first few days: it's harder to get out of bed, hunger pangs strike at odd hours... But within about a week, more or less, we're in summer mode.

To make this transition smoother, it helps to apply what the book Creative Correction calls "extraordinary ideas for everyday life." You don't need to do anything drastic, but small gestures that help readjust your routine can make a difference. For example:

• The Saturday before, try going to bed a little earlier than usual to compensate for the hour you'll lose.
• On Sunday, as soon as you wake up, step outside and soak up some sun. Natural light is the best regulator for our internal body clock.
• During the first few days, avoid heavy dinners and too much screen time before bed. It might sound like old-fashioned advice, but it works.
• If you have young children or pets, gradually shift their mealtimes and walk schedules by 10-15 minutes each day so the change isn't so abrupt.

They're small things, yes, but they make a real difference. After all, the time change can be seen as an invitation to reset our habits and make the most of the daylight. And although it might catch some by surprise, those of us who have been around a while know that the last weekend of March means it's time to spring forward. It's almost as certain as spring itself.

A quick recap to avoid any slip-ups

To wrap up, here's an express reminder of when the clocks change and what you need to do:

• When: In the early hours of Saturday 28 March to Sunday 29 March 2026.
• How: At 2 am, it becomes 3 am. For non-automatic digital clocks, you'll need to set them forward; for analogue ones, give the hands a half-turn forward.
• Consequences: We'll sleep one hour less, but we'll gain an extra hour of evening daylight.
• Bonus: That same day marks the start of Holy Week with Palm Sunday. So if you're heading to mass or to see the processions, keep it in mind so you're not cutting it too close for time.

Now you know. This month, when Saturday night rolls around, before you get into bed, do a mental exercise: remind yourself that when you wake up the next day, it will actually be an hour later than your biological clock tells you. And if you have any important commitments on Sunday morning, set two alarms. Just in case. Because there's always someone who says, "Oh, the time change always gets me confused"... and that someone won't be you.