Lorraine Williamson
For more than a century, Europeans have dutifully wound their clocks forward and back, believing it saves energy and makes better use of daylight. But as Spain now argues, this ritual may have outlived its purpose. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called daylight saving time “an outdated practice” that no longer benefits society — and, in fact, might be doing more harm than good.
In a post on X, Sánchez confirmed that Spain will push for an EU-wide end to the biannual clock change at the next Energy Council meeting, saying the twice-yearly disruption “does not fit the lifestyle or needs of European citizens.”
In his message on X, Sánchez captured the growing sentiment across Europe: “Cambiar la hora dos veces al año ya no tiene sentido,” he wrote — changing the clocks twice a year no longer makes sense. He added that the measure “barely helps save energy and has a negative impact on people’s health and daily lives.” The prime minister confirmed that Spain will formally ask the EU Energy Council to scrap daylight saving time altogether and initiate the relevant review process, signalling Madrid’s determination to bring the debate back to the top of Europe’s agenda.
A century-old experiment that no longer works
Daylight saving time was first introduced in Europe during World War I, revived during the oil crises of the 1970s, and sustained under the belief that it reduced electricity consumption. The logic was simple: shift an hour of daylight to the evening and cut back on lighting costs.
But modern data tells a different story. With today’s 24-hour lifestyles, energy-efficient lighting, and flexible working hours, studies show the savings are negligible — often less than 0.2%. Meanwhile, the human cost is mounting.
Health takes the hit
When the clocks shift, so do our internal rhythms. The body’s circadian system — finely tuned to daylight cycles — struggles to adapt. Scientists have linked time changes to increased stress, sleep disruption, reduced concentration, and even a temporary spike in heart attacks and accidents in the days following the switch.
Spanish sleep researchers have long warned of these effects, particularly in southern Europe, where late sunsets already stretch daily routines into the night. For many, the extra hour of light doesn’t mean more productivity or happiness — just more fatigue.
Public opinion: the clock change nobody wants
The move to scrap daylight saving time isn’t just political theatre. In a 2018 EU-wide consultation, an overwhelming 84% of 4.6 million participants said they wanted the clock changes to stop. Spain was among the countries most strongly in favour of abolition, echoing the frustration felt every March and October.
Despite this, EU negotiations have stalled since 2019, when the European Parliament voted to end the practice. Member states have yet to agree on whether to keep permanent summer or winter time — a decision that requires consensus and, ultimately, political courage.
A ticking deadline
The European Commission’s current timetable for clock changes runs until the end of 2026, offering what Spain sees as a natural endpoint. According to government sources, drafting yet another schedule “would be pointless” given the broad support for abolition.
For now, Spain has not indicated whether it prefers to adopt summer or winter time permanently. What matters more, officials say, is putting an end to the twice-yearly disruption once and for all.
The final hour?
The debate around daylight saving time reveals more than a clash over hours — it exposes how outdated traditions persist long after their benefits fade. As Spain pushes to make the EU confront the science, the economics, and the human cost, the clock may finally be running out for one of Europe’s most enduring habits.
If the proposal gains traction, 2026 could mark the last time Europeans turn their clocks forward — and the first time in decades that time, quite literally, stands still.