When the end of October arrives, Spain prepares for the annual ritual that confuses phones, alarms, and even some holidaymakers — the clock change. In 2025, this little time twist happens again, and if you live on or visit the Costa Blanca, here’s everything you need to know.
⏳ When Does the Clock Change in Spain 2025?
This year, Spain switches back to standard (winter) time on Sunday, October 26, 2025.
At 3:00 a.m., clocks will be turned back to 2:00 a.m. — meaning you’ll gain one extra hour of sleep.
So yes, technically you get a longer night… but the trade-off is shorter evenings and darker afternoons along the coast.
☀️ What Changes for the Costa Blanca?
For locals and expats from Alicante to Torrevieja and Benidorm, the time shift brings a few subtle but noticeable differences:
- Sunrise will happen earlier, around 7:45 a.m. instead of after 8:00.
- Sunset will drop to roughly 6:15 p.m. — goodbye long beach walks at 7!
- Restaurants and bars often adjust their opening hours slightly, especially in smaller towns.
- Public transport schedules (buses, trams, airport shuttles) automatically adapt, but if you’re catching an early flight from Alicante Airport 🛫, double-check your ticket time.
🌴 Everyday Impact
The clock change may not seem dramatic, but it can affect your rhythm more than you think:
- Your body clock needs a few days to adapt — especially if you’re sensitive to sleep cycles.
- Morning people love it (lighter mornings).
- Night owls hate it (early darkness).
- Fitness lovers often move their runs or walks earlier, before sunset.
And yes, the locals will mention it in every café conversation for at least a week.
🕐 Why Spain’s Time Zone Is “Wrong” (Fun Fact!)
Here’s something most visitors don’t know: Spain is technically in the wrong time zone.
Geographically, the country should be aligned with Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) — the same as the UK and Portugal.
However, in 1940, dictator Francisco Franco decided to move Spain an hour ahead to align with Nazi Germany’s time zone. The country never changed it back.
So when it’s 7 a.m. in London and still dark in Alicante, you’re living with a historical decision that’s over 80 years old!
🧭 A Quick Timeline
| Event | Date | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Daylight Saving Time Ends | Sunday, October 26, 2025 | Clocks go back 1 hour |
| Standard (Winter) Time Starts | October 26, 2025 | Sunrise and sunset happen earlier |
| Next Clock Change (Spring Forward) | March 29, 2026 | Clocks go forward 1 hour |
🕰️ Does the EU Still Do This?
You may have heard rumors that the EU planned to end these clock changes. True — back in 2019, the European Parliament voted to scrap them, letting each country choose either permanent summer or winter time.
But… (surprise!) the plan stalled.
Countries couldn’t agree which time to keep, and since time coordination across Europe is essential, everything stayed the same.
So yes, the 2025 clock change is happening — and will likely continue until the EU finally settles the debate.
💡 Tips for Residents and Travellers
✅ Check your gadgets: Phones and computers usually update automatically, but microwaves, ovens, and older clocks don’t.
✅ Plan your sleep: Try to go to bed a bit earlier the night before to adapt faster.
✅ Outdoor plans: Expect darkness sooner — perfect excuse for earlier tapas and wine 🍷.
✅ Travelers: Verify flight and train times (especially those around midnight).
✅ Businesses: If you run a café or rental business, remind your guests — they’ll appreciate it.
🌅 How Locals Feel About It
In Costa Blanca’s coastal towns, the clock change sparks the same conversation every year: “Why do we still do this?”
While some love the cozy early sunsets and cooler evenings, others complain about the sudden darkness that ends the terrace season too soon.
Still, there’s a certain charm to it — walking along the promenade in Altea at dusk, when the lights come on earlier and the sea glows deeper blue. 🌊
🕊️ Final Thought
Whether you’re an expat sipping coffee in Benidorm, a digital nomad in Alicante, or a traveller planning your autumn escape, the clock change is a small but real part of Spanish life.
It may steal your evening sunshine, but it gifts you an extra hour of rest — and a reason to slow down as winter approaches.
Filomena
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