Daylight Saving Time 2026: When to Change the Clock
28 March 11:17
Ukraine will switch to daylight saving time this week, which means clocks will be set forward one hour. It may take some people a few days to adjust to the new schedule.
This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian".
Clocks must be adjusted on the night of March 29. After 2:59 a.m., it will immediately be 4:00 a.m., meaning the clocks will be set forward by one hour.
Currently, Ukraine is governed by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 509 of May 13, 1996, “On the Procedure for Calculating Time on the Territory of Ukraine.” It provides for a seasonal time change twice a year—on the last Sunday in March and the last Sunday in October.
That is why the switch to daylight saving time traditionally takes place in the spring.
Why clocks are set forward at 3 a.m.
The time for the change was not chosen by chance. At 3 a.m., most people are asleep, so the time change causes fewer inconveniences in daily life.
Also, during this period, there is almost no active public transportation, flights, or trains, so the time change does not cause significant scheduling issues.
Most countries that still practice daylight saving time do so at night—usually between 2:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. This helps minimize the impact on the operations of banks, stock exchanges, and international companies.
How to check the exact time
The easiest way to check the exact time is via the internet or devices that automatically sync with time servers.
In particular, you can use the following methods:
- Official sources —for example, the website of the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) or Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
- Google — simply enter “exact time” in the search bar, and the system will display the current time for your region.
- Smartphone or computer — if the device syncs with the internet, it automatically updates the time based on network servers.
- Radio or TV news — some TV channels and radio stations periodically announce the exact time.
- GPS navigators — they use a satellite signal to synchronize with an atomic clock.
Owners of mechanical watches or older cell phones will have to set the time manually.
What to do if you have a trip planned for this day
If you have a train trip planned for this day, there’s no need to worry. Ukrzaliznytsia tickets already list departure and arrival times adjusted for the switch to daylight saving time.
The company traditionally adjusts train schedules in advance, so the clock change does not affect the timetable.
How to prepare for and adjust to the switch to daylight saving time
Nadiya Operchuk, Chief State Sanitary Doctor of the Kirovohrad region, explained that during the switch to daylight saving time, people may experience fatigue, have trouble sleeping, and see a decrease in concentration and productivity. In some cases, chronic conditions may also flare up.
According to her, to adapt more easily to the time change, it is worth following a few simple tips:
- Gradually adjust your sleep schedule —go to bed and wake up about 15 minutes earlier.
- Maintain a healthydiet —eat nutritious foods and stick to your usual mealtimes.
- Be more active —walk more, as this reduces stress hormone levels.
- Pay attention to your mental and emotional state —avoid stressful situations whenever possible.
- Limit news consumption before bed.
According to her, children, older adults, people with weather sensitivity, and those with chronic illnesses have the hardest time adapting to the changes.
When Daylight Saving Time Was Introduced
Seasonal clock changes were introduced in 1981 in the USSR. After gaining independence, Ukraine continued this practice.
In 1996, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted a resolution that finally standardized the procedure for switching to daylight saving time and standard time. Since then, the time change has taken place every year.
To minimize the impact on people’s health, the time change is traditionally carried out on a weekend.
Why Ukraine Still Changes the Time
The issue of abolishing seasonal time changes has been under discussion in Ukraine for several years.
In 2021, the Verkhovna Rada passed Bill No. 4201, “On the Calculation of Time in Ukraine,” in its first reading, which provided for the introduction of a single time zone without seasonal changes. However, at that time, parliament did not support the bill in its second reading.
Later, on July 16, 2024, the Verkhovna Rada did pass a law providing for the abolition of clock changes. It was planned that after the transition to standard time on October 27, 2024, Ukraine would no longer change the time.
However, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not yet signed this law.
According to sources in the Servant of the People faction, one of the reasons was concern about the potential economic consequences of such a decision. The Office of the President also took into account petitions in which some Ukrainians opposed the abolition of seasonal time changes.
Therefore, at least this spring, the practice of changing the clocks in Ukraine will continue.
