Current Time in GB-Eire Time Zone
IANA Name: GB-Eire
Standard Offset: UTC +00:00
Daylight Saving: Yes
DST Offset: UTC +01:00
DST Abbreviation: BST
Currently Observing DST: Yes ✅
GB-Eire Time Zone: GMT/BST and Daylight Saving in the United Kingdom
The IANA time zone GB-Eire covers the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Its standard offset is UTC+00:00 (Greenwich Mean Time, GMT) and during daylight saving it shifts to UTC+01:00 (British Summer Time, BST). This zone observes DST each year, with clocks moving forward in late March and back in late October.
Overview and Coverage
GB-Eire applies to the entire island of Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales), Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and several smaller islands including the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. It is the primary time zone for the United Kingdom and Ireland, used by over 70 million people.
Offset and Abbreviation
Standard time is GMT (Greenwich Mean Time), which is UTC+00:00. During daylight saving, the offset becomes UTC+01:00, known as BST (British Summer Time) in the UK and IST (Irish Standard Time) in Ireland. The abbreviation "GB-Eire" itself is a legacy IANA identifier; it does not appear as a common abbreviation in daily use.
Daylight Saving Behaviour
Clocks spring forward by one hour on the last Sunday of March at 01:00 UTC (becoming 02:00 BST) and fall back on the last Sunday of October at 01:00 UTC (becoming 00:00 GMT). Recent and upcoming transition dates:
- 2025: DST starts 30 March (BST), ends 26 October (GMT)
- 2026: DST starts 29 March (BST), ends 25 October (GMT)
This pattern aligns with European Union rules, though the UK and Ireland have their own legislation. The daylight saving period lasts approximately seven months, from late March to late October.
Main Countries and Cities
The zone covers the United Kingdom (London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast) and the Republic of Ireland (Dublin, Cork, Limerick). Major cities also include Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, and Liverpool. The zone does not include overseas territories, which use separate IANA zones.
Business Hours and Scheduling
Standard business hours in GB-Eire are 09:00 to 17:00 local time. When DST is in effect (BST), the offset is UTC+01:00; when on GMT, it is UTC+00:00. For scheduling with other regions:
- New York (EST/EDT): GB-Eire is 5 hours ahead during GMT (e.g., 12:00 GMT = 07:00 EST) and 4 hours ahead during BST (12:00 BST = 08:00 EDT).
- Central Europe (CET/CEST): GB-Eire is 1 hour behind during both standard and DST (e.g., 12:00 GMT = 13:00 CET; 12:00 BST = 13:00 CEST).
- India (IST): GB-Eire is 5.5 hours behind during GMT and 4.5 hours behind during BST.
- Australia (AEST/AEDT): GB-Eire is 10 hours behind during GMT and 9 hours behind during BST (e.g., 12:00 GMT = 22:00 AEST).
Always check current DST status in both locations, as transition dates may differ.
Other IANA Zones at Same Standard Offset
Several African zones share UTC+00:00 year-round without DST: Africa/Abidjan, Africa/Accra, Africa/Bamako, Africa/Banjul, Africa/Bissau, Africa/Conakry, Africa/Dakar, Africa/Freetown, Africa/Lome, Africa/Monrovia, Africa/Nouakchott, Africa/Ouagadougou. These zones do not observe daylight saving, so their offset is constant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does GB-Eire stand for?
GB-Eire is an IANA time zone identifier that historically covered Great Britain and Ireland. It is a legacy name; modern usage often prefers Europe/London or Europe/Dublin, but GB-Eire remains valid and interchangeable for the same region.
Does GB-Eire observe daylight saving time?
Yes. GB-Eire observes DST, shifting from GMT (UTC+00:00) to BST (UTC+01:00) on the last Sunday of March and back on the last Sunday of October.
What is the current time in GB-Eire?
The current time depends on whether DST is in effect. During winter (October to March) it is GMT (UTC+00:00); during summer (March to October) it is BST (UTC+01:00). Check a world clock for the exact time.
Is GB-Eire the same as Europe/London?
Yes, for practical purposes. GB-Eire and Europe/London both cover the United Kingdom and follow the same DST rules. However, Europe/London is the preferred modern identifier.
Why is the zone called GB-Eire and not UK-Ireland?
The name GB-Eire dates from early IANA database conventions, using GB (Great Britain) and Eire (the Irish name for Ireland). It has been retained for backward compatibility.
What countries use GB-Eire?
The zone covers the United Kingdom (including England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) and the Republic of Ireland. It also includes the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.