Daylight Savings Time Changes in Bulgaria 🇧🇬 (2019)
Bulgaria observes daylight saving time. Clocks next fall back on Sunday, October 25, 2026, switching from EEST (UTC+3) to EET (UTC+2).
| Country: | Bulgaria |
| Capital: | Sofia |
| Abbreviations: | BG, BGR |
| IANA Time Zones: | 1 |
| Dial Code: | +359 |
Daylight Savings Time Schedule and Information
Before
02
:
59
After
04
:
00
31 MAR
31 Mar 2019 - Daylight Saving Time Starts
When local standard time is about to reach Sunday, 31 March 2019, 02:59 clocks are turned forward 1 hour to
Sunday, 31 March 2019, 04:00 local daylight time instead.
Sunrise and sunset will be about 1 hour later on 31 Mar 2019 than the day before. There will be more light in the evening.
Also called Spring Forward.
Before
03
:
59
After
03
:
00
27 OCT
27 Oct 2019 - Daylight Saving Time Ends
When local standard time is about to reach Sunday, 27 October 2019, 03:59 clocks are turned backward 1 hour to
Sunday, 27 October 2019, 03:00 local standard time instead.
Sunrise and sunset will be about 1 hour earlier on 27 Oct 2019 than the day before. There will be more light in the morning.
Also called Fall Back.
Daylight Savings Time Schedules by Provinces in Bulgaria (2019)
| Province | DST Start (Spring) | DST End (Fall) |
|---|---|---|
| Blagoevgrad | 31 Mar 2019 | 27 Oct 2019 |
| Burgas | 31 Mar 2019 | 27 Oct 2019 |
| Dobrich | 31 Mar 2019 | 27 Oct 2019 |
| Gabrovo | 31 Mar 2019 | 27 Oct 2019 |
| Haskovo | 31 Mar 2019 | 27 Oct 2019 |
| Kardzhali | 31 Mar 2019 | 27 Oct 2019 |
| Kyustendil | 31 Mar 2019 | 27 Oct 2019 |
| Lovech | 31 Mar 2019 | 27 Oct 2019 |
| Montana | 31 Mar 2019 | 27 Oct 2019 |
| Pazardzhik | 31 Mar 2019 | 27 Oct 2019 |
| Pernik | 31 Mar 2019 | 27 Oct 2019 |
| Pleven | 31 Mar 2019 | 27 Oct 2019 |
| Plovdiv | 31 Mar 2019 | 27 Oct 2019 |
| Razgrad | 31 Mar 2019 | 27 Oct 2019 |
| Ruse | 31 Mar 2019 | 27 Oct 2019 |
| Shumen | 31 Mar 2019 | 27 Oct 2019 |
| Silistra | 31 Mar 2019 | 27 Oct 2019 |
| Sliven | 31 Mar 2019 | 27 Oct 2019 |
| Smolyan | 31 Mar 2019 | 27 Oct 2019 |
| Sofia | 31 Mar 2019 | 27 Oct 2019 |
| Sofia-grad | 31 Mar 2019 | 27 Oct 2019 |
| Stara Zagora | 31 Mar 2019 | 27 Oct 2019 |
| Targovishte | 31 Mar 2019 | 27 Oct 2019 |
| Varna | 31 Mar 2019 | 27 Oct 2019 |
| Veliko Tarnovo | 31 Mar 2019 | 27 Oct 2019 |
| Vidin | 31 Mar 2019 | 27 Oct 2019 |
| Vratsa | 31 Mar 2019 | 27 Oct 2019 |
| Yambol | 31 Mar 2019 | 27 Oct 2019 |
DST Changes Summary for Bulgaria
| Date | Year | Change | Time | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Oct | 2025 | Back 1 hour | 03:59 ➜ 03:00 | Daylight Saving End |
| 29 Mar | 2026 | Forward 1 hour | 02:59 ➜ 04:00 | Daylight Saving Start |
| 25 Oct | 2026 | Back 1 hour | 03:59 ➜ 03:00 | Daylight Saving End |
| 28 Mar | 2027 | Forward 1 hour | 02:59 ➜ 04:00 | Daylight Saving Start |
| 31 Oct | 2027 | Back 1 hour | 03:59 ➜ 03:00 | Daylight Saving End |
| 26 Mar | 2028 | Forward 1 hour | 02:59 ➜ 04:00 | Daylight Saving Start |
| 29 Oct | 2028 | Back 1 hour | 03:59 ➜ 03:00 | Daylight Saving End |
| 25 Mar | 2029 | Forward 1 hour | 02:59 ➜ 04:00 | Daylight Saving Start |
| 28 Oct | 2029 | Back 1 hour | 03:59 ➜ 03:00 | Daylight Saving End |
| 31 Mar | 2030 | Forward 1 hour | 02:59 ➜ 04:00 | Daylight Saving Start |
| 27 Oct | 2030 | Back 1 hour | 03:59 ➜ 03:00 | Daylight Saving End |
| 30 Mar | 2031 | Forward 1 hour | 02:59 ➜ 04:00 | Daylight Saving Start |
Read More About Daylight Savings Time
Common Questions about Daylight Savings Time Changes in Bulgaria
Does Bulgaria use Daylight Saving Time in 2019?
Yes, Bulgaria observes Daylight Saving Time during the 2019 calendar year. The country follows the practice of shifting clocks to better align waking hours with the available evening sunlight during the spring and summer months.
When do the clocks change next in Bulgaria?
The next scheduled time transition in Bulgaria will take place on Sunday, 31 March 2019. At 02:59 local time, clocks will be turned forward by 1 hour. This specific change marks the transition to daylight saving time starts.
Does all of Bulgaria follow the same time change schedule?
Yes, Bulgaria follows a single, unified schedule. Every province across the country transitions to and from Daylight Saving Time at the exact same moment, ensuring a consistent time standard nationwide.
How will the next transition affect the day in Bulgaria?
Following the shift on 31 Mar 2019, you will notice that there is more light in the evening compared to the day before. While the transition may temporarily disrupt sleep patterns, the primary goal of this forward shift is to maximize usable daylight for the population.
Frequently Asked Questions about DST in Bulgaria
Does Bulgaria observe Daylight Saving Time?
Yes, Bulgaria observes Daylight Saving Time. Clocks shift forward in spring and back in autumn, giving an extra hour of evening daylight during the warmer months.
When does DST start in Bulgaria in 2019?
In 2019, Daylight Saving Time begins in Bulgaria on March 31, 2019 at 02:59 local time. Clocks spring forward by one hour at this moment.
When does DST end in Bulgaria in 2019?
In 2019, Daylight Saving Time ends in Bulgaria on October 27, 2019 at 03:59 local time. Clocks fall back by one hour, returning to standard time.
When is the next time change in Bulgaria?
The next clock change in Bulgaria is on March 31, 2019, when clocks will fall back by one hour.
What time zone is Bulgaria on after DST ends?
After DST ends, Bulgaria returns to its standard time zone, Europe / Sofia (Europe/Sofia). Standard time is the country's year-round baseline; DST adds one hour to that during the warmer months.
Why does Bulgaria use Daylight Saving Time?
Like most countries that observe DST, Bulgaria shifts its clocks to make better use of evening daylight during the summer months, which can reduce electricity demand and shift outdoor activity later into the day. The savings are modest and debated, but the practice remains widespread in mid- and high-latitude countries.