Daylight Savings Time Changes in Portugal 🇵🇹 (2018)
Portugal observes daylight saving time. Clocks next fall back on Sunday, October 25, 2026, switching from WEST (UTC+1) to WET (UTC+0).
| Country: | Portugal |
| Capital: | Lisbon |
| Abbreviations: | PT, PRT |
| IANA Time Zones: | 4 |
| Dial Code: | +351 |
Daylight Savings Time Schedule and Information
Before
23
:
59
After
01
:
00
24 MAR
24 Mar 2018 - Daylight Saving Time Starts
When local standard time is about to reach Saturday, 24 March 2018, 23:59 clocks are turned forward 1 hour to
Saturday, 24 March 2018, 01:00 local daylight time instead.
Sunrise and sunset will be about 1 hour later on 24 Mar 2018 than the day before. There will be more light in the evening.
Also called Spring Forward.
Before
00
:
59
After
00
:
00
28 OCT
28 Oct 2018 - Daylight Saving Time Ends
When local standard time is about to reach Sunday, 28 October 2018, 00:59 clocks are turned backward 1 hour to
Sunday, 28 October 2018, 00:00 local standard time instead.
Sunrise and sunset will be about 1 hour earlier on 28 Oct 2018 than the day before. There will be more light in the morning.
Also called Fall Back.
Daylight Savings Time Schedules by Districts in Portugal (2018)
| District | DST Start (Spring) | DST End (Fall) |
|---|---|---|
| Aveiro | 25 Mar 2018 | 28 Oct 2018 |
| Azores | 24 Mar 2018 | 28 Oct 2018 |
| Beja | 24 Mar 2018 | 28 Oct 2018 |
| Braga | 25 Mar 2018 | 28 Oct 2018 |
| Bragança | 24 Mar 2018 | 28 Oct 2018 |
| Castelo Branco | 25 Mar 2018 | 28 Oct 2018 |
| Coimbra | 25 Mar 2018 | 28 Oct 2018 |
| Évora | 25 Mar 2018 | 28 Oct 2018 |
| Faro | 25 Mar 2018 | 28 Oct 2018 |
| Guarda | 25 Mar 2018 | 28 Oct 2018 |
| Leiria | 25 Mar 2018 | 28 Oct 2018 |
| Lisbon | 25 Mar 2018 | 28 Oct 2018 |
| Madeira | 25 Mar 2018 | 28 Oct 2018 |
| Portalegre | 25 Mar 2018 | 28 Oct 2018 |
| Porto | 25 Mar 2018 | 28 Oct 2018 |
| Santarém | 25 Mar 2018 | 28 Oct 2018 |
| Setúbal | 25 Mar 2018 | 28 Oct 2018 |
| Viana do Castelo | 25 Mar 2018 | 28 Oct 2018 |
| Vila Real | 25 Mar 2018 | 28 Oct 2018 |
| Viseu | 25 Mar 2018 | 28 Oct 2018 |
DST Changes Summary for Portugal
| Date | Year | Change | Time | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Oct | 2025 | Back 1 hour | 00:59 ➜ 00:00 | Daylight Saving End |
| 28 Mar | 2026 | Forward 1 hour | 23:59 ➜ 01:00 | Daylight Saving Start |
| 25 Oct | 2026 | Back 1 hour | 00:59 ➜ 00:00 | Daylight Saving End |
| 27 Mar | 2027 | Forward 1 hour | 23:59 ➜ 01:00 | Daylight Saving Start |
| 31 Oct | 2027 | Back 1 hour | 00:59 ➜ 00:00 | Daylight Saving End |
| 25 Mar | 2028 | Forward 1 hour | 23:59 ➜ 01:00 | Daylight Saving Start |
| 29 Oct | 2028 | Back 1 hour | 00:59 ➜ 00:00 | Daylight Saving End |
| 24 Mar | 2029 | Forward 1 hour | 23:59 ➜ 01:00 | Daylight Saving Start |
| 28 Oct | 2029 | Back 1 hour | 00:59 ➜ 00:00 | Daylight Saving End |
| 30 Mar | 2030 | Forward 1 hour | 23:59 ➜ 01:00 | Daylight Saving Start |
| 27 Oct | 2030 | Back 1 hour | 00:59 ➜ 00:00 | Daylight Saving End |
| 29 Mar | 2031 | Forward 1 hour | 23:59 ➜ 01:00 | Daylight Saving Start |
Read More About Daylight Savings Time
Common Questions about Daylight Savings Time Changes in Portugal
Does Portugal use Daylight Saving Time in 2018?
Yes, Portugal observes Daylight Saving Time during the 2018 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 Portugal?
The next scheduled time transition in Portugal will take place on Saturday, 24 March 2018. At 23:59 local time, clocks will be turned forward by 1 hour. This specific change marks the transition to daylight saving time starts.
Does all of Portugal follow the same time change schedule?
Yes, the calendar dates for starting and ending Daylight Saving Time are consistent across the country. However, because Portugal spans 4 different time zones, the actual moment the clocks move occurs at different times depending on the local timezone of each district.
How will the next transition affect the day in Portugal?
Following the shift on 24 Mar 2018, 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 Portugal
Does Portugal observe Daylight Saving Time?
Yes, Portugal 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 Portugal in 2018?
In 2018, Daylight Saving Time begins in Portugal on March 24, 2018 at 23:59 local time. Clocks spring forward by one hour at this moment.
When does DST end in Portugal in 2018?
In 2018, Daylight Saving Time ends in Portugal on October 28, 2018 at 00:59 local time. Clocks fall back by one hour, returning to standard time.
When is the next time change in Portugal?
The next clock change in Portugal is on March 24, 2018, when clocks will fall back by one hour.
What time zone is Portugal on after DST ends?
After DST ends, Portugal returns to its standard time zone, Atlantic / Azores (Atlantic/Azores). Standard time is the country's year-round baseline; DST adds one hour to that during the warmer months.
Why does Portugal use Daylight Saving Time?
Like most countries that observe DST, Portugal 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.