Time Zone Notice
The time zone for this page (CET) is not currently in effect. The correct current time zone is CEST.
Please see the correct page here: Current Time in CEST.
Current Time in CET (Central European Time)
About CET
The standard time for many European and some North African countries. During summer, most of these locations switch to Central European Summer Time (CEST). Equivalent to MET (Middle European Time).
UTC Offset: +01:00
Current time shown is based on the representative IANA zone: Europe/Paris
Central European Time (CET): The Heartbeat of Europe
Central European Time (CET) is the standard time observed by most of continental Europe during the winter months. With a UTC offset of +01:00, it is one of the world's most widely used time zones, covering a dense network of countries from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia.
What Does CET Stand For?
CET stands for Central European Time. It is the standard time used in many European countries from the last Sunday in October until the last Sunday in March. During the rest of the year, these countries switch to Central European Summer Time (CEST), which is UTC+02:00.
Geographic Coverage
CET is observed by a large number of countries and territories, including: Algeria, Andorra, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bouvet Island, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain (including the Canary Islands which use WET), Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, and Vatican City. Major cities in this zone include Paris, Berlin, Rome, Madrid, Amsterdam, Brussels, Vienna, Warsaw, Prague, Budapest, Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen, and Algiers.
Daylight Saving Time
Most CET countries observe daylight saving time, moving to Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+02:00) from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October. However, Algeria and Tunisia do not observe DST, remaining on CET year-round. This means that during summer, Algiers is one hour behind Paris, while in winter they share the same time.
Neighbouring Time Zones
To the west, CET borders Western European Time (WET, UTC+00:00) and Western European Summer Time (WEST, UTC+01:00). Countries like Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Ireland use WET/WEST. To the east, CET meets Eastern European Time (EET, UTC+02:00) and Eastern European Summer Time (EEST, UTC+03:00), used by countries such as Finland, Romania, Bulgaria, and the Baltic states. To the north, CET is used in Scandinavia, but Norway, Sweden, and Denmark all observe CET/CEST. To the south, CET includes the Mediterranean coast of Africa (Algeria and Tunisia).
Practical Business Hours Guidance
When scheduling across CET, keep in mind that business hours typically run from 08:00 to 17:00 or 09:00 to 18:00. Lunch breaks often last one to two hours, with many offices closing between 12:00 and 14:00. For calls with North America, the best overlap is usually from 14:00 to 17:00 CET (8:00 to 11:00 AM Eastern Time). For Asia, mornings in CET (08:00 to 10:00) align with afternoons in East Asia (15:00 to 17:00 JST/KST). Avoid scheduling during the lunch break in southern European countries like Spain and Italy, where businesses may close for up to three hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CET the same as GMT+1?
Yes, CET is exactly UTC+01:00, which is equivalent to GMT+1. However, GMT is a time standard, while CET is a time zone that uses UTC+01:00 during standard time.
Does all of Spain use CET?
Mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla use CET/CEST. However, the Canary Islands use Western European Time (WET/WEST), which is UTC+00:00 in winter and UTC+01:00 in summer, one hour behind mainland Spain.
Why do Algeria and Tunisia not observe daylight saving time?
Algeria and Tunisia have chosen to remain on CET (UTC+01:00) year-round. They previously observed DST but discontinued it, Algeria in 1981 and Tunisia in 2009, to avoid the disruption of changing clocks twice a year.
What is the difference between CET and CEST?
CET is Central European Time (UTC+01:00), used in winter. CEST is Central European Summer Time (UTC+02:00), used in summer. The switch occurs on the last Sunday of March (clocks spring forward) and the last Sunday of October (clocks fall back).
Which countries in Eastern Europe use CET?
Several countries that are geographically in Eastern Europe use CET, including Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Albania. These countries are part of the Central European Time zone despite their eastern location.
Is there a country that uses CET but is not in Europe?
Yes, Algeria and Tunisia are African countries that use CET year-round. Additionally, Bouvet Island (a Norwegian dependency in the South Atlantic) uses CET, though it is uninhabited.