GUIDE · CALLEADESIGN LIBRARY
Daylight Saving Time 2026 in Italy: When Clocks Change
When does the time change in Italy in 2026? Italy continues to follow the European system of seasonal clock changes: clocks move forward in spring and back again in autumn.
For wall clocks, the adjustment depends on the movement inside. A standard quartz clock normally needs to be changed manually, while a compatible radio-controlled clock can update itself after receiving the official time signal.
Daylight saving time 2026 in Italy: the dates
Sunday 29 March 2026 – daylight saving time begins
At 02:00 local standard time, clocks move forward by one hour to 03:00.
Sunday 25 October 2026 – daylight saving time ends
At 03:00 local daylight time, clocks move back by one hour to 02:00.
The EU’s current seasonal-time system remains in force. A proposal to end the twice-yearly clock changes was introduced in 2018, but no final decision has been adopted, so the existing system continues to apply.
Prefer a clock that changes time automatically?
If you would rather not adjust a wall clock twice a year, selected CalleaDesign models can be ordered with a radio-controlled movement for European use. Mike is one example, or compare the two systems in Radio-Controlled vs Quartz Wall Clocks.
How to adjust a standard quartz wall clock
If your wall clock uses a conventional quartz movement, adjust the time from the control on the back of the movement rather than turning the hands directly from the front.
- Remove the battery. Stop the clock before making the adjustment.
- Use the rear setting wheel or control. Do not force the hands manually.
- Set the correct time. In March, move the displayed time forward by one hour; in October, move it back by one hour.
- Reinsert the battery. Check the polarity and make sure it is fully seated.
- Verify the time. Let the clock run and confirm that the hands move normally.
For more detail, see Why You Should Not Move Clock Hands Manually.
What happens with a radio-controlled wall clock?
A compatible radio-controlled movement receives an external official time signal and uses it to correct the clock automatically.
In much of Europe, this is commonly done using the DCF77 signal transmitted from Germany. When reception is successful, the movement can also handle the change between standard time and daylight saving time automatically.
The visible correction does not always happen at the exact moment of the official change. Radio-controlled movements may attempt synchronisation during specific reception periods, and local interference can delay a successful update.
See our full guide: DCF77: How Radio-Controlled Clocks Work in Europe.
Quartz or radio-controlled?
| Standard quartz | Radio-controlled | |
|---|---|---|
| Seasonal clock change | Manual | Automatic after successful synchronisation |
| Time setting | Rear setting control | Automatic via radio signal |
| User intervention | Required | Normally not required |
If a radio-controlled clock does not update
If the clock has not changed automatically, this does not necessarily indicate a fault. Try the following:
- check that the battery is fresh and correctly inserted;
- move the clock away from routers, televisions, computers or other sources of electrical interference;
- try a temporary position in a less shielded part of the room;
- allow another complete synchronisation cycle.
Will the seasonal clock change be abolished in Europe?
Not yet. The European Commission proposed ending the twice-yearly clock changes in 2018, but no final EU decision has been adopted. Until that changes, the current system remains in force.
Frequently asked questions
When does daylight saving time start in Italy in 2026?
On Sunday 29 March 2026. At 02:00, clocks move forward to 03:00.
When do clocks go back in Italy in 2026?
On Sunday 25 October 2026. At 03:00, clocks move back to 02:00.
Do smartphones and computers update automatically?
Most connected digital devices update automatically when their time-zone settings are configured correctly. Traditional quartz wall clocks normally require manual adjustment.
Will a radio-controlled wall clock change automatically?
Yes, when the movement is compatible with the local time signal and receives it successfully.
Should I move the hands directly to change the time?
Normally no. Use the adjustment wheel or control on the back of the movement unless the instructions for that specific clock say otherwise.
In brief
- 29 March 2026: clocks in Italy move forward by one hour.
- 25 October 2026: clocks move back by one hour.
- Standard quartz clocks normally need manual adjustment from the rear control.
- Radio-controlled clocks can update automatically after successful synchronisation.