When does the time change? Your 2025 fall “clock back” guide for the U.S., UK, Europe—and key exceptions

As another “fall back” weekend arrives, many of us are asking the same thing: when does the time change, and does it affect me? Here’s a clear, up-to-the-minute guide to who moves their clocks, when it happens, and which places don’t change at all.

When does the time change in the United States and Canada?

Most of the United States and Canada switch from Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time on Sunday, November 2, 2025 at 2:00 a.m. local time. At that instant, clocks go back one hour (from 2:00 to 1:00 a.m.), giving most people an extra hour of sleep and earlier sunrises for the months ahead.

• Who does not change: Hawaii, most of Arizona (except the Navajo Nation), and U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

• Border nuances: Most Canadian provinces follow the same schedule as the U.S., with well-known exceptions in parts of Saskatchewan and select localities that keep the same time year-round.

What it means for your day: Sunrise and sunset both occur about an hour earlier by the clock on Sunday. Morning commutes brighten; evenings get darker sooner.

When did the clocks change in the UK and Europe?

The UK and all EU member states already moved to standard time on Sunday, October 26, 2025 (the last Sunday in October). In the UK, the switch occurred at 2:00 a.m., taking the country from BST to GMT. Across Europe, the change happened at the local times tied to each summer-time standard (e.g., CEST → CET).

• Easy memory tip: Spring forward, fall back. Last Sunday in March (forward), last Sunday in October (back) for the UK/EU calendar.

What about the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean?

Practices vary widely:

• Egypt: Daylight Saving Time ended at midnight between Thursday, Oct 30 → Friday, Oct 31, 2025, returning the country to UTC+2 for winter.

• Most of Africa: No seasonal clock changes (Egypt is a notable exception since 2023’s reintroduction).

• Caribbean: Many islands do not observe DST; Jamaica remains on UTC-5 year-round. Some Caribbean territories aligned with U.S. rules will have changed with the U.S. or not at all, depending on local law.

Why the time change still happens—and why the debate continues

Seasonal clock changes were designed to shift daylight toward active hours, historically pitched as an energy-savings measure and a boost to evening activity in warmer months. The modern picture is more complicated. Energy impacts appear marginal, while public opinion consistently supports ending the twice-yearly switch—though people disagree on whether to keep permanent standard time or permanent daylight.

Several U.S. states have passed laws favoring permanent daylight time, but they require federal approval to take effect. Health bodies frequently argue permanent standard time better matches human circadian rhythms. The result is stalemate: another year of “fall back” and “spring forward” for most North Americans.

Travel, work, and tech: avoid the classic pitfalls

• Flights and trains: Tickets always follow local time at origin and destination. Early-morning departures on Sunday can straddle the change; verify your itinerary the day before.

• Phones and laptops: Keep automatic date & time and automatic time zone enabled. Manually set devices are the top cause of missed alarms on clock-change weekends.

• Calendars and meetings: Cross-border teams should double-check Monday meeting times. For one week, U.S.–Europe time differences are one hour wider than during summer.

• Smart home devices: Some appliances require a manual nudge; consult the app or on-device clock after the switch.

Quick reference: “Do I change my clocks?”

• Change on Sunday, Nov 2, 2025: Most of the U.S. and Canada (back 1 hour at 2 a.m.).

• Already changed (Oct 26, 2025): UK (to GMT) and Europe (to standard time).

• No change this weekend: Hawaii, most of Arizona, many Caribbean nations (including Jamaica), most of Africa.

• Already changed locally: Egypt (back 1 hour at midnight, Oct 30→31).

What’s next—and when do we “spring forward” again?

Looking ahead, the next scheduled switch for regions following the North American pattern is Sunday, March 8, 2026, when clocks move forward one hour at 2:00 a.m. local time. In the UK and Europe, summer time resumes on the last Sunday in March 2026.

Until then, enjoy brighter mornings—and plan for earlier nightfall. If your routine depends on daylight, consider shifting outdoor activities earlier, reviewing commute visibility (lights, reflectors), and adjusting sleep times this week to keep your body clock happy.