Ibiza and the rest of Spain will return to winter time on Sunday, 25 October 2026, when clocks go back by one hour. The change marks the end of daylight saving time and means earlier sunsets in the evenings, while mornings will become lighter by the clock.

The adjustment will take place during the early hours of Sunday. In Ibiza, mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands, when clocks reach 03:00, they must be turned back to 02:00. This means an extra hour on the clock during the night, making Sunday officially 25 hours long.

What Time Do the Clocks Change in Ibiza?

The change will happen overnight from Saturday, 24 October, into Sunday, 25 October.

Here is what residents and visitors need to know:

• Date: Sunday, 25 October 2026

• Before the change: Central European Summer Time (CEST)

• After the change: Central European Time (CET)

• Clock adjustment: At 03:00, clocks go back to 02:00

• Effect: The day officially lasts 25 hours

The Canary Islands follow the same change on the same date, but their local clocks go back from 02:00 to 01:00.

The change follows Spain's established legal calendar for seasonal time adjustments, which aligns with the European Union's rules.

How Will the Time Change Affect Ibiza?

The most noticeable effect will be the earlier arrival of darkness in the evening. After the change, sunset will occur approximately one hour earlier according to local clock time than it did on the previous day.

Mornings will also become lighter earlier by the clock. The adjustment changes how daylight is positioned within the daily schedule, rather than removing an hour of daylight from the day itself.

For Ibiza residents, this means less evening daylight for outdoor activities after work and a shift in the timing of walks, beach visits and other plans that depend on natural light.

Visitors planning late-October trips should also bear in mind that the time change coincides with the transition towards Ibiza's quieter winter season, when some seasonal businesses and tourist services may close or reduce their operating hours.

Why Does Spain Still Change the Clocks?

Spain follows the European system of seasonal time changes. Under the current rules, clocks move forward on the last Sunday in March and back on the last Sunday in October.

The system was designed historically to align daily schedules more closely with available daylight. However, the benefits and drawbacks of seasonal clock changes have been debated across Europe for years.

The European Commission previously proposed ending the twice-yearly changes, but that proposal has not become law. The existing arrangements therefore remain in place, including the October 2026 transition to winter time.

When Will the Clocks Change Again?

The next scheduled clock change will take place in spring 2027, when Spain returns to daylight saving time.

For now, residents and visitors in Ibiza should remember the key date: Sunday, 25 October 2026. Clocks go back one hour, mornings become lighter by the clock, and darkness arrives earlier in the evening.