Time in Germany

Daylight Saving Time (DST)

Since 1980 West and East Germany agreed to use DST like many other European countries. As a result of the oil crisis in the seventies, energy should be saved. Whether daylight saving saves energy or not is still disputed. However, I love the long bright summer nights!

In the beginning DST was from the last Sunday in march to the last Sunday in September. In 1996 DST was adapted internationally within the European Union, and it is now from the last Sunday in March until the las Sunday in October.

When daylight saving time starts in March, we set the clock one hour forward, and lose one hour sleep that night. Of course, we get the hour back in October, when the clock is set one hour back, and daylight saving ends.

Time Zones in Germany

You don't need to worry about different time zones when you travel in Germany. There is only one, the CET.
Once you have set your watch you don't need to worry about the correct German time anymore. Actually, all of Germany's neighbouring countries belong to the Central European Time Zone.

Checking the time when you travel around is easy. Modern clocks and wonderful old clocks on public buildings, churches, train stations almost always tell you the current time in Germany.

Be prepared that clocks in church towers will often remind you about the current time in the middle of the night.

Fun Facts about Germany

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