Winter time change in Málaga 2026: when the clocks go back and what time it happens

With autumn comes one of those annual questions that always returns: when do the clocks change in Málaga? In 2026, the switch to winter time will take place during the night of Saturday 24 to Sunday 25 October.

The rule is simple: when the clock reaches 3:00 am, it must be turned back to 2:00 am. In other words, you gain an extra hour that night.

What time do the clocks change in Málaga?

In Málaga and across mainland Spain, the change will happen at 3:00 am on Sunday, 25 October.

At that moment:

3:00 am → 2:00 am

Sunday will therefore last 25 hours instead of the usual 24.

Most smartphones, computers, smartwatches and connected devices update automatically. Traditional clocks, alarm clocks and some household appliances may still need to be adjusted manually.

From that weekend onwards, sunrise will come earlier, but it will also get dark earlier in the afternoon, one of the most noticeable effects of the return to winter time.

Will this be the last clock change?

Not under the rules currently in force.

For several years, the European Union has discussed the possibility of ending seasonal clock changes. However, no final decision has yet been implemented to abolish the system, so the spring and autumn time changes remain in place.

Although the Spanish official calendar published in 2022 only listed dates up to 2026, that does not mean the October 2026 change will be the last one.

The European Commission has already published the expected summer-time timetable for 2027 to 2031, meaning the current system is set to continue unless new legislation changes it.

Why do the clocks still change?

The current system is designed to make better use of natural daylight during spring and summer.

In Spain, summer time begins on the last Sunday in March, when clocks move forward by one hour, and ends on the last Sunday in October, when they move back by 60 minutes.

The origins of the practice go back much further. Spain introduced early daylight-saving measures in 1918, at a time when reducing energy consumption and making better use of daylight were key concerns.

The system has changed several times since then, eventually becoming part of the coordinated European framework used today.

Winter time change in Málaga 2026: key details

If you simply want to save the date, these are the essentials:

• Date: Sunday, 25 October 2026
• When: during the night of Saturday 24 to Sunday 25 October
• In Málaga: at 3:00 am, the clocks go back to 2:00 am
• Change: clocks move back one hour
• Length of Sunday: 25 hours
• Is it the last clock change?: not under the rules currently in force

October will therefore mark the return of winter time in Málaga and across the Costa del Sol, bringing earlier sunsets and an extra hour on the day of the change.

The official 2026 dates can be checked in the Spanish Official State Gazette.