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Austria has a single time zone, UTC+1, and the clocks change twice a year: once in spring and once in autumn. The dates of these changes vary from year to year. In 2025, the clocks went forward by one hour on March 30 and will go back by one hour on October 26. Austria first observed Daylight Saving Time in 1916 and has observed it for 59 years between then and 2025.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of timezones | 1 |
| Timezone | UTC++1 |
| Daylight Saving Time | Observed |
| First observed DST | 1916 |
| Years DST observed | 1916-1918, 1940-1943, 1944-1948, 1981-present |
| Number of clock changes per year | 2 |
| Clock change months | Spring, Autumn |
| Next clock change to DST | Last Sunday of March (March 30, 2025) |
| Next clock change from DST | Last Sunday of October (October 26, 2025) |
| Time change | Clocks move forward by one hour in spring and move back by one hour in autumn |
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What You'll Learn
Austria's time zone is UTC+1
The use of CET in Austria dates back to the late 19th century when the Austro-Hungarian Empire adopted it in 1891. However, it was not until two years later, in 1893, that Vienna, the capital city, followed suit. Since then, Austria has consistently observed CET as its standard time, except for a few periods in its history.
Austria has a history of periodically attempting to introduce daylight saving time (DST). The country first observed DST from 1916 to 1918 and has subsequently implemented it during various intervals, including from 1940 to 1948 and again from 1981 onwards. In years when DST is observed, Austria switches its clocks forward by one hour during the summer, resulting in a temporary shift to UTC+2.
The practice of adjusting clocks for DST in Austria is not tied to fixed dates like it is in some other countries. Instead, the clock changes occur on varying dates in March and October. For example, in 2025, the clocks were moved forward by an hour on March 30 and will be set back an hour on October 26.
Despite the sun rising and setting approximately 30 minutes later in the western part of Austria compared to the east, the country's east-west extension is relatively small. This minor difference in sunlight timing is not significant enough to warrant multiple time zones within Austria.
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Clocks change twice a year
In Austria, there is only a single time zone, UTC++1. The clocks change twice a year, with a nationwide clock change from standard time to daylight saving time. Clocks are switched forward by one hour in summer and back by one hour in winter. The dates of these changes vary year by year, but they typically occur in March and October.
In 2025, for example, the clocks will be turned back one hour on 26 October at 03:00. They were last changed on 30 March 2025, when they were moved forward by one hour.
Austria has observed Daylight Saving Time (DST) for 59 years between 1916 and 2025. Since 1916, Austria has introduced DST five times: from 1916 to 1918, 1940 to 1943, 1944 to 1948, and 1981 to the present day.
The purpose of DST is to make better use of daylight hours during the summer months. DST was first proposed by Benjamin Franklin in 1784 in an essay titled 'An Economical Project for Diminishing the Cost of Light'. In Britain, William Willett suggested the changing of the clocks in 1907 in his pamphlet 'The Waste of Daylight'. DST was introduced in the UK in 1916 as an Act of Parliament.
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The dates of the clock change are not fixed
Austria has a single time zone: Central European Time (CET) UTC+1. The country has observed Daylight Saving Time (DST) for 59 years between 1916 and 2025. Since 1916, Austria has introduced DST five times: from 1916 to 1918, 1940 to 1942, 1943 to 1944, 1944 to 1948, and 1981 until today.
Austria's clock change dates differ from those in North America. In North America, clocks change on the second Sunday in March and the first Sunday in November. However, Austria has different dates for the time change. This means that the sun rises and sets 30 minutes later in the western part of the country than in the east. Despite this time difference, the country still operates on a single time zone.
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Austria first observed DST in 1916
Austria first observed DST (Daylight Saving Time) or Sommerzeit in German, in 1916. The German Empire and its World War I ally Austria-Hungary commenced DST on 30 April 1916. The aim was to conserve coal during a period of wartime shortages. The move was also designed to alleviate the effects of air-raid blackouts.
The adoption of DST in Austria was part of a wider trend during World War I. Germany and its allies were the first to introduce DST, but the United Kingdom, for example, followed soon after on 21 May 1916. The United States adopted DST in 1918, with the Standard Time Act confirming the existing standard time zone system and setting summer DST to begin on 31 March 1918.
DST was not a new idea in 1916. Ancient societies, including the Romans, had adjusted their timekeeping to make better use of daylight. In 1784, Benjamin Franklin suggested that changing the clocks in the summer would lead to greater energy efficiency. However, his proposal was satirical and he did not recommend altering clocks. The first realistic proposal for DST came in 1895 from New Zealand astronomer George Hudson.
DST was first implemented in 1908 in Port Arthur, Ontario, Canada. However, this was a local, not national, adoption of DST. The first national implementation of DST was by the German and Austro-Hungarian Empires in 1916. Since then, DST has been adopted in many countries, particularly following the 1970s energy crisis.
Austria has observed DST for 59 years between 1916 and 2025. The country has a nationwide clock change from standard time to DST, where clocks are switched forward by one hour in summer.
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The time change is designed to make better use of daylight
In Austria, there is only a single time zone: Central European Time (CET) UTC+1. The clocks in Austria do not change on the same day as in North America. Instead of the second Sunday in March and the first Sunday in November, Austria has different dates for the time change.
Austria first observed Daylight Saving Time (DST) in 1916 and has since tried to introduce it five times: from 1916 to 1918, 1940 to 1942, 1943 to 1940, 1944 to 1948, and 1981 until the present. DST is designed to make better use of daylight by advancing clocks during the summer months, so there is more daylight in the evening and less in the morning. On March 30, 2025, clocks in Austria were turned forward by one hour at 2:00 am local standard time to 3:00 am local daylight time. This resulted in an hour less of daylight in the morning and an hour more in the evening.
On October 26, 2025, at 3:00 am local daylight time, clocks will be turned back by one hour to 2:00 am local standard time. This change will result in an hour more of daylight in the morning and an hour less in the evening. The time change is designed to make better use of daylight, providing more natural light during the daytime hours when it is most needed. The change also helps to conserve energy, as people rely less on artificial lighting during the extended daylight hours.
The time change in Austria is designed to be flexible, allowing the country to adapt to the changing needs of its citizens and the environment. The dates of the time change may vary from year to year, and not all years have the same number of time changes. This flexibility ensures that Austria can maximize the benefits of DST and minimize any potential negative impacts.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria changes its time twice a year: once in spring and once in autumn. The clocks are changed from standard time to daylight saving time, where they are switched forward by one hour in the summer. In 2025, the clocks will be changed on March 30 and October 26.
Austria first observed Daylight Saving Time in 1916.
There is only one time zone in Austria: UTC+1.
