Cyprus Daylight Saving Time 2026: When Clocks Change

When Do Clocks Change in Cyprus in 2026?

Cyprus clocks spring forward on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at 3:00 AM Eastern European Time (EET). Clocks move to 4:00 AM Eastern European Summer Time (EEST). You lose one hour of sleep and gain an extra hour of evening daylight.

The autumn change happens on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at 4:00 AM EEST, when clocks fall back to 3:00 AM EET.

Cyprus is an EU member state and follows the EU's harmonized DST schedule: clocks change on the last Sunday of March and the last Sunday of October.

Cyprus Time Zones: EET and EEST

Cyprus shares the EET/EEST cycle with several other Eastern European and Middle Eastern countries: Greece, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Bulgaria, and (in summer only) parts of the Middle East including Lebanon and Jordan.

Why 3:00 AM — Not 1:00 AM Like Portugal and the UK?

Countries in the Western European Time zone (Portugal, UK) change their clocks at 1:00 AM local time, while Central European Time countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain) change at 2:00 AM. Cyprus, in the Eastern European Time zone, changes at 3:00 AM — this is because the EU directive specifies that clock changes occur simultaneously across the EU at 1:00 AM UTC. The different local times (1 AM, 2 AM, 3 AM) are simply what 1:00 AM UTC converts to in the respective time zones.

What Does the Time Change Mean for Cyprus Travelers?

After March 29, Cyprus at EEST (UTC+3) has these relationships with other time zones:

• Cyprus vs. UK (BST, UTC+1): Cyprus is 2 hours ahead of London in summer (same gap as winter: EET UTC+2 vs. GMT UTC+0 = 2 hours; EEST UTC+3 vs. BST UTC+1 = 2 hours). Consistent year-round.
• Cyprus vs. Greece (EEST, UTC+3): Same time zone — no difference at any time of year.
• Cyprus vs. Israel: Israel moves to IDT (Israel Daylight Time, UTC+3) around the same period, so Cyprus and Israel are usually synchronized in summer.
• Cyprus vs. UAE (UAE Standard Time, UTC+4): UAE does not observe DST and stays at UTC+4 year-round. In summer Cyprus is 1 hour behind UAE; in winter Cyprus (EET, UTC+2) is 2 hours behind UAE. The gap changes with Cyprus's DST clock change.
• Cyprus vs. US East Coast (EDT, UTC−4): In summer, Cyprus (EEST, UTC+3) is 7 hours ahead of New York (EDT). In winter, Cyprus (EET, UTC+2) is 7 hours ahead of New York (EST, UTC−5). Consistent at 7 hours most of the year, but shifts briefly in early March when the US changes and Cyprus hasn't yet.

Northern Cyprus

Northern Cyprus (the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, recognized only by Turkey) follows Turkey's time zone, not Cyprus's. Turkey abolished DST in 2016 and permanently moved to UTC+3 (TRT — Turkey Time) year-round. This means:

• In winter: Northern Cyprus (TRT, UTC+3) is 1 hour ahead of Southern Cyprus (EET, UTC+2).
• In summer (after March 29): Southern Cyprus moves to EEST (UTC+3), matching Northern Cyprus's TRT (UTC+3). They are briefly in sync.

This creates a unique situation where crossing the UN buffer zone in Nicosia can mean changing your clock by an hour in winter — but not in summer.

Cyprus DST History

Cyprus has observed daylight saving time since 1975. As an EU member state since 2004, it harmonized its clock change dates with the EU schedule. Prior to EU accession, Cyprus changed clocks on slightly different dates aligned more with the Middle Eastern DST schedule.

The EU Parliament voted in 2019 to abolish seasonal clock changes by 2021, but the directive stalled in the EU Council. As of 2026, Cyprus continues to observe DST on the EU harmonized schedule.

Upcoming Cyprus Clock Change Dates

• Spring 2026 (this change): March 29, 2026 at 3:00 AM EET → 4:00 AM EEST
• Autumn 2026: October 25, 2026 at 4:00 AM EEST → 3:00 AM EET
• Spring 2027: March 28, 2027 at 3:00 AM EET → 4:00 AM EEST
• Autumn 2027: October 31, 2027 at 4:00 AM EEST → 3:00 AM EET

Frequently Asked Questions

What time do clocks change in Cyprus in 2026?

Cyprus clocks spring forward on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at 3:00 AM EET (Eastern European Time). Clocks advance to 4:00 AM EEST (Eastern European Summer Time). In autumn, clocks fall back on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at 4:00 AM EEST, returning to 3:00 AM EET.

What time zone is Cyprus in?

Cyprus uses EET (Eastern European Time, UTC+2) in winter and EEST (Eastern European Summer Time, UTC+3) in summer. After the March 29 spring change, Cyprus is at UTC+3 until October 25.

Does Cyprus observe daylight saving time?

Yes. As an EU member state, Cyprus observes daylight saving time following the EU's harmonized schedule: clocks spring forward on the last Sunday of March and fall back on the last Sunday of October.

Is Cyprus the same time as Greece?

Yes. Both Cyprus and Greece use EET (UTC+2) in winter and EEST (UTC+3) in summer, changing clocks on the same dates. They are always in sync.

Does Northern Cyprus observe the same time as Southern Cyprus?

No. Northern Cyprus follows Turkey (TRT, UTC+3 year-round, no DST). Southern Cyprus follows the EU schedule (EET/EEST). In winter, Northern Cyprus is 1 hour ahead of Southern Cyprus. In summer (after March 29), both are at UTC+3 and temporarily synchronized.

When does daylight saving time end in Cyprus in 2026?

Daylight saving time ends in Cyprus on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at 4:00 AM EEST when clocks fall back to 3:00 AM EET.

Sources

• European Parliament Directive 2000/84/EC: Summer-time arrangements
• IANA Time Zone Database: Asia/Nicosia, Asia/Famagusta
• Republic of Cyprus Official Gazette: Clock change announcements