Fall is already in full swing, but at the end of October, one of its most recognizable signs will arrive: the return to standard time. On the night between Saturday, October 24, and Sunday, October 25, the clocks will also move back in Milan, and we’ll have an extra sixty minutes to spend on sleep or a more leisurely Sunday, enjoying fall walks and the last Halloween events.
When does the clock change in Milan?
The change will take place on the night between Saturday, October 24, and Sunday, October 25, 2026. When the clock strikes 3:00, you’ll need to set it back to 2:00: the hour between 2:00 and 3:00 will repeat, giving us an extra hour. Smartphones and other connected devices will update automatically; on analog clocks, however, the hands will need to be moved by hand.
What changes with the return to standard time?
With the switch to standard time, sunrise and sunset will occur earlier according to the official schedule: in the morning, there will be more light in the early hours of the day, while in the late afternoon, it will get dark sooner. The days will continue to grow shorter as fall progresses, and Milan will increasingly enter the season of coming home at sunset, turning on the lights early, and enjoying indoor activities.
For early risers, the change can make the first trips of the day brighter. On the other hand, walks, outdoor sports, and commutes home after work will take place with less natural light. In short, a small shift on the clock face that will be felt most of all in daily routines.
Will this be the last time change?
Not for now. For years, the European Union has been discussing the possibility of abolishing the seasonal time changes, but no final decision has been made yet: until there is a common agreement, the current rules will remain in effect. After the switch to standard time in October, the clocks will therefore be set forward again in the spring: in 2027, the change is scheduled for Sunday, March 28.
