Winter Time 2026: When do we change the clocks?
Between Saturday and Sunday, October 24-25, 2026, at 02:00 AM, Israel will switch to winter time, moving the clocks back one hour. Learn how to verify your device settings, the impact of the time change on health, and the arguments against the transition.
Israel is switching to winter time. We will gain an extra hour of sleep, but from today, the sun will set around 17:00 and rise around 05:30. Here is everything you need to know.
When do we switch to winter time in 2026?
Israel will switch to winter time between Saturday and Sunday, October 24-25, 2026. At 02:00 AM, the clock will move one hour back (from 02:00 to 01:00). The transition occurs annually on the last Sunday of October in accordance with the Time Determination Law. We will return to summer time on March 27, 2027.
How to ensure your phone updates automatically?
Most smartphones update automatically. To verify your settings:
iPhone:
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Go to Settings > General > Date & Time.
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Ensure that 'Set Automatically' is on and 'Jerusalem' is selected as the location.
Android:
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Go to Settings > General Management (or search for 'time').
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Select 'Automatic date and time' and ensure it is enabled.
Why does Israel switch to winter time?
Winter time adjusts daylight hours to the winter season. The goal is for sunrise to occur earlier, facilitating the start of the school and workday, improving public transport efficiency, and providing an extra hour of daylight on the roads during the morning commute.
Impact on health and sleep
The transition affects the secretion of melatonin, the hormone regulating the sleep cycle, which can cause temporary difficulty falling asleep or feelings of fatigue. Health experts note that these effects are most noticeable in the first few days, particularly for children and the elderly. However, from a health perspective, winter time better aligns the body with natural sunlight cycles.
Who opposes the winter time switch?
Ron Tomer, President of the Manufacturers Association, has called on the government to adopt summer time year-round. According to the association's Economics Division, applying summer time throughout the year would provide an annual economic benefit of approximately 440 million shekels through energy savings and increased productivity, while also contributing to safer driving conditions.
