Madrid time zone in briefMadrid uses CET (UTC+1) during standard time and CEST (UTC+2) during daylight saving time. Use the IANA identifier Europe/Madrid in devices and calendars.

CET in winter, CEST in summer

Central European Time applies during standard time; Central European Summer Time applies during daylight saving time.

Standard timeCET · UTC+1

Winter period.

Daylight timeCEST · UTC+2

Summer period.

Seasonal changeCET / CEST

UTC+1 / UTC+2

Daylight saving time and the annual clock-change rule

Madrid follows the European rule: daylight saving time begins on the last Sunday in March and ends on the last Sunday in October. The calendar date changes each year, but the rule remains stable.

Daylight saving beginsLast Sunday in March

At 02:00 local time clocks move to 03:00: CET becomes CEST.

Standard time returnsLast Sunday in October

At 03:00 local time clocks return to 02:00: CEST becomes CET.

Network-connected phones normally update automatically. For manually configured devices or calendar events, choose Madrid or Europe/Madrid.

Frequently asked questions about Madrid time

Does Madrid observe daylight saving time?

Madrid uses CET (UTC+1) during standard time and CEST (UTC+2) during daylight saving time.

When does daylight saving time start in Madrid?

Daylight saving time starts on the last Sunday in March. At 02:00 local time, clocks move forward to 03:00, changing from CET to CEST.

When do the clocks change again in Madrid?

Madrid returns to standard time on the last Sunday in October. At 03:00 local time, clocks move back to 02:00, changing from CEST to CET.

Method and reference

The browser calculates and updates the local time using the Europe/Madrid time zone.