Latvia Switches to Winter Time on Sunday: Clocks Go Back One Hour
In the early hours of Sunday, 25 October, clocks in Latvia must be turned back from 4:00 to 3:00. The next change, to summer time, is set for 28 March 2027.
Latvia will move to winter time overnight between Saturday and Sunday, 25 October. At 4:00 on Sunday, clocks must be set back one hour to 3:00, according to the Ministry of Economics.
What the rules say
Under Latvia's current arrangement, the switch to winter time takes place on the last Sunday of October. It is governed by Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 1010 of 26 October 2010, "On the Transition to Summer Time". The regulation sets clocks forward one hour at 3:00 on the last Sunday of March and back one hour at 4:00 on the last Sunday of October.
The next move to summer time will take place on 28 March 2027 at 3:00, overnight between Saturday and Sunday, when clocks go forward one hour.
A brief history
Latvia began introducing seasonal time changes in 1981, when it was still part of the USSR. Since 1997, summer time has started on the last Sunday of March and ended on the last Sunday of October.
Why the European Union has not ended the change
The main argument in the European Union (EU) for abandoning the twice-yearly clock change is its negative effect on people's health and well-being. In addition, the electricity savings originally expected turned out to be small.
In 2018, the European Commission held a broad public consultation with 4.6 million participants. 84% voted to abolish the clock change, and 16% to keep the current system.
The main obstacle is that member states cannot agree on a common solution. It must be decided not only whether to stop changing the clocks, but also whether each country would then use summer time or winter time permanently.
The positive effects of the clock change are mainly linked to better use of daylight, physical activity and some road safety benefits.
