As spring arrives in Poland, the annual clock change is upon us again. On Sunday, March 30, 2025, clocks will move forward one hour as we transition to Central European Summer Time (CEST), marking the official start of summer time. This change has been established under the regulations set by the Polish Prime Minister's decree on November 19, 2021, which outlines the time adjustments from 2022 to 2026.
The transition is set to take place on the night of March 29 to March 30, specifically when clocks are adjusted from 2:00 AM to 3:00 AM. This means that Poles will essentially lose one hour of sleep, but gain longer daylight hours in the evening, allowing for more outdoor activities after work. While some people appreciate the longer evenings, the shift also means darker mornings, which can make the commute more challenging for many.
The concept of shifting to summer time is not new; Poland first adopted time changes during the interwar period and has maintained this practice since 1977. Yet, discussions around whether to abolish this twice-yearly adjustment are gaining momentum, especially in light of studies suggesting that the energy savings stemming from the change are marginal at best.
In fact, a survey by CBOS from March 2019 revealed that over 78% of Poles oppose the time changes, with many expressing a clear preference for maintaining a single time year-round. The argument for this change includes mental health considerations, as experts note that the adjustments can disrupt the circadian rhythms of many individuals, leading to a host of issues such as fatigue, irritability, and decreased concentration. Furthermore, transitioning to summer time has been linked with increased risks of accidents and health issues in the immediate aftermath.
The European Commission has been involved in discussions surrounding the abolition of time changes, with consultations held back in 2018 that highlighted public sentiment against the practice. This has put pressure on member states, including Poland, to consider their stance seriously. While the European Parliament has backed the idea of discontinuing the clock changes, definitive action has yet to materialize due to the complexities involved in reaching a consensus among all EU states.
The most recent communication from the European Commission indicates that current regulations regarding time changes will remain in place until at least 2026. Following the upcoming clock change, the next adjustment will revert to standard time on the last Sunday of October, marking another seasonal transition.
As the date approaches, the potential implications of this time shift are also sparking discussions in various spheres. One area of concern is how this will affect wages for night workers. According to the Polish Labour Code, workers expecting to complete a full shift on this particular night may find themselves facing discrepancies in their earnings. Although the law stipulates that workers should be compensated appropriately for their time, the reality is that during the hour lost to the clock change, remuneration for night work can vary based on contractual agreements. Employees on a fixed monthly salary might not experience a financial change, while those who work on an hourly basis could potentially receive a reduced payment unless stipulated otherwise in their contract.
The Polish Ministry of Development and Technology is actively resuming discussions regarding the future of time changes, hoping to push for a resolution on this contentious issue. Minister Krzysztof Paszyk has engaged in negotiations with EU officials to reinstate talks on abandoning the seasonal clock changes altogether, but it is clear that no immediate resolutions will come to fruition before the deadline outlined by the current regulations.
In the meantime, the comforting arrival of spring is celebrated not only through longer days but also through the awakening of nature itself. Birds return, flowers bloom, and the air becomes warmer—a joyous reprieve from the cold winter months. The astronomical spring, which officially began on March 20, 2025, is welcoming numerous signs of life, creating a beautiful backdrop against the calendar's traditional spring equinox.
As this seasonal change draws near, conversations about the clock-changing tradition continue to intensify. Since the practice of altering time was motivated primarily by economic arguments aimed at enhancing daylight usage, today’s context calls for a more nuanced understanding, balancing societal benefits against physiological impacts on citizens. The question remains open: Will the clock change on March 30, 2025, be the last for Poland, or will it mark yet another annual observance in a longstanding temporal tradition? Only time will tell.
