As the sun rises on Sunday, March 30, 2025, clocks across Spain will spring forward from 2:00 AM to 3:00 AM. This shift marks the official start of daylight saving time, a practice that has become a routine part of life in Spain since its introduction in 1974. However, this seemingly simple adjustment raises a host of questions and concerns about its impact on health, productivity, and energy consumption.
The transition to daylight saving time is designed to make better use of daylight during the longer days of spring and summer, allowing people to enjoy more sunlight in the evenings. Yet, experts warn that this change can disrupt the human circadian rhythm, leading to a range of negative health effects. Sergio Paredes, director of the Department of Physiology at the Complutense University of Madrid, explains, "Advancing the clock by one hour desynchronizes the biological clock with sunlight, potentially causing fatigue, drowsiness, irritability, and stress." This disruption is particularly concerning as it can affect sleep quality and overall well-being.
Research indicates that around 60% of Spaniards already sleep less than they should, and the time change may exacerbate this issue. Carlos Egea, president of the Spanish Federation of Sleep Medicine Societies (FESMES), emphasizes that the time change can lead to increased sleep deprivation, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly. Gonzalo Pin, coordinator of the Sleep and Chronobiology Committee of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics, notes that parents may notice their children experiencing irritability, reduced concentration, and even a loss of appetite in the days following the time change.
Nutritionist Clara Puig Muñoz adds another layer to the discussion, stating that the time change can also influence eating habits. "The alteration of the circadian rhythm can lead to delayed meal times and increased consumption of alcoholic and energy drinks," she warns. This shift in eating patterns can have further implications for health, particularly if individuals are not mindful of their dietary choices during this transition.
The practice of changing the clocks twice a year was initially adopted in response to the energy crisis of the 1970s, with the aim of reducing electricity consumption. However, the effectiveness of this measure has been called into question in recent years. María Prado, head of the Energy campaign at Greenpeace, explains that while energy consumption has decreased significantly, the time change still plays a role in shifting electricity consumption to hours with more solar and wind energy. "The adjustment helps reduce reliance on gas-fired power plants during peak energy usage times," she notes.
Despite the purported benefits, a survey conducted by the Center for Sociological Research (CIS) in November 2023 revealed that a significant majority of Spaniards—65.8%—prefer to eliminate the time change altogether. Only 22.5% of respondents expressed a desire to maintain the current system. Furthermore, a European Commission survey of over 4.6 million people indicated that 84% of participants from various European countries also favored stopping the practice of changing clocks.
The debate surrounding the time change is not new. In 2018, the European Commission proposed ending the seasonal time change, but the proposal has been stalled due to disagreements among member states. While the European Parliament approved the measure in 2019, a lack of consensus on whether to adopt permanent summer or winter time has prevented any action. Currently, Spain's time change will continue until at least October 2026, as outlined in Royal Decree 236/2002, which mandates a review of the time change every five years.
As Spain prepares to adjust its clocks once again, experts recommend several strategies to help individuals cope with the transition. These include gradually adjusting sleep schedules in the days leading up to the time change, maximizing exposure to natural light during the day, and minimizing screen time before bed. Moreover, maintaining a balanced diet and staying active can help mitigate some of the negative effects associated with the adjustment.
While the time change may seem like a minor inconvenience, its effects can ripple through society, impacting everything from individual health to broader economic patterns. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether Spain will ultimately align its timekeeping practices with its geographical reality, or if the twice-yearly clock adjustment will remain a fixture of life for years to come.
In the end, whether one views the time change as an outdated practice or a necessary adjustment, it is clear that the implications of shifting the clocks extend far beyond simply gaining an hour of daylight. As the sun sets later and people adjust to the new schedule, the conversation about the future of timekeeping in Spain—and across Europe—will likely persist.
