Standard time is back. On the night between Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25, clocks will need to be turned back one hour, from 3am to 2am. As a result, people will enjoy an extra hour of sleep, though evenings will grow darker earlier.
The change marks the end of seven months of daylight saving time, which once again this year delivered significant savings in electricity consumption.
According to data released by Terna, Italy’s electricity grid operator, reduced energy use in 2026 generated economic savings of more than €90 million, alongside an estimated reduction of around 140,000 tonnes in carbon dioxide emissions.
The benefits are also evident over the long term. Between 2004 and 2026, daylight saving time allowed Italy to consume more than 12.3 billion kWh less electricity, with overall savings for citizens estimated at approximately €2.4 billion.
The switch back to standard time will happen automatically on smartphones, computers and other devices with active time updates. For traditional clocks and watches, however, hands will need to be manually turned back by 60 minutes.
