Madrid — EU Time Harmonized

Central European Time with EU-mandated DST transitions. From business meetings to sporting events, get Madrid's precise local time and daylight saving details.

  1. Enter "Madrid"

    Type Spain's capital to load live local time in Central European Time (CET) or Central European Summer Time (CEST).

  2. Check DST Status

    Instantly see if Madrid is observing Central European Summer Time (UTC+2) or standard CET (UTC+1).

  3. See Upcoming Shifts

    View precise dates and times for the spring forward and fall back transitions, essential for travel and events.

  4. Understand Regional Impact

    Learn how Spain's DST rules align with EU regulations and affect scheduling across Europe and North Africa.

Why Madrid's Time Matters

  • EU-Wide Consistency Reflects European Union directives, keeping Madrid in sync with 26 other countries for seamless cross-border coordination.
  • Historical DST Timeline Outlines Spain's past shifts—from wartime double DST to modern EU-standard transitions—providing rich context for enthusiasts.
  • Authoritative Data Source Powered by the IANA time zone database (Europe/Madrid), ensuring accurate UTC offsets and transition rules.

Master Madrid Timing

  • Plan European Meetings

    Madrid shares time with Berlin and Rome. During summer, it matches Paris and Warsaw—ideal for pan-EU conference calls.

  • Schedule Southern Europe Travel

    DST in Spain begins later than the UK; plan trips to London or Lisbon accordingly during March transitions.

  • Navigate Ramadan Timings

    Religious observances in Spain's Muslim communities can shift with DST; verify local sunset times around Ramadan.

  • Capsule Events and Sports

    Major sporting events, like La Liga matches or Madrid marathons, adhere strictly to local DST—double-check kickoff times.

Madrid DST & Time Zone FAQs

When does Spain start and end DST?

Spain follows EU rules: clocks move forward one hour on the last Sunday in March and back on the last Sunday in October.

Is Madrid always one hour ahead of London?

Madrid is one hour ahead of London during standard time and two hours ahead when the UK is on BST and Spain on CEST.

Why does Spain use CET rather than GMT?

Spain adopted CET in 1940 for political alignment. Despite geographic preference for GMT, CET/CEST remains for EU conformity.

Does all of Spain observe the same DST rules?

Yes, mainland Spain and Balearic Islands follow CET/CEST. The Canary Islands use Western European Time (UTC±0/UTC+1).

European Cultural Capitals

How We Source Madrid Time

  • Fetches current time for Europe/Madrid from IANA database.
  • Determines UTC offset: +1 hour for CET, +2 hours for CEST.
  • Identifies DST transition rules based on EU legislation.
  • Calculates exact spring forward and fall back timestamps.
  • Synchronizes clock display with authoritative global time servers.
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DST in Madrid - Spain Time Zone Checker