If you’re travelling to Ibiza this spring, there’s something curious about the local time you might not know. Spain, including Ibiza, currently operates in a time zone that doesn’t match its geographical position. The Spain time zone is officially Central European Time (CET)—the same as countries much further east, such as Germany and Poland—despite the fact that, geographically, Spain belongs in the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) zone, like Portugal and the UK.
This anomaly dates back to a political decision made over 80 years ago during Francisco Franco’s dictatorship. And this weekend, when Spain changes the clocks again for Daylight Saving Time, it adds another twist to a story of war, symbolism and daily life shaped by history.
What is the Spain time zone?
Spain currently observes Central European Time (CET) in winter and Central European Summer Time (CEST) in summer. However, by longitude, the country should naturally follow Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), especially in regions like Galicia or the Balearic Islands, where the sun rises and sets significantly later than in nearby countries.
For instance, during summer in Ibiza, sunset can occur after 9:30 PM, and it’s not unusual to see people dining or enjoying beach walks well past 10:00 PM.
But why is Spain in this ‘wrong’ time zone?
The historical reason behind Spain’s time zone
To understand this, we have to go back to the year 1940, during the early period of General Francisco Franco’s regime. Spain had been devastated by the Civil War (1936–1939), and Franco had emerged as its authoritarian ruler. At the time, Spain—like the UK and Portugal—used Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
But on 7 March 1940, Franco’s government issued a decree to move the clocks forward by one hour, permanently placing Spain in Central European Time (CET). The official reason was vague, referencing “greater efficiency and synchronisation with other European nations”. But historians widely agree that the real motivation was political alignment with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy.
During World War II, Nazi Germany had imposed CET on many occupied countries. Franco, although keeping Spain officially neutral, was sympathetic to the Axis powers and keen to express solidarity. By shifting to the same time zone as Hitler’s Germany, the Spanish government sent a symbolic signal of ideological closeness.
What’s remarkable is that, even after the war ended and the world changed, Spain never returned to its natural time zone. The “temporary” measure became permanent, and today, the Spain time zone remains one of Europe’s most historically unusual.
Living out of sync: how it affects Ibiza today
Because of this shift, Spanish time is out of sync with solar time. Noon on the clock doesn’t correspond with the sun being at its highest point in the sky—something that subtly but significantly affects daily routines.
In Ibiza, as in much of Spain:
- Shops open later, often not until 10:00 AM or beyond.
- Lunch is typically around 2:00 or 3:00 PM.
- Dinner starts between 9:00 and 10:00 PM.
- Nightlife begins after midnight and can continue well into the early hours.
As a tourist, this might feel unusual at first—but it actually enhances the island lifestyle. Long, bright evenings are perfect for watching sunsets, enjoying outdoor dinners, or relaxing on the beach long after other European destinations have gone dark.
When does Spain change the clocks?
On the last Sunday of March each year, Spain moves its clocks forward by one hour to mark the start of Daylight Saving Time (CEST). In 2025, this change happens at 2:00 AM on Sunday 30 March, when clocks jump forward to 3:00 AM.
That means Spain will be two hours ahead of solar time—and of the UK and Portugal.
If you’re in Ibiza on that day, your phone or devices will likely update automatically, but keep the change in mind if you have early travel, tours or reservations. And from that moment on, expect even longer evenings and later sunsets.
Calls to return to the natural time zone
In recent decades, there have been serious discussions within Spain about correcting the time zone and returning to GMT. Several parliamentary committees have studied the issue, pointing to negative effects on:
- Sleep quality and health, especially for schoolchildren and working adults.
- Work-life balance, due to late working hours and limited morning daylight.
- Productivity, which tends to be lower when schedules are misaligned with natural light.
Some regions, particularly Galicia in the far west, have actively lobbied to move to GMT, arguing that their sunrises can come as late as 9:00 AM in winter.
However, no official decision has been taken, partly due to concerns over disrupting national consistency and routines that are now deeply embedded in Spanish culture.
What the Spain time zone means for your Ibiza holiday
For tourists, the effects of Spain’s time zone are mostly positive. Here’s what you can expect:
- More daylight in the evenings means more time to explore, dine, and enjoy outdoor activities.
- Late meal times are the norm, so don’t be surprised if restaurants don’t get busy until 9:00 PM.
- Nightlife starts late and finishes even later, giving Ibiza its legendary reputation for all-night parties.
- Long sunset views from cliffs, beaches and terraces are among the best in Europe.
Just remember: when you’re watching the sun disappear behind the horizon at 9:45 PM, you’re experiencing not only a Mediterranean sunset—but also a living legacy of a 1940 political decree that still defines life in Spain today.
More than just a clock change
This weekend’s clock change is a perfect opportunity to reflect on one of the most unusual aspects of Spanish daily life. The Spain time zone is more than a quirk—it’s a piece of living history that continues to shape the way people eat, work, sleep, and celebrate.
So when you land in Ibiza and feel like everything starts later than expected, embrace it.
