What is being considered? Daylight saving time may become permanent

At 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 29, daylight saving time returns. Clocks will move one hour forward and will not be set back until Sunday, October 25—but it is possible they may never be turned back again. If not this year, then in one of the coming years, as for the first time a proposal to make daylight saving time permanent has entered a structured parliamentary process.

Until June 30, hearings are planned in the Committee on Productive Activities, Trade, and Tourism in the Chamber of Deputies, which has approved the launch of an inquiry “on the impact of permanent daylight saving time on the national territory: effects and consequences across different sectors.” The proposal was submitted in November 2025, initiated by the Italian Association of Environmental Medicine, Consumerismo No profit, and Lega MP Andrea Barabotti.

What is being considered?

Daylight saving time is a convention established more than a century ago, mainly to save energy. Longer daylight in the afternoon and evening allows for reduced electricity use in spring and summer. Italy continues to use it for this reason.

However, some studies suggest that changing the clock does not bring real economic benefits and mainly affects people’s daily lives and habits.

The inquiry aims to understand what adopting a single time year-round would bring. It will analyze aspects related to health and productivity, energy savings, and social organization. Independent institutions, sector associations, European representatives, and international organizations will be consulted.

What has happened in Europe?

In 2018, the European Parliament asked the Commission to assess the directive on daylight saving time. A resolution was approved expressing a preference for standard time (winter time).

The following summer, the Commission organized a public consultation: more than 4.5 million responses were received, with 84% opposing the twice-yearly clock change.

In 2019, the decision was left to member states, but no final decision was ever made due to a lack of agreement in the European Council and later delays caused by the pandemic.

The data

From 2004 to 2025, electricity savings in Italy thanks to daylight saving time exceeded 12 billion kWh, resulting in economic savings of around €2.3 billion for citizens.

According to proponents, daylight saving time has also reduced CO₂ emissions by 160,000–200,000 tons per year, equivalent to planting 2 to 6 million trees.

If maintained year-round, annual savings are estimated at around 720 million kWh and about €180 million less in energy bills.

Benefits and criticisms

Among the cited positive effects are:

increased consumption in retail and restaurants

extension of the tourist season

improved public safety

health benefits, as the switch to winter time negatively affects biological rhythms

In fact, in the week after the switch to winter time, an increase in road accidents has been observed due to disrupted sleep and concentration.

The Spanish proposal

“Changing the clock twice a year no longer makes sense,” said Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who has called for the EU to eliminate this practice by 2026.

He emphasized that:

most European citizens oppose the time change

energy savings are minimal

the impact on health and daily life is negative

The main issue remains the lack of agreement among countries.

Why it is not the same for all of Europe

Southern countries benefit more from daylight saving time, as extended evening daylight has a greater impact.

In northern countries:

summers already have very long natural daylight

winters have very limited daylight

energy savings are smaller

Ultimately, what is expected is a decision that balances three factors: energy, health, and everyday life.

“KORÇA BOOM”