Germany Switches to Summer Time 2026: Important Information for Workers

Germany Switches to Summer Time 2026: Important Information for Workers

Many people preparing their Visa 18B application to Germany often wonder about time zones. On March 29, 2026, Germany officially switched to summer time (Sommerzeit / CEST). This annual change is very important for Vietnamese workers.

1. How does Germany change its time zone?

Germany (and most European countries) uses two time systems:

• Winter time (CET): UTC +1 (usually from late October to late March).
• Summer time (CEST): UTC +2 (from late March to late October).

In 2026:

• Switch to summer time: 02:00 AM on March 29, 2026 → clocks jump to 03:00 AM (lose 1 hour of sleep).
• Switch back to winter time: Expected on October 25, 2026 (clocks go back 1 hour).

2. Time difference between Germany and Vietnam

• Before March 29, 2026 (winter time): Germany is 6 hours behind Vietnam.
• From March 29, 2026 (summer time): Germany is only 5 hours behind Vietnam.

Real examples after the change:

• 12:00 PM in Vietnam → 7:00 AM in Germany.
• 8:00 PM in Vietnam → 3:00 PM in Germany.

3. How does this affect Visa 18B workers?

When working in Germany under Visa 18B, please note:

• Work schedules and shifts follow CEST.
• Evenings stay bright longer, making daily life more comfortable.
• Video calls home are easier with only a 5-hour difference.
• Always check the time carefully when scheduling online interviews with German partners.
• Train, bus, and flight schedules in Germany follow local time.

4. Advice from Pacific

Time zone change is a small detail but can cause confusion in the first few days. Please set your phone to CEST before departure.

Pacific supports you fully — from checking Visa 18B documents and interview preparation to practical advice on living and working in Germany.

Pacific - Pacific International Manpower Joint Stock Company
Hotline: 0903737399
Website: visa18b.com.vn

Reference: timeanddate.com and official regulations of the Federal Republic of Germany.