Time in Greece facts for kids

Have you ever wondered why the time is different in other countries? It's all about time zones! Greece, a beautiful country in Europe, uses a specific time system to keep everything running smoothly. This system helps people know what time it is, whether they are waking up, going to school, or watching the sunset.

Time zones of Europe: Western European Time (WET) observed all year in Iceland. Western European Time (WET) and Western European Summer Time (WEST) observed in Ireland, United Kingdom, Portugal, and the Canary Islands. In Ireland and the United Kingdom, this is known as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and Irish Standard Time (IST) and British Summer Time (BST). Central European Time (CET) and Central European Summer Time (CEST) observed from Norway to Southern Europe. Eastern European Time (EET) observed all year in Kaliningrad, Russia. Eastern European Time (EET) and Eastern European Summer Time (EEST) is observed from Finland to Greece. Further-eastern European Time (FET) is observed in Belarus, western Russia, eastern Ukraine, and Turkey.

Time in Greece

Greece uses a special time system that changes throughout the year. This helps the country make the most of the sunlight. During the winter months, Greece uses a time zone called Eastern European Time (EET). This time is two hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+02:00).

What is a Time Zone?

A time zone is a region of the Earth that uses a uniform standard time. This means everyone in that area sets their clocks to the same time. Time zones help us keep track of time around the world. They are based on lines of longitude, which are imaginary lines that run from the North Pole to the South Pole.

Greece's Time Zones

Greece uses two main time zones:

• Eastern European Time (EET): This is the standard time for Greece during the winter. It is UTC+02:00, meaning it is two hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time.
• Eastern European Summer Time (EEST): This is used during the summer months. It is UTC+03:00, which means it is three hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time.

Daylight Saving Time

Greece observes daylight saving time (DST). This is a practice where clocks are moved forward by one hour during the warmer parts of the year. The main idea behind DST is to make better use of natural daylight. By moving the clocks forward, evenings have more daylight, and mornings have less.

When Does Greece Change Time?

In Greece, the clocks change twice a year:

• Spring Forward: On the last Sunday in March, clocks are moved forward by one hour. This happens at 03:00 EET, so the time immediately becomes 04:00 EEST. This marks the start of Eastern European Summer Time.
• Fall Back: On the last Sunday in October, clocks are moved back by one hour. This happens at 04:00 EEST, so the time immediately becomes 03:00 EET. This marks the return to Eastern European Time for the winter.

This system helps Greece save energy and allows people to enjoy longer daylight hours in the evening during summer.