Central European Summer Time (CEST)
CEST is UTC+2. Current Central European Time (Paris, Berlin) and when CEST applies.
Central European Time (Paris, Berlin) now
--:--:--
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
CETUTC+1
Central European Time is on CET right now, not CEST
Exact CEST (UTC+2) time now: --:--:--
About CEST
- Full Name
- Central European Summer Time
- Abbreviation
- CEST
- UTC Offset
- UTC+2
- Central European Time is on
- Standard Time (CET)
- Daylight Saving Time
- Central European Time: Starts Mar 28, 2027 · switches between CET and CEST
Central European Summer Time (CEST) is UTC+2, the daylight saving time of most of the European Union from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October. The rest of the year the same countries use Central European Time (CET, UTC+1).
Where CEST is used
Switches between CET and CEST
- Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and Austria
- Poland, Czechia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Hungary and the Balkans
Major Cities in Central European Time
Amsterdam--:--CETBrussels--:--CETBudapest--:--CETCopenhagen--:--CET
Madrid--:--CETOslo--:--CET
Paris--:--CETPrague--:--CET
Rome--:--CETStockholm--:--CETVienna--:--CETWarsaw--:--CETEach city shows its own current abbreviation, so places on daylight saving time are labelled accordingly.
CEST vs Other Time Zones
| Comparison | By definition | Right now (local clocks) |
|---|---|---|
| CEST to CET | -1 hour | Same region |
| CEST to BST | -1 hour | -1 hour |
| CEST to EEST | +1 hour | +1 hour |
| CEST to UTC | -2 hours | -1 hour |
“By definition” compares the fixed offsets of the abbreviations. “Right now” compares the actual local time in each region today, including daylight saving time.
CEST FAQs
What is CEST?
Central European Summer Time (CEST) is UTC+2, the daylight saving time of most of the European Union from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October. The rest of the year the same countries use Central European Time (CET, UTC+1).
What is the UTC offset of CEST?
CEST is always UTC+2. When Central European Time is not on daylight saving time, it uses CET (UTC+1) instead.
Is it CEST or CET right now?
Central European Time is on CET right now, not CEST. CET is UTC+1, 1 hour behind CEST (UTC+2). Central European Time switches to CEST on Sunday, March 28, 2027 at 2:00 AM.
When does Central European Time switch between CET and CEST?
In 2026, Central European Time switches to CEST on Sunday, March 29, 2026 at 2:00 AM (clocks go forward 1 hour) and back on Sunday, October 25, 2026 at 3:00 AM (clocks go back 1 hour).
Is CEST used all year anywhere?
No major region uses CEST all year. It is only in effect during daylight saving time; the rest of the year the same places use CET.