An extra hour at the hotel: how check-out works in the EU on the night clocks change

On the night of 25 October 2026, clocks in most European countries will be set back one hour. Because of this, the night will be longer and travelers will be able to sleep longer without changing their usual wake-up time by the clock.

24 Channel explains how the check-out system works in properties with smart locks, whether the switch to standard time affects access codes, and under what conditions guests can use the extra time without paying more.

How does the clock change affect check-out time?

This Sunday, 25 October, most European countries will switch from summer to winter time. Clock hands will be set back one hour, so after 01:00 in some countries it will again be 00:00 (but in Poland, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain they will move from 03:00 to 02:00).

In Ukraine clocks will be set from 04:00 to 03:00. That means that between the evening time and the morning local time there will be 1 actual hour(s) more than on a normal night.

For example, if a tourist fell asleep at 23:00 and woke up at 08:00, then on the night of the switch to winter time they could have slept 10 hours, although only 9 hours passed according to the clock.

However, it is important to understand that changing the clocks does not automatically change the established check-out time! If the booking states that the room must be vacated at 11:00, this requirement remains in force according to the local official time.

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How do smart locks work in Airbnb apartments?

In apartments with digital locks the host can set up access to the property without handing over keys in person. When the booking is confirmed, the guest receives a unique code that is activated before the stay and allows them to open the door at the appropriate time.

According to Airbnb, smart locks connected to the platform can automatically generate codes for guests. They are valid for the duration of the stay and expire after check-out.

But not all digital locks are connected to Airbnb. Some hosts use third-party property management systems that generate codes themselves and determine their validity periods. Therefore, specific settings depend on the system the owner uses.

Can guests get an extra hour for free?

Airbnb provides the option to keep a smart lock code active for a while after the standard check-out. By default, its validity ends 30 minutes after check-out time. The host can change this interval from 15 minutes to 2 hours.

When do clocks change in Europe?

According to Time and Date, in 2026 most European countries switch to winter time on Sunday, 25 October. If after the switch to winter time it is 09:00 in Kyiv, the time in popular tourist destinations will be:

Warsaw, Poland 08:00;

Berlin, Germany 08:00;

Paris, France 08:00;

Rome, Italy 08:00;

Madrid, Spain 08:00;

Vienna, Austria 08:00;

Prague, Czech Republic 08:00;

Amsterdam, Netherlands 08:00;

London, United Kingdom 07:00;

Lisbon, Portugal 07:00.