Sweden
Stockholm
Current time
Monday, June 22, 2026
- Capital
- Stockholm
- Time zone
- Europe/Stockholm
- UTC offset
- UTC+2
- DST
- DST
Sweden operates on Central European Time (CET), UTC+1, and observes daylight saving time, switching to Central European Summer Time (CEST), UTC+2, from late March to late October. The entire country follows the same time zone, simplifying scheduling within Sweden. Stockholm, the capital, aligns with these time changes, ensuring consistency nationwide.
Time Zone and Daylight Saving
Sweden uses Central European Time (CET), which is UTC+1 during standard time and UTC+2 during daylight saving time. The switch to daylight saving occurs on the last Sunday in March, and the country reverts to standard time on the last Sunday in October. This aligns Sweden with most European Union countries, facilitating business and travel coordination across the region.
Unlike countries with multiple time zones, Sweden maintains a single time zone nationwide. This uniformity ensures that cities like Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö share the same local time. For international scheduling, Sweden is 6 hours ahead of New York (EST), 9 hours ahead of Los Angeles (PST), and 7 hours behind Beijing (CST) during standard time.
Cross-Border Scheduling
Sweden shares its time zone with neighboring Norway and Denmark, making cross-border coordination seamless. Finland, to the east, is one hour ahead (UTC+2 standard time, UTC+3 daylight saving). When scheduling meetings with Sweden, note that business hours typically run from 9 AM to 5 PM CET, with most offices closed on weekends and public holidays like Midsummer and Christmas.
For global teams, Sweden’s daylight saving adjustments align with most of Europe, reducing confusion for international partners. However, differences may arise when coordinating with countries like the US, where daylight saving transitions occur on different dates. Always verify time differences during the weeks of time changes in March and October.
FAQ
- Does Sweden observe daylight saving time?
- Yes, Sweden switches to Central European Summer Time (CEST), UTC+2, from late March to late October, aligning with EU daylight saving practices.
- What is the time difference between Sweden and the US?
- Sweden is typically 6 hours ahead of New York (EST) and 9 hours ahead of Los Angeles (PST) during standard time, with variations during daylight saving transitions.
- Are there multiple time zones in Sweden?
- No, Sweden has a single time zone (CET/CEST) across the entire country, including Stockholm and other major cities.