UK Time vs Spain
Mainland Spain is one hour ahead of the UK almost all year, while the Canary Islands share UK time.
United Kingdom
Mainland (Madrid)
Figures for Monday 26 October 2026. Live figures need JavaScript.
Time difference
Mainland Spain uses Central European Time, covering Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Seville, while the Canary Islands sit an hour behind the mainland on the same time as the UK.
Mainland Spain is 1 hour ahead of the UK for almost the whole year. The Canary Islands keep the same time as the UK year-round, since both change their clocks on the same dates.
Conversion guide
A quick reference for what common UK times are in Spain on Monday 26 October 2026. On dates after a clock change in either country the times can differ: check the clock-change note or use the converter.
UK clocks go back at 2am BST (01:00 UTC) on Sunday 25 October 2026. Clocks in Madrid (mainland Spain) change at the same moment as UK clocks, so 9am UK is 10am in Madrid (mainland Spain) both before and after. Clocks in the Canary Islands change at the same moment as UK clocks, so 9am UK is 9am in the Canary Islands both before and after.
| UK time | Mainland (Madrid) | Canary Islands |
|---|---|---|
| 9am | 10am | 9am |
| 12pm | 1pm | 12pm |
| 5pm | 6pm | 5pm |
| 9pm | 10pm | 9pm |
Best time to call
With only an hour between the UK and mainland Spain, UK 9am-5pm overlaps comfortably with Spain's 10am-6pm. Spanish working days often run later in the evening, giving extra flexibility for afternoon and early-evening calls.
Daylight saving notes
Both mainland Spain and the Canary Islands change their clocks on the same days as the UK. The mainland stays a steady hour ahead, and the Canary Islands stay level with UK time.
Frequently asked questions
What is the time difference between the UK and Spain?
Mainland Spain is 1 hour ahead of the UK for almost the whole year, while the Canary Islands stay on the same time as the UK.
Do the Canary Islands use the same time as mainland Spain?
No. The Canary Islands are one hour behind mainland Spain and share the same time as the UK all year.
What time is it in Madrid when it is 12pm in the UK?
When it is 12pm (noon) in the UK, it is normally 1pm in Madrid.