Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)

A shared reference

UTC is the basis for international timetables, networks and many technical systems. Local time is obtained by applying the relevant time-zone rule to UTC.

Time zones

The Earth rotates in roughly 24 hours. Time zones relate civil time to that rhythm, but they also reflect administrative decisions. This is why neighbouring regions can follow different time rules.

Time in Switzerland

Switzerland uses CET, or UTC+1, in winter and CEST, or UTC+2, in summer. UTC makes international appointments and seasonal changes easier to interpret without ambiguity.