This would allow Catalonia to separate itself not politically, but in daily life. This would mean offices, shops, banks, and self-employed professionals would operate an hour earlier than the rest of Spain – almost as if they lived in a different country. What Catalonia wants is to prove that Spanish law no longer defines Catalonia’s way of life. Most people who live in the region, even those who support independence, see it as more political theatre than actual transformation.
The truth is, this idea reveals how weak the independence movement has become. Catalan separatist parties lost their majority in 2024, and enthusiasm has faded since Carles Puigdemont fled the country after the failed illegal referendum in 2017. He still resides in Belgium and will be arrested for embezzlement and misuse of public funds if he returns to Spain. What remains is a handful of gestures that aim to keep the separatist dream alive, and of course, for Catalan politicians to get full control of the coffers. Changing the time zone would be one of those gestures. It may sound creative, but it would create chaos for business, transport, and trade.
Spain’s time zone has already come into question many times in the past. Geographically, Madrid lies directly south of London, yet we share the same time as Warsaw. The reason is historical, not practical. In 1940, General Franco advanced Spain’s clocks by one hour to align with Nazi Germany. It was meant as a symbolic act of loyalty, but Spain’s lifestyle changed according to it, and it was never reversed. To this day, Spaniards eat very late, work late, and sleep late because the clock still follows a political decision made eighty years ago.
Catalonia’s proposal to return to Greenwich time may appear logical when seen through that historical lens. But the region trades most with France, Germany, and Italy, all on Central European Time. To shift one hour behind them would isolate Catalonia economically, not free it. Many understand the wish to mark identity in a way that feels unique, yet time is Spain is not a flag. It is a shared nationwide rhythm. In the end, it seems Catalonia finds itself running late for redemption again.
