Central European (CET/CEST)
Rome operates on Central European (CET/CEST). Rome observes summer time (DST), shifting clocks forward one hour in March and back in October.
Time Zone: Central European Time / Central European Summer Time — Standard Offset: UTC+1 (CET) — DST Offset: UTC+2 (CEST)
Country: Italy
This city observes Daylight Saving Time, so the UTC offset changes twice per year. Always verify the current offset when scheduling across time zones.
Rome operates on CET (UTC+1), shared with Paris, Berlin, Madrid, and most of the EU. Italy's position in the Mediterranean means Rome's time zone connects Southern European, North African, and Middle Eastern business hours. The Borsa Italiana (Italian Stock Exchange, part of Euronext) trades from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM CET, aligned with other European exchanges.
Milan — Italy's business capital, in the same time zone — drives the global fashion industry. Fashion week schedules, showroom appointments, and design deadlines run on CET. Italy's luxury goods sector (Ferrari, Prada, Gucci, Armani) coordinates with buyers and markets worldwide from CET, making this time zone critical for the multi-billion-dollar fashion and luxury industry.
Italy follows EU DST rules, shifting to CEST (UTC+2) on the last Sunday of March and back on the last Sunday of October. Like other EU nations, Italy participates in the ongoing debate about permanently adopting one time or the other. Italian public opinion generally favors permanent summer time for the extended evening daylight.
Italy is one of the world's most visited countries, and Rome's time zone matters for travel planning. CET is 6 hours ahead of New York (5 during EDT) and 8 hours behind Tokyo (7 behind during CEST). For travelers from the US, the jet lag adjustment is moderate. Business meetings in Italy often include a substantial lunch break, and afternoon meetings may not start until 3:00 or 3:30 PM — a cultural norm to factor into scheduling.