This page is about working US hours from Lisbon: what the clock does to your day. It does not cover whether you may work during your stay, or permits or taxes.
How far ahead is Lisbon of the US?
Lisbon is five hours ahead of New York, six ahead of Chicago, seven ahead of Denver and eight ahead of Los Angeles. The reason is simple: Lisbon runs on UTC+0 in winter and UTC+1 in summer, which puts it further west than almost any other European capital.
Is Lisbon on the same clock as London?
Yes, all year. Both change their clocks on the same dates, so the gap between Lisbon and the US is the same as the gap between London and the US.
When does the gap change?
The US and Europe do not change their clocks on the same dates, so the gap shrinks by one hour for a few weeks twice a year.
- In Europe, clocks change on the last Sunday of March and the last Sunday of October (Directive 2000/84/EC).
- In the US, clocks change on the second Sunday of March and the first Sunday of November.
In 2026, the gap was shorter from March 8 to 29, and from October 25 to November 1. In 2027, it will be shorter from March 14 to 28, and from October 31 to November 7.
Most of Arizona and Hawaii do not change their clocks at all, so their gap with Lisbon moves by an hour twice a year.
What does a US workday look like from Lisbon?
This is the part most readers would rather skip. A US 9-to-5 is an afternoon and evening shift in Lisbon.
| Your US time zone | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. there is, in Lisbon |
|---|---|
| Eastern | 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Central | 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. |
| Mountain | 4 p.m. to midnight |
| Pacific | 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. |
During the weeks when the gap is shorter, subtract one hour from every Lisbon time in the table.
A 5 p.m. Pacific deadline is a 1 a.m. deadline in Lisbon, and the view does not help.
Which hours overlap best?
The Lisbon afternoon is the US morning. The Lisbon morning is the middle of the US night.
If you keep a regular Lisbon day, the East Coast overlaps with you from about 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The West Coast barely overlaps at all: 9 a.m. in Los Angeles is 5 p.m. in Lisbon.
How do I schedule meetings across the gap?
- Show two time zones in your calendar: yours and your team's.
- Write every meeting time with its zone, such as "10 a.m. ET", and add UTC when there is any doubt.
- Check recurring meetings in the weeks when the gap is shorter: they move by an hour.
Does remote work change my 90 days?
For a visa-free stay, the 90/180 count is based on the days you spend in the Schengen area, not on what you do there. Remote work does not pause or extend it. Whether, and on what conditions, you may work during a stay is a separate question that this page does not cover. We explain how the count works in how long Americans can stay in Portugal without a visa.
For questions about your own situation, contact AIMA, or a lawyer or solicitador registered with the Ordem dos Advogados or the Ordem dos Solicitadores e dos Agentes de Execução. This page is general information only.
What about a stay longer than 90 days?
Longer stays are governed by separate rules, which this page does not cover. We explain how a long rental differs from a vacation booking in renting in Lisbon for four months.
What if I would rather work from the south?
The Algarve is on the same clock as Lisbon, so everything above applies. We describe the season in the Algarve in winter.
Quick answers
How far ahead is Lisbon of New York?
Five hours, except in the weeks when the gap is shorter: then it is four.
How far ahead is Lisbon of California?
Eight hours, or seven in the weeks when the gap is shorter.
Does the clock change affect my meetings?
Yes, twice a year, because the US and Europe change their clocks on different dates.
Does working remotely count toward the 90 days?
For a visa-free stay, the count is based on the days you spend in the Schengen area, not on what you do there.
What could change next?
The clock rules above are the ones in force as of October 7, 2026. They are set by law and can change: in 2018, the European Commission proposed ending the twice-yearly change, and as of the sources we read, the 2001 directive is still in force. If either side changes its rules, the gaps in this page change with them, and we update it.
Sources
- Directive 2000/84/EC on summer-time arrangements, with the European Parliament's summary of the 2018 proposal to end clock changes.
- Royal Observatory of Belgium, Daylight saving time in 2027.
- Time-zone references for Lisbon, London and the US, read on October 7, 2026 (IANA database).
- Daylight saving dates for the US in 2026 and 2027, as published by time-zone references.
General information only, last reviewed October 7, 2026. Not legal advice; it does not cover individual situations. For your own case, consult a lawyer or solicitador registered with the Ordem.