Offset
There is no time difference between South Africa Time and Central European Time.
South Africa Time (SAST) is currently the same time as Central European Time (CEST).
SAST: UTC+2
CEST: UTC+2
Central European Time is currently observing daylight saving time; South Africa Time is not.
When to schedule
Business-hours overlap: 9 AM–5 PM in South Africa Time (9 AM–5 PM in Central European Time).
Both teams are in working hours during this window on weekdays.
Suggested time: 1:00 PM South Africa Time (1:00 PM Central European Time).
This window may shift by an hour during daylight saving time.
Public holidays in 2026
National public holidays can affect availability — a counterpart is likely off work on their own holidays, so it's worth planning meetings and deadlines around them.
South Africa
- New Year's DayThu, Jan 1
- Human Rights DaySat, Mar 21
- Good FridayFri, Apr 3
- Family DayMon, Apr 6
- Freedom DayMon, Apr 27
- Workers' DayFri, May 1
- Youth DayTue, Jun 16
- National Women's DayMon, Aug 10
- Heritage DayThu, Sep 24
- Day of ReconciliationWed, Dec 16
- Christmas DayFri, Dec 25
- Day of GoodwillSat, Dec 26
France
- New Year's DayThu, Jan 1
- Easter MondayMon, Apr 6
- Labour DayFri, May 1
- Victory in Europe DayFri, May 8
- Ascension DayThu, May 14
- Whit MondayMon, May 25
- Bastille DayTue, Jul 14
- Assumption DaySat, Aug 15
- All Saints' DaySun, Nov 1
- Armistice DayWed, Nov 11
- Christmas DayFri, Dec 25
About these zones
South Africa Time is also known as SAST. To call South Africa, dial +27.
Central European Time is also known as CET, or CEST. To call France, dial +33.
Central European Time is approximately 5,400 miles north of South Africa Time.
Quick reference
Full 24-hour conversion table — tap any time to open it in the converter.
| SAST | CET | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 am | 12:00 am | Same day |
| 1:00 am | 1:00 am | Same day |
| 2:00 am | 2:00 am | Same day |
| 3:00 am | 3:00 am | Same day |
| 4:00 am | 4:00 am | Same day |
| 5:00 am | 5:00 am | Same day |
| 6:00 am | 6:00 am | Same day |
| 7:00 am | 7:00 am | Same day |
| 8:00 am | 8:00 am | Same day |
| 9:00 am | 9:00 am | Same day |
| 10:00 am | 10:00 am | Same day |
| 11:00 am | 11:00 am | Same day |
| 12:00 pm | 12:00 pm | Same day |
| 1:00 pm | 1:00 pm | Same day |
| 2:00 pm | 2:00 pm | Same day |
| 3:00 pm | 3:00 pm | Same day |
| 4:00 pm | 4:00 pm | Same day |
| 5:00 pm | 5:00 pm | Same day |
| 6:00 pm | 6:00 pm | Same day |
| 7:00 pm | 7:00 pm | Same day |
| 8:00 pm | 8:00 pm | Same day |
| 9:00 pm | 9:00 pm | Same day |
| 10:00 pm | 10:00 pm | Same day |
| 11:00 pm | 11:00 pm | Same day |
Daylight saving time
Central European Time observes daylight saving time; South Africa Time does not. The offset between the two zones changes when Central European Time transitions: on Sunday, October 25, 2026, clocks fall back from CEST to CET.
See the daylight saving time page for transition dates across every time zone.
Daylight today
- Sunrise
- 6:50 AM
- Sunset
- 5:24 PM
- Day length
- 10h 34m
- Sunrise
- 5:50 AM
- Sunset
- 9:50 PM
- Day length
- 15h 59m
Daylight overlap: 10h 34m — 6:50 AM–5:24 PM in South Africa Time (6:50 AM–5:24 PM in Central European Time). Both locations are in daylight during this window.
Cities in these zones
Cities in South Africa Time
Cities in Central European Time
Browse all cities to see the current local time anywhere.
Airports in these zones
Airports in South Africa Time
- HLA
- JNB
- CPT
- DUR
Airports in Central European Time
- CDG
- LBG
- ORY
- MRS
- GNB
- LYS
- NCE
Related conversions
Common conversions
- What is 9:00 am SAST in CET?
- 9:00 am SAST is 9:00 am CET.
- What is 12:00 pm SAST in CET?
- 12:00 pm SAST is 12:00 pm CET.
- What is 12:30 pm SAST in CET?
- 12:30 pm SAST is 12:30 pm CET.
- What is 2:00 pm SAST in CET?
- 2:00 pm SAST is 2:00 pm CET.
- What is 5:00 pm SAST in CET?
- 5:00 pm SAST is 5:00 pm CET.
- What is 11:30 pm SAST in CET?
- 11:30 pm SAST is 11:30 pm CET.