Like 31 other countries in central Europe, all of Germany observes Central European Time, or CET, during the winter months. This time is one hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time, or UTC, commonly referred to as Greenwich Mean Time. During 2011, CET continued from the beginning of the year until 02:00 on March 27. It will commence again at 03:00 on October 30. In the earlier and the latter part of the year, therefore, the time throughout Germany is one hour ahead of UTC.
During the summer months, the European countries that observe CET switch to Central European Summer Time, or CEST. This is a daylight saving time measure that advances the clock by an hour. In 2011, CEST started at 02:00 on March 27 and will end at 03:00 on October 30. As a result, from late March to late October, clocks in Germany are two hours ahead of UTC.
Singapore has its own time zone, Singapore Time, or SGT, which is eight hours ahead of UTC. Since, as of 2011, Singapore does not operate daylight saving, this eight-hour difference between SGT and UTC remains constant throughout the year.
To figure out the time difference between Germany and Singapore, first establish if Germany is on CET or CEST. In 2011, up to March 27 and from October 30 onward, CET is observed. During these months, the time difference between Germany (UTC +1) and Singapore (UTC +8) means that Germany is seven hours behind Singapore. So during CET, when it is 11:00 in Singapore, it is 4:00 in Germany. But between those dates, during CEST, clocks in Germany are set at UTC +2 while those in Singapore remain at UTC +8. Therefore, Germany is only six hours behind Singapore. During CEST, when it is 11:00 in Singapore, it is 5:00 in Germany.
