Simple rule
Use the city name if the reader might not know CET vs CEST.
CET is Central European Time. CEST is Central European Summer Time. Same region, different part of the year. If you work with Europe, this one matters more than people think.
If the audience is not deeply technical, saying Central Europe time or naming the city is often easier than relying on CET or CEST alone.
| Term | Meaning | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| CET | Central European Time | Winter months in places like Paris and Berlin |
| CEST | Central European Summer Time | Spring to fall when DST is active |
| Safer label | Paris time / Berlin time | When you want fewer follow-up questions |
Use the city name if the reader might not know CET vs CEST.
If you are coordinating around March or October, confirm the date and not just the hour.
For software and APIs, prefer Europe/Paris or Europe/Berlin.