This month we will have the opportunity to shop on two Sundays – December 15 and 22. Next year the situation may be different. The law, which changes the provisions on the Sunday ban, is awaiting a decision by President Andrzej Duda.
On Sunday, December 15, shopping centers will be open. Stores will also be open next Sunday, December 22.
Sunday shopping
The law on the gradual introduction of the ban on Sunday trading came into force on March 1, 2018. From 2020, the ban on trading will not apply only on seven Sundays of the year: the last Sunday of January, April, June and August, as well as on the Sunday before Easter and on the next two Sundays before Christmas.
The Act restricting trading on Sundays provides a list of 32 exceptions. Among other things, the prohibition does not include: postal activity, if the income from this activity is at least 40 percent. income from the sale of this object. In addition, this does not apply to confectionery factories, ice cream parlors, liquid fuel stations, flower shops, newsagents and coffee shops.
The penalty for violating the ban on Sunday trading ranges from PLN 1,000 to PLN 100,000. PLN fine and in case of persistent violation of the rules – punishment of restriction of freedom.
Trade on Sundays and holidays at 2024PAP/Maciej Zieliński
Christmas Eve and extra shopping on Sunday
In November, the Sejm passed an amendment to establish December 24 as a day off for all employees, including employees of commercial establishments, which are subject to the law on the restriction of trading on Sundays and holidays for which Christmas is the weekend. is weekdays until 2:00 p.m. The changes also provide that from 2025 there will be three Sundays before Christmas Eve.
The Seimas also adopted the Senate's amendment, which stipulates that in December, a business employee cannot work more than two Sundays.
The bill is now awaiting the President's signature. On Thursday, Andrzej Duda emphasized that he is in favor of Christmas being a day off from work. However, he added that the final version of the document adopted by the parliament has significant changes compared to the first draft. He lamented that despite the introduction of a free Christmas holiday, the three Sundays before the holiday should be business days.
The president noted that after the adoption of the act of the parliament, the situation changed a lot, and his attitude towards this act was “suspended to some extent”.
Holidays and Sunday shopping 2025
Main image source: seaonweb/Shutterstock
