PIP: August 15 closed stores, increased inspections of retail outlets – Polish Radio

The most severe restrictions on Sunday trading prevail in Germany, Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands. Photo: Glow Images / East News

There is no EU legislation concerning Sunday trading. That Member States take the final decision, and shops can be open on that day or not. In some countries, where there are no specific rules on shop opening hours on Sundays and holidays, the matter is regulated by custom.

Purchases on Sunday, with virtually no restrictions, both small and large stores to do in Bulgaria, Croatia , Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Spain, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Italy and the UK.

Where the strictest restrictions?

Almost total ban on trade on Sundays and public holidays in force in Germany and Austria. Partial restrictions are Belgium, France, Greece, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Hungary.

In Germany and Austria, there is the so-called. Sonntagsruhe, or “Sunday Silence”. This means that on Sundays and public holidays are closed all the shops; may act only gas stations and convenience stores at railway stations and located in the vicinity of tourist attractions. In practice, it happened that the train and petrol stations serve as the main sources of supply of food for the holidays.

In the Netherlands, the matter of Sunday trading is regulated by local authorities. In the municipalities located mainly in the so-called. Dutch Bible Belt (center of the country, where the rule Protestant conservatives), trade on Sundays is prohibited. In other parts of the country there are no restrictions.

In Belgium, Sundays and public holidays can only be opened small shops. The regulations provide that the bakeries these days can run from 7 to 12, and butcher shops – from 8 to 12.

In Luxembourg, large stores can be opened only on the first Sunday of the month of hours. 14 for hours. 18.

Only open small shops

Restrictions on Sunday trading are also valid in France. Supermarkets in general can not in this day open and supermarkets in big cities or tourist areas work only from 9 am to 13 provided that the lead department of food.

In Greece, Sundays and holidays are open only small shops. Large supermarkets are to trade in the seven selected Sundays in the year. Last but fitting to liberalize these rules, and in 10 regions of the country implemented a pilot program, evaluating the effects of trade without restrictions, seven days a week.

In Sweden, Sunday restrictions apply only to liquor stores; Sunday you can not sell alcohol.

In the UK – England, Wales and Northern Ireland – on Sundays and public holidays, the big grocery stores may be open only for a few hours. These restrictions do not apply to Scotland.

Work may only stores Family

Since March 9, 2015 in Hungary on Sunday can work only stores Family (and therefore the owner or his closest) with an area of ​​200 sq m. the exception is the period before Christmas retailer may lead trade without restrictions. Larger stores can also choose one Sunday in the year in which they will be open.

While in Croatia and Italy, there are no prohibitions, grocery stores are usually closed on Sundays, possibly open for a few hours in the afternoon.

Also in Spain there is no ban on Sunday trading, the matter is governed by a local government, and determine the commercial calendar. According to it, stores are usually open on the first Sunday of the month and the Sundays preceding Christmas.

The ban on Sunday trading in Poland?

In Poland, the “Solidarity” already collecting signatures under the draft civil law prohibiting trading on Sunday. The draft stipulates that trade would be prohibited on Sundays, holidays, Christmas Eve and Easter Saturday. The exception would be several Sundays in a year, including Sundays before Christmas and so. Sundays outlet.

Off from the effect of the law would be stores up to 5 square meters, run by the owners and their family members, bakeries, petrol stations to 300 square meters, shops, hospitals, airports, florists, shops Souvenir etc.

PAP, Celebrating