Recommend! Which countries can shops open on Sunday in Europe? (English)
As you might know, in Europe (especially the EU member countries) there are many countries where shops do not open on Sunday. You can not buy souvenirs even if you go to sightseeing trips.I think there are so many people who struggled it.
For the poor salaried worker, a weekend lucky! I have also a hard time buying family souvenirs if I had to work on
For me of the poor salaried worker, I would be lucky if can stay in overseas during weekend! But somethimes I have to work on Saturday, have a hard time buying family souvenirs.
Why do not stores in Europe open on Sunday?
There are two main reasons ,firstly, that Sunday has been Christian sabbath.
Actually, It has also possibility to open shops on Sunday that shops that thier owners are not Christian in Europe.
＜Reference: Sabbath of each religion＞
Christian country · Country adopting solar calendar: Sunday
Muslim country · Country using Islamic calendar: Friday
Jewish country (Israel) · Country using Jewish calendar: Saturday
As another reason, I think that it is related that The European Union has stipulated that you have to take a day of after working for 6 days.
stipulating that the European Union will take a day off if worked for 6 days.
Also, it is decided by each country whether to open a shop on Sunday or not.
Country admitted by the European Union or countries without regulation
※Excluding countries where some areas such as tourist districts are accepted
＜Netherlands＞
There is no regulation as general rules not all shops are open for religious
reasons.However,most of shops in tourist cities are open every Sundays.
＜Portugal＞
There are many souvenir shops opens in tourist cities on Sundays ,
but some / many shops do not open.
＜Italy＞
It has just changed law in 2012 to open shops on Sunday by Law amendment.
Some of large shops such as tourist cities and shopping centers are open.
＜Denmark＞
It has just changed law in 2012 to open shops on Sunday by Law amendment.
There are many shops to open on Sunday in tourist cities.
Sometimes rule of opening shop on Sunday is fixed in month
such as just afternoon only.
＜Finland＞
Openning time laws are stipulated that shopping store can open on Sunday
12：00〜18：00（Jan〜Oct）、12：00〜21：00（Nove〜Dec）by sesason
It seems that there are many small shops not to open on Sunday,
although opening time of shops are stipulated that the opening hours of shops
are different according to season.
＜Sweden＞
It seems that there are many shops to open in tourist citie as usual
＜Czech Republic＞
Most stores outside Prague except large supermarket are closed on Sundays.
Most stores in Prague city center and sightseeing spots are open
on weekends as well.
＜Estonia＞
The big shops are open on Sundays,and Small shops close early
on Saturdays and also close on Sundays.
＜Hungary＞
Although the law has turned in two ways, most of the big shops opened
in the tourist resort (Budapest)
＜Lithuania＞
Usually, shops can open on Sundays, but some stores do not open.
Museums and galleries usually close on Sunday or Monday for one day pre
week.
＜Latvia＞
There are no legal restrictions, but there are many shops that not open.
＜Poland＞
On Sunday most of grocery stores and major retail chains are open.
＜Slovakia>
Shopping centers are open on Sunday but It seems that only part of
ordinary shops are open.
＜Slovenia＞
Shopping centers are open on Sunday but It seems that ordinary shops are
not open. Markets are open on Sunday morning.
＜Ireland＞
Most of shops open normally as usual.
It seems that business hours may be longer than usual.
＜Romania＞
It seems that department stores still can open on Sundays, but
to be closed around 1 pm.
＜England＞
Depending on the district, the shops seem to be open from noon to
evening (around 11 o'clock 17 o'clock).
＜Croatia＞
Shopping centers and supermarkets in the tourist district are open,
but boutiques and electric shops are closed on Sundays.
I recommend to check properly before going since there are so much exception on Sundays and other exceptions after Christmas Even if country where it is considered legal to open a shop on Sunday as described above.
There are exceptions in most cases Country prohibiting legal opening of stores on Sunday.
For example, some airports and major train stations are open in many places, and there are countries and exception which only admission sightseeing city admit, so I will describe it separately.
Please understand that the content described this time will change according to the revision of law .
Just because of economic situation, I feel that there are many countries that are currently moving so that they can open shops on Sunday.
