Croatia introduced a new law in 2023 that allows shops to open on only 16 Sundays per year. On all other Sundays, they must remain closed, except for certain exceptions such as stores in tourist hotspots. Retailers can choose which Sundays to remain open. The law was introduced mainly under pressure from church and trade union groups, but it has drawn criticism and legal challenges, particularly from the chamber of commerce and the tourism sector.
In Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Albania, shops are open every day of the week, including Sundays. In Serbia, this is standard practice, and most shopping centres and large stores operate with regular hours. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sunday opening is allowed in most areas, although some local authorities have started introducing restrictions. In Albania, shops operate without any special limitations, and working hours are not regulated by law, even for major retail chains.
Montenegro adopted a Sunday closing law in 2019. Exceptions are made for tourist facilities, petrol stations, and airports. Most urban stores are closed on Sundays. The law was passed following pressure from trade unions and with the support of religious communities.
In Greece, shops are generally closed on Sundays, with certain exceptions. In major cities, tourist areas, and during selected holiday weekends, shops may remain open. Some Sunday openings are also allowed in specific districts of Athens and Thessaloniki.
In Italy, there are no legal restrictions on Sunday trading. Shops—especially in larger cities, shopping centres, and tourist destinations—are typically open on Sundays. Operating hours are set by individual retailers, and it is common for major chains to remain open every day, including public holidays.
North Macedonia maintains a liberal approach. Shops are usually open every day, with slightly shorter hours on Sundays. There are currently no legal restrictions, although there have been ongoing discussions about introducing some.
Slovenia and Croatia remain the only countries in the Adria region with clearly defined bans on regular Sunday trading. In other countries, Sunday opening is widely permitted, with a few exceptions tied to local regulations or religious and social pressures. While some states are experiencing increased calls for better worker protections, others continue to follow a more liberal model that allows stores to remain open seven days a week.
