As from 19 June, a new law¹ will enter into force with the aim of reforming the opening hours of retail businesses and craft enterprises with a physical point of sale accessible to the public. Its objective is to simplify the existing rules, harmonise practices and offer businesses greater flexibility.
Who is concerned?
The law applies to commercial and craft activities subject to a business permit that sell products or provide services directly to the final consumer in a physical point of sale accessible to the public.
Certain activities remain excluded, including restaurants, hotels, drinking establishments, cinemas, shops located in railway stations or airport terminals, temporary markets, gyms, swimming pools, funeral services, certain petrol stations and vending machines.
New authorised opening hours
The businesses concerned may open:
from Monday to Friday: from 5.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m.;
on Saturdays, Sundays, legal public holidays and the days preceding public holidays: from 5.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.;
on 22 June, 24 December and 31 December: from 5.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Outside these hours, customer access and direct sales will be prohibited.
These opening hours represent a possibility to open, not an obligation.
Specific rules for certain public holidays
On 1 January, 1 May and 25 December, all establishments concerned must, in principle, remain closed, with the exception of butchers, bakeries, pastry shops, caterers and refreshment rooms, which may nevertheless open from 5.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.
Other establishments may also open during the same hours where this is provided for by a collective agreement or an interprofessional agreement.
Extension of the new authorised opening hours
The law allows for certain derogations:
opening hours may be extended until 1.00 a.m. where this is provided for by a collective agreement or an interprofessional agreement;
continuous opening 24 hours a day, from Monday to Sunday inclusive, may be permitted for certain specific activities, including the sale of food, health and hygiene products, pet food, books, newspapers, fuel or telecommunications equipment, provided this is laid down in a collective agreement or an interprofessional agreement;
continuous opening for a period of 24 hours will be authorised up to twice a year for each establishment, subject to notification to the Minister for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises at least one week in advance.
Key points to remember
This reform offers greater flexibility to the businesses concerned while maintaining a clear regulatory framework. Businesses wishing to adapt their opening hours must also ensure compliance with the applicable rules on working time, rest periods and Sunday work.
Failure to comply with the legal provisions summarised above may result in a fine of between EUR 1,000 and EUR 25,000 and, in the event of repeated infringement, the temporary closure of the establishment.
¹ Act of 19 December 2025 regulating opening hours in the retail and craft sectors. At the same time, the amended Act of 19 June 1995 governing the closing of retail shops in the commercial and craft sectors is repealed.