Is March 15th a Shopping Sunday? Shops Open & Trading Restrictions in 2026
Is March 15, 2026, a trading Sunday in Poland, or does a trade ban apply, potentially disrupting shopping plans? Here’s the question on many Polish shoppers’ minds. Those relying on Żabka convenience stores, however, require not worry, as these typically remain open regardless of the day of the week. The legal landscape surrounding Sunday trading in Poland has been a recurring topic of debate and legislative adjustments in recent years, impacting both retailers and consumers.
Shopping on Sunday, March 15, 2026: Are Stores Open, or is a Trade Ban in Effect?
Many people plan larger shopping trips for the weekend, after a full week of work. It’s most convenient to do this on a day off, such as Sunday, provided it’s a trading Sunday. This leads to the question: are shops open on Sunday, March 15th? The answer, unfortunately, for those planning a shopping trip, is no. March 15th falls on a non-trading Sunday, meaning most large stores and shopping malls will be closed.
However, there are exceptions. According to current regulations, stores like Żabka, compact privately-owned shops operated by their owners, and gas stations are permitted to remain open. This patchwork of rules reflects ongoing attempts to balance the interests of retailers, workers, and consumers in Poland’s retail sector. The regulations are designed to provide some rest for retail workers while still allowing access to essential goods.
Stores Open on Sunday, March 15, 2026: Shopping at Biedronka and Lidl or Only at Żabka?
March 15th is not a trading Sunday, as it is not on the list of days exempt from the trade ban. In other words that most large stores, such as Biedronka, Lidl, Kaufland, Auchan, and Carrefour, will remain closed today. While many would like to take advantage of the weekend to replenish household supplies, shopping in supermarkets and shopping malls will not be possible on March 15th. The current regulations, introduced in 2018, limit Sunday trading to a few specific dates throughout the year, primarily those coinciding with peak shopping periods.
Shopping on Sunday, March 15, 2026, will only be possible in small neighborhood stores, and among chain stores, mainly at Żabka, which can remain open due to often operating as franchise outlets. Larger shopping trips should therefore be planned for Monday, March 16th, when all stores will be open. This situation highlights the ongoing tension between consumer convenience and the desire to protect the rights of retail workers.
Which Shops are Open Today?
It’s important to remember that the law prohibiting Sunday trading provides for several exceptions. This means that on March 15, 2026, certain establishments can legally operate, such as:
- Pharmacies,
- Gas stations,
- Bakeries and confectioneries,
- Shops run by owners or their families,
- Retail outlets at train stations and airports.
Restaurants, cafes, bars, florists, and selected shops in tourist areas may also be open on Sunday, March 15, 2026. However, it is worth checking current opening hours beforehand, as not every franchise shop or local point will be open on Sunday. The varying interpretations of the law and the specific operating models of different retailers contribute to the complexity of the situation.
Trading Sundays in 2026: When is the Next Trading Sunday?
The next trading Sunday will not be for a while. The nearest date when the trade ban does not apply is March 29, 2026. This year, trade will be allowed on eight Sundays throughout the year. These dates are linked to seasonal increases in store traffic, including the pre-holiday and vacation periods. The trading Sundays in 2026 fall on:
- January 25,
- March 29,
- April 26,
- June 28,
- August 30,
- December 6,
- December 13,
- December 20.
It is on these dates that we will be able to shop without restrictions in shopping malls, supermarkets, and large chains such as Biedronka, Lidl, Carrefour, and Auchan. In the remaining Sundays, a trade ban applies, and only Żabka, small private shops, and gas station points may be open.
Trading Sundays in 2026: What’s Next with the Sunday Trading Ban?
In 2024, the Polish parliament did not pass an amendment to the law regulating the Sunday trading ban. The topic also did not return to the Sejm agenda in 2025. The current system remains in place, according to which trade is only permitted on eight Sundays during the year. This ongoing legislative debate reflects the complex interplay of economic, social, and political factors influencing retail policy in Poland.
The only significant modification is the establishment of a day off on Christmas Eve and the expansion of the catalog of trading Sundays to include the third Sunday in December. This solution is intended to make it easier for people preparing for Christmas to shop, especially those who leave it to the last minute.
Other proposed changes, such as partial lifting of the trade ban, shortening opening hours, or introducing additional exceptions, are still awaiting consideration in parliamentary committees. This means that in 2026, the same rules will apply as before, and shopping in large stores and shopping malls will only be possible on the designated eight trading Sundays.