Biedronka, Lidl, Kaufland and other large chains will be closed for four days in a row: from Thursday, 24 December, to Sunday, 27 December. The last regular shopping day will be Wednesday, 23 December.
Why the Break Lasts Four Days
The reason is the calendar. Since 1 February 2025, Christmas Eve has been a statutory day off work, under the act of 6 December 2024 amending the act on public holidays. In 2026, 24 December falls on a Thursday, the first day of Christmas on Friday, and the second day on Saturday, 26 December. Right after it comes Sunday, 27 December, which is not a trading Sunday.
Trading on Sundays is permitted only on designated days. In December, these are the three consecutive Sundays before Christmas Eve, namely 6, 13 and 20 December. In the previous year, stores could return to normal operations as early as Saturday morning after the second day of Christmas, as that day fell on a Friday. This time, large stores will not reopen until Monday, 28 December.
What Will Be Open
The ban does not cover all outlets. The National Labour Inspectorate (PIP) reminds that on Christmas Eve, work in retail or activities related to it cannot be assigned, but the ban does not apply to the business owner personally. They may stand behind the counter and accept free help from their closest family. Details are explained on the PIP website.
In practice, the following may operate on these days:
- petrol stations and pharmacies,
- shops where the owner sells in person, including some Żabka and Carrefour Express outlets,
- flower shops, and on Sunday also bakeries, confectioners and restaurants, if their owners decide to open them.
Żabka is therefore not closed by default, but not every outlet will be open. It depends on whether a franchisee stands behind the counter in a given store. It is worth checking opening hours at the specific location.
Last Purchases and Earlier Trading Sundays
The last day for full shopping at discount stores and supermarkets will be Wednesday, 23 December. Before that, shoppers can take advantage of three trading Sundays: 6, 13 and 20 December. A retail employee may work on no more than two of these three Sundays.
According to industry commentary in the media, chains must plan fresh food deliveries differently this year. For comparison, the nearest Sunday without a shopping ban is 6 December. There is none in November, and on Wednesday, 11 November, which is Poland’s National Independence Day, large stores will also be closed.
