Tabled Bill Foresees Athens, Thessaloniki Shops Open Every Sunday

Shops in Athens, the historic center of Thessaloniki, a section of the Piraeus port commercial area, along the Kallithea, Palaio Faliro, Alimos, Elliniko and Glyfada coastal front and at Athens International Airport can remain open on all Sundays between May and October, according to a draft law tabled in parliament this week and set to be voted on.

Closed Shop, Photo Source: Hellenic Confederation of Commerce and Entrepreneurship

The economy ministry decision – which applies to Athens and Thessaloniki only – is one the demands of Greece’s international lenders and has sparked the outrage of small and medium-sized enterprises as well as of larger supermarket chains.

According to the draft law, current regulations as drawn up by regional administration apply to areas elsewhere in Greece. Deputy prefects in cooperation with local and collective trade bodies can decide on the Sunday operation of shops depending on destination, trade and tourism activity. Restrictions applying to the size and type of shops allowed to operate on Sundays have been lifted.