On certain Czech public holidays, large shops with a sales area over 200 m² are legally required to close — this applies to chain supermarkets and hypermarkets (Kaufland, Albert, Lidl, Tesco, Billa, Globus, and similar). Meanwhile, small shops, petrol stations, pharmacies, and outlets at train stations and airports remain open. According to the trading law (zákon č. 223/2016 Sb.), there are seven such "closed" days plus a shortened working day on 24 December — but always check the current text of the law to be sure.
This is a living guide: the dates of fixed holidays are stable, but the list of exceptions, the opening hours of specific shops, and the amount of fines are worth double-checking before you head out shopping.
The answer depends on two things: which exact holiday it is, and how big the shop is.
An important nuance: not every public holiday is a "closed" day for retail. For example, large supermarkets are not legally required to close on 17 November or 1 May (more on this below).
The restrictions are set by a special law on retail and wholesale trading hours — zákon č. 223/2016 Sb., o prodejní době v maloobchodě a velkoobchodě, in effect since autumn 2016.
Its essence: on certain holidays, shops with a sales area over 200 m² must be closed to customers. The purpose of the rule is to let large retail staff spend the holiday with their families. The law provides for fines for violating the ban (reportedly up to millions of crowns); check the current version of the law for exact amounts and procedures, as these may change.
The list of public holidays itself is set out in a separate law — zákon č. 245/2000 Sb., o státních svátcích. But, again, the trading ban does not apply to all holidays on that list, only to the days explicitly named in the trading law.
According to the trading law, large retailers (over 200 m²) must close on the following days (check the current version of the law to confirm):
One day deserves special mention — 24 December (Christmas Eve, Štědrý den): on this day, large shops are open only until 12:00, then close for the rest of the day. So it's best to do your Christmas grocery shopping in the morning.
The ban under the trading law does not apply to a number of retail outlets — according to the law, these include, among others:
In practice, this means that even on a "closed" holiday, you can almost always buy the essentials — at a small shop near your home, at a petrol station, or in a station supermarket. But the selection and prices there are usually more modest than at a big hypermarket.
This is one of the most common questions among newcomers: are shops open on 17 November (Den boje za svobodu a demokracii — Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day)? Short answer: yes, large shops may open on 17 November — this date is a public holiday, but it is not on the list of "closed" trading days set out in the law.
By the same logic, the trading ban generally does not affect other holidays that aren't on the trading law's list, for example:
An important caveat: "allowed to be open" doesn't mean "operating as usual." On these days, many chains still reduce their opening hours, and individual shops in shopping centres may close at their own discretion. So it's best to check the opening hours of a specific shop in advance.
To avoid arriving at closed doors, follow a few simple steps:
For more practical guides on life and everyday matters in Czechia, see the guides section, as well as the Life as a Foreigner and Economy categories.
Are shops open on Christmas? On 24 December, large shops are open only until 12:00, and on 25 and 26 December they are legally closed. Small shops, petrol stations, and pharmacies may stay open.
Are supermarkets open on 1 January? No, 1 January is on the list of "closed" days for shops over 200 m². Small outlets and petrol stations remain open.
Are shops open on 17 November? Yes, large shops may operate on this day — the date is not on the list of the trading ban. But hours may be reduced, so check the specific shop.
How do I know a shop's size? The benchmark is a sales area over 200 m²: this covers virtually all chain supermarkets and hypermarkets. "Corner shops" and večerky are usually smaller than that.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The list of "closed" holidays, exceptions for individual shops, and fine amounts are governed by law and may change, while the opening hours of specific chains may vary. Before heading to a shop, check the current text of the law and the opening hours of the specific outlet.
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