How stores will operate under the holiday hours schedule during Christmas is revealed in official announcements from Commercial Associations. The special program determines what time commercial stores will close in Athens and Piraeus from December 11 through January 2. The proposed operating hours serve as guidelines, while each business owner retains the ability to adjust their schedule within legal limits (Monday to Saturday 06:00–21:00, Sunday 11:00–20:00).
Read: Holiday hours: When they start and how stores will operate – Which Sundays will be open
Athens store operations during holiday hours
The Christmas program for the capital begins on December 11, 2025 with extended hours on weekdays and limited hours on weekends. What time stores will close varies according to the day of the week. Weekdays (Monday to Friday) provide operation from 09:00 to 21:00, except for certain exceptions like Monday December 15 which closes at 16:00. Weekends follow a shorter schedule, with Sundays starting at 11:00.
Critical dates such as Christmas Eve (24/12) and New Year’s Eve (31/12) require closing at 18:00, while official holidays December 25, 26 and January 1, 2 remain closed.
Piraeus commercial store schedule
The Commercial Association of Piraeus follows a similar structure for holiday hours, with minor variations in closing times. How stores will operate in Piraeus is determined by the same timeframe, from December 11 to 31.
Working days maintain the 09:00 to 21:00 schedule, while weekends are restricted. Special attention is given to December 20 and 21 where stores close at 18:00, providing more time for last-minute shopping. From Saturday January 3, 2026, regular operating hours are restored for all commercial stores in Piraeus.
Labor rights and employer obligations
What time stores will close directly affects staff labor rights, particularly for those working Sundays. Employers are required to pay a 75% surcharge to employees who work during Sundays of the holiday schedule.
An important clarification concerns working up to 5 hours on Sundays, where no additional rest day is required, but the obligation to pay the surcharge remains. According to law 5157/2024, the rest day for Sunday workers must be granted on any working day of the week following the Sunday operation.
