Can shops in Slovenia open on Sundays?
Shops in Slovenia generally may not operate on Sundays and statutory public holidays – a general ban on Sunday opening is in force. The key myth is that this stems from the 2003 referendum (when just over 57% backed closure), but back then the ban never took effect in practice. What is binding is only the 2020 amendment to the Trade Act (ZT-1B), which provided that a trader may not schedule opening hours on Sundays and holidays. The Constitutional Court found the ban compatible with the Constitution. The exception is smaller shops with a sales area of up to 200 m² at petrol stations, border crossings, ports, railway and bus stations, and in hospitals. A smaller shop may also open if it is staffed by the sole trader (the business holder) or their representative, with the help of a student or a pensioner where needed. That is why some shops are open on Sundays entirely lawfully, while most large retailers are closed.
📋 The rules
- A trader may not schedule opening hours on Sundays and statutory public holidays (work-free days); the great majority of shops are closed.
- The exception is shops with a sales area of up to 200 m² at petrol stations, border crossings, ports, and railway and bus stations, and in hospitals.
- A smaller shop may open if it is staffed by the sole trader or their representative, with the help of a student or a pensioner where needed.
- The binding basis is the 2020 amendment to the Trade Act (ZT-1B), not the 2003 referendum.
- Breaching the ban carries a fine of 400-4,000 euros for the responsible person, while the legal entity is fined higher.
🔓 Exceptions
- Shops up to 200 m² at certain locations (stations, petrol stations, ports, hospitals) may set their opening hours without restriction.
- Personal work by the business holder: where the sole trader or their representative works (with the help of a student or pensioner), Sunday opening is allowed.
- The ban applies to shop opening hours and does not affect other activities, such as hospitality, on-call pharmacies or sales at petrol stations within the exception.
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The Sunday-opening ban is supervised by the Market Inspectorate. A trader who schedules opening hours on a Sunday or holiday contrary to the law faces a misdemeanour sanction: the responsible person of the legal entity or sole trader faces a fine of 400 to 4,000 euros, while the legal entity or sole trader itself is fined substantially higher. Repeat breaches mean fresh proceedings and higher fines, and the inspector may also order measures to remedy the irregularity. Indirect consequences reach into employment law: work on Sundays and holidays must be properly ordered and paid extra, otherwise the trader also faces employment claims and Labour Inspectorate scrutiny. For the consumer the ban means that on Sundays you can rely only on the exceptions (smaller shops at stations and petrol stations, and those with the trader's personal work), so it is wise to check opening hours in advance. Anyone justifying opening by pointing to the 2003 referendum is relying on the wrong basis.
📎 Official sources
- PISRS · Trade Act (ZT-1) →
- GOV.SI · Market Inspectorate (trade supervision) →
- Constitutional Court · review of the Sunday-work ban →
❓ Frequently asked
Are shops closed on Sundays?
As a rule yes, since a trader may not schedule opening hours on Sundays and statutory public holidays. Only exceptions may open, such as smaller shops at petrol stations and stations and shops staffed by the sole trader in person.
Which shops may open on Sundays?
Shops with a sales area of up to 200 square metres at petrol stations, border crossings, ports, railway and bus stations, and in hospitals may operate on Sundays. A smaller shop may also be open if the business holder works in it in person.
Since when has the Sunday ban applied?
The binding ban stems from the 2020 amendment to the Trade Act (ZT-1B), not from the 2003 referendum, when the ban never took effect in practice. The Constitutional Court later found the ban compatible with the Constitution.
What is the penalty for a trader who opens on Sunday?
The responsible person of the legal entity or sole trader faces a fine of 400 to 4,000 euros, while the legal entity or sole trader itself is fined substantially higher. Supervision is carried out by the Market Inspectorate, which may also order the irregularity to be remedied.
As a sole trader, may I open my shop on Sunday myself?
Yes, a smaller shop may operate on a Sunday if it is staffed by the sole trader as the business holder or their representative, with the help of a student or pensioner where needed. This is one of the statutory exceptions to the general ban on Sunday opening.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “sunday trading slovenia”
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- “referendum sunday work shops”