Can a shop open on Sunday in Malta, and until what time?
Yes — since 2017 retail shops in Malta may open on Sunday, and most traders no longer even need a trading licence at all. Under the Trading Licences Regulations (SL 441.07), shops may open on Sunday between 06:00 and 17:00, while grocers are limited to 06:00 to 13:00. A business that opens on Sunday must choose another day of the week on which it stays closed and inform the Director of Commerce. The myth: that "every shop must pay €700 to open on Sunday" or that "shops cannot open on Sunday". Both are wrong: Sunday opening is free of charge if you pick a rest day, and the €700 a year applies only to whoever wants to open all seven days with no closed day. Since 1 January 2017 the trading licence was abolished for most activities; only certain categories, such as street hawkers and auctioneers, still need one.
📋 The rules
- Since 2017 retail shops may open on Sunday; the law no longer prohibits opening.
- Sunday opening hours are 06:00–17:00 for shops, and 06:00–13:00 for grocers.
- A business that opens on Sunday must choose another closed day in the week and inform the Director of Commerce.
- To open all seven days with no closed day, you pay €700 a year, in advance.
- Since 1 January 2017 the trading licence was abolished for most activities; only certain categories still need one.
🔓 Exceptions
- On public holidays many shops close; there are 14 public holidays a year in Malta and certain restrictions apply.
- Specific categories such as street hawkers, market vendors, auctioneers and door-to-door sellers still need a licence from the Commerce Department.
- Shops in specific zones or schemes (such as certain markets or tourist areas) may follow separate conditions.
⚠️ Penalties & fines
A shop that operates outside the rules — for example opening all seven days without paying the €700 or without choosing a closed day — can face action from the Commerce Department and from the wardens who enforce the Trading Licences Regulations. The consequences can include contraventions, fines and, in persistent cases, action against the commercial activity itself. Because most shops no longer need a trading licence, the biggest risk today is not the licence but the hours and the notification of the closed day to the Director. An employer must also respect employment law on overtime, rest and Sunday pay for staff, and these obligations still hold even when the shop is legally open. Repeated breaches can leave a mark on the business record and bring more frequent inspections.
📎 Official sources
- Commerce Department · Trading Licences →
- Laws of Malta · Trading Licences Act (Cap. 441) →
- servizz.gov.mt · Business and Trade (Commerce) →
❓ Frequently asked
Can shops open on Sunday in Malta?
Yes — since 2017 the reform in the law allows retail shops to open on Sunday, and in practice many supermarkets and smaller shops do open. The hours are generally between 06:00 and 17:00, while grocers are limited to 13:00, so it is worth checking the specific shop before heading out.
Must every shop pay €700 to open on Sunday?
No — this is a common misunderstanding. Sunday opening is free of charge if the business chooses another day of the week on which it stays closed; the €700 a year applies only to whoever wants to open all seven days with no closed day.
Do I still need a trading licence to run a shop?
In most cases no — since 1 January 2017 the trading licence was abolished for the greater part of commercial activities. Only certain categories such as street hawkers, market vendors and auctioneers still need a licence from the Commerce Department.
Do shops open on public holidays?
Many shops close on public holidays, and with 14 public holidays a year in Malta it pays to plan your shopping ahead. Certain supermarkets and tourist shops may open, but the hours vary and there is no guarantee.
Who enforces the shop opening rules?
The rules are enforced by the Commerce Department together with the wardens who fall under the local enforcement system. A business that opens outside the permitted hours or without paying for all seven days can face a contravention or a fine.
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