No trade on Sundays

On the first day of March new regulation came into effect in Poland. The new law introduces a ban on trade on two Sundays a month. With certain exceptions enumerated in the act on a ban on Sunday trade, trading outlets, from small corner shops to big malls will be forced to close on the seventh day of the week. It is not yet certain how Poles will react to the fact that they will not be able to shop when they want.

Polish stores will close on every second and third Sunday of the month except those before Christmas and Easter. Apart from that, all trade in Poland stops for bank holidays. Store employees on Christmas Eve will work only until 2 p.m. In 2020, the government plans to expand the ban to all Sundays.

Some people speculate the new law will hit the retail industry and the millions of people who work in services, not only shop assistants but also cleaners and security personnel. Opponents of the ban say the new law is not entrepreneur-friendly and argue the new legal act is in numerous places unclear and has many loopholes. Government officials are certain the drop of sales on Sundays will be compensated with better sales figures on Fridays and Saturdays.

There are numerous exemptions to the “no trade” rule. Petrol stations will stay open, and so will shops at airports, train and bus stations, bakeries, cake shops, and even flower shops. A shop owner forcing an employee to work on Sundays faces a penalty ticket in the amount reaching up to 5 thousand PLN. However, they are allowed to work behind a counter themselves.

It is not yet clear how Polish people will react to the ban. When similar regulations were introduced in Hungary, the lawmakers quickly backed out as Hungarians were not happy about the restrictions. Polish politicians already agreed that they are ready to amend the act if needs be.

Implications for Banking and Business

Developments in the Polish banking sector affect businesses operating in the country in several ways. Access to corporate banking services, credit availability, deposit rates, and payment infrastructure are all critical factors for companies — whether established Polish firms or foreign-owned entities entering the market.

For foreign entrepreneurs setting up operations in Poland, choosing the right banking partner is a strategic decision. Major Polish banks including mBank, ING Bank Śląski, Bank Millennium, PKO BP, and Santander Poland offer varying levels of service for international clients, including English-language online banking, multicurrency accounts, and dedicated relationship managers for corporate clients.

The Polish banking market is well-regulated by the KNF (Financial Supervision Authority) and participates in the EU deposit guarantee scheme (BFG — Bank Guarantee Fund), providing deposit protection up to EUR 100,000 per depositor per institution. This regulatory framework provides stability and confidence for businesses maintaining corporate funds in Polish banks.

If you are doing business in Poland or considering entering the Polish market, Zalewski Consulting can help. Learn more about our bank account opening services, or contact us for a free consultation.