The Athens Traders Association has published its proposed opening hours for retail stores during the 2025 Christmas shopping period. The schedule is indicative rather than mandatory, allowing each business to adjust operating times in line with its needs, as long as it respects the legal framework that governs opening hours in Greece.

According to the association, shops may operate extended hours on most weekdays leading up to Christmas, with several Sundays also permitted to open. The recommended holiday schedule runs from 11 December to 31 December, with Christmas Day, 26 December and New Year’s Day designated as public holidays when stores remain closed.

Recommended Holiday Hours

Below is the full suggested timetable, grouped by week for easier reference:

December 11–14, 2025

  • Thu 11/12: 09:00–21:00
  • Fri 12/12: 09:00–21:00
  • Sat 13/12: 09:00–16:00
  • Sun 14/12: 11:00–16:00

December 15–21, 2025

  • Mon 15/12: 09:00–16:00
  • Tue 16/12: 09:00–21:00
  • Wed 17/12: 09:00–21:00
  • Thu 18/12: 09:00–21:00
  • Fri 19/12: 09:00–21:00
  • Sat 20/12: 09:00–18:00
  • Sun 21/12: 11:00–18:00

December 22–28, 2025

  • Mon 22/12: 09:00–21:00
  • Tue 23/12: 09:00–21:00
  • Wed 24/12: 09:00–18:00
  • Thu 25/12: Closed (Holiday)
  • Fri 26/12: Closed (Holiday)
  • Sat 27/12: 09:00–18:00
  • Sun 28/12: 11:00–18:00

December 29, 2025 – January 2, 2026

  • Mon 29/12: 09:00–21:00
  • Tue 30/12: 09:00–21:00
  • Wed 31/12: 09:00–18:00
  • Thu 01/01: Closed (Holiday)
  • Fri 02/01: Closed

Four Sundays will be open for holiday shopping in 2025: 30 November, 14 December, 21 December and 28 December. These dates coincide with the peak of the winter shopping season, following Black Friday on 28 November and Cyber Monday on 1 December, which focus heavily on in-store and online discounts.

Regarding staff pay, Greek law requires employers to provide a 75% wage increase for Sunday work. If an employee works up to five hours on a Sunday, no compensatory day off is required, though the wage increase still applies. For longer shifts, workers must receive a mandatory weekday rest day within the same week, as defined by current labor legislation.