The beginning of March 2026 brings significant questions about trade organization and working time plans. On March 1st, shops remain closed due to statutory restrictions, while key legislative work is underway in the Sejm and government to expand the list of public holidays. The reform concerns the potential establishment of Good Friday as a non-working day and adjustments to regulations regarding compensation days for holidays falling on a Sunday.
Shops Closed on March 1st
The first Sunday of March is not a trading day according to the trade ban act; only selected outlets remain open.
Good Friday as a Public Holiday
The Sejm and the president are considering granting Good Friday the status of a non-working day in 2026.
Petition for Compensation on Sundays
A proposal has been submitted to the government to change regulations so that holidays on Sundays entitle employees to an additional day off.
The first Sunday of March 2026 is marked by strict adherence to the trade ban. According to the current schedule, March 1st is not designated as a trading Sunday, meaning most large supermarkets and shopping malls remain closed. Exceptions include only outlets where postal activity predominates, fuel stations, and shops where the owner is behind the counter. This situation reignites discussions about liberalizing regulations, especially as public debate sees proposals to introduce at least two trading Sundays per month. Media reports indicate a growing number of large retail chains attempting to circumvent restrictions by utilizing the status of autonomous outlets or service points. Sunday trade restrictions were introduced in Poland gradually from March 2018, aiming for a total ban (with seven exceptions per year), which came into force in 2020.Simultaneously, the center of political debate is shifting towards the calendar of non-working days. Intensive legislative work is ongoing on a bill proposing that Good Friday (April 3, 2026) becomes a new statutory public holiday. This decision currently rests with MPs and the president, with its proponents arguing it would equalize the status of this holiday with Christmas Eve. Additionally, a petition concerning changes to regulations on compensation days for holidays has been submitted to the Ministry of Family. Currently, employees are entitled to an additional day off only for a holiday falling on a Saturday; the petition's authors want a similar rule to apply to Sundays, which would prevent public holidays from "disappearing" in the annual calendar. „Analiza petycji dotyczącej odzyskiwania dni wolnych za święta przypadające w niedzielę jest na etapie wstępnych konsultacji międzyresortowych.” (Analysis of the petition regarding reclaiming days off for holidays falling on a Sunday is at the stage of preliminary inter-ministerial consultations.) — Ministry of Family, Labour and Social PolicyAnother important topic is the upcoming switch to daylight saving time. In 2026, it will occur exceptionally early, on the night from Saturday to the last Sunday of March, which falls on March 29th. Although discussions about abolishing this obligation have been ongoing in the European Union for years, the clock-changing mechanism remains in force for now, requiring citizens and IT systems to adjust to the new rhythm, despite the confirmed negative impact of the sudden time change on human well-being and biorhythm.