Croatia’s explosion may upset Austrian tourists Dunav

This summer, many Austrians will be drawn south to the sea. Italy and Croatia are again among the most popular destinations this year. But vacationers in Croatia this year should be prepared for innovations. Since July 1, shops in the tourist paradise have been banned from opening on Sundays.

According to this regulation, shops may only be open 16 Sundays a year. Opening hours will be restricted at the start of the main tourist season but according to Croatian media there will be regional differences. That way, retailers get to choose which 16 Sundays they’re allowed to stay open.

Shops and shopping centers on the Adriatic coast want to take advantage of this. According to Croatian media reports, vacationers on the coast should continue to look forward to open shops on Sundays throughout the summer. However, a person vacationing indoors, say in the capital, Zagreb, will not be able to shop on Sundays. Shops will remain closed during the summer months, before opening for the start of school in September and before Christmas.

The regulation, passed in February 2023, provides for several exceptions. For example, shops at train stations, airports, gas stations, hotels or cultural institutions can operate without restrictions. In addition, tobacco merchants and selling their farm produce in markets are exempt from the regulation. There are no exceptions for other shops in the markets, such as bakeries and flower shops.

The ban on opening on Sundays in Croatia is a historic moment. As early as 2004 and 2009, attempts were made to restrict store hours on Sundays and public holidays. However, they failed both times because the Croatian Constitutional Court ruled that they interfered with free trade. According to media reports, retailers should consider filing a constitutional complaint against the new regulation.

(Heute.at)