Closing times for shops and restaurants in Egypt during winter time

In Egypt, the shifting to winter time – moving the clock back by 60 minutes – has led to increased interest in retail shops, malls, restaurants, cafés, and workshops' operating hours. Retail establishments started implementing winter operating hours starting from the last Friday of September 2026, as stipulated by Article #6 of the Minister of Local Development’s Decree #456 of 2020.

The regulation allows retail shops, shopping centers, and malls to open from 7 am to 10 pm during winter hours. A bonus hour of operation is granted on Thursdays and Fridays, as well as public holidays and official observances to cater to higher customer demand.

Workshops and craft businesses, on the other hand, must operate from 8 am to 6 pm during winter. However, there are exceptions for workshops situated along main roads or gas stations, and for businesses providing urgent or essential services to the public. Restaurants, cafés, and bazaars can accommodate customers from 5 am to midnight during winter.

The operating hours are extended by one hour, until one am, during holidays and official public breaks. Home delivery services can operate round the clock, irrespective of the closing times for restaurants and cafés.

Certain establishments are exempted from these winter operating hours. This includes grocery stores, supermarkets, bakeries, and activities requiring continuous operation, such as fruit and vegetable shops, poultry retailers, wholesale markets, and pharmacies. It is crucial to note that "winter operating hours" are separate from the "winter time" (standard time) adjustment.

The former refers to the specific hours commercial establishments and restaurants may welcome customers, while the latter pertains to the official national time adjustment—setting the clock back by 60 minutes.