Egypt's Winter Time: Navigating New Shop and Restaurant Operating Hours

As Egypt transitions to winter time, adjusting clocks back by 60 minutes, there's a heightened public interest in the current operating hours for various commercial establishments. This shift prompts questions about whether these changes necessitate adjustments to business schedules.

Retail establishments commenced their winter operating hours on the last Friday of September 2026. This adheres to Article #6 of the Minister of Local Development’s Decree #456 of 2020, which outlines the opening and closing times for public commercial entities.

Retail Shops and Malls

Under the winter operating schedule, retail shops, shopping centers, and malls are authorized to open from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm. An additional hour of operation is permitted on Thursdays, Fridays, public holidays, and official observances to cater to increased customer demand.

Workshops and Craft Businesses

For workshops and craft-based businesses, the designated winter operating hours are from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. However, these hours are not absolute. Exceptions are made for workshops situated along main roads or at gas stations, as well as for businesses providing urgent or essential public services.

Restaurants, Cafés, and Bazaars

Restaurants, cafés, and bazaars are allowed to operate from 5:00 am until midnight. During holidays and official public breaks, their operating hours are extended by one hour, concluding at 1:00 am, in line with the winter operating schedule for these establishments. Home delivery services, however, are permitted to operate 24 hours a day, irrespective of the dine-in closing times.

Exempted Establishments

The regulations governing establishment hours include several exemptions, acknowledging the nature of services and the daily needs of the public. These exemptions encompass grocery stores, supermarkets, bakeries, and businesses requiring continuous operation, such as fruit and vegetable shops, poultry retailers, wholesale markets, and pharmacies.

It is important to distinguish between "winter operating hours" and "winter time" (standard time). "Winter operating hours" refer to the specific times commercial establishments and restaurants can serve customers, while "winter time" is the national clock adjustment, setting it back by 60 minutes, effectively making what was midnight 11:00 PM.