The Egyptian government has officially implemented new winter operating hours for shops, restaurants, and cafes, as of September 26, 2026. The new timings aim to regulate the operation of commercial and service activities, in line with the needs of citizens and the nature of each activity. The move is also intended to achieve discipline in the streets, reduce energy consumption, and organize the movement of various activities.
According to the new rules, commercial shops and malls will operate from 7 am to 10 pm on regular days. The closing time will be extended to 11 pm on Thursdays, Fridays, and public holidays. The new timings are as follows: opening time - 7 am, closing time on regular days - 10 pm, and on Thursdays, Fridays, and public holidays - 11 pm.
Restaurants, cafes, and bars have different operating hours, allowing them to receive customers until midnight. These establishments will operate from 5 am to 12 am on regular days. On Thursdays, Fridays, and public holidays, they can stay open until 1 am. These timings also apply to restaurants, cafes, and bars located within shopping malls, with take-out and delivery services available 24/7.
The government has also specified operating hours for workshops and handicrafts within residential areas, which will operate from 8 am to 6 pm. However, workshops located on roads, fuel stations, and those providing emergency services to citizens are exempt from these timings, subject to regulatory controls.
Certain activities are exempt from the new closing times, including grocery stores, supermarkets, bakeries, fruit and vegetable shops, poultry shops, wholesale markets, pharmacies, and workshops located on roads or fuel stations. These exemptions aim to ensure the continued provision of essential goods and services to citizens.
The new winter timings take into account the nature of activities that provide basic services to citizens, as well as those that require continued operation during nighttime hours. This aims to ensure that daily needs are met and that commercial and service activities are organized.
The implementation of the new winter timings coincides with the change to winter time in Egypt, which aims to make better use of daylight and reduce energy consumption. The government has urged citizens to adhere to the new timings and to report any violations to the relevant authorities.
Key points
- The new winter operating hours for shops and restaurants in Egypt are aimed at regulating commercial and service activities and reducing energy consumption.
- Certain activities, such as grocery stores and pharmacies, are exempt from the new closing times.
- The new timings also apply to restaurants, cafes, and bars located within shopping malls.
