Bank holiday shopping: Why Spanish stores have different opening rules

Shoppers in southern Spain face a mixed picture on Monday, November 2, with some supermarkets opening their doors despite a regional public holiday, while others will stay closed.

The difference comes down to Spain’s commercial opening rules, which allow certain shops to trade on designated Sundays and public holidays. The arrangements are different from the November 2 bank holiday arrangements across Spain.

Why shops can open on a bank holiday

November 2 this year is a public holiday throughout Andalucia after the regional government transferred the All Saints’ Day holiday from Sunday, November 1.

However, the Junta de Andalucia has also designated November 2 as an authorised trading day for 2026. This means supermarkets and other retailers are legally permitted to open, although individual companies can decide whether to trade. The Junta’s authorised shopping days for 2026 explain the rules governing Sunday and public holiday trading.

Mercadona, predictably, has chosen to close its supermarkets throughout Malaga, Granada and Almeria provinces for the day. Other chains, including Lidl, Aldi and Carrefour, have announced that many of their Andalucian branches will open, although opening arrangements and hours vary between stores.

Permission to trade does not mean every supermarket must open, so shoppers should check their local branch before making a journey. The rules also distinguish between larger retailers and smaller shops, with establishments below 300 square metres generally enjoying greater freedom to open on Sundays and public holidays.

What about the rest of southern Spain?

The situation is different for residents in other parts of Euro Weekly News’ coverage area. Monday, November 2, is not a regional public holiday in the Region of Murcia, Alicante Province, Valencia Province or Mallorca.

Supermarkets in these areas are therefore expected to follow their normal Monday opening arrangements, rather than special bank holiday timetables. The official 2026 public holiday calendar published in Spain’s BOE confirms the regional differences.

Check before heading out

Although many larger retailers will be open in Andalucia, smaller independent shops may choose to close for the public holiday. Shopping centres may also operate different arrangements for individual shops, restaurants, leisure facilities and supermarkets.

For residents planning their weekly shopping, the important distinction is that a public holiday does not automatically mean every shop must shut in Spain.

Checking individual opening times online before setting off is advisable, particularly in Malaga, Granada and Almeria provinces, where the combination of a public holiday and authorised trading day could catch shoppers by surprise.

For more detailed information about individual supermarkets and shopping centres, see our guide to what is open and closed on the Costa del Sol.