Germany is set to allow bakeries and public libraries to extend their Sunday opening hours from next year. Now, many business leaders want to see the rules lifted for the entire retail sector. Here’s what readers of The Local think.
Some streets in Germany may look a little livelier on Sundays from 2027.
That’s because bakeries, pastry shops and public libraries will be allowed to extend their Sunday opening hours.
The move is part of a reform package put forward by the coalition government, made up of the centre-right conservative bloc – CDU and CSU – and the centre-left Social Democrats or SPD. The changes are due to come into force on January 1st.
But many in the business sector say the reforms do not go far enough. They are pushing to relax Sunday opening rules across the board.Â
The Local reported on the developments earlier in July and asked readers to share their views.Â
‘Out of step’
While the idea of allowing stores to open their doors to customers on Sunday might feel uncontroversial to many foreigners – especially those from countries where shopping streets are bustling throughout the weekend – in Germany it remains a loaded topic.
Sunday is traditionally viewed as a sacred day of rest when consumerism takes a break. People are encouraged to spend time with family and friends or enjoy the natural surroundings: anything but shopping!Â
The country’s Shop Closing Laws (Ladenschlussgesetz) date back to 1956 and effectively ban outlets from opening their doors on Sundays and public holidays. There are only a few exceptions such as shops at major train stations and airports.
READ ALSO:Â Where to buy groceries in Germany on a Sunday
This strict rule goes hand in hand with the concept of ‘Ruhezeit’ or quiet time, which is deeply embedded in German society and in some cases is written into local law and rental contracts.Â
So is it time that Germany modernised the Sunday shopping rules? Some readers of The Local think so.
“What’s with all these boomers *still* insisting on dead Sundays?” wrote Adi in a comment in response to the news.
He suggested that Sunday closures do not fit with modern society:Â “Stay at home if you want, let the people who want to get on with our lives do so. Concepts like ‘social cohesion’ mean little to millennials and Gen-Zs trying to make ends meet in an otherwise stuttering economy.”
Should Germany allow shops to open on Sundays? Photo: picture alliance/dpa/dpa-tmn | Benjamin Nolte
Another reader named Christian took a similar view.Â
“The cultural holdout against Sunday trading is nuts and out of step with the rest of the western world,” he said. “Has society collapsed in countries that allow it? No. So maybe Germany has some lessons to learn from its neighbours.
“As long as protections are in place to (for example) allow staff to opt out then I can’t see any reason not to move with the times. It’s something we all want.”
On a post on The Local Germany’s Facebook page, many people agreed.
“I don’t see the harm in opening them,” said a commentator called Monika. “You don’t agree with it – simple. Do not go shopping that day.”
Another reader called Paul wrote, “All shops in Germany should be allowed to be open on Sunday, it’s ridiculous.”
Shopping on Sundays should ‘remain a novelty’
Others had conflicting opinions.Â
“I keep changing my mind on this,” said Claire. “I like that Sunday is calmer on the streets. But I also appreciate that Germany, like most post-pandemic European countries struggle to keep physical stores alive.”
She suggested relaxing the rules in a targeted manner, while upholding workers’ rights.
“I think a better way would be to have the first Sunday of every month nationwide as a shopping Sunday on the open air shopping streets,” she said. “States can then top up that with a sprinkling of additional shopping Sundays during tourist season or local visitor attraction events.
“Dedicated covered shopping malls should be the only places allowed to be open every Sunday of the year. Waschsalons [laundrettes or laundromats], hair and beauty and other such services should also be open every Sunday.
“I think for shop workers, the most important thing is that shopping Sundays remain a novelty rather than routine. This way they can also keep their Sonntagszuschlag [Sunday bonus] for working occasional Sundays.”
EXPLAINED:Â Bavaria’s complicated rules for when you can buy certain things
‘Symbolises importance of life beyond work’
For some people, the idea of a Sunday with little chance of spending money in shops holds strong appeal.Â
“When I was living in Germany, I loved that Sunday was distinctly different than any other day,” said Lauren. “It was such a nice experience to see families – or people like me with their dogs – walking in the woods and enjoying the day.Â
“I understand the economic arguments, but, in spite of having to plan ahead for shops to be closed, I cherished the fact that Sunday was essentially set aside as a different sort of day, as it symbolised the importance of life beyond work and shopping to me.”
On The Local Germany’s Facebook, others agreed.Â
“I have always enjoyed Sunday’s with everything closed,” said Kimberly. “Please don’t become like the Americans.”
Another commentator called Rhiannon said she hoped Sunday closures would remain. “I like that my husband always has Sunday off,” she said.Â
Will Germany expand Sunday openings?
For now a bigger rethink of Germany’s shop closing rules, beyond the planned changes, doesn’t look very likely but the move has certainly sparked a fierce debate.Â
The German Retail Association (HDE) said recently it believes Sunday openings would benefit town centres.Â
HDE Chief Executive Stefan Genth told Bild newspaper: “Shopping is also a leisure experience. That is why we are campaigning for Sunday opening hours in the retail sector, to keep town centres attractive and vibrant.”
The association’s Berlin representative, Nils Busch-Petersen, described the restrictive approach to Sunday opening hours as no longer in keeping with the times. “Anyone who sells a shirt on a Sunday in Germany is committing a criminal offence. In the online age, that should be a thing of the past.”
The retail sector received support from Christian von Stetten, chair of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group’s Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) sub-group in the Bundestag.
He called for a “generous extension of the existing regulations”, referring both to Sunday working hours – which are decided by the Bundestag – and to Sunday opening hours, which are largely the responsibility of the federal states.
It means widespread changes would involve different levels of government.
However, Sepp Müller, the CDU/CSU parliamentary group’s deputy leader responsible for economic affairs, said: “For us in the CDU, Sunday remains a day for family, relaxation and community. That is why we are focusing on modern working time regulations rather than a general lifting of the ban on Sunday opening.”
Members of The Local Germany can comment on all articles. Your constructive views, advice for others, and stories of life in Germany offer a vital contribution to our community of international readers.