German Holidays & Store Hours: Your Guide to Sunday Closures

One of the first surprises for newcomers in Germany: on Sunday afternoons, almost all shops are closed. Germany's rest-day regulations are stricter than in most countries. Once you understand the rules, you won't get caught out.

Nationwide Public Holidays (gesetzliche Feiertage)

Bavaria has additional holidays: Epiphany (Jan 6), Corpus Christi (June, floating), Assumption Day (Aug 15), Reformation Day (Oct 31, in some states), and All Saints' Day (Nov 1). On public holidays, most shops are closed, just like on Sundays.

Sunday Shopping Ban (Sonntagsöffnungsverbot)

This is a major culture shock for many foreigners. The vast majority of shops in Germany are legally required to close on Sundays — not because of staff shortages, but due to federal law. Exceptions:

• Shops inside train stations (including small supermarkets and newsstands)
• All shops at airports
• Petrol stations (only basic food and essentials)
• Bakeries (Bäckerei) — usually open Sunday mornings until 12–1 pm
• Each state allows 3–4 "open Sundays" (verkaufsoffener Sonntag) per year, often around Christmas markets or special festivals

Weekday and Saturday Opening Hours

Large supermarket chains (Rewe, Edeka, Kaufland) typically open from 7:00/8:00 am to 9:00/10:00 pm. Discount supermarkets (ALDI, Lidl) are open around 8:00 am to 8:00/9:00 pm. Pharmacies (Apotheke) are open from about 8:00 am to 6:30 pm, and on Saturdays they often close early at 2:00 pm. On Christmas Eve (Dec 24) and New Year's Eve (Dec 31), many shops close early.

Get into the habit: stock up on groceries for the coming week every Saturday. This is the most important shopping adjustment you'll make in Germany.