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General rule
As a rule, shops are not allowed to open on Sundays and public holidays in Germany,
except for a few narrowly defined exceptions.
Is selling allowed on Sundays between 17:00 and 20:00?
No, generally not allowed.
Under the federal rules, there is no general, fixed time window that permits sales on Sunday evenings – not even between 17:00 and 20:00.
However …
There are specific exceptions depending on the type of business or a particular event / occasion:
1. Bakeries / outlets selling fresh baked goods
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They may open on Sundays for only 3–5 hours.
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Typically between 08:00 and 11:00 or 12:00, depending on the federal state.
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They are usually allowed to sell only bread and bakery products, no drinks or other goods.
2. Petrol stations (Tankstellen)
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Petrol stations are allowed to sell small items (cigarettes, drinks, newspapers, etc.) around the clock.
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These items must be considered ancillary to the refuelling service – i.e. related to the fuel business.
3. Railway stations / airports
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Shops located inside railway stations or airports may generally open every day,
because they are seen as serving transport and travellers.
4. Special Sunday opening days (§ 14 LadSchlG)
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Under § 14 of the Shop Closing Act (Ladenschlussgesetz), municipalities may designate a limited number of
“verkaufsoffene Sonntage” (special Sundays with shop opening), typically up to 4 per year. -
These days must be linked to local events, such as:
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a town festival, local fair, trade exhibition, etc.
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Opening times are restricted to certain hours, most often between 13:00 and 18:00.
Are there any specific exceptions for 17:00–20:00 in any federal state?
In some municipalities only, certain shops may be allowed to open into the evening, but only if:
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The sales activity is part of an official event, such as a city festival or local fair.
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The municipality has issued an Allgemeinverfügung (general order) or Ausnahmegenehmigung (special permit).
Examples:
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In Hamburg or Berlin, it may occasionally happen that flower shops or bookstores receive special permission for Sunday opening on particular occasions.
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In Bavaria, the rules are enforced very strictly, and almost no exceptions of this kind are allowed.
Legal consequences of opening without a permit
| Infringement | Possible penalty |
|---|---|
| Opening a shop on a Sunday or public holiday without authorisation | Fine of up to €5,000 (depending on the federal state) |
| Repeated infringement | Higher fines and, in serious cases, possible withdrawal of licences or permits |
| Unannounced inspection by the Ordnungsamt (local regulatory authority) | Immediate order to close the shop + official violation report / administrative offence notice |
The editorial team of the website strives to provide accurate information based on careful research and several sources. Nevertheless, mistakes can occur or details may be incomplete or not fully verified. Please treat this content as initial guidance only and always contact the competent authorities, chambers, or legal advisers for binding and up-to-date information.
