Sunday shopping ban in Europe... (life, country, places, German)
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Germany = Banned (Berlin only allows 8 Sundays a year)
Austria = Banned
Switzerland = Banned
Norway = Banned
England and Wales = 6 hours only
Northern Ireland = Few hours
Spain = Only permitted in larger tourist cities
France = Banned except in few tourist places
Netherlands = Allowed in larger cities
Finland = 6 hours for larger shops
Belgium = Banned (only up to 6 - 9 Sundays a year)
Italy = Mainly banned
Vatican City = Banned
Greece = Only permitted in larger cities
It looks like the German speaking countries are the strictest when it comes to ban on Sunday shopping, similar to those in Bergen County, New Jersey and other 'blue laws' found in the USA.
Germany = Banned (Berlin only allows 8 Sundays a year)
Austria = Banned
Switzerland = Banned
Norway = Banned
England and Wales = 6 hours only
Northern Ireland = Few hours
Spain = Only permitted in larger tourist cities
France = Banned except in few tourist places
Netherlands = Allowed in larger cities
Finland = 6 hours for larger shops
Belgium = Banned (only up to 6 - 9 Sundays a year)
Italy = Mainly banned
Vatican City = Banned
Greece = Only permitted in larger cities
It looks like the German speaking countries are the strictest when it comes to ban on Sunday shopping, similar to those in Bergen County, New Jersey and other 'blue laws' found in the USA.
But i guess at least the sunday ban in Germany will be weakend in the next years. We get more and more americanized. Ten years ago even on saturday the stores werent open that long, but nowadays: 7 am to 10 pm. Its only a matter of time with sundays too.
I got very lucky, after few months of living here in the Netherlands they finally changed it so that supermarkets can be open on Sundays (12-18). Life was hell before, no supermarkets on sundays what so ever.
Yes, shopping malls and supermarkets mainly. Small stores (under 400m2/4500 sg ft) have no restrictions, and are open to 21 or 23 on Sundays. Same applies for pharmacies, gas station stores and such. From November to Christmas all shops may be open to 21:00 on Sundays.
I don't mind. If you have to go shopping, you'll make it between 12 and 18, and quite frankly Sundays have not been proven to be a very good day for shopping, some storeowners say.
BS. Supermarkets are open on sundays in every city.
This does not include any food places. Food is considered a necessity, and shouldn't be banned.
However, some European countries ban supermarkets to open as well.
But i guess at least the sunday ban in Germany will be weakend in the next years. We get more and more americanized. Ten years ago even on saturday the stores werent open that long, but nowadays: 7 am to 10 pm. Its only a matter of time with sundays too.
No actually it got more stricter recently because the German Constitution says that Sunday should be a day of rest and no labor. More cities wanted to be open on more Sundays annually but the state did not allow it. Berlin decreased the number of Sundays being allowed to open annually.
Kudos to Germany who value a day of rest for employees.
I know for a fact that its NOT banned to have stores open on sundays in Norway, just very rare.
In Sweden and Denmark though, surprisingly many stores are open on sundays.
Norway does have a law that bans Sunday shopping. Recently politicians introduced a law that would allow supermarkets to be open on Sundays but has not been passed yet I guess (?)
Denmark had "lukkelov" which banned stores from being open on Sundays but abolished it in 2012.
Sweden does not have any laws regards to opening hours, including on Sundays except that systembolaget (government owned alcohol store) must be closed on Sundays. Prior to 1960s or 1970s (forgot exact date) they had restriction on business hours.
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