Business hours

The Act on Business Hours on Sundays and Public Holidays (Sonn- und Feiertagsbetriebszeitengesetz - BZG) defines the prerequisites necessary for commercial operations to work on Sundays and holidays.

The Business Hours Act 2003 (Öffnungszeitengesetz – ÖZG) regulates opening hours of sales outlets that are subject to the Trade Act on workdays including Saturdays. It includes also special regulations for weekends and public holidays, for 24th of December and 31st of December as well as for specific sales outlets.

Opening hours of sales outlets in detail

• Sales outlets may open Mondays to Fridays from 6 am to 9 pm, and Saturdays from 6 am to 6 pm; weekly opening hours must not exceed 72 hours.
• In the case of special shopping needs (e.g. typical early-morning needs of commuters; organised shopping events or street parties, touristic interests), the state governors may decree extended general opening hours).
• Sales outlets must be closed on Sundays and public holidays. Exceptions on the basis of the Act governing opening hours are granted to special sales outlets (such as airport and railway station shops, theatre and museum shops, duty-free shops at airports). Moreover, state governments may extend opening hour on Sundays and public holidays by decree in the case of special regional needs.
• The regulations of the Act governing opening hours do not apply, i.a., to vending sales, confined sales from hotels, restaurants or confectioners, confined sales at petrol stations and market place sales.

Contact

Division for Trade Law: gewerbe@bmaw.gv.at