Leistungen A-Z

As an employer, you require a permit from the local authority responsible for occupational health and safety if you wish to work on a Sunday or public holiday.
You can apply for a permit to work on Sundays or public holidays if you

• wish to hold in-house and order fairs for commercial resellers,
• want to prevent disproportionate damage to a business due to special circumstances, for example due to a very high sickness rate or a late delivery of materials,
• want to carry out the legally required stocktaking if this cannot be done on a weekday.

If there are other reasons, these will also be examined and work on Sundays or public holidays will be approved if necessary.
Certain activities are exempt from the general ban on working on Sundays and public holidays, such as

• Services of general interest:
  • for example, caring for the sick or looking after animals,
• services:
  • for example in restaurants or with cab companies, and
• leisure activities:
  • for example in theaters, soccer or leisure facilities,
• Use in emergencies and exceptional cases:
  • For example, work that cannot be postponed, such as repairs to burst pipes or storm damage to roofs.

Maximum limits apply for certain exceptions.

• § Section 13(3)(2a), (2b) and (2c) of the Working Hours Act (ArbZG)
• § Section 13 (4) and (5) of the Working Hours Act (ArbZG)

• Brochure on the Working Hours Act from the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS) with information on working on Sundays and public holidays

Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS)