You may be familiar with the idea of a Sunday trade ban – the solution with as many supporters as opponents. Does Germany have a Sunday ban too? Can you go shopping on Sunday in Berlin? Let’s take a look!
Sunday trade ban in Berlin
Many who have not yet visited Germany and don’t experience the trade ban themselves may be surprised to uncover that the vast majority of shops and supermarkets are closed on Sundays. The law forbidding Sunday shopping is actually a really old one in Germany, from 1956. In 2006, the authorities have provided individual states with more autonomy in regards to whether they choose to have a complete ban or not, though it still holds for most shops. This is true for Berlin too.
Are all shops closed on Sundays?
No, not all. Most shops on airports and on train stations (meaning supermarkets and pharmacies) remain open; same goes for local markets in villages or dedicated flea markets. It’s also not literally every Sunday remains closed, as Germany follows a special rule where specific Sundays may be chosen as open Sundays – this might be, for instance, because the previous days were holiday-days and so people could not stock up prior. Do be aware, however, that the sites open on Sundays may be quite crowded.
