Overview
- The federal coalition agreed to allow bakeries and confectioneries to deploy staff for up to eight hours on Sundays under the Arbeitszeitgesetz, scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2027.
- The change affects only federal working-time law and does not alter Ladenschluss rules, so each Bundesland must change its own shop-closing laws before customers can be served for longer on Sundays.
- Retail groups and some politicians seized the bakery decision to press for a general liberalisation of Sunday shop openings, arguing it would help store sales and revive town centres.
- Unions, churches and social organisations strongly oppose broadening Sunday openings, citing the need to protect a common day of rest and demanding safeguards such as voluntary shifts and fair pay.
- Practical and legal frictions remain unresolved, including a proposed rise in the mini-job flat tax that could raise labour costs for small bakeries and the likelihood of uneven implementation and court challenges if some states keep strict rules.