Shopping In Austria: Sunday Store Closure Explained

Austria has strict rules regarding shop opening hours. By law, shops may only be open for 66 hours a week. Typically, shops are open from 6 am to 7:30 pm Monday to Friday, and 6 am to 5 pm on Saturdays. However, shops are almost always closed on Sundays. This is because Austrians consider Sunday a day of rest and time to spend with family.

There are a few exceptions to this rule. Shops in tourist areas may stay open later and have longer weekend hours during the high season. Bakeries often open earlier than other shops, and supermarkets may stay open until 7:30 pm. Additionally, shops at airports, train stations, and gas stations are usually open outside of normal business hours.

Most shops are closed on Sundays

In Austria, most shops are closed on Sundays. By law, shops in the country are only permitted to open for 66 hours a week, with typical operating hours being 6 am to 7:30 pm, Monday to Friday, and 6 am to 5 pm on Saturdays.

However, there are exceptions to this rule. Shops in tourist areas often have extended hours during the high season, including Sunday. Additionally, bakeries tend to open earlier than other shops, and supermarkets may remain open until 7:30 pm.

In Vienna, some grocery stores are open on Sundays, and shops located within museums also tend to be open on Sundays. Outside of the capital, grocery stores at main train stations in cities like Innsbruck and Salzburg are usually open on Sundays, as are gas stations and post offices.

Despite the closures, there are still plenty of activities to enjoy in Austria on Sundays. Restaurants, cafes, museums, art galleries, and nightclubs are all open for business.

Bakeries and small supermarkets are open

In Austria, shops are closed on Sundays. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule, with some bakeries and small supermarkets remaining open for business.

Bakeries often open earlier than other shops in Austria, and on Sundays, they may be your best bet for purchasing food. You can also find bakeries at train stations, which are a good option if you're travelling on a Sunday and need to buy something to eat.

Small supermarkets at main stations are also open on Sundays. For example, in Innsbruck, the MPREIS at the station is open daily from 6 am to 9 pm, and in Salzburg, the SPAR is open from 8 am to 11 pm on Sundays. These can be a great option if you're looking to buy groceries on a Sunday.

Additionally, shops in tourist areas may have longer weekend hours during the high season, including Sunday hours. So, if you're in a popular tourist destination, you may find some shops open on Sundays.

Shops in tourist areas have longer weekend hours in high season

In Austria, shops are generally closed on Sundays. However, shops in tourist areas have longer weekend hours during the high season. This means that in popular tourist destinations, shops may stay open later in the day and be open on Sundays as well. This is especially true for shops located near ski resorts or busy summer destinations.

For example, in ski resorts and summer destinations like Mayrhofen, shops, and supermarkets tend to be open on Sundays but with limited hours. In addition, shops located within museums are also open on Sundays, providing visitors with a unique shopping experience that combines culture and commerce.

It's important to note that Austrian shopping hours are regulated by law. Most shops are allowed to operate for up to 66 hours a week, typically from 6 am to 7:30 pm, Monday through Friday, and 6 am to 5 pm on Saturdays. However, in smaller towns and villages, shops may close for one to three hours during midday. This midday break is a unique aspect of Austrian shopping culture, allowing shop owners and employees a well-deserved respite during the workday.

Despite the legal restrictions on operating hours, shops in tourist areas are granted some flexibility during the high season. This flexibility ensures that visitors have the opportunity to purchase souvenirs, essentials, or simply indulge in some holiday shopping during their trips. It also helps local businesses cater to the influx of customers and maximise their revenue during the busiest times of the year.

Pharmacies are closed but some offer emergency services

In Austria, shops are typically open during the week and on Saturdays, but many are closed on Sundays. The law restricts the opening hours of most shops to 66 hours per week. The usual opening times are 6 am-7:30 pm Monday to Friday and 6 am-5 pm on Saturdays. However, shops in tourist areas may have extended hours during the high season, including on Sundays.

Pharmacies in Austria generally follow the standard opening hours, but they are also required to provide emergency services outside of these hours. Pharmacies that offer emergency services on Sundays can be located through online resources. For example, websites such as ondutypharmacy.com provide information on Austria's pharmacies on duty, including night pharmacies and urgent service pharmacies. Additionally, expat health insurance providers like Allianz Care offer guidance on obtaining medication in Austria and may provide details on accessing emergency pharmacy services.

When searching for emergency pharmacy services in Austria, it is essential to distinguish between dispensing chemists/pharmacies ("Apotheke" in German) and drugstores ("Drogerie"). While both types of establishments sell toiletries, only pharmacies are authorised to dispense medications.

In the event of a medical emergency, there is always at least one pharmacy open outside of regular hours. This ensures that individuals can access necessary medications even when standard pharmacies are closed. It is worth noting that the law in Austria is strict regarding prescriptions. Many medications that are available over the counter in other countries, such as antibiotics, require a prescription from a doctor in Austria.

To summarise, while pharmacies in Austria typically adhere to standard opening hours, they also play a crucial role in providing emergency services during off-hours, including on Sundays. Online resources and expat health insurance providers can offer valuable information on locating and utilising these emergency pharmacy services.

Grocery stores at train stations are open on Sundays

In Austria, shops are typically closed on Sundays. However, grocery stores located within train stations remain open on Sundays, providing a convenient option for travellers and locals alike. These grocery stores offer a range of essential items, including snacks, drinks, tobacco, and reading material.

While most shops in Austria adhere to standard business hours during the week, closing by 7 pm at the latest, Sundays present a different scenario. On Sundays, grocery stores at train stations become a lifeline for those who need to purchase goods on this day of rest. These stores are usually open during the daytime, and sometimes into the evening, providing a valuable service to those passing through or in need of last-minute supplies.

The existence of these grocery stores within train stations can be a lifesaver for travellers who arrive in a new city on a Sunday, only to find that most shops are closed. With limited food options at their destination, these stores offer a practical solution to stock up on essentials until regular shops open on Monday.

The grocery stores at train stations in Austria vary in terms of their operating hours. For instance, the MPREIS store in Innsbruck's train station is open daily from 6 am to 9 pm, while the SPAR store in Salzburg operates from 6 am to 11 pm daily, except on Sundays when it opens from 8 am to 11 pm.

In addition to the grocery stores at train stations, bakeries in Austria also tend to open earlier than other shops and may offer extended hours on Sundays. This provides residents and visitors with a limited selection of food options when most other shops are closed.

Frequently asked questions