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LIVING IN AUSTRIA

Will shops in Austria be open on Sundays ahead of Christmas?

Usually, stores and shops are closed on Sundays, with very few exceptions, in Austria. But are the rules different in the run up to Christmas?

Published: 13 December 2023 15:38 CET
Will shops in Austria be open on Sundays ahead of Christmas?
People walk during the twilight at Vienna's famous shopping Mariahilfer street decorated with Christmas lights on December 18, 2019 in Vienna, Austria. (Photo by JOE KLAMAR / AFP)

With Christmas just around the corner, many people are scurrying to find the time to purchase all those presents before the nativities. 

But if you live in Austria, you will need to plan ahead to fit any and all of your shopping needs on the six days a week when stores are allowed to open in the country. Because no, stores will not open on Sundays in Austria – not even for Christmas.

Why are shops closed?

The regulations regarding store opening hours in Austria are notably strict. Governed by a federal law enacted in 2003, these guidelines, rooted in a much earlier tradition, dictate specific times during which stores are permitted to operate. Generally, shops are allowed to remain open from Mondays to Fridays, starting at 6 am and closing at 9 pm. On Saturdays, business hours are shorter: 6 am to 6 pm. Holidays follow the Sunday rules, with an almost absolute ban on openings. 

Consequently, most commercial activity in Austria comes to a halt promptly at 6 pm on Saturdays and resumes the following Monday at 6 am. 

However, there are a few exemptions to these regulations. Certain businesses, such as bakeries, gas stations that sell fuel and “small sale items,” and shops in transit areas, are permitted to operate outside these strict timeframes.

Individual federal states are authorised to determine additional exceptions, particularly in cases involving commuter services, establishments in tourist areas, and events deemed as “special occasions.” These provisions allow shops, especially those in train stations, to remain open despite the general limitations on operating hours.

READ ALSO: Everything you need to know about supermarkets in Austria

What are the exceptions?

Sunday shopping in Austria is such a rarity that any exception (besides the ones already cited) becomes a media sensation. 

In December 2021, Austrian shops and retail outlets faced significant financial challenges due to reduced sales caused by pandemic-related restrictions. In response to this situation, the country made an unexpected decision: it allowed shops to operate on Sunday to compensate for the lost revenue.

This decision marked a rare occurrence as it was the first instance in decades that commercial activities were allowed on a Sunday. Austrian media characterised it as “a sacred cow being slaughtered in Austria“.

Authorities and workers’ unions quickly emphasised that this one-time exception should not be seen as a broader shift toward regular Sunday openings. Additionally, shops were given the discretion to decide whether to open, and employees could refuse to go to work. Those who chose to work received double pay and an extra day off as compensation.

READ ALSO: Seven weird things about life in Austria you need to get used to

The only other exception is on the last holiday before Christmas, the Feast of Immaculate Conception, on December 8th. Then, shops are also permitted to open – but many won’t.

Christian traditions

Why are Austrians so rigid when it comes to their Sunday day off? The answer lies in the Christian roots of the country. 

Sunday is seen as a holy day by much of the population, and the Austrian Church has long protected the day’s status as a “rest day”. But that is not all – what has once started as a religious thing is now simply a very Austrian thing.

The idea that Sundays are not for shopping and that keeping shops closed is a way to preserve the Austrian quality of life is treasured in the alpine country.

Even with the exceptional opening during the pandemic, a University of Linz survey showed that only 15 per cent of consumers would use the day to buy goods.

READ ALSO: Why is Friday December 8th a public holiday in Austria?

If you ask any Austrian or review poll findings regarding Sunday closures, you’ll likely encounter similar justifications: “Sundays are reserved for family time,” “It’s a day for culture, nature, and relaxation,” and “Workers deserve their well-earned Sunday rest.” Some may even suggest you “plan better for shopping.”

Remarkably, this subject is one of the rare areas where most political parties, including the socialists in Vienna, the Church, workers’ unions, and a significant portion of the population, agree.

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LIVING IN AUSTRIA

‘Haushaltsversicherung’: How does Austria’s home insurance work?

'Haushaltsversicherung' is one of Austria's most popular types of insurance. It is not mandatory, but it is certainly worth evaluating, especially as it comes with many possible add-ons.

Published: 2 May 2024 15:22 CEST
'Haushaltsversicherung': How does Austria's home insurance work?

Austrians are certainly obsessed with insurance coverage, and one of the most popular and common ones is known as the “Haushaltsversicherung”—if you don’t have it already, you have certainly heard of it. Here’s what you need to know about household insurance.

Firstly, this insurance covers damages to “all movable objects within your own four walls,” as Austria’s Chamber of Labour (AK) explains. This includes furniture, carpets, and electrical appliances. It would also cover damages caused by fire, storms, water, burglary, and glass breakage. 

Certain types of insurance, such as private liability insurance or mandatory dog liability insurance, are almost always combined with household insurance—another reason why the Haushaltsversicherung is so popular in Austria.

READ ALSO: What kind of insurance do I need to have in Austria?

However, there are enormous differences in premiums and benefits, so experts suggest you check precisely what you need before taking out insurance. The AK also says you should talk to an insurance advisor to learn more about your specific case and needs, particularly if you have any valuables in your home. 

Additionally, they said: “It makes sense to check your policy every few years to ensure that you are properly insured. This guarantees that the sums insured and the risks included are up-to-date and sufficient”.

What should I keep an eye on when reviewing policies?

Of course, different companies have their own offers, and they are often highly customisable to fit your apartment and lifestyle—some things you need to be aware of, though.

Certain policies are tied to the size of your apartment, while others will have a lump sum regardless of the size of your place. Policies also usually differ depending on whether you live in an apartment or a house. 

While most insurance will cover glass breakage (such as when a hail storm breaks your window, for example), some might have it as an add-on (wahlweise mit Glasbruch). 

You may also add other types of insurance to your household insurance, the most common being mandatory dog liability insurance (Hunde-Haftpflicht), legal insurance (Straf-Rechtsschutz), and sports insurance.

READ ALSO: Should I take out insurance before skiing in Austria?

It’s worth it to read each policy, but you should know some common clauses beforehand. For example, insurance often won’t cover burglary costs if your house has not been properly secured and locked. This might seem obvious, but since door knobs don’t open from the outside without the key, people often leave their homes, especially for short errands, and don’t lock the doors all the way. Insurance and safety experts recommend you get in the habit of locking your home doors.

It’s also important to check if your insurance will pay you “Neuwert” or “Zeitwert” in case of damage. 

A Neuwert means the insurance will pay for a replacement object, regardless of how old the stolen or broken one was. However, many insurance policies still contain the so-called “Zeitwert”, something like “current value”, so you wouldn’t receive an amount that could pay for a new product. Instead, a loss of value of around 10 percent per year could be expected for most objects.

What should I do if there is damage to my home?

If you see any damage to your home from burglary, accident or other types, you need to notify your insurer immediately and report the damage you have suffered. 

The insurance conditions usually stipulate a maximum period of three days for reporting a claim in property insurance. The Chamber of Labour also recommends that you send a written notification of the claim (preferably by registered mail, they add).

“Make a list of all items that have been destroyed or lost and enclose it with your report to both the insurer and the security authorities”, they said. And, of course, in the event of fire burglary or robbery, always inform the fire department or police authorities.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: The Austrian insurance for if you get sued – or want to sue someone

How long does the insurance last, and how much does it cost?

The insurance term is usually specified in the counteract. In general, though, you can terminate it after the third year with one month’s notice if the contract has not already expired.

If you move house or move abroad, you can terminate your household insurance contract. You can cancel the insurance the day before the move begins (preferably by registered letter).

If you do not exercise your right of termination, the insurance will remain valid during the move and in the new home.

Regarding prices, they can be as low as a few euros a month (such as insurance specifically tailored to students living in shared flats) to several hundred a month if you have a large place with plenty of valuables or include several add-ons. 

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