Applying for an exemption from the ban on working on Sundays and public holidays

If you as an employer wish to have employees work in your company or business on a Sunday or public holiday, you require a permit to do so.

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.

Responsibility lies with the regional councils.

• For all companies:
  • Details of the activity
  • Number of employees for whom a permit is to be issued
  • Contact person in the company with contact details
  • Detailed reasons for the application
  • Statement from the works council (if available)
• Additionally for participation in in-house and order fairs:
  • Approval of the organizer's in-house or order fair
• Additionally for the organization of an in-house and order fair:
  • Details of the connection between the event and trade fairs, markets or exhibitions
  • Proof of authorization of the trade fair, market or exhibition by the responsible local authority

Action before the administrative court

The employment of workers is only permitted once a permit has been issued. A retroactive permit cannot be issued.

The processing time depends on the amount of work involved in the examination. As a rule, you will receive your decision a few days after you have submitted all the documents.

The granting of the permit or the rejection of the application is subject to a fee. The fees are calculated according to the administrative costs or depend on the number of employees to be deployed.