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

You can apply for a permit to work on Sundays and public holidays in writing.
- You complete the relevant application form in full and send it to the local competent authority, including the documents listed in the application.
- If the documents or information required for processing are incomplete, you will be contacted by the processing department.
- If the requirements for approval are met, you will receive a notice of approval, otherwise a notice of rejection.
- Depending on the local authority responsible, the notification will be sent to you by e-mail or by post.
- The notification of fees will usually be sent to you later.

You can only apply for authorization to work on Sundays and public holidays if you are an employer.
Authorization can be granted if
- the statutory stocktaking is to be carried out and cannot be carried out on a working day (1 Sunday per year),
- special circumstances in the commercial sector require extended business operations (e.g. for in-house and order fairs organized exclusively for
are organized exclusively for commercial resellers) on 10 Sundays or public holidays,
- special circumstances arise in a business that cause disproportionate damage.
Special circumstances exist, for example, if an unexpectedly large number of employees fall ill at the same time or material is delivered late and an order cannot be completed on time as a result.
cannot be completed on time (on 5 Sundays).
If there are other reasons for working on Sundays or public holidays, these will also be examined and authorization will be granted if necessary.

You can find out which documents are required in your case on the application form from the local competent authority.

Approval and rejection of the application for authorization to work on Sundays and public holidays are subject to a fee. The amount of the fees is based on the fee schedule of the locally competent authority.

Please submit the application for authorization to work on Sundays or public holidays at least 4 working days before the intended date of Sunday or public holiday work.

Depending on the capacity utilization of the local competent authority.

• § Section 13 (3) nos. 2a, 2b and 2c of the Working Hours Act (ArbZG)
• § Section 13 (4) and (5) of the Working Hours Act (ArbZG)

- Please obtain the application form from the local competent authority
- Online procedure possible: no
- Written form required: yes
- Personal appearance required: no

08.12.2020