Can you buy alcohol in Germany on Sunday?
Asked by: Dayna Cruickshank | Last update: May 8, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (75 votes)
You can buy wine, beer, and spirits at most supermarkets, grocery stores, and gas stations in Germany. These alcoholic drinks are available for purchase during normal business hours. Some stores also sell alcohol on Sundays, though with more limited hours.
What are the rules for Sunday in Germany?
What is the German Sunday law? Sundays in Germany are truly a day of rest. Germany's Sunday law dictates that German supermarkets are closed on Sundays. While a handful of other businesses like restaurants, museums, galleries and cafés will usually remain open on a Sunday, most German supermarkets will not.
What are the alcohol rules in Germany?
Belgium, Denmark and Germany set 16 years as the minimum age for purchasing beverages containing less than 1.2 % of distilled alcohol and 18 years for buying spirits (more than 1.2 % of distilled alcohol).
Why are shops not open on Sunday in Germany?
In Germany, Sundays are sacred. The country considers them rest days, not just for people with white- or blue-collar jobs, but also for establishments (with only a handful of exceptions). Germans take the practice so seriously that Sundays are protected by the constitution.
Why is Germany quiet on Sundays?
Oh Sunday, the best day of the week to catch up on laundry, vacuum, clean your car… except not in Germany due to “Ruhezeit.” Otherwise known as “quiet hours,” Ruhezeit is the time when you are legally obliged to keep the noise levels down.
10 Things to Do on Sundays in Germany
Can you vacuum on Sunday in Germany?
In Germany Sunday is also called “Ruhetag”, which translates to “day of rest” (literally meaning “quiet day”). This means that all chores, particularly noisy ones like mowing the lawn or vacuum cleaning the house will have to wait until the next week.
Why is alcohol so cheap in Germany?
The tax rates for alcoholic beverages in Germany are below average compared to the rest of Europe, and there are very few regulations governing availability. Drinking in public is generally legal and considered socially normal.
What is a famous German liquor?
No collection of German drinks would be complete without Jägermeister. This iconic liqueur was originally developed in 1934 and its recipe has not changed since. It boasts a blend of 56 botanicals including citrus, saffron, ginger and juniper, though this digestif is most known for its distinct licorice flavor.
Can you open carry beer in Germany?
In Germany, on the other hand, walking with an open bottle of beer is not just allowed, it is so ubiquitous and commonplace there's even a compound German noun for it: Wegbier (pronounced roughly like “vague beer”).
How to not be rude in Germany?
Having a loud conversation, talking loud on the phone, or listening to loud music are considered very impolite as you will disturb other people. German people love to have their privacy. If you see a closed door, it doesn't mean that the person inside does not want you to come in.
Can you order alcohol at a restaurant on Sunday?
The sale of alcoholic beverages in the state of California can occur weekly between the hours of 6 a.m. and 2 a.m. every day, including Sunday.
Is it rude to not finish food in Germany?
If you can't eat something for health reasons, politely explain to your hosts why. Don't take more than you can eat. It's considered impolite to leave food on your plate.
What not to do on Sunday in Germany?
Making noise
You will make yourself very unpopular if you mow the lawn, use your electric drill or invite your 16-year-old nephew's heavy metal band to practice between the hours of 10pm and 7am, around lunch time or on Sundays and public holidays.
What is the silent day in Germany?
The Totensonntag is a so-called “silent day” (stiller Tag). In some German states music or dance events are prohibited by law. Like on any other Sunday, offices, banks and schools are closed. Public transport usually runs on a normal Sunday schedule.
What is White Sunday in Germany?
Pentecost is a religious holiday in Germany to mark the Holy Spirit's descent on Jesus' followers. Many local and regional customs are also associated with Pentecost Sunday, which is also known as Whitsunday.
What is the #1 drink in Germany?
Mineral water is by far the most purchased and consumed beverage in Germany. Around 86 percent of the population bought it in 2023.
What is Germany's signature alcohol?
Jägermeister. Jägermeister (/ˈjeɪɡərmaɪstər/ YAY-gər-my-stər, German: [ˈjɛːɡɐˌmaɪstɐ]) is a German digestif made with 56 herbs and spices.
What is the most common German beer?
By far the most popular type of beer in Germany is pilsner, generally known as 'Pils'. The light-golden beer with the dry hoppy aroma is very popular in the North, West and East. The name goes back to the Czech town of Pilsen.
What alcohol do Germans prefer?
A typical German consumes almost 92 liters of beer, over 20 liters of wine and 5 liters of spirits per year, making the country a powerhouse in alcohol consumption.
Are clothes expensive in Germany?
Here are some typical costs you can expect: A pair of jeans – €40 to €110. A thick winter jacket – €45 to €200. A light summer dress – €20 to €60.
Why does beer taste better in Germany?
Düsseldorf's signature beer is top fermented, rather than bottom fermented like most modern industrial beers. This gives it a fresher, more complex taste. It has a rich, malty flavour, a bit like Newcastle Brown Ale – look out for Sticke, a stronger variation brewed only once or twice per year.
What are German quiet hours?
German Quiet Hours, or "Ruhezeiten," are legally enforced periods from 10 PM to 6 AM on weekdays and all day on Sundays and public holidays. These regulations minimize noise in residential areas, ensuring a peaceful living environment. Violating these hours can lead to fines and conflicts with neighbors.
Can I wash my clothes on Sunday in Germany?
Defining Ruhezeit in Germany
It's when making noise on Sundays (and weeknights after 10 pm) is legally off-limits. So, doing things like running your washing machine, mowing your lawn, or even vacuuming on a Sunday might lead to a complaint from your neighbors, a fine, or in extreme cases, legal action.
What closes in Germany on Sunday?
Saturday is the main shopping day for Germans. Second, on Sundays and public holidays most shops are closed. Exceptions are bakeries, shops in airports, train stations and gas stations. Restaurants, bars, amusement parks, museums, public swimming pools etc.