VIENNA: Austria’s long-standing ban on most Sunday shopping has once again become the center of political debate, with parties sharply divided over whether relaxing the rules would boost the economy or undermine workers’ rights and family life.
The liberal NEOS party is leading calls to ease the country’s strict trading laws by allowing owner-operated shops to open on Sundays, provided no employees are required to work, according to ORF News. The party also wants uniform nationwide rules to make better use of the existing legal exceptions that already permit some businesses to trade on Sundays.
Speaking in Vienna, NEOS economic spokesperson Markus Hofer said Austria has one of Europe’s most restrictive Sunday trading systems. He pointed to countries such as Sweden, where Sunday shopping is largely unrestricted, arguing that Austria is losing billions of euros in consumer spending and tax revenue at a time when the retail sector is facing serious economic challenges.
The debate has gained particular attention in Vienna, where tourism and international events play a major role in the local economy. Markus Ornig, a NEOS lawmaker in the Austrian capital, said that two mandatory shop closure days during this year’s Eurovision Song Contest deprived Vienna of an estimated €150 million in economic activity. He urged the governing parties to reconsider their opposition to limited Sunday trading, saying the current rules fail to reflect the needs of a modern, international city.
The proposal has met firm resistance from the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ), which insists that Sunday should remain a guaranteed day of rest. SPÖ Federal Secretary Klaus Seltenheim said a common day off allows families to spend valuable time together while protecting workers from increasing pressure to work longer hours. He argued that preserving a free Sunday contributes significantly to people’s quality of life.
The Vienna branch of the conservative Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) has taken a more cautious position. Its leader, Markus Figl, called for “practical solutions” that would support businesses without weakening employee protections.
Labour representatives also oppose broader Sunday opening hours. Barbara Teiber, chair of the GPA trade union, warned that turning Sunday into a normal working day would ignore the realities faced by retail employees. She said surveys show that 97 percent of retail workers oppose regular Sunday shifts, arguing that policymakers should respect the clear wishes of those who would be most affected by any change.
