In Austria, stores are generally not allowed to be open on Sundays and public holidays, with some exceptions. The law on shop opening hours ("Öffnungszeitengesetz") stipulates that only certain categories of stores are allowed to operate on Sundays and public holidays, including, as follows.
Special regulations in Austria for being open on Sunday
Public
Austria
Author: Kristina Dosen
Category:
Fiscal subject related
Views:
15668
Content accuracy validation date:
10.04.2023
Content accuracy validation time:
09:00h
- Retail stores at railway stations, airports, and other transportation facilities
- Retail stores that sell souvenirs, books, flowers, and other similar items at tourist destinations
- Gas stations and stores at gas stations
- Stores that sell food and essential household items, such as bakeries, convenience stores, and pharmacies, with a sales area of less than 400 square meters
- Stores that are open for cultural or entertainment purposes, such as museums, theaters, and cinemas
However, even for these exceptions, there are strict rules regarding the opening hours and conditions for operation on Sundays and public holidays. In general, stores are only allowed to be open for a limited time, usually between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m., and employees who work on Sundays and public holidays are entitled to extra pay or a compensatory day off.
Other news from Austria
Austria Updates VAT Rules and Registration Thresholds for 2025
Public
Austria
Author: Ivana Picajkić
Austria
Author: Ivana Picajkić
Austria has updated its VAT rules for 2025, confirming a €55,000 annual registration threshold for resident businesses, no threshold for non-residents, and specific limits for OSS and intra-community acquisitions. The guidance reiterates applicable VAT rates, filing deadlines, invoicing requirements, and penalties, while maintaining special provisions for foreign businesses, VAT grouping, and cert... Read more
New document was uploaded: S4F backoffice patch
Author: Dejan Šijačić
S4F backoffice patch is intended for users who have already installed S4F backoffice and are intended to update existing installations to latest version. To do so apply only patches that are marked with version number that is newer than your currently installed instance of backoffice. Please make sure to install all available patches sequentially (without skipping). This package contains instruction, release notes, changelog and software packages required for deployment of this software component. Read more
Subscribe to get access to the latest news, documents, webinars and educations.
Already subscriber? Login
Austria’s 2025 Tax Reform for Small Businesses
Public
Austria
Author: Ivana Picajkić
Austria
Author: Ivana Picajkić
Austria’s 2025 tax reform introduces significant relief for small businesses, including a higher VAT exemption threshold of €55,000, simplified invoicing for amounts over €400, and a planned exemption from issuing receipts for payments under €35. Additional measures include a NoVA tax exemption for light commercial vehicles starting July 2025 and streamlined approval processes to reduce red tape a... Read more
New document was uploaded: S4F backoffice patch
Author: Dejan Šijačić
S4F backoffice patch is intended for users who have already installed S4F backoffice and are intended to update existing installations to latest version. To do so apply only patches that are marked with version number that is newer than your currently installed instance of backoffice. Please make sure to install all available patches sequentially (without skipping). This package contains instruction, release notes, changelog and software packages required for deployment of this software component. Read more
Subscribe to get access to the latest news, documents, webinars and educations.
Already subscriber? Login
Austria Publishes 2025 Budget Act: VAT Exemption for Contraceptives and Menstrual Products from 2026
Public
Austria
Author: Ivana Picajkić
Austria
Author: Ivana Picajkić
Austria’s 2025 Budget Act introduces a VAT exemption for contraceptives and menstrual products starting January 1, 2026, to support affordability and equitable healthcare. On June 30, the Austrian Official Gazette published Law No. 25, known as the Budget Accompanying Act 2025, introducing a range of fiscal measures aimed at reshaping the country’s tax framework. Among the headline provisio... Read more
Cash Register Registration in Austria
Austria
Author: Ivana Picajkić
Since 2017, Austrian businesses exceeding €15,000 in annual sales and receiving over €7,500 in cash or card payments must register their cash registers with the tax office via FinanzOnline. This process requires obtaining a U-Signal code, purchasing a certified signature device, and setting up secure digital communication with the tax system to ensure tamper-proof receipts with QR codes. Read more
Subscribe to get access to the latest news, documents, webinars and educations.
Already subscriber? Login
Austria: Accepting and Managing Card Tips in Restaurants
Austria
Author: Ivana Picajkić
In Austria, while many restaurants accept card payments, tips are often requested in cash due to accounting and tax concerns. Card tips must be properly recorded through the cash register and can be paid out in cash or via payroll, with tax-free treatment applying only to tips given directly to employees. Read more
Subscribe to get access to the latest news, documents, webinars and educations.
Already subscriber? Login