When can shops open in Switzerland?
It depends on the canton — and Sundays are mostly closed. The federal Labour Act mainly restricts night and Sunday work, which forces most shops to close on Sundays and in the evening. The actual opening hours are set by the cantonal shop-opening laws. Canton of Zürich example (illustrative): on Sundays and public holidays shops are generally closed. Exceptions: shops at stations and airports, pharmacies, bakeries, flower shops, kiosks and small shops up to 200 m² may open on Sundays. Communes may also designate up to four Sunday sales per year when larger shops may open. In short: yes during the week, on Sundays only with exceptions.
📋 The rules
- Labour Act limits night and Sunday work
- Opening hours are cantonal
- Sundays/holidays: shops generally closed
- Exceptions: stations, kiosks, small shops up to 200 m²
- Up to 4 Sunday sales per year (commune)
🔓 Exceptions
- Petrol-station shops and tourist zones: their own rules
- Evening closing times vary by canton
- Planned increase in Sunday sales in Zürich not yet in force
⚠️ Penalties & fines
A business that opens outside the permitted hours or employs staff on Sundays contrary to the Labour Act breaches the cantonal shop-opening law or the Labour Act and risks fines and conditions from the authorities. Beware a myth: "shops in Switzerland can open whenever they like" is false — opening hours are cantonal and heavily restricted on Sundays. Tip: check your canton's opening hours and approved Sunday sales, and for Sunday shopping use station and small shops or the designated Sunday sales.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
When can shops open?
The cantonal shop-opening laws set this. During the week and on Saturday shops may generally open, with evening closing times that vary by canton. On Sundays and public holidays they're generally closed, because the federal Labour Act heavily restricts Sunday work by employees.
Why are shops closed on Sundays?
The federal Labour Act heavily restricts Sunday and night work by employees and requires a permit for it. This indirectly means most shops have to close on Sundays and late in the evening. The opening hours themselves, however, are regulated by the cantons and communes.
Which shops may open on Sundays?
Exceptions include shops at stations and airports, pharmacies, bakeries, flower shops and kiosks. In the canton of Zürich, small shops up to 200 square metres of sales area may also open on Sundays. These exceptions allow limited Sunday shopping despite the general closure of shops.
What are Sunday sales?
Sunday sales are individual Sundays or holidays on which communes allow larger shops to open and staff to be employed, without a special permit. Federal law limits the number of permit-free Sunday sales, in the canton of Zürich to up to four per year for the larger shops.
Do the same hours apply everywhere?
No. The opening hours and the number of Sunday sales differ from canton to canton. The Zürich example is illustrative. Other cantons have different evening closing times and sometimes stricter or more generous rules. So check the rules of your own canton before relying on them.
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