Court Declares Sunday Opening Rules Invalid - German court overturns Mecklenburg's Sunday shopping rules over excessive loopholes
A court in Greifswald has struck down Sunday shopping rules in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The Higher Administrative Court (OVG) ruled that the current regulations contain too many exceptions. The decision follows a legal challenge brought by the Verdi trade union.
The court found that the state's ordinance on Sunday openings did not meet constitutional standards. According to the ruling, the time frames, locations, and types of goods permitted under the exceptions were too broad. These loopholes weakened the constitutional protection of Sundays as a day of rest.
The case began after Verdi argued that the existing rules allowed excessive commercial activity on Sundays. While the court's decision is now in place, it is not yet legally binding. The state government still has the option to appeal to the Federal Administrative Court. Details on how many shops previously operated under the special Sunday rules—or which tourist areas were affected—remain unclear.
The ruling means Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania must now revise its Sunday shopping regulations. Until a final decision is reached, the current ordinance cannot be enforced. The state government will decide whether to challenge the verdict or amend the rules in line with the court's findings.
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